Day 5. Gift

7 years later

Roy

I couldn't believe that it had already been a little over 7 years since Riza and I had seen each other in person, being a farewell that to this day I hold dear to my mind: our first kiss. Despite the time, I couldn't help but remember from time to time Riza's soft lips on mine. That day was like a dream, because my best friend reciprocated my feelings and we had shared our first kiss. Although I also had to admit that it was a difficult day when I had to let her go just as friends, but, unfortunately, at that time I had no other choice.

Now, I already had a college degree and a master's degree just like Riza and I also had a good job as a publicist in a major company. Because of my performance and because I started working since I was in my last year of college, I was now lucky enough to be one of the best in the company despite my youth. Riza had stayed in Aerugo due to a job opportunity she had been offered but despite the distance, we were still in touch.

After our parting 7 years ago, neither of us wanted to talk about our feelings again in our conversations because we both knew that doing so would only make it more difficult and cause suffering in the other and it was the last thing we wanted to do. I'm sure that's exactly why neither of us dared to say the words "I love you" to the other.

Despite the years, I hadn't been able to get Riza out of my heart and out of my thoughts and I wasn't sure if I ever would. I still wore the charm she had given me and treasured every message and video call we had. I missed her, and was seriously considering taking a vacation and going to visit her, even though the rational part of me told me that might end up hurting me by reminding me that I could never belong to the social circle her parents expected from their only daughter's suitor. The ringing of my cell phone brought me out of my thoughts and I couldn't help but smile when I saw that the muse of my thoughts was making a video call to me.

"Hey, Riza. How are you?"

"Hey, Roy. I'm great, thanks. How are you?" She said with a big smile.

"I'm very well, thanks. To what do I owe this surprise?"

"Well, I wanted to say hello and I also wanted to tell you the good news."

"I'm looking forward to it."

"I'm going back to Central."

"Really?" My heart began to race.

"Really. I got a really good job offer at a well-known advertising company that you might be familiar with."

"No way-" I couldn't believe it.

"Believe it." She said smiling at me. "They told me they're putting together a group of young people to run major accounts and I'd be working side by side with one of their top publicists who goes by the name of Roy Mustang. Do you happen to know him?"

I smiled sideways. "Sounds familiar, I'm told he's a young prodigy, very good at his job, charismatic, and very attractive."

"And very cocky."

"Hey!" I grumbled causing Riza to laugh and me to join in with her. "Are we really going to work together?" I asked her when we stopped laughing.

"Seriously. I'm starting next month, so be prepared because your new partner won't let you slack off." She teased me.

"Let me tell you, I'm a hard-working man who has never slacked off in his life-"

"And the times you'd fall asleep under the tree, or when we'd go to my grandparents' house or-"

"Hey, I was just a kid."

We laughed again as we reminisced about old times.

"We'll see each other again in person." She said smiling at me.

"I'm excited to do that, but what about your parents? I don't think they're pleased that you're working for someone."

"You know how they are and I don't care. Their company isn't advertising and I don't want to spend it doing nothing. For the time being they've already accepted it as long as they keep me around."

"Wow, I never thought we'd be working together."

"Neither did I, but it's going to be amazing."

"You bet. But tell me, you won't leave any broken hearts lying around?" The question came out of my mouth before I could stop it.

"No, I already left one once and I don't plan on going through that again." She told me earnestly.

"Riza-"

"I'll leave some friends I've made around here, but at least Becky and I will be hired for the same team." She was quick to say, probably because she didn't want to broach that subject and I wouldn't press her, at least not until I seriously mulled it over.

"I will be very happy to have them on the team, especially now that we have a couple of clients who want to improve relations with their Aerugo clientele. Their experience there will come in handy."

"What about the fact that you're going to have your best friend around?"

"That will be the best part."

"You better hope so." We laughed a little and talked for another half hour. "I have to go, Roy, but I'll be in touch with you."

"Take care of yourself, Riza."

"You too, Roy."

As the call ended, I couldn't help but grin like an idiot. Riza would be coming home and from what she had told me she was still single and unattached, and best of all, I felt like her feelings for me were still there. I knew it wasn't good for me to get my hopes up but I couldn't help it, I just hoped that this time Riza's parents wouldn't intervene.

1 Month Later

"Earth calling Roy." I heard my friend Maes say to me.

"Oh, sorry." I was so engrossed in reading the preliminary information on the upcoming ad campaign that I hadn't realized that my friend, who also worked with me, was calling me.

"Wow, until you listen to me."

"Sorry, I'm just trying to figure this all out for tomorrow's meeting, maybe with any luck I can get a preliminary idea to go from there."

"Wow, you sure don't waste any time when you focus. Well at least your effort has been rewarded with that juicy increase in your salary. You have to pass the secret on to me because with my little Elicia on the way, it would be good for me to have it."

I smiled. Maes was my best friend. He had been happily married for 3 years and was expecting his first baby with his wife Grace, who was a very good woman, perfect for Maes.

"You know, you need to get together with me more."

