Author's Note: This is the last Chapter. This might probably be the last story that I'll write as of now because my classes will resume on the sixth of January and hell will break loose as soon as I get back to class. Just kidding!
A blessed New Year to all of you guys! Spread the love! :D
Chapter 17: Just Married
The next day, Rika was already awake because she was getting ready for her flight to America which was scheduled at one in the afternoon. She was still busy packing her things and she was wearing her red long-sleeved shirt and a pair of blue jean pants together with black shoes. She was ready to face a new life in America after all, it was her entire fault why she had to suffer already.
Goodbye, Japan, Rika thought as she was packing her bags once again. And hello, America.
However, her packing was disturbed when she heard a knocking of the door. Because of this, she went towards the doorway so she could answer the door. When she opened the door, she saw a formally dressed Jeri Katou who was clad in a yellow sleeveless and V-neck dress. She could see that the brunette was wearing a pair of black stilettos and her hair was tied into a half ponytail.
"Hey, Jeri?" Rika asked in surprise. She did not expect to see Jeri in her house at this time.
"Hello, Rika!" Jeri smiled and turned around so she could call her friend Alice McCoy. "Hey, Alice! Let's go!"
Rika was even more surprised when Alice appeared beside Jeri. The blonde was wearing her sleeveless maroon dress and a pair of black pumps. Alice's hair was tied into a ponytail as well.
"Uh… What's the occasion?" Rika asked, puzzled because her friends went to her house in semi-formal attire.
"You'll see!" Jeri replied with a smile.
Then a purple-haired woman appeared in front of the Nonaka doorway with a small suitcase in her hand. Rika did not know what kind of trouble she got into while Jeri and Alice began to take her hands.
"Just do as we say and you'll have your peace in no time!" Alice answered with a sly grin.
"What? Come on, girls! I'm leaving already for America and I can't waste time doing this kind of shit!" Rika pointed out as she felt that she had been hostage by her friends. "Especially today!"
"Don't worry! After you play this part, then you will get to your next destination!" Jeri assured with a smile on her face.
Not long after, Alice broke her grasp from Rika and took a large box from the doorway. The box that she was holding contained the dress that Rika would wear in the wedding.
"And this is your outfit, Rika!" Alice McCoy stated and brought a long white box for Rika. "Be quick, girl, because we'll be waiting!"
Rika was puzzled when she took the box from Alice and raised an eyebrow. Seriously, what was going on here?
I think I need to get to the bottom of this shit, Rika thought.
Her confusion became even bigger as she removed the top part of the box. She saw that it was a white dress and she pulled it out.
What the hell? Rika thought as she saw the dress but she had no idea that it was an actual wedding dress. What the hell is this?!
But she had no choice right now. She had to obey her friends' orders so that her departure to America would go through smoothly.
Fine, Rika thought and huffed. I'm gonna wear this to end this stupid dress once and for all!
With this, she took the dress and went towards the bathroom that was located nearest to her living room. Little did she knew was Alice and Jeri were already watching her enter the bathroom.
"Looks like our plan's fool proof, Brunette," Alice whispered as she figured that she would be successful with Jeri.
"But I have an idea that it will be successful, Blondie," Jeri whispered back.
Rika hung the white dress on her doorknob. Eventually, she removed the clothes that she was currently wearing and carefully slipped the dress on her body so she could time her change as well. She knew that Alice and Jeri were waiting for her so that was why she tried her best to speed up her costume change. She held the dress which was a white V-neck and sleeveless dress carefully. When she slid her arms and legs on the dress, Rika was surprised because it was extended to her feet.
Hmm… Rika thought. Why's this dress longer than Alice's and Jeri's?
When she was finally finished with her costume change, she went outside of the bathroom. She saw Alice and Jeri standing outside with a person who carried the small suitcase.
"Uh… I'm okay now," Rika trailed off as she saw herself wearing the wedding gown. "What's the next thing I'll do?"
Jeri and Alice smiled as they presented the young woman next to them.
