Author's Note: I'm terribly sorry for the long wait. Hope you'll enjoy this new update. Heads up for typos and errors.

A few days later.

Even though he was indulged in the serenity of his sleep, he woke up from the faintest presence of someone poking his cheeks. He groaned and groggily covered his pale face with the book in his hands, not wanting to attend to the person. She chuckled in amusement, and she decided to wake him by grabbing the book from his hands.

"What's this?" she asked lightheartedly.

Still half-awake, he decided to open his eyes and let out a childish cry as the afternoon sun's golden rays streaked his face.

"What now?" He softly chuckled and turned his chair to see her.

Suddenly knocked sideways, his mouth went agape from surprise, and his smile wore off. Mom? He thought. In a flash, he masked his façade and maintained the mood as he sensed her stop dead in her tracks. Suddenly, why am I expecting her? He cringed at his thought.

"Oh, mom? Hey there, I'm sorry I was-" He said in an apologetic tone as he turned to face her.

"Expecting someone else?"

"No," he sharply replied.

"…"

He exhaled deeply and tidied up his hair. He rose from his desk chair and extended his hand for the book. Eleanor laughed and asked him.

"This must be special, right? You have no interest in these books. Maybe a gift from someone, I see…" She said as she sat on the edge of his bed.

"Fine, that's hers. I don't know why, but I can't help being honest with you. Actually, that is her favorite book," he added as he slumped back to his chair, sighing in defeat.

"You don't need to worry about it. I know even the smallest details about you, son."

"No-no-no, please don't bring up something embarrassing again. I had enough of that," he shook his head furiously.

"Well, speaking of which… So, you mean that this is her favorite book? Then, how did this thing become yours? What's this again? Oh, Walk to Remember, huh?" she asked as she scanned the book.

"It was her gift on my birthday. It's a deep love story about an aimless high school senior who falls in love with a guileless young woman. I suddenly remember the moment that we watch the movie together. We even balled our eyes out even though we already know what the ending was." He sniffed his tears after saying those words.

"Are you perhaps crying because you had recalled the story's bittersweet plot, or did you suddenly reminisce your memories together?"

"I… I'm sorry. I know you'd tell me that- you'll get over it, you'll be happy again, and never fear, somebody will be able to reciprocate the love you had for her shortly. I'd say it, too. But mom, it's not true… I just can't forget her. Every time I do something, it keeps reminding me of her." He gritted his teeth as he choked the pain.

"I know you'd say that… This novel kinda reminds me of your relationship with each other. She was your Jamie, she was the one who subtly influences your life, and I'm pretty sure that you're also her Landon, son. Maybe in some other way, you had also given her an unexpected miracle that you were not expecting."

"No, mom. I don't want to be her Landon coz in the novel; he lost her completely. I might find it hard to breathe, seeing her smile for another person, but it's way harder to live without her. Perhaps, love is like holding a candle, even though you already know that at some point, its light will dissipate and leave you nothing but burns and darkness… Somehow, I'll still be there holding onto what remains because I simply cannot let go."

He paused before swallowing the lump in his throat. He uttered shakily, "I just don't want to be abandoned after being cared for and loved unconditionally. I'm afraid I'm not kinda used to being alone again…"

She clutched the sheets as she saw him sobbed. I always wanted to tell him that he must have room for his heart to let her go when the time comes. My poor son never once experienced warmth from others ever since he's younger aside from mine. He must've thought that emptying his cup on her won't make her leave, but sometimes… I know she's already the right person for him, but they had fallen in love at the wrong time. If only I can do something to change Julius, I will surely do it. It was the only thing you wanted, and why won't I help you fight for it? Jellal, if only I can help you. She hugged him tightly, reassuring him that everything's gotta be alright soon.

Her feet obliviously marched towards the inevitable melancholy. Erza dazedly watched them prepare Hilda's burial. She clutched the white rose in her left hand as she saw some of Hilda's friends bid their final farewell. The red blood dripped on her ebony dress. She bit her lip in utter confusion. She can no longer tell which was hurting more, was it her hand crumbling the rose, or was it her heart decaying out of grief? She sniveled as the raindrops silently fell on her face as she gradually let the rose dipped from her grip.

"Granny?" she collapsed to her knees as she watched them helplessly.

Maybe, uncle was right. I always bring misfortune to those people around me. Mom might've been happy if I wasn't her child at all. Can I just go with you, Granny? I'm tired of living my stupid life. I don't know what to do anymore. I've already lost my will to live. Somebody, please, help me. It hurts to be alive when my heart's already dying. She thought to herself as she wept.

"Jellal… Please, I need you." She said before losing her consciousness.

Ellen soon let him go out of her hug as soon his sobs started to feeble. She lends him a soft hanky to wipe his tears, and he laughed to himself.