Maes laughed. "And become a workaholic with no personal life, no thanks." He slapped my back amicably. "But I think that's going to end soon because the muse of many if not all of your campaigns is already signing her contract in human resources along with her friend."

I looked at my friend in surprise. Riza hadn't told me she was already back. "Are you serious?"

Maes smiled. "That's right, I was walking by and the HR manager introduced them to me and asked me to inform you that as soon as they were done with the paperwork you would give them an introduction to their jobs and give them a tour of the building."

I looked around, luckily the general office was tidy, so I started to save my notes I had made on the computer. "Okay, thanks for telling me, I have to save all my notes and changes into some documents before they come."

"I must say my friend, I can see why Riza has driven you crazy all these years, she is as beautiful a woman as my Gracia and you can tell from leagues away that she is a good person."

I shook my head from side to side. "Riza is my friend-"

"But you keep wishing she was something more."

I closed my laptop, stood up and grabbed my jacket that was on my chair to put it on. "I don't deny it but sometimes the world turns against me."

"Don't give up, buddy, especially when there's a chance she loves you just the same."

"I don't know Maes, it's been 7 years, we'll see what happens."

"Well, focus on the good things. She's back and the company doesn't prohibit romantic relationships between co-workers."

I smiled sideways. "Now that's a plus."

We heard someone knock on the door. "Come in." My heart skipped a beat as I saw Riza accompanied by a black-haired woman and the HR manager.

"Hello, Mr. Mustang. Allow me to introduce you to the newest members of your team, Misses Riza Hawkeye and Rebeca Catalina."

I smiled as I extended my hand toward Rebeca. "Nice to meet you, Rebecca." She returned the greeting.

"It's nice to see you again, Riza." As soon as our gazes met and I felt her hand on mine, an electrifying sensation coursed through my body.

"Same here, Roy." She said to me with a big smile.

"Oh, you two know each other?" The manager asked.

"That's right, madam. Riza and I are old friends."

"Yes, we've known each other since we were kids but we hadn't seen each other since we went away to study at the university." Riza said.

"Oh, my. What a small world. Well, I hope the coupling of this group will be easier." Said the manager. "Well, if you need anything else, you know where to find me. I'll leave you with Mr. Mustang."

When the office door closed, I reluctantly took my eyes off Riza's and began with protocol, officially introducing them to Maes, showing them around the office and giving them an introduction to the accounts we were handling before giving them a tour of the building. I must admit that it was being very difficult to concentrate and behave professionally when what I wanted most was to hug Riza tightly. When it was time for lunch, Maes and I invited the girls to eat at a restaurant that was close to the building. Maes and the girls went ahead as they had asked me to send a report, so I stayed a few more minutes in my private office.

I was so focused on sending that information as soon as possible so I could catch up with them that I didn't notice someone staring at me from my office door.

"I never thought I'd see you looking so serious and professional." I heard Riza's voice saying to me in amusement.

I looked up to meet her beautiful auburn gaze. I couldn't help but smile before returning my gaze to my computer screen to finish sending the requested information as I responded. "You know I always have been." I told her amused.

She laughed. "If you say so..."

I locked my computer before standing up and standing in front of Riza. "Why didn't you let me know you were already in the country?" I asked.

"Because I wanted to surprise you."

"Wow you did."

"Well, since it's our lunch hour, could we greet each other properly as friends already?"

Before my mind could tell me otherwise I hugged her tightly and, after her initial surprise, she reciprocated my embrace. "I didn't want you to feel awkward in front of your friend, so I decided to go on the professional side."

"You're a fool. Becky knows all about our friendship although I must say I decided to wait until now because I don't know how much Maes knows."

I pulled slightly away from our embrace. "He knows everything." I smiled broadly. "It's so good to see you again. I missed you so much."

She reciprocated my smile. "I missed you a lot too. There are a lot of things we need to talk about, after all it's been 7 years."

"Yes, you're right, would you accept an invitation to the movies and lunch next Saturday? Sure, if you don't have any plans or maybe you're still unpacking-"

"I'd love to." She interrupted me. "I'm done unpacking this week, so I'd love to go out with you and reminisce about old times."

"Say no more." My gaze caught the charm she was wearing, the same one I had given her years ago. I found it hard to believe that after all these years she was still wearing it. "I can't believe you're still wearing the charm." I said looking into her eyes.

"Why not, I really like it, it reminds me of a very special person and besides I promised I would always wear it."

I smiled. "We were practically kids when we made that promise."

"Maybe, but I still really like this charm." She told me taking the charm in her hand.

I reluctantly broke away from the embrace to loosen my tie and unbutton the first few buttons of my shirt so I could pull out my own charm to show her. "As you can see, we think alike."

Her smile widened. "I see, I must admit I'm surprised too." She said as she took my charm in her right hand.

"Why?"

"Because men think this kind of thing is a bit ridiculous." She told me before letting go of my charm while still smiling.

I smiled sideways as I placed my charm inside my shirt before buttoning it back up and adjusting my tie. "You see not all of us men think that."