"Rika, this is Yolei Inoue, your stylist for today!" Alice explained as she presented the purple-haired young woman standing right beside her.
"Why do I need to have a stylist?" Rika asked with a snort.
"Because you can't wear just a simple make-up, Rika!" Jeri answered with a chuckle. "Okay, Rika! You sit down on that chair while you, Yolei, do your thing!"
"Do I have to do this, Jeri?" Rika asked, feeling ridiculed, as she sat on her chair as the stylist prepared the things to be used as makeup.
"Of course, Rika!" Alice and Jeri answered in unison.
Why can't I wear simple makeup? Rika thought as the stylist applied blush-on to her cheeks. And why the hell would I be wearing makeup?!
Afterwards, her eyelids were given attention with the lavender eye shadow and her lips were tainted with red lipstick in order to make her look radiant. After the makeover was done, Rika's hair was fixed by the stylist and she closed her eyes for a moment.
Right now, I'm imagining my death! I should be preparing for my flight later then all I'm having was a stupid make-over! Rika thought as her eyes were still closed.
Not long after she had made Rika's hair up, the stylist was finished and instructed Rika to open her eyes.
"Miss Rika! Take a look!" Yolei said, feeling wonderful with what she just did.
Rika eventually diverted her attention to the mirror that was standing nearby them. She could see that her cheeks were rosy because of the blush-on and her eyelids were covered with lavender eye shadow while her long eyelashes had been tainted with black mascara. Her soft and pink lips turned into a deep shade of rosy red and her hair was divided into two: the first half was tied into a bun while the other half was down.
"It's… gorgeous…" Rika was unable to say what she wanted to say. "I feel that it's not me!"
"Yes!" Jeri and Alice exclaimed as they shared a high-five.
"So where are we now?" Rika asked, noticing that the first part of the plan was completed.
"To the venue!" Alice answered as they went outside Rika's room.
"Where?!" Rika demanded because she did not know what was going on right now.
"You'll see, Rika Nonaka!" Jeri chuckled, enjoying the clueless Rika that they were having just now.
"How are we exactly going to get there, Jeri and Alice?" Rika asked once again, feeling dumb with the secrecies that the two were doing to her.
"Something borrowed!" Alice said with an amused grin. "Come on, Princess Rika! We can't be late for our show and our vehicle is waiting!"
Rika could not do something right now. She was heavily made up and her outfit was only composed of a dress!
What the hell was going on? Rika thought. What's happening to the world!
With this, Jeri realized that they had to lock Rika's house in order to avoid thievery.
"Rika, do you have a key?" Jeri asked. "For security?"
"It's hanging there," Rika pointed towards a set of keys. "If you pick one key, the key has a keychain named after me."
Jeri eventually went towards Rika's key set and sought for what Rika described. When she saw that the key had a RIKA as a keychain, she took it.
"Is this one?" Jeri asked to make sure.
Rika squinted and gave the OK sign. "That's the one. Nice work, Jeri!" she added.
Eventually, Alice gave Rika a white pouch the auburn-haired woman would have a bag to carry whenever she would walk around. While they stood, Jeri closed the door and locked it using Rika's key. She eventually gave it to Rika so the latter would know that the house was locked.
"Okay! We're settled then!" Jeri answered with a smile.
Rika brought the white pouch with her and inserted her purse, her key and her phone there. They walked towards the gate so they could totally head out of the residence. When they were already standing on the street, they could see from afar a white car. The car moved and pulled to a stop in front of the trio.
"Come on, Rika! We might get late!" Alice prodded her to get inside the car.
"Oh right!" Rika said and followed and Alice as well.
They rode inside the car with Rika sitting next to Jeri in the last part. Alice sat beside the driver and gave him some instructions. With this, the white car started and made its way through the streets of Shinjuku.
As the car was moving, Rika could not help but think of everything: Jeri and Alice were appearing right before she could leave, her wearing a white dress and a makeup as well.
