CHAPTER 008 - Won’t Let Go

A lavish beach wedding took place in the month of September; two hearts became one, and Demani's last name officially became Loudd. Many guests attended, all expenses covered by Van, including travel from Manila to Batangas, where the wedding was held.

All of Demani’s friends from the hospital where she worked were there, along with her whole family. Van also invited people from his own circle; business executives, clients, staff, and others. It was also then that Demani met the person who raised her husband and whom he considers his family: Attorney Arnel Salviejo.

The ceremony was emotional; Demani cried as Van read his vow, and again when she read hers. Even her mother and father couldn’t hold back their tears, while Grandma Val wore a beaming smile. She was Van’s number one fan; there was nothing negative she could say about the man her granddaughter had chosen to marry.

The reception was fantastic; food and alcohol overflowed, much to the men’s delight. They had hired a live band for entertainment and even booked the most popular DJ in the city. Everyone celebrated the union of the two hearts, and Demani couldn’t have asked for more. She almost didn’t want to let go of her husband, and Van felt the same.

They were scheduled to fly to Thailand for their five-day honeymoon, but since their flight wasn’t until the next morning, they would stay at the resort that night. Demani was excited and had been anticipating their first night together; it was Mau and Cori’s fault for insisting she watch p**n so she could learn a few things.

Oh, those two little devils...

"If he ever makes you cry, or cheats on you, or hurts you– you know your way back to our house, Demani..." her father said emotionally as he danced with her on the makeshift stage surrounded by tables. It was their father-and-daughter dance, and he was holding her tightly, like he didn’t want to let her go.

“Dad... I believe Van wouldn’t do that to me. At least not intentionally.”

“I hope so. And I do trust him, my child.” Her father smiled again, his eyes full of emotion. “Ahh, you look so beautiful today, Demani. I can no longer see my baby girl in you.”

“I will always be your baby girl, Dad. That will never change, even if Van and I have a dozen kids, I’ll still be your baby girl.”

His smile grew wider. “Are you two planning to have a baby right away?”

“We haven’t talked about it yet, but I already want one, Dad.”

He nodded and hugged her. She rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes.

"I am wishing you both happiness, my sweet little Demani. Always remember to put God first in your relationship, before all other things. Because only He will guide you and your marriage to the right path."

"Understood, Daddy."

She leaned into her father’s chest and they continued to dance for a few minutes, until a voice called out and made her open her eyes.

“Can I have the next dance, Dad?” It was Van, standing beside them.

“Your wife is all yours, son.”

She pulled away from her father, who leaned down to kiss her forehead before placing her hand in her husband’s. Before leaving, her dad placed a hand on Van’s shoulder and, in a hoarse voice, said,

“Please make my baby girl the happiest in the world, Van.”

Van nodded and replied in a tone full of promise, “You can count on it, Dad.”

When the two of them were alone on the dance floor, Van smiled at her and pulled her in before kissing her cheek. “This isn't a dream, is it?”

She looked up and smiled. “No, it isn't. But even I still can’t believe it.”

“I know. This feels like a dream. Are you really my wife now?”

“I am, Van. And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

He lowered his head and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. It was soft and short, but it sent heat all over her body. She always felt that way whenever he kissed her. It was as if a fire awakened deep inside her; one she couldn’t explain, one that only Van could ignite.

“Have I told you how stunning you look today?” he asked after the kiss. His gaze seemed to embrace every part of her. His eyes were full of emotion; the same emotions that had always been there since the day he told her he loved her.

“No, you haven’t said that yet,” she said with a small laugh. “But even if you don’t say it, I can clearly see it in your eyes. You’ve got such a big crush on me, haven’t you?”

He grinned shyly. “You can tell?”

“Of course. Because I feel the same.” She chuckled. “We’re so cheesy, aren’t we?”

Van just smiled and didn’t answer. He leaned down again and kissed her, and this time, the kiss lasted a little longer than the first. Her hands rose to wrap around her husband’s neck, while his hands on her waist tightened, pulling her even closer.

The heat returned, and she shivered. Her heart pounded fast and hard, and Van noticed. He slowly ended the kiss and stepped back a bit.

“Why does your heart beat so fast every time I kiss you?” he teased, the corner of his mouth lifted, and his eyes gleamed with amusement. She knew he was teasing, and she couldn’t help but blush.

“It’s because of you,” she admitted. “My heart races every time you’re near me. I’m so in love with you.”

He smiled and brushed away a strand of her hair blown by the wind. Then he pulled her close and hugged her tightly.

“Are you excited about our trip to Thailand?”

“Of course, it’s my first time going abroad, and I’m going with you.”

“And it’s my first time to have you all to myself. I can’t wait.”

She got goosebumps on the back of her neck when he kissed her shoulder. The warmth from his lips seemed to stick to her skin and crawl all the way down to her lower belly. She leaned her head against his chest and closed her eyes.

They danced to the tune of a romantic ballad. And while the music played, she listened to the heartbeat of the man she had married.

Husband...

She still couldn’t fully wrap her head around it. She was now Mrs. Van Dominic Loudd. A married woman. His wife. It felt surreal. Like a dream she hadn’t quite woken up from. Just yesterday, or so it seemed, they were strangers crossing paths for the first time. Now here they were, dancing under the stars as husband and wife.

“Do you still remember the day we first met?” she asked softly, her eyes still closed as she leaned into his chest, savoring the warmth of his embrace and the rhythm of his heartbeat.

“Of course,” he murmured, brushing a tender kiss against the side of her neck.

“Were you already attracted to me when you first laid eyes on me?”

She felt his lips curve into a smile against her skin, a silent laugh escaping him before he slowly lifted his head and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“I thought you were an interesting lady. Imagine, you picked a fight with me while trying to snatch the cake I had just bought.”

She giggled, the memory as vivid as the day it happened. It had been chaotic, funny, completely unexpected; just like the love story that blossomed from it.

Van continued, “I thought you were interesting, and when you left, I suddenly felt like something was missing. I knew I wanted to see you again, so I rushed and followed you. But you left so quickly, I couldn’t catch up. Still, fate must have wanted us to be in each other’s lives, because when I made a U-turn, there you were, standing by the side of the road. And right there and then, I knew I wasn’t going to let you go.”

She opened her eyes and looked up to meet her husband’s gaze. She smiled and said,

“I love you, Van. And I promise that no matter what, I won’t let go. Whatever challenges may come our way, I will never let go.”

But it was easier said than done. Because no one had ever prepared her for the challenges she and Van would be facing soon...