"It's really good to see you again Roy."

"Same here, Riza." I looked at my watch. "I think we'd better go catch up with Maes and Rebecca before it gets any later."

She nodded and with a smile we both headed for the restaurant.

After a month, Riza and I were leading the projects without any problems and working very well together. Despite the years of separation, we had reconnected very well as friends and... my feelings for her were only growing making my heart scream at me over and over again to try but I wasn't sure.

Plus as soon as she heard that Riza was back, my aunt was quick to ask me to be careful at the monthly meal we used to have at her apartment. Shortly after Riza went to study out of the country, Riza's grandparents asked my aunt to go to work with them since their housekeeper had retired. When I started earning a good salary, I told her to stop working but she told me that she needed to keep busy, so I at least convinced her to pay rent for a nice apartment for her, since with Riza's grandparents she only needed to work 4 days a week, plus I wanted my aunt to finally have her own home. I wanted to give her a house, but she told me that it was not necessary and that it was too much for her alone, so now she had an apartment near Riza's grandparents' house where I went to visit her at least once a month.

"Roy-Boy, please be careful. I can see your feelings for her are not gone." My aunt said to me when we finished eating.

"I can't lie to you, my feelings for her are still there and I'm afraid they continue to grow by having her near me."

My aunt sighed. "Please, Roy, I've been telling you for all these years. You have to let go of that crush of yours, there are more women in the world."

"But none like Riza."

My aunt placed her hand on mine. "I know, however don't forget that she belongs to another world. There's no doubt you've outdone yourself, boy, you've become a fine man, you've got a good job and I'm very proud of you, but unfortunately Riza's parents haven't taken their finger out about marrying her off to Archer."

"She doesn't love him...when she looks at me I feel her feelings for me are still there and she's waiting for me to make the first move."

"Riza probably still loves you, but you know how much power her parents have. You have a good job, you can start to afford certain luxuries but it's still not possible for you to give her a life like her parents expect. I don't want you to think that I don't support you, quite the contrary. However, I want to protect you, I know how painful it was for you when she left, I would hate to see you suffer again."

I smiled slightly. Despite being an independent man, my aunt was still treating me like a child. "I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but whatever happens I'll take responsibility for the decisions I make. Hopefully everything will work out for me and if it doesn't..." I sighed deeply, I didn't even want to think about the worst case scenario. "I'll have no choice but to move on."

"Easier said than done, Roy-Boy."

"Yes, I know, but I have no doubt that even if I were to resist, you would be there pushing me to be strong and keep pushing myself." I told her smiling sideways.

She smiled. "Rest assured, Roy-Boy, I'll never let you get stuck if I have to kick your ass."

I couldn't help but laugh.

1 month later

Riza

Every time I saw Roy, I couldn't help but stare at him even for a moment. I couldn't deny that these 7 years had done him a lot of good, he had grown a bit more and it was more than obvious that the gym was doing wonders to his body. He was a very attractive man and seeing him in the office in his suits was one of my favorite parts. But the best part was that internally he was still that humble, sincere, big-hearted guy that I had fallen in love with. I had no doubt that I still loved him and I could see in his eyes that he felt the same way or at least that's what I wanted to believe, only time would tell.

In the meantime I had to keep avoiding the meetings that my parents organized for me to spend time with Frank, because they still insisted that we get married, but I wasn't going to allow it. I would marry because I wanted to and who I wanted to, not who my parents wanted me to.

Ever since Roy had asked me out on my first day of work, we tried to hang out as friends every Saturday and it was like the old days when we would sneak off to my grandparents' house so we could spend time together. I was comfortable with him and he was comfortable with me.

Today we had had a picnic in the park and seeing that the clouds were threatening heavy rain, we quickly began to gather our things and like the gentleman he was, he took me in his car to the apartment I was sharing with Becky, as it was close to the office and gave me the freedom I was craving. Even though we rode in Roy's car, during the ride from the park to the parking lot, we got soaked as a downpour suddenly let loose. Luckily, the parking lot of the building where my apartment was located was in the basement, so we didn't get wet there anymore.

"You should come upstairs with me. You're soaking wet and at the moment it's not convenient for you to drive back to your apartment no matter how close it is."

"Riza, I don't think-"

"Come on, I insist."

"All right."

We went up to my apartment, Roy placed the basket we had brought over the dining room and I headed to my room to go get a couple of towels for him.

"Here, I don't want you to catch a cold. The bathroom is down the hall to the right." I said as I handed him the towel.

"Thank you, but what about you?"

"I'll change in my room. You should take those clothes off, like I said I wouldn't want you to get sick. We'll put them in the dryer."

"Oh, okay."

As I changed into dry clothes, I went out into the living room and was surprised to see that Roy still hadn't come out, a few minutes later he came out of the bathroom with one of the towels around his waist and the wet clothes and towel on the other. I took the wet clothes and couldn't help but stare for a few seconds at his bare chest. We blushed slightly and I excused myself to take the garments to the dryer. I went to my room and grabbed an extra pair of slippers I had that I hoped would fit Roy.