I just don't know what I had been into… Rika thought. Maybe, just maybe I could fly to America after all this shit!
Seeing that Rika was completely distracted, Alice began to send a text to Ryo's number so she could give the signal since Henry should be the one who would arrive first in the altar, according to the rules of traditional weddings.
"Hey, guys! I'm with the bride right now! Better get ready or we might end up seeing each other!"
Meanwhile, Henry was already at the altar with his friends and family. Henry was wearing his black tuxedo attire while his friends wore black suits including his brother Rinchei. Even his father wore the same attire the gentlemen were wearing. His mother was clad in a white blouse and white skirt with matching pearl earrings and necklace as well. His sister Jaarin was wearing a red sleeveless dress with a pearl necklace to add. Suzie wore the same outfit as her elder sister but hers was yellow in color.
Henry's midnight blue hair was laid to the side, making him even more handsome today for his wedding with his beloved girl. He was waiting patiently when his father tapped his shoulder.
"You nervous?" Janyuu Wong asked his son. "I also felt that when I married your mother, Henry."
"Maybe…" Henry answered honestly. "This is the first time I'm getting married to a bride who doesn't knew that she'll marry me today. And I'm afraid of the possibility that she might not show up."
"I'm proud of you, Son," Janyuu replied with a smile. "Your grandfather was regretful with what he heard from you but he was also happy that you're determined to find your happiness also."
"Yeah," Henry answered with a smile. "I don't want to have a Runaway Bride when in fact I'm the Runaway Groom to the supposed wedding today."
"Just remember that you'll have to give us grandchildren, okay?" Mr. Wong snickered. "I'm already waiting for an heir of the Wong industries."
Henry blushed at his father's remark. Actually, for someone with the same age as him, it was expected that he should settle down and have a family at that point.
The question is… will Rika want to have children? Henry thought. The dream I had seemed so real and I even wanted that to happen.
Meanwhile, Ryo was busy playing with his phone when he received Alice's text.
"Hey, guys! I'm with the bride right now! Better get ready or we might end up seeing each other!"
Looks like it's the start of the ball game! Ryo thought as he received the text from his girlfriend.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Ryo began and his voice attracted the Wong family members and his friends. "It's show time!"
"Alright!" Takato chuckled. "I'll be sending congratulations in advance to Sir Henry and Ma'am Rika!"
"Gosh! Rika would be automatically the CEO if this wedding became successful!" Kazu remarked.
The Wongs only laughed with Kazu's remark. They stood there as they waited for the bride.
Not long after, the car arrived at the church. Jeri alighted and helped Rika with her dress. Alice went inside and notified the others to prepare since Rika was already here. Rika was already inside the church. However, as she stepped more inside the church, she was surprised to see a tall black-haired woman clad in red dress and handed her a bouquet of roses. It was Aimei Chen who stopped short and smiled before giving the bouquet to Rika.
Aimei? Rika thought as she realized what the meaning behind Aimei's presence today was. What's she doing here? And it's her wedding today, right?!
When Rika walked inside the church, she saw that many guests were looking at her. As she walked nearer, she saw her mother and grandmother who were smiling towards her. They were clad in white buttoned down dresses as well.
Mom? Grandma? What are they doing here?! Rika thought as she could not believe that her guardians were already here in Japan once again. Why didn't they tell me that they'd be arriving soon?!
Then from afar, she could see Henry who was smiling widely. Rika could not understand what was going on as she walked towards the altar. And she could not understand why she was seeing Henry either!
It's a wedding! But what am I doing here? Rika thought. And why am I seeing Henry here? What the heck is going on?
She was already halfway in the church aisle when she saw Henry who was walking towards her. Eventually, Henry took her arm and Rika was already walking with him towards the outside of the church.
"Rika, let's go…" Henry said seriously while holding Rika's arm.
As she was walking, she felt that the bouquet might get ruined if she kept on walking as fast as this. She passed by Jeri and entrusted the brunette with the bouquet for that moment.
