Sheila heard a car parked at the front of their restaurant and looked out from the window upstairs. She saw Clarence get out from the car. Then she saw another man stood out from the backseat who was holding a bouquet. She was dumbfounded after recognizing the man, her Lucien. She couldn't believe he was back and came directly to her home.

Right at that moment, Clarence walked into Mother's Best Restaurant. "h.e.l.lo, anybody home?"

Hugh followed after Clarence and stood by the door.

"Clarence? Whoa! h.e.l.lo, how's married life?" Sheila's father came to meet them with a floured ap.r.o.n on.

"h.e.l.lo, Uncle. Nice to see you again. Happily married. Look at my smile." He pointed a finger to his face that showed a smile with teeth exposed as he shook hands with the old man with his other hand.

"Hehe, Good, good." Sheila's father's eyes moved to the person behind Clarence. The guy almost looked like Clarence but maturer and blond haired holding a flower bouquet same as yesterday.

At this moment, Sheila ran down the stairs with a huge grin but paused midway as she tried to calm down and compose herself. She listened to their conversation while she smoothened her yellow blouse and white skirt. She even thought of going up again to make herself more presentable but her excitement kept her.

At the dining hall, Clarence placed his hand on Hugh's shoulder. "Oh, Uncle, this is Doctor Hugh Bisset, my cousin living in France. Well, to make it clear, one of my father's sisters married a French man and he is their son."

Sheila heard the name and stood there in complete confusion. 'Hugh?' She thought of confronting the man right then and then but her father spoke again, so she waited out of respect.

"Oh, no wonder, you almost look like twins but with blond hair and hmm..." Sheila's father looked up and down on Hugh's body. "I take that back. I think he's more handsome than you."

"No way, I won't accept that." Clarence pushed Hugh at the side.

"Cuz, excuse me, don't forget our purpose here," Hugh said.

"Oh boy, sorry. I almost forgot." He faced the old man again. "Uncle, he wants to meet Sheila."

"Correction, I came for Sheila's hand in marriage."

After hearing that one, Sheila's mixed emotion burst out. "What?" Sheila's voice was so loud that everyone, even those outside the restaurant, turned their heads, as she walked down the stairs.

She couldn't believe what she heard. At most, she was totally puzzled that Lucien was Hugh. What kind of joke was this?

"Sheila, for you." Hugh walked fast and extended the bouquet.

Sheila stepped back, avoiding it. "Everyone called you Lucien. How come you are Hugh?"

"Allow me to explain. My full name is Lucien Hugh Bisset but I seldom use my French name, Lucien. Only my cousins call me that."

"Why didn't you say that to me before?" Her eyes started to get wet, feeling left out and betrayed. Then all emotions and every sort of bitterness that built up for the past month and three weeks flowed out from her as tears fell nonstop.

Hugh was distressed looking at her. "I didn't mean to hide it from you. I thought you knew. I'm sorry, I was a.s.suming because it was the name written in the wedding card." He tried to give the flower to her again in earnest appealing eyes.

Sheila's feet lost its strength and sat at a nearby chair, her hand on her lap. Hugh gently placed the bouquet on her hand. Her laments exhibited her pain. "I waited for you to send a message after you left but you didn't. I thought you won't keep your promise, so I tried to forget you. But...d.a.m.n it, I can't forget you." She threw the flower on the table and hugged him, sobbing.

He embraced her back. "I'm sorry for not sending a message as I promised. I should have come sooner."

"You should have sent me a message or anything to explain." She shouted and cried her heart out. Her wails reverberated in the whole room.

An hour after…

Sheila slowly calmed down as all of her pent-up emotions were poured out. She let go, stood back, and looked around. She saw no one and the restaurant's door was closed.

"Everyone left to give us some privacy," said Hugh, answering her silent inquiry.

"I'm sorry for crying like a little girl." She drooped her head and felt shy to face him, her fingers fidgeting her fingernails.

Hugh signed. "No, no, I don't think you were acting like one. I thought that was an honest display of your emotion and it's not wrong." He held her chin up and softly said, "Are you ready to hear me out?"

"Did you really come to ask to marry me?" Her pupils dilated, staring at him with antic.i.p.ation.

"Wait, allow me to be a gentleman here." Hugh laughed, amazed with her sudden change of mood. He took a small box from his knapsack. He took a knee in front of her, opened the box, and said, "Sheila, will you marry me?"

And without an ounce of hesitation, she replied, "yes, absolutely yes!" She was so happy that she jumped on him. He fell on his back on the tiled floor while she was in his arms.

He, too, was laughing with her unladylike display, totally delighted with her unexpected actions. He braced his elbow on the floor as he tried to support both of their weights. "Let's get up and let me put it in your finger."

Sheila stood up and pulled his hand to help him stand. He stood erect as he lifted her left hand, particularly held her ring finger and slipped in a s.h.i.+ny ruby ring.

She smiled with wetting eyes as she raised her finger on her head and looked at the s.h.i.+ning ring with unbelief. "This is very beautiful. I never imagine this to happen soon." She chuckled while brus.h.i.+ng a falling tear with the back of her hand.

"You are more beautiful. I love you, Sheila." Hugh said with doting eyes.

She looked up. "I love you, too, Lucien."

He cupped her face and kissed her softly.