Chapter 5 - HER SECRET

"I think you found your match, Luke. That girl doesn't even look at you. I mean she doesn't look at you like all the girls here." It was Percy with his annoying sarcastic voice.

"Who does she think she is? I proposed to her in front of everyone and that's her reaction. She rejected me? Luke Wilson?" I exclaimed. I know my pride as a man was crashed by Alora. She really deserves her title.

Sophie pat me on the shoulder. Her voice sounded  annoyed as well. "Luke, do you really think that she will just agree to marry you? Is that what you call a proposal? Can you remember what you said? You told her that your parents arranged your marriage and she belongs to you now. Do you think she will be glad hearing that? She's not a possession Luke. You know Alora will not be happy if you will treat her like a thing. I wouldn't want that either. Maybe if you asked some girl in campus they will be glad to be your fiance but you know Alora is different."

"Luke, remember that incident when we were young, I don't think she remember it at all. The way she looks at you, me and Percy, I don't think she remember us. I'm glad that Alora will be your fiance. This maybe our chance to be with her again. Its been a long time, the three of us moved on but Alora was left in the dark because she doesn't remember. Luke, I know we didn't talk about it after but for a long time, I've been thinking that it's unfair that we left her alone. I want the four of us to start again and maybe she will remember us. This might be the only way. This might be the reason her family entrusted her to you. But please make it right. You know she deserves everything. And please don't let anyone hurt her again."

That incident. It haunted us for years. It took me more than 2 years to forget it. But Alora, she doesn't remember.

I sighed. I know Alora doesn't deserve that proposal. I was a jerk. I didn't think of her feelings, I'm just thinking about my pride but what about hers.

"Thank you Sophie. I know you missed her. Your best friend. I know you wanted to talk to her for a long time. I'm sorry for being a coward. I'll find her and talk to her again." I run as fast as I could and saw her running towards the rooftop.

I saw her standing in front of the fence surrounding the roof. "Alora, I want to make it clear that I didn't plan to tell it to you in front of so many people but you insisted. I want to seriously talk to you about it alone. But..." She suddenly fell down on her knees and I noticed that she's holding her chest. I panicked and crossed the space between us. I grabbed her on the shoulders. She's sweating and her breathing is not normal. "Alora! What's wrong? What's happening?"

"I, I can't breathe! It's happening again! Save me! Save me!" I don't really understand what's wrong with her but I'm worried. From what I'm seeing, she's having difficulty breathing. Is it asthma? No, she doesn't have any asthma.

"Alora, I'm here. Breathe baby, come on! You can do this." She's trying to tell me something but she can't even speak. Her breathing became worst. I panicked. I grabbed her face, run my fingers in her cheeks and then her lower lip. God! What am I thinking? I want to save her but when her face is this close, I wanted to kiss her badly.

"Alora, please come back to me." I whispered softly before putting my lips into hers. Her lips tastes like candy. I slowly moved my lips when I saw her closed her eyes. I put my right arms around her waist as I kisses her softly and passionately. Her body is so soft and sexy. I can feel the heat coming up from my body. Before I lose control, I released her lips and with a worried face I waited for her to slap me. I know this is her first kiss and I just took it from her.

Her breathing went back to normal and I noticed that her face is red. Is she blushing? "Alora, are you okay now? What happened?" I asked. I need to know what just happened and I will do everything to know what it is.

"It's a panic attack. I've had it since primary school. It's no big deal. Thank you for helping me. So can you let go of me now?" I realized I'm still holding her and both of us are still in kneeling position. I helped her stand up. Not a big deal she said. A panic attack? Is that because of that incident? Does her family know about this?

"I don't think its not a big deal, Alora. What if I didn't chase you? What if I didn't came here? What will happen to you? Let's go see the school doctor."  I tried to hold her hand but she avoided it. That was fast.

"No! I don't want to see any doctor. I don't want anyone to know about this. So can you just keep quiet about this? If you didn't push my limits, it will not happen in the first place. I told you I don't want to talk to you and needed some air but you insisted. And besides, if you didn't see me, I will just pass out and will wake up like nothing happened."

She said it just like that. Like her life is not important. I feel sad. Is this pity? No. My decision to marry her was not because of her wealth. And definitely not because of this. It's my personal decision.

"Don't look at me like that. Don't pity me. The last thing I want from you is pity. Just go to class Luke and leave me alone." This girl is really difficult. I sighed.

"Alora, I'm your fiance now. Everything that will happen to you is now my business. I can't just ignore it. I don't want to force you to talk about what happened earlier, I won't force you to go see the doctor and I won't tell anyone about this. But in one condition." I'm not sure if she will agree. This might sound a bargain or another agreement, whatever people call it but this is the only way I can think of so she can agree to marry me. If keeping her secret is the only way then so be it.

"Okay, what is it?" she asked.

I smiled. My heart skipped a bit. Am I excited? I just think that this is really the chance that Sophie is talking about.

"Attend our engagement tomorrow night and accept me as your fiance." Now I said it. Is this a proposal? More like an order. Maybe I should ask properly.

Without thinking, I bend down my knees, took her hand again and asked. "Alora Elizabeth Smith, will you marry me?"