"Henry, where exactly are you taking me?" Rika asked, somehow fed up with all the secrecies that had just occurred for today.
Henry only did not say anything. The couple kept on walking and passing by the streets until they reached a certain place somehow familiar to them. Rika saw that the place was green and full of grasses. She deduced that they were once again now in Shinjuku Park.
"We're going somewhere so we could talk," Henry explained.
And the two continued walking for some time until they reached the center and stood on the grassy spot but had a bench as well. Henry took a deep breath as he tried to rest himself from the walk that they just had earlier while Rika stood behind him.
"Rika…" Henry began as he gathered all of his thoughts and what he heard from Ryo and Aimei.
"Yes?" Rika answered reluctantly and walked towards him.
"I need answers to my questions," Henry started after he turned around to look at Rika. "I want the truth, okay?"
Rika nodded in surrender. "What is it?"
"Why are you leaving?" Henry asked seriously.
Rika's eyes widened at that point. How did Henry know that she was leaving today? And who told him about that?
"I just wanted to move on with my life," Rika answered casually. "You're marrying and I need to start fresh as well."
Henry seemed to find Rika's answer legitimate since he also heard it from Mrs. Nonaka as well.
"Second question, do you still love me like the way I do to you?" Henry asked again.
Rika became surprised with Henry's question. She was reluctant to answer it.
"Rika?" Henry asked as he went closer to her.
"I… I…" Rika trailed off as she could not find the strength to say everything to him. Eventually, she nodded in response.
Henry took a deep breath and composed himself. "If you do love me, then why are you going to leave?"
Rika was taken aback with the question. Her leaving was actually a way to avoid the pain Henry's marriage to Aimei caused.
"Look, you're going to marry someone at that time and I need to close everything that happened between us," Rika explained until she placed the puzzles together. "Until someone here came to my house and made me up, dressed me in this gown and surprised me with this wedding! I'm even surprised why I'm seeing Aimei in a dress!"
Henry smiled because of Rika's cluelessness. "Don't worry. Aimei's only a part of the entourage."
Rika's eyes went wide with that fact. "What?!" she asked. "And how did you know that I'm leaving today?"
Henry sighed a bit. "Aimei called the wedding off last Friday. She knew that I still love you and it's because of her why I knew that you're leaving today. And this wedding's gonna stop you from leaving."
Rika was surprised with what she heard. "Why did you do that?"
He cleared his throat. "Rika, I love you so much and will always love you until the very end. I lost you once and I don't want it to happen again. I'm sorry if I had to do this but I really wanted to be with you in all the days of my life."
Rika became even more agape with what Henry just said. So, I'm the one who's getting married today. That's the plan!
"And you in the wedding gown made me even tempted to call you mine forever," Henry continued and held Rika's hands as well. "Rika, I can't bear to be away from you once again. I want to come home to you and to our kids and I wanted to wake up with you everyday."
Rika finally realized that the bride in Henry's wedding was actually her. With this, she began to play hard-to-get.
"What are you trying to say?" she asked with a smirk.
"Okay. I know it's already obvious so to sum it up, Rika Nonaka," Henry said as he bent on one knee and presented her an engagement ring. "Will you marry me?"
Rika felt that her heart was beating so fast. She was already in a wedding dress and everything was already polished. Even her feelings for Henry were also polished so there was no stopping her from saying yes. Her dream about a family with Henry only made it clear that she wanted to take everything to the next level.
"Yes, Henry," Rika answered as she got the strength to smile. "I will marry you!"
Eventually, Henry threw his arms around his future wife and hugged her. Finally, everything went according to plan! When they broke away, Henry could not help but smile.
"Thank you, Rika, for making me the happiest man today." Henry smiled and remembered something that would jog his girl's memory. "Do you remember what's with this day?"
"It's our anniversary when we're still teenagers," Rika answered with a weak smile and found herself to apologize to Henry. "I'm really sorry."
Henry was taken aback with her words. "For what, Rika?"