"You never change. You're still a crybaby. Sometimes I do wonder whether you've really grown-up man or a boy trapped inside a man's body." She tapped his shoulder to cheer him up.

He grinned forcibly and accepted the book from her hands as she returned it to him. She stood up from his bed and asked him for an afternoon tea. He acceded and placed the book gently on the table. He rushed to her side as he assisted her in opening the French doors. Before he successfully opened the aluminum doors, someone knocked on the door, making them turned back.

"Oh, I guess the refreshment had been prepared already. Kindly arranged the seats, will you?" she asked and winked at him.

"Yes, mom, I'll be waiting. No worries."

"You may enter," she said.

"Greetings, Mrs. Fernandez. Please pardon me for being impertinent that I had disturbed you at this very hour," the silver-haired man bowed and greeted her.

"Oh, Larcade? What brings you here? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on Julius?"

"I think we had a big problem regarding the young master's birthday invitation."

Jellal exhaled sharply as the wind escalate its numbing breeze. He stared blankly as the lackluster clouds plastered the vivid skies above him. It'll rain soon. Now is not the best time to have afternoon tea here. He thought to himself and rose from his seat to inform his mom.

"He had sent an invitation to Ms. Scarlet for his birthday."

"What?" they asked in unison.

As if caught red-handed, Ellen's face distorted as she heard him resound her words. Jellal? She thought and staggered in astonishment. His face gravely darkened as he asked for the confirmation of his doubts.

"Did I hear that right?" he asked warily.

Larcade and Ellen stayed quiet, not wanting to stir the pot, causing the uninvited silence to suffocate them. Jellal clenched his jaw and closed his eyes to refrain himself from throwing a fit.

"Tell me, please," he asked and sighed audibly, suppressing his inner demons.

"Yes, you heard that right." She replied.

"Larcade, get out and prepare my car,"

"Jellal!" Ellen snapped and grabbed his wrist before he left the room with Larcade.

"Mom, that invitation must not reach her" he raised his voice audible enough to resonate the room.

"Let Larcade handle that. If your dad knows about this-"

"He will what? Tell the world how stupid his son is? Stupid enough to fall head over heels in love with someone without a background? Mom, he had already humiliated her enough. I don't think he had invited her to my birthday because he's come round. I'm not ignorant enough to fall twice in the same trap."

She loosened her grip enough for him to escape. He looked at her one more time before pulling his wrists, and she nodded in approval. He uttered thanks and traipsed out of the room. Before he took a step down the stairs, he paused and looked back, hearing her ask for a moment.

"Drive safely and don't overspeed, 'kay?"

He nodded and went to the garage. After turning the engine on, he scudded towards the exit as the howling winds and grey clouds completely extinguished the clear skies above him. Ellen stared from the balcony and turned to look just in time to see the rain start falling out.

"If the rain was able to join the sky and earth at once, is it also possible to change Julius' heart?" she sighed and asked herself.

Her dull chocolate eyes fixated their gaze on the dense blanket of clouds enveloping the skies. She clicked her tongue as the clouds shattered, and water soon drizzled on them. Her face darkened as Nienhart abruptly stepped on the brakes as the car in front of them stopped. He uttered an apology and continued driving. Irene ran her fingers on her hair and smiled contently. I always hated the rain for swathing me with numbness and longing for others' warmth, but somehow it feels good to be with your side, Erza.

"Dropped by at the pharmacy first and get some meds. She's burning up,"

"Yes, Lady Irene."

He took a deep breath and hurriedly unbuckled his seatbelt as soon as he'd arrived. He extended his arms to open the glove compartment for his rain jacket. He hissed as soon as he stepped out from his car as the cold gust kissed his bare cheeks. He rubbed his hands together and mustered the courage to ring the doorbell. What now? What will she say? He flinched as questions pelt him.

"Hey, young man! What are you doing here?" asked the old man as he attempted to open his gate.

"I'm here to ask Granny Hilda about something personal."

"Hilda, you say? Perhaps, you didn't hear that fuss a few days ago? Geez, that grandchild of hers…"

"What do you mean?" he raised his brows in disbelief.

"Today's her funeral." He said before entering.

"What?" he froze in his spot, and the rain outpoured its cries on him.

He was left dazed. Not sure whether it was the torrential rain that had drenched his face or was it his tears. He staggered and quickly dialed her number. Erza? No, please.

"Damn it!" he cursed as he heard the voice mail.

"Excuse me, grandpa… Can I ask you something? Do you know where her funeral is?"

"Rosemary, son," he said.

Irene tucked the lightweight blanket and dabbed her forehead with the damp towel after changing her to light clothing. A maid asked to do it for herself, but she insisted. Irene asked her to leave, and she sat at the bedside. She clutched her hands, and tears soon slid in her eyes.