"Wear these, I know they won't fit you perfectly but they will be better than your wet tennis shoes." I said as I handed them to him and handed him another dry towel.

"Thanks, Riza." He said as he draped the towel over his shoulders.

I sat down next to him on the couch. "Well, how does popcorn and a movie sound? Becky just texted me to tell me she's staying at her parents' house today because of the downpour."

"Sounds good. Let me help you."

I stood up. "Don't worry, I'll be back in a minute."

I returned with a bowl of popcorn and a couple of soft drinks which I placed in front of us on the coffee table. After deciding on the movie we would watch, we settled in and began to enjoy it, although we were both a little tense at first due to the proximity of each other and especially Roy's state of dress.

"If you want I can lend you some clothes, but I doubt they would fit you and be your style." I said jokingly to lighten the mood between us.

He looked at me and started laughing. "You're right, I don't think it's my style. If I'm honest, I think this is the style that all women like the most."

That was Roy, a joker and with a big ego when he put his mind to it, which I liked to deflate to keep him from losing the floor. "You're pretty sure of yourself."

"Well, you can't blame me, after all I got the impression you liked what you saw." He said smiling sideways at me.

As much as I avoided it, I felt my cheeks flush slightly, but I tried to deny it. "You think so? Well I'm afraid you're wrong, by now you should know that I like a person more on the inside than on the outside."

Our gazes met. "Of course I know, because I feel entirely the same way."

We remained in a pleasant silence staring into each other's eyes, until, as if a magnetic force surged between us, we leaned toward each other until we met each other's lips halfway. He shyly placed his hand on my cheek and I placed my hand on his to confirm that I didn't mind as we continued to kiss tenderly. When we broke apart, we placed our foreheads on each other's smiling from ear to ear.

"Riza...I love you, I've never stopped." He said without taking his eyes off me and I couldn't stop a couple of tears from escaping me, as it was the first time he had ever said that to me even though I knew he wanted to when we first kissed.

"I love you too, Roy, I never stopped."

His eyes sparkled with joy, he moved closer and again kissed me. "Will you accept to be my girlfriend? I know I'll never live up to what your parents want-"

I placed my index finger on his lips to interrupt him. "Yes, Roy, I want us to be a couple. I don't care what my parents say or how much they want to force me to marry Frank, I won't because the man I love is you and not for what you have but for who you are, just as I know you love me for myself, not for my riches."

He pulled me into his arms and kissed my head. "I love you so much, Riza, don't ever forget that."

I hugged him tightly. "Nor you forget how much I love you, Roy."

From that day on we became much closer and now spent time properly as a couple, going out on dates, holding hands and sharing kisses. I still couldn't believe how long I had waited to have this moment. My boyfriend was my best friend and I couldn't be happier.

Unfortunately, 6 months later my parents had demanded that I go see them, scolding me like I was a child for hanging out with Roy instead of Frank. I told them I would not do what they wanted but what I wanted because I was an adult. What I never expected was that in the backyard they had an engagement party with reporters waiting for me.

Since I was extremely annoyed with them, I left the living room in a huff and wanted to go out through the backyard and that's when I ran into all that commotion. I was caught off guard, which they took advantage of to have Frank the jerk put an engagement ring on my hand while the photographers took hundreds of pictures non-stop.

After a couple of seconds, I finally snapped out of my shock just before Frank kissed me, acting immediately to slap him.

"Leave me alone!" I snapped at him.

"Excuse me, this has all come as a bit of a surprise to my beloved Riza, hasn't it, sweetheart?" Pronounced Frank's asshole trying to slip his arm around my waist but I immediately pulled away.

I already understood my parents' sinister plan, they wanted me to give in to their whims because of pressure from the press and guests. I had had enough of always doing what they expected of me and not what I really wanted. To hell with what they would say about me. I pushed Frank away when he again tried to approach, he reached to grab my arm and squeezed it tightly with the clear intention of hurting me.

"Stop it, do your thing, you've done too much bullshit already. That jerk you claim to love will just walk away when he sees all our beautiful pictures not to mention your father has asked him nicely to stay away." Frank whispered in my ear. "Now cooperate."

My blood boiled when I heard everything. With all the strength in my being, I broke free from Frank's grip, kicked him in the crotch to the stupefied faces of the guests and then threw the ring in his face.

"Leave me alone!" I shouted and pushed my way through the crowd to enter the house and get the hell out of there.

"Riza! Don't you realize how ridiculous you made a fool of yourself out there? What are our friends going to think?" My mother scolded me.

"I don't give a damn! I want to be happy and I'll never be happy with that jerk."

"Well, you won't be happy with that deadbeat Mustang either. He'll never be able to give you the life you're used to. So stop acting like a spoiled brat and go out and fix things." My father ordered me.

"I won't. I've already been told by Frank what you did and I'm warning you that if you hurt Roy or his aunt, I won't touch my heart to make you regret your idiocies, even if you are my father."

I turned away and continued on my way.