"For trying to leave you again. I thought it was too late for me so I also came to that decision," Rika explained wistfully. "I also missed my mom and grandma so much that time."
"Don't be sorry, Rika. It's okay." Henry smiled as he finally got his beloved to say yes. "At least, we're now together forever!"
"And I'm also sorry if it took too long for us to be together again," Rika answered, feeling sorry for the groom who risked everything just to get her yes. "You even resorted to planning this wedding behind my back!"
"It's alright with me, Rika." Henry grinned as he saw the twinkling eyes of his future wife. "You're always worth the wait."
With this, Henry even hugged his future wife tighter. Rika realized that she had found what would make her truly happy: being with the man she really loved.
"Then let's get married!" Henry smiled as he and Rika broke away from each other. "They might think that we ran away from our wedding!"
"I know," Rika answered as well. Now that she became Henry's soon-to-be wife, she could not help but feel weird. It was a sudden wedding yet she liked it.
Eventually, the two walked from the park and returned to the church. The distance was not very far and in a few minutes, the couple was back at the church. The guests were looking at them strangely. But as they saw Henry with Rika, they knew that the wedding would really commence.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's start the wedding!" Henry declared and the guests heaved a sigh of relief. He then walked towards the altar slowly but surely.
When Rika saw that Henry arrived, she followed suit and the guests were already looking at her. She was also carrying the bouquet that was filled with red roses while walking on the red carpet and towards the altar.
From afar, Henry was standing and he could see his bride and future wife walking towards him. He was happy now that both of them were getting married on their anniversary. After six years of being separated, here they are on their wedding.
After all that had happened, she really became more beautiful than ever, Henry thought with a smile.
"There's your wife, dude!" Takato, who was in Henry's right side, nudged him. "I mean your bride!"
"I know!" Henry grinned.
"You indeed got yourself the woman, Henry!" Ryo said while standing beside Henry in his left side.
While she was walking, Rika could see that Henry looked more handsome today with his black suit and his midnight blue hair was laid to the side. Eventually, she arrived at the altar with a smile upon seeing Henry.
"I forgot to tell you that you look wonderful today, Rika," he whispered into her ear as he offered his left arm to her.
"Thank you!" she whispered back and put her right arm in Henry's.
The two walked to where the priest was with Henry standing on the right while Rika on the left.
"Dearly beloved, we gather here today to bind these two individuals in marriage: Henry Wong and Rika Nonaka."
The entire congregation witnessed the wedding ceremony as the priest continued his litany. At this point, Henry and Rika were facing each other and joined hands.
"Do you, Henry Wong, take Rika Nonaka to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the priest asked Henry.
"Yes, I do," Henry answered and smiled at Rika.
"Do you, Rika Nonaka, take Henry Wong to be your lawfully wedded husband?" the priest asked Rika.
"Yes, I do," Rika answered and smiled at Henry.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife!" the priest declared. "You may now kiss the bride."
Henry moved towards Rika and gently pressed his lips onto hers, urging Rika to kiss him back. Rika's lips brushed against his and kissed him as well. They had the urge to part because the audience was already giving them a big round of applause but Henry continued kissing Rika while Rika did not mind. When they broke apart, Henry immediately hugged Rika while she returned the hug.
"Happy anniversary, Rika!" he whispered.
"Happy anniversary, Henry!" she replied back.
When they had let go from each other's grasp, Henry and Rika turned to face the audience who was happy for the two of them already and they smiled at them.
Janyuu and Mayumi Wong stood just a pew away from the married couple. Mr. Wong placed his arm around Mrs. Wong.
"Our son's all grown up and married for real!" Mr. Wong said to Mrs. Wong happily.
"I know, Janyuu. It'll be years and it's Suzie's turn to walk the aisle once again!" Mrs. Wong replied with a smile.
"But I'm really proud with what Henry just did. At least he found the person behind his true happiness," Mr. Wong added proudly. "Henry is truly my son. And I know that he'll always do the right thing."