"If she's still alive, I could've also taken care of her when she's sick."

Suddenly feeling guilty, she brought her hands to her cheeks, and she began sobbing. I just missed her so badly that I want to make myself believe that you are my daughter. I just wanted to be a mother for a second. She thought as her façade broke, and her soul wept. Her scarred heart had withered its healing as the pain gushed in.

Jellal tried hurtled the wet road but was mocked by the heavy traffic due to the heavy rainfall. Down in the dumps, he banged his head on the steering wheel. Shit, he cursed silently as the bustling road congested him.

"Why? Why granny of all people?" he asked himself as he felt so helpless.

He threw his head backward as he realized that he was trapped in a dead-end. He rubbed his temples, calming himself. Erza, please hang in there. He thought as he remembered how precious granny is to her.

"Granny Hilda and Grandpa Rob are my only family, Jellal… I can't even imagine myself losing them at once. Maybe, that's one of the primary reasons why I'd like to become a doctor. I'd like them to live their life longer 'cause… I have no one else in my life except for them, so I don't know if I can make it without them." Those words were still fresh in his mind.

"I've never seen Erza smiled like that around with other people. She was always lonely one way back in her childhood years… Can I ask you a simple request, Jellal? Please don't break her heart 'cause she never experienced warmth from others aside from us. I just don't want my little Zai to lose her brighter side again. I've never once witnessed that genuine smile in her eyes back when she was a child, so please keep it as it is." Hilda smiled as she asked him.

His face lit up as the lights flicked green. He scudded the streets like how the clouds cross the skies. After turning left at a crossroads, he accelerated and reached Rosemary within 15 minutes. He swiftly parked the car and asked the officer where her burial was. He told him where but to Jellal's dismay, he couldn't find anyone else in her grave. He fell to his knees while shaking like a leaf.

"I'm terribly sorry, granny."

Four days later… Jellal's birthday.

A smile crossed Ellen's face as she marveled at the designer's work after he finished dressing Jellal. Proudly, the designer let him see his mom. He was clad in a sassy slim fit royal blue Italian-cut tuxedo. The suit made him more alluring by emphasizing his muscle-bound physique. Ellen drew nigh and tried to lift his sullen face.

"Oh, c'mon… You're attending your birthday, not a funeral, so, smile…" she pinched his cheeks and adjusted his slightly crooked tie.

"Wearing a smile nowadays is quite a tall order, mom. But, I will…" he said and held her hand.

"For you," he added.

She clapped her hands in delight and guided him to the reception. After walking for almost ten minutes, they finally reached their destination. He slightly squinted his eyes as the light highlighted their arrival. He smiled elegantly as the lights brought him into the limelight. Guess we had more guests than I had expected. He thought as he walked down the aisle and went to his father. Though basked by cordial greetings, he couldn't stop himself from feeling the rhythm of shyness.

"Oh, she's here!" Ellen exclaimed.

Lady Irene, the most awaited and valued guest of the night, said that she'll tag someone along because her father was on a business trip. I wonder who that was. He thought as he took a step forward to his mother's side.

"I wonder who's that person she's with and even mentioned that she'd love to introduce you to her," Ellen whispered softly as she waited for her entrance.

"Her? A girl?" he raised his brows.

"Yeah, she just said it a while ago, and oh- there she is!" she beamed, seeing her best friend walk down the aisle.

She looks stunning in her dark blue formal dress with a dazzling beaded band at her waist that adorns its tops with a silky chiffon a-line skirt. Its double side slits added more spice to her gracious appearance.

"She's a fashionista as expected," Ellen said to herself as she saw her in the entrance.

I'm pretty sure dad will ask me to dance Lady Irene's friend rather than Clytie. Though he already said that I can dance whoever I want. Still, that provides no guarantee. But more importantly, will Erza attend my birthday? I wasn't able to contact her these past few days. He thought to himself.

"What?" Ellen gasped and nudged his elbow, making him refocus his attention on Irene's arrival.

Dumbstruck by sight, he gulped and blinked a few times to ensure that his eyes are not playing tricks on him. Irene smiled and extended her hand to the scarlet haired lady before her. Erza? His mouth went agape, and his eyes started to water.

"Are you alright, Erza?" she asked as she walked beside her.

"Yes, Lady Irene…" she answered.

Author's Note: 'ts been so long since my last update, and good news, I'm back! Hope you enjoy this update. If you had read my announcement last time, I asked you guys which one would you prefer? Well, to those who didn't read the information. I asked you to help me decide whether I should finish writing the story or revise the contents first. Thank you so much for the feedback Mikasa-chan, and I decided to finish this first before changing the entire story.

Hope y'all doing well and thank you so much for reading. Adios amigos!

~Yoshi