"If you run off like that, you ungrateful brat, I swear you won't see a single penny of my fortune and that deadbeat will leave you when he realizes it. You're going to be out on the street." Said my father in annoyance.

"Cut the crap and do what you have to do. Your engagement to Frank was defined long before that wretch showed up in your life." My mother pronounced.

I stopped and turned my face to look at them.

"You guys are so wrong. Roy really loves me for who I am not what I have. He is a good, responsible, hardworking man, always has been since he was a child. He can fend for himself and doesn't have to be a gold digger to live the life he wants. Rather the starving man is the idiot they want me to marry, because that imbecile doesn't even know what it is to work, he's just a hustler." I looked at my mother. "Why did you forget all the teachings my grandparents gave you?"

"How dare you!" My mother spat.

"I demand respect for your mother!" My father said in annoyance.

"I'm just stating the facts, you let my father brainwash you with his backward, macho beliefs. Well, I will not be a part of his game, so even though it pains me to know that my parents prefer their social status and money over their own daughter's happiness, I will go my own way because I will not fall for their provocations to please them, not anymore."

"Riza!" My father shouted.

I returned my gaze to the front and continued walking. I got into my car and sped out of there, I didn't want the media to block my path. As I drove away from my parents' house I stopped at a shopping mall to get my nerves under control before continuing my journey. I took out my cell phone and dialed Roy's number, but I was worried when I saw that he didn't answer. Shit, I hope my dad didn't put crazy ideas in him like he did with my mom. I kept insisting, but nothing, I put the phone in my purse and headed to Roy's apartment, I wasn't going to let my parents win and separate me again from the person I loved, the person who had given me the gift of love as a couple.

Roy

These last few months had been incredible, I couldn't believe how happy I was with Riza. Time and distance had not ended our feelings and now every day we loved each other more and more. I knew we had only been dating for a short time but there was no doubt that our feelings had always been there for a long time, so last week I had bought in company with Maes a beautiful engagement ring for Riza.

I was nervously thinking about how I would ask her to marry me, when that morning I had a visit from Riza's father at my apartment.

"Mr. Hawkeye, how did you know where to find me?" I asked in surprise as he entered my apartment.

"I hired a private investigator. I'll cut to the chase because I don't like wasting my time. Stay the hell away from my daughter."

I couldn't help but feel the anger starting to want to leave my being. "With all due respect, sir, I will never do that unless she asks me to, which I highly doubt since I know she loves me just as I love her."

Riza's father laughed. "Love her?" He snorted. "Rather you love the possibility of becoming a rich man if you marry her, but I must warn you that will never happen because, even if such a tragedy were to happen, I will not allow you to touch a single penny of the fortune I will inherit to my daughter. What do you think? Surely this changes your ambitious plans right?"

I inhaled deeply to try to control my anger. "I'm not after your money, I'm offended that you would say that. I truly love your daughter, money or no money my feelings won't change for her just as she has always loved me even though I had nothing before.

He came towards me to face me, I stood there and showed no fear. "Cut the crap, you'll never measure up to my daughter and you'll never stop being a deadbeat. I'm giving you a chance to get away from her and make a little profit, maybe not the one you originally hoped for but it will be good. Tell me Mustang, what's your price for walking away from my daughter?"

I clenched my hands into fists, trying with all my might not to hit him. "Go away! I don't want or need your money." I said through my teeth. "I won't walk away from Riza unless she asks me to."

"I wanted to be nice, so I'll have to do it the hard way. Riza has to marry Frank, and you'll get out of her life if you don't want me to block your career."

"I already told you, I'm not going to walk away from your daughter whether you like it or not."

"If you don't care about money or your career, then maybe your aunt will talk some sense into you."

Even though he was the father of the woman I loved, I couldn't help but want to beat it out of him for being a damn wretch. "Leave my aunt out of this, she has nothing to do with it."

"That will be up to you." He said to me before turning around and heading for the door. "Soon Riza's engagement to Frank will be made public so it will be clear to you that there is no other option. You will decide how badly you want to sink for your foolishness."

As soon as he left, I banged on the door trying to get out the anger I held back from hitting that man who didn't understand how he could have such a good and amazing daughter like Riza.

A couple of hours later while I was pondering what I should do to protect my aunt, I got an email with the pictures of the famous engagement that Riza's father was talking about. I didn't doubt the love she had for me, but I couldn't stop a deep ache from settling over my heart. I opened the small box that held the engagement ring and couldn't stop a couple of tears from escaping.

I went to my kitchen and poured myself a drink, brought the bottle with me before sitting down at the table. I picked up the ring and looked at it carefully. I really wanted to share my life with Riza, but from the beginning there was always something that got in the way of our happiness. When we were a couple of teenagers, we didn't even have the chance to start a relationship, even though we were just friends, we had to watch out for her parents and now that we were adults and thought we could finally enjoy our feelings freely, history was repeating itself.

