It was amazing how I could recognize Ashton at a glance although the wedding was full of people.
The wedding was held according to Chinese wedding traditions which included walking over a fire pit, and serving tea to parents before they gave the wedding couple red envelopes and jewelry.
After the wedding couple bowed to each other, they exchanged jade bracelets instead of rings.
The couple served tea to Zachary and Cameron as they are the closest elders to Emery.
After the ritual ended, Emery tugged me away. “Come with me. Someone has gotten you a gift.”
“What?” I was startled.
“Just follow me.” She took me to the garden behind the hotel.
I was taken aback when the garden full of balloon flowers came into my vision. “From where you got all these balloon flowers?”
It was nearly impossible to get these summer blooms in winter.
Emery winked at me. “That’s because someone has planned this for a few months. He had these flowers planted in the greenhouse just to show them to you today. Do you know the symbol of balloon flowers?”
I pondered for a while before I answered, “Balloon flowers symbolize unchanging love. Jared once brought these flowers to Macy’s cemetery.”
Emery pouted, “Can’t you see these are white balloon flowers?”
I nodded. “Yes. What about it?”
She explained, “White balloon flowers symbolize the one and only love.”
I squinted my eyes as I stared at her. “Is this a confession? You’re married, though.”
Emery held her forehead. “Scarlett Stovall, you’re such a fool!”
I was rendered speechless.
“Where are you going?” I took hold of her as she was about to leave.
“I have to get something. You wait for me here.” She sped away after dropping her words.
Looking at the white blossoms, I was absorbed with the spectacular scenery.
As the snow flew past, I gazed up at the sky where powdery snow was falling.
The balloon flowers were ornamented with the snow. It was a very beautiful sight to behold.
“I remember what you said to me in front of the library seven years ago. You told me that one can only witness such scenery at the Kunlun Mountains when the snow complements the snow lotuses. So I was thinking perhaps I can bring it to you if I do my best.”
Ashton’s voice rang out from behind. I turned around and saw him holding a bouquet of white balloon flowers in his hand.
I came to a sudden realization that he was the one who had prepared all this. There was no other way to explain these white blooms at this red-themed wedding.
I gave him a sweet smile as I received the bouquet. “Well, I didn’t know you are such a romantic person. What a pleasant surprise from you. I’m flattered.”
Ashton chuckled. “I’ll spoil you more often then.”
We took cover under the eave as the snow was getting heavier. “Why are you doing this for me all of a sudden?” I asked.
He gazed up at the sky full of snow. “Do you like it?”
“Yes, I do. It’s beautiful!” It felt good to have a special place in his heart.
Suddenly, a bouquet of red roses appeared before my eyes. Before I could think for another second, Ashton had stood in front of me and gotten down on one knee.
I froze on my spot.
“Wow!” A voice rang out. I turned around and saw the wedding couple standing not far from us.
The guests of the wedding slowly gathered around. Ashton took out the ring box and opened it.
I was shocked. Is he proposing to me?
“Scarlett, I owed you a proposal seven years ago. Can you give me a chance to make it up to you?”
His proposal caught me off guard, but my heart had never experienced such warmth before. After a few seconds, I asked, “Aren’t we already married?”
Emery interrupted, “It doesn’t matter. A romantic act like this is worth doing more than once. Besides, a romantic proposal is every girl’s dream.”
She then looked at Ashton and raised her voice. “Ashton Fuller, our great president, you haven’t said the most important words to her. Aren’t you going to say the three words now?”
Right now, the perfect-looking man was staring at me with affection. I could feel my face burning as our eyes met. I reached out to take the ring.
He held my hand instead and put the ring on me. “Scarlett Stovall, I’ll stay with you till the end of time.”
He didn’t say “I love you,” but what he said was an apt description of loving someone with all his heart.
Smiling, I reached out to pull him up.
Emery thought the proposal was rather dull. She couldn’t help but whine, “You two are just like an old married couple. You should be more passionate, or at least say something sweet.”
“Passion isn’t the key to long-lasting love. No matter how passionate it is at first, it’ll eventually dwindle. Love is embedded in every detail of life,” I replied.
Witnessing the proposal, Cameron’s eyes reddened as she looked at me. She was standing next to Zachary.
Stunned, I recalled what she said to me on the phone the other day. ”Scarlett, I am Mom.”
I felt estranged from the word “Mom.” I almost forgot that everyone had a mother.
“What’s wrong?” Ashton hugged me in his arms as he noticed I spaced out.
