"Good afternoon, Uncle, Auntie. I came to ask for Sheila's hand in marriage," said Hugh. The parents smiled back at him.

"I think Sheila already said yes," the mother said, smiling.

"I believe so with that ring in her finger. Then we'll just talk about the wedding then," said the father.

"Of course, thank you for your blessing, Uncle, Auntie," said Hugh. "But before that, I still have something to show you."

Then Hugh looked at Clarence, the latter nodded. He called someone on his phone and nodded back at Hugh.

"I want to apologize first because what I'm about to show you is supposed to happen before I propose and give the ring but … anyway," he raised his hand toward the door, "Sheila, Sir, Ma'am, Bernard, you too, please go out," said Hugh.

As they stood outside, Hugh added, "Please look up to the sky." Everyone looked up.

Suddenly, three jet planes flew adjacent with one another, zooming on the sky. The three, then, turned in different angles and their smoking tails formed three hearts in different colors on the clear blue sky. Then another plane pa.s.sed pouring flower petals above them with a banner attached to its tail saying, "Sheila, I love you!"

Sheila covered her mouth as she burst out laughing. "Oh my, so dramatic and corny, but I love it," she said. The rest laughed and clapped, enthralled with the jetplanes' demonstration.

While everyone was busy watching the jetplanes' acrobats, Clarence walked back to the restaurant followed by men carrying a few canvas paintings. Some brought in some musical instruments. They walked in complete quietness to keep the element of surprise later.

After the presentation on the sky, Hugh called Clarence's attention again.

"It's prepared, big bro," said Clarence.

Hugh ushered Sheila's family to go back into the restaurant this time but he told Sheila to remain outside. She obeyed somehow with much antic.i.p.ation after the display of the jetplanes. As everyone went in, aside from Sheila, they were stunned by what they saw. A five men string quintet stood inside. One held a cello, three held a violin, and the last one had a guitar.

However, it was not the highlight of the event. At the front of the quintet, there were six paintings veiled with white cloths arranged like a triangle. There was a s.p.a.ce for a person to pa.s.s between them.

Alas, Hugh told Sheila to go in. As she stepped in, the quintet started playing 'Beautiful Girl' by Jose Mari Chan. This was absolutely a surprise to her. Her mouth formed a big letter 'O' as Hugh held her hand as he walked her from one painting to another. The rest in the room smiled as they watched as the two paraded.

The veil of the first oil painting was pulled by Hugh. Sheila gasped, wide-eyed in bewilderment as she covered her mouth with her hand.

"This is my first painting of you," said Hugh. "I painted it from Riley's photo when you were in France."

"You paint? I never heard of this," Sheila said, downright amazed to see such a magnificent and vivid painting of her.

"I do but it's only a hobby," he said in a matter of fact tone but felt proud and thankful to have this talent put into use in this crucial time of his life. "Come, I want you to see the rest of the paintings."

Their next stop was the two behind the first. He pulled the two cloths. Then, the two paintings been revealed. The first one showed Sheila propping her chin on her hand with her elbow on a table.

"Whoa! How did you paint this? I couldn't remember this in our photos."

"Just from my memory," Hugh said, utterly satisfied with her reaction.

Another gasped was heard from Sheila when she saw the second painting. It depicted Sheila dressed in all white, walking barefooted on a sandy beach, her hair partly covered her face, and her skirt blown sideways by the unseen wind. It was so nostalgic.

They went to the three paintings behind the two. Hugh gestured for her to unveil the paintings. She pulled the first cloth from her left. The painting was Sheila standing elegantly as a bridal maid at Beauty's wedding with a flower bouquet on her hand.

She pulled the cloth of the one next in line. It displayed Sheila smiling sweetly wearing a loose white s.h.i.+rt and green flowered skirt. She was running forward.

Then Hugh spoke. "I painted this last month, during my lonely days, when I was wis.h.i.+ng to see you. I imagined you running toward me, to welcome me home."

Sheila was moved with what she heard, moved to hear that he missed her too. The feeling was mutual, she realized. She was not the only one who suffered from their separation.

Then Hugh stopped at the last painting. "Allow me to open it for you." The last veil fell on the ground as he brushed it abruptly with his hand.

The last painting had Sheila wearing a wedding dress with all smiles of a happy bride, walking on a red-carpeted aisle. Then at the bottom of the painting, a note was written.

Sheila read it. "My beloved Sheila." A name was beside it, Lucien Hugh Bisset.

She covered her mouth again but tears kept on pouring from her eyes. "Lucien." That's all she could say out of happiness from her heart.

Hugh faced her to him. "Sheila, be my wife now and forever."

Joy flooded through her. "Yes, yes, yes," said Sheila as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Hugh braced the back of her head with his hand and pulled it to him as he lowered his head to kiss her.

"I love you, Sheila," Hugh said before covering her mouth with his.

The End for Elusive Miss' Portrait