I knew my aunt was right to warn me over and over about following my feelings, but my heart simply would not allow me to let go of this love and I firmly believed that we could overcome every obstacle that came our way. I wanted to fight against everything and everyone to defend our love, but I could not do so if my aunt's safety was compromised. I would never dare put her in danger, not when she was practically my mother.

I heard my phone ring, picked it up and saw Riza's number on the caller ID. I couldn't take the call at that moment, I had to seriously think about how to proceed.

After a while, I heard someone knocking on my door and immediately figured it was Riza, which was confirmed when I heard her beautiful voice calling me. Inhaling deeply to take enough courage to face the following, I stood up, went to the door and as soon as I opened it, Riza looked into my eyes worriedly. She walked into the apartment, closed the door and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"I'm so sorry, Roy, I really am. I heard what my father did and they probably sent you those horrible pictures." She looked me in the eyes and placed her hands on my face. "I swear I didn't know anything about it, I was set up, but as soon as I could I ran out of there, I don't want to marry that jerk. I only love you, Roy." She kissed me tenderly and I couldn't resist any longer and hugged her tightly as I reciprocated the kiss.

"I know it just as I know you know I love you with all my being, Riza." I said as we finished the kiss.

"We'll find a way out of this." She caressed my cheek and I leaned into her caress. "Please don't keep drinking."

"I needed a drink."

"I know, love, but you know that doesn't help you at all."

"Riza, I love you like you have no idea, but I can't endanger my aunt even if it breaks my heart. I can't endanger the woman I consider my mother. Otherwise, believe me I wouldn't heed your father's words."

"I wouldn't put your aunt in danger either, I love her very much, and I know how much she means to you. Believe me she will be fine. I will talk to my grandparents, they will protect her, my parents have power, but my grandparents' is greater."

"What if something goes wrong? I don't care what happens to me, but what might happen to you or her. I would never forgive myself."

She kissed me tenderly again. "Nothing will happen, I trust my grandparents completely. I'll call them right now." She told me as we parted and she pulled away to make her call.

I had some peace of mind knowing that Riza would ask her grandparents for help but I was still uneasy. I sat in my chair in front of the table, looking at my glass before drinking the last of the remaining drink. I felt great anxiety at this situation and tried to calm myself by controlling my breathing and closing my eyes. I couldn't lose my head because there was too much at stake at this moment.

Suddenly I felt my head being pulled to Riza's chest as she began massaging my scalp and depositing kisses on my head.

"Take it easy, Roy. Everything will be fine, my grandfather assured me that he would personally go get your aunt, explain the situation and take her home. She'll be safe there." Riza told me in a soft voice.

I pulled away from her slightly and raised my head to look at her. "Thank you very much, Riza."

She smiled before leaning over and kissing my forehead. "You don't have to thank me for anything, this is all my fault-"

I immediately denied. "No, it's your father's fault, so don't you dare blame yourself. If anything, it would also be my fault for falling in love with you." I told her smiling slightly.

She reciprocated my smile. "Then it's also my fault for falling in love with you." She bent down and kissed me gently on the lips. "And I'm never going to stop loving you, Roy Mustang."

"Nor will I, Riza Hawkeye." I said before hugging her tightly.

We stayed in each other's arms for a moment until she spoke.

"What's that?" She said as she reached across the table to pick up the small box containing the ring. By the time I reacted it was too late, for she had it in her hands and had opened it. She looked me in the eye. "Roy, is this what I think it is?"

I sighed. This was definitely not among my ideas of how I would ask her to marry me, but she had already seen the ring and knowing that my aunt would be protected, maybe it would be better to ask her to marry me outright.

I took the ring from the box and knelt down on one of my knees, causing Riza to let out a gasp of surprise. "Yes, Riza, it is. Not long ago I got this ring so I was planning the best way to propose to you but since all this happened I thought I might never be able to do it. But now that we have the support and protection of your grandparents and that we know our feelings won't change no matter what, and especially that you've already figured me out, I think I'd better ask you at once." I took her hand with my free hand and without taking my eyes off her I began to speak. "Riza, I love you very much, as I never imagined I could. Without realizing it you stole my heart a long time ago and I don't see my life with anyone else. Many times I thought we could never even have a relationship as a couple and much I feared that something like today would come in our way again so we could never be together. But today you have shown me once again how much you love me and how committed you are to fight for our love so you have given me back the strength to do it too. I know we have been dating for a short time but I have no doubts about how I feel about you so I don't want to wait any longer. Riza, will you agree to marry me?" Internally I was extremely nervous but those nerves quickly went away when I heard her answer.

"Of course I accept, Roy." She said to me as tears overflowed from her eyes as mine did upon hearing her response.

I carefully slid the ring onto her finger before pulling her hand towards my lips to kiss it. I stood up and she immediately wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me as I held her tightly.

"I love you, Roy." Riza said smiling at me.

"And I love you." I replied smiling broadly before kissing her again.

"Let's get married right away, Roy. By making it official, my parents will have to leave us alone." Riza asked me.

"Are you sure? I would like to give you the wedding of your dreams." I said as I caressed her cheek.