Rika's guardians stood at the opposite side where the Wongs stood.
"My baby girl's all grown up! At least she got legally married at twenty-five, rather than getting married at twenty!" Mrs. Nonaka said while wiping tears of joy from her eyes.
"I know, Rumiko! She'll be living a life of her own with her new family," Grandma Seiko said and patted her daughter's back.
"I really wish them well, Mom!" Mrs. Nonaka said. "I knew it from the start that they seemed to be compatible with each other."
At the third row, Henry and Rika's tamer friends were happy for the newly married couple. They were yelling like mad and cheering for them.
"Way to go, Henry!" Kazu, Kenta, Takato and Ryo exclaimed and applauded for them.
"Yeah, Rika!" Alice and Jeri called out."Way to go!"
The newly married couple arm-in-arm walked from the altar and they were making their way towards the door. All of the guests were cheering for them.
"I can't believe so many people attended our wedding!" Rika said to Henry while walking arm-in-arm.
"That's what you get when you're betrothed to someone else!" Henry chuckled. "And that's what you also get when you're the president of the company and the owner as well!"
"Wow," Rika remarked sarcastically.
"And I now have a first lady in the company!" Henry teased which caused Rika to shake her head mischievously.
The couple had gotten outside the church and found their white bridal car. Henry opened the door for Rika and he had let her inside.
"Thanks, Mr. Wong!" Rika smirked.
"You're always welcome, Mrs. Wong!" Henry grinned and he sat beside her.
When the couple had finally settled inside the car, Henry told the venue, "To the Royal Hotel of Shinjuku."
The driver relented and started driving, leaving the couple to savor their newly married moments with each other. Henry held again Rika's right hand while the car was moving.
"Henry," Rika spoke up as soon as she realized about her economic status right now. "I don't have a job anymore so I only have limited savings for myself. Let me work so I could have money for our future."
"You don't have to work anymore. I can provide you anything… Money… Love… and…" he followed it with a smirk. "… And pleasure in bed."
Rika only smacked her husband's arm playfully. "You're such a pervert!" she snorted while Henry only laughed.
Eventually, their romantic moment was badly ruined when Rika's phone rang. Before Rika could excuse herself, Henry already smiled at her in permission.
"Hello?" Rika answered as soon as she held her phone. "Mrs. Kitara? What made you call?"
"Rika? We know that you had published your books already and we're wondering if you're up to a book signing to be held one month from now," Naomi Kitara said.
Because of everything that was happening, Rika had totally forgotten that she published a book already.
"Sure… I'll check my schedule and I'll let you know soon," Rika replied and felt that she could not talk too long with Naomi because she was in the wedding car with her husband. "Can we talk sometime? I'm at my wedding."
"Wedding?! You didn't tell us you're engaged! Was that the reason why you resigned and you went to America?" Naomi asked from the other line.
Rika secretly laughed. "Uh… It's a long story but I'll tell you things soon! I'm sorry if I can't really talk right now."
"Alright! Best wishes!" Mrs. Kitara greeted. "Take care!"
"Thanks!" Rika answered and ended the call, causing Henry to look at her in amusement.
"Who's that?" Henry asked.
"Oh! It's the publisher of my book and my ex-boss. They want me to attend a book signing," Rika answered casually.
"A book? Rika, you wrote and published a book and didn't tell me about it?" Henry was clearly surprised and amused at the same time.
"Well, Henry… You have one in my house and it's my supposed wedding gift to you," Rika explained.
"What's the title?" Henry asked, now curious of what Rika wrote.
"It's called Finding Our Missing Happy Ending," Rika explained. "It's already out in the book stores."
Henry was truly intrigued with what Rika wrote.
"At the title itself, I wanted to see it already. But I knew that it would be nice. Anyway, I'm proud of you, my wife," Henry praised her.
"Thanks, my husband." Rika smiled. "Don't worry because I have a copy of it in my house."
"That's another thing to be put to consideration," Henry commented. "What about your things?"