"Thank you, Roy. You're very tender and thoughtful, but I'd rather make sure we're married so they can never separate us again."

"Okay, we'll go to the registry office tomorrow then."

"Sounds good to me."

At that moment, Riza's phone rang and we reluctantly parted for her to answer it. It was a video call from her grandparents, which she took and asked me to come over. After greetings and an apology for Riza's father's actions, we were shown that my aunt was there, so we greeted her and I could finally breathe easy. She told me not to worry about her, that she would be fine. After sharing a look with Riza, we decided to tell them of our plan to get married and ask them to be our witnesses. They congratulated us and like me wished we could have a beautiful wedding, so they insisted that we get married at their house in the huge garden they had. They told us that they had many friends and acquaintances who would help them get everything ready for tomorrow so that at least we would have a better wedding than we could have at the registry office. Riza and I thanked them and accepted their offer.

"Riza, my dear, I don't think it would be a good idea for you to spend the night in your apartment today, we don't know what your parents might do. I would like you to stay with us, but I think that would be the first place your parents would look for you." Said Riza's grandfather worriedly.

"She can stay with me, I don't plan to leave her alone." I said with conviction.

Riza's grandparents and my aunt smiled. "Thank you, Roy, but I'm afraid your apartment isn't a safe place either." Her grandmother said to me.

"Roy-Boy, since I'll be staying here with Riza's grandparents, use the spare key you have from my apartment and stay there." Said my aunt.

"I'm not sure if they know about the place, Riza's dad told me he hired a private investigator to get my address." I said concerned.

"Take Chris's offer, boy. My son-in-law usually asks exclusively for what matters to him, so hopefully he didn't get into digging too much more of your life." Said Riza's grandfather.

Riza and I looked at each other and decided we would go along with that plan. "Okay, that's what we'll do. Thank you so much for your support." We both said at the same time.

"There's nothing to thank you guys for. We just want you to be very happy." Replied Riza's grandmother. "So don't worry about anything but coming to the house tomorrow. We'll have everything ready around 5pm but come around noon so we can get Riza ready."

Riza and I smiled, "We will, thank you very much."

When we ended the call, we smiled and hugged each other tightly. "Everything will be fine." Riza said to me.

"It will be."

After making a few quick calls to our work to request a week off for Riza and I and calling our friends to invite them to our hurried wedding, I packed a bag before we left for Riza's apartment, who quickly packed hers and then we headed to my aunt's apartment. When night fell, we had decided that Riza would take the guest room and I would take my aunt's room.

"You know, I wouldn't mind if we slept in the same bed. After all, tomorrow we'll be married." Riza said to me as her cheeks flushed.

I smiled, took her hands and kissed her forehead. "Believe me I would love to sleep next to you, but I want to be a gentleman, that's how my aunt taught me. It will only be tonight, because from tomorrow and for the rest of our lives we will sleep together."

She hugged me. "I'm looking forward to it."

I hugged her tightly. "Me too."

"I hope you don't snore." She teased me.

"I hope you don't kick." We both started laughing before kissing tenderly to go to sleep.

The next day, after breakfast, we headed to Riza's grandparents' house, where we were greeted with hugs and congratulations from them and my aunt. They then sat us down and asked us if we were sure about going ahead with the wedding, to which we answered without any hesitation that we were. Shortly thereafter Rebecca and her fiancé Jean arrived, along with Maes and Gracia, who helped us get ready.

Before I retired to change, Riza's grandfather asked me to follow him to his study as he wanted to have a word with me.

"Boy, I hope you know that my wife and I have always held you in high esteem and if I am honest, I always wished this would happen because since you were very young it was more than obvious the strength of your feelings. We want my dear granddaughter to be happy with someone who loves her for who she is and respects her, which we are sure will not happen with the jerk my daughter and her husband have chosen. So Roy, I want you to know that you have our blessing but if you make our dear granddaughter suffer you will be dealing with us." Said Riza's grandfather earnestly at the end.

"Don't worry, sir. Like you I only wish to make Riza happy, she means a lot in my life and I will dedicate the rest of my life to make her happy. I would never dare to hurt her, I will protect her and love her always." I said vehemently making Riza's grandfather smile.

"You better hope so, boy. I know you were hesitating to go through with this because of the threat about your aunt, but relax, she'll be fine and that son-in-law of mine only likes to bully, so don't worry about it."

"I really appreciate it very much, sir." I said sincerely.

"Well, then I have nothing left but to welcome you into the family and give you my blessing." He said as he extended his hand, I took it and he gave me a hug which I reciprocated.

"Thank you very much, sir, it is an honor."

As I made my way to the room where I would change with Maes, my aunt also spoke to me for a few minutes.

"Roy-Boy, are you sure about this?" She asked me.

"I am, I have no doubt how I feel about Riza and I also have no doubt how much she loves me. I am aware that it won't be easy with her parents' hatred of us, but we are both willing to fight for our love. Riza's grandfather told me you'll be fine and if you feel in danger, don't hesitate to tell me-"

"I'll be fine, boy, don't worry about me, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I just wanted to be sure you were sure about this, because first and foremost I want your happiness." She said as she caressed my cheek.