"When Alice and Jeri picked me up earlier, I was already finished with my suitcase," Rika answered. "So it's already easy for us to transport. Where are we going to live anyway?"
"My grandfather gifted me a house in advance. Now I'm going to use it since I'm already married." Henry grinned.
"I see," Rika answered. With this, Henry held again her right hand.
When the car arrived at the hotel, the couple alighted from the car and walked inside the hotel lobby so they could go to the ballroom.
"I think they're waiting for us so shall we?" Henry said and extended his arm for Rika.
"Right!" Rika said as she placed her hand on Henry's arm.
The couple walked together to the ballroom. A white cloth hung in the ceiling and the white balloons stood at the entrance while forming an arch. They saw that their friends and families already arrived there. Even their guests from the office were also there so they marched in formally with Rika's hand on Henry's arm while music was playing.
"Congratulations to the newlyweds!" Ryo declared and the others agreed. Others started throwing confetti around them.
"Thanks, guys!" Henry said and looked at Rika. "This day turned out to be the best for me. Don't you agree?
"I agree," Rika answered. "It's unexpectedly amazing."
At that time, the ballroom began playing a song. All of the couples went to the center to dance which reminded Rika that she was going to dance with her husband. She saw Takato and Jeri taking the opportunity of dancing to make out.
"Make out or dance?" Henry asked, apparently reading Rika's thoughts.
"Both?!" Rika answered and laughed. "Ten minutes dance and the entire night to make out!"
With this, she looked at him and he also looked at her.
"So, care to dance with your husband, Mrs. Henry Wong?" Henry grinned as he offered his right hand to her.
"Sure. Why not?" Rika returned the grin and accepted his right hand. "I'd love to!"
"Glad to know," Henry chuckled while Rika held his hand. "It would be unfair if the newlyweds were just sitting around and watching, you know?"
"I know, Henry. It would be unfair if the groom didn't show his signature dance moves!" Rika teased.
The couple walked hand-in-hand towards the center. When they found a spot, Henry faced Rika while his hands slowly traveled to her waist and eventually settled there. Rika placed her hands around Henry's neck.
"I still can't believe I'm married today," Rika remarked.
"Me too." Henry nodded. "Anyway, I have something to confess."
"What is it?" Rika said in interest.
"When I was stuck with the stupid arranged wedding thing, a part of me wanted that making out to be something more…" Henry said sheepishly. "Because if we were careless and I ended up knocking you up and my parents knew it… then they wouldn't have a choice but to arrange this wedding thing to you instead."
Rika only pinched Henry's cheek. "Now I really proved that you're indeed a pervert!" she smirked.
"But anyway, your story seemed to be perfect fit for the two of us," Henry remarked. "We found our happy ending that we waited so long to have."
"Yeah!" Rika agreed as the feeling of being married began sinking into her.
"Just like the prince and his princess." Henry smiled.
"Aww… Henry…" Rika was nearly close to laughing. "You're a lot more hopeless romantic than I am!"
"But you're not just an ordinary princess, Ri… You're my princess and now… the queen of my life," Henry answered with a smile. "I love you, Mrs. Rika Nonaka Wong."
"And I love you too, Mr. Henry Wong," Rika answered as well with a smile. "Anyway, you did a good job in performing this stunt! The wedding and everything!"
"I know I could always make a good actor, don't you think, Sweetheart?" Henry winked. "Mission accomplished!"
"Maybe!" Rika replied as she kept with the slow pace caused by her husband. "If I'd grade you, you'll have A for the effort."
"Thanks." Henry smirked. "So do I get to have an anniversary gift from my wife today?"
"In the future, okay?" Rika answered as she realized what her husband was getting at. "Let's just dance, Henry."
With this, Henry lowered his smiling face to meet Rika's and touched her nose with his, giving her an Eskimo kiss. Rika blushed at this move and began to giggle. Not wanting to turn the giggle into solid laughter, Henry instantly pressed his lips on Rika's and the two shared a passionate and sweet kiss.