I placed my hand on hers and smiled. "I will be very happy with Riza, I have no doubt. I know we'll have hard times but I'm confident we'll get through them like this. We've had enough of one thing or another getting in our way, we won't allow it anymore. That's why it makes me happy to know I have your support and affection."

She smiled. "You always will, Roy-Boy." We hugged and after a few minutes, I kissed her cheek before we parted. "Okay, get ready. You mustn't keep Riza waiting."

I kissed her cheek again before she left the room and together with Maes we got ready.

"Ready, buddy?" Maes asked me.

"Ready, can't wait to see my beautiful bride." I replied with a big smile.

"Welcome to the married men's club."

Riza

While I was getting ready, Roy's aunt asked me to have a few minutes alone.

"I esteem you very much, Riza and my boy loves you very much, always has, so please I ask you to make him very happy as I know he will with you." She said to me.

I smiled. "You don't need to ask me, because I too have loved your nephew for a long time. I have no doubt we will be very happy."

"Fine, but in case he doesn't behave as he should with you, tell me and I'll take care of straightening him out."

We laughed.

"Thank you, although I doubt that will be necessary."

"I have nothing left to say but Welcome to the family, Riza." She said smiling at me as we hugged.

"Thank you so much."

"Oh, before I go, wait a moment." She left the room for a moment to come back in with a beautiful flower arrangement. "Roy asked me to give this to you."

I took the beautiful arrangement and smiled from ear to ear as I read his note:

To my beautiful, queen.

I can't wait for us to be husband and wife.

I love you like crazy,

Roy

"That's beautiful, thank you so much. Tell Roy I can't wait to marry him either."

Chris smiled, "Of course I will."

When Chris left the room, Becky helped me put the finishing touches on the dress my grandmother had gotten from one of her friends' fashion house.

"You look beautiful, Riz. I can't believe you decided to get married literally overnight." Becky told me excitedly.

"Thank you so much, Becky. Believe me I never imagined it this way but I'm still so excited."

Becky hugged me, "I'm happy for you, friend, and I'm so happy to be a part of this."

I hugged my friend tightly. "I couldn't be completely happy without my best friend at such an important time in my life."

We pulled apart and wiped away the tears that were threatening to overflow to avoid ruining our makeup.

"Come on, Riz. Gracia says everything is ready, your beau is already waiting for you."

I laughed. "Let's go."

As I approached the double glass door leading to the backyard, I found my grandparents waiting for me with a big smile.

"You look beautiful my girl." My grandmother said to me before hugging me followed by my grandfather.

"Thank you so much, really. I will never be able to stop thanking you for supporting me with this." I told them sincerely.

"Don't even mention it my girl. You are our only granddaughter and we are so happy that you have found love in a good and responsible man who loves you in the same way." Said my grandfather.

My grandmother kissed my cheek. "I'll go take my place so you guys can walk down the aisle, because your dear fiancé is dying to see you." She said smiling at me.

"Thank you."

My grandfather took my arm and shortly after we started walking down the beautiful aisle they had decorated with flowers. When I saw Roy waiting for me at the end of the aisle, my heart started racing. He looked so handsome with his suit and his hair slicked back but what captivated me the most were his beautiful eyes that kept looking at me with a deep love, the same way I was looking at him. I couldn't believe that after knowing each other since we were kids and loving each other for several years, we could finally make our relationship official and real. My grandfather handed Roy to me and as soon as he took my hand I gave it a light squeeze with a big smile which he reciprocated.

"You look beautiful, Riza." Roy said softly to me.

"Thank you. You look very handsome yourself."

Her smile widened. "Ready?"

"Of course."

After a beautiful ceremony, as soon as we were pronounced husband and wife, Roy pulled me to him and kissed me passionately to the applause of our family and friends.

"I love you, Riza. You have made me the happiest man on the planet."

"I love you, Roy and you've also made me the happiest woman on the planet." I said before kissing him.

"Together we can handle anything and everything." Roy said to me as he placed his forehead on mine.

"Together." I said as I caressed his cheek before he kissed me.

"Come on you two lovebirds, let's party." Maes said.

Although I was hurt that my parents were not supportive of my decision, I was happy that Roy and I were married. I had no doubt that they would be even more upset, but there would be no way they would take me away from my husband anymore and I couldn't wait to enjoy my married life together with Roy.

"Everything okay?" Roy wrapped his arms around me from behind as he looked at the beautiful cake we were about to cut.

I twirled in his arms and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Everything is wonderful." I kissed his lips. "Ready to cut the cake, my dear husband?"

His smile widened. "More than ready, my beautiful wife." He kissed me tenderly.

It was the beginning of a new adventure in our lives that we were excited to live next to each other, we would have hard times but we were confident that as long as we were together we would get through everything.

A/N:

I hope you enjoyed this year's Royai Week and that you liked this story :D

Have a great day and see you for the next story!

Greetings,

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