30 Sweet Promises

Ethan's POV

"So, what happened last night? I guess it is good news since you couldn't stop yourself from grinning." My cousin asked when I joined him in his early run.

"Yeah, it was the best night in my entire life; Meliza is finally my girlfriend," I replied with too much enthusiasm, and his face fell.

"It hurts me to know that she is now your girlfriend, and I hate that you won, but I am so happy for you, Ethan. I had never seen you like this with anyone." He responded, and I felt guilty that I betrayed him.

"Meliza must like you a lot because she told me she will never date and has no time for a relationship because Iza wanted to focus on her job so she can go to college, but right now, she is mixing her personal life with work." Vince declared.

"She doesn't even know your true identity, yet she fell for you. Do you believe me now that she's not that kind of girl?" He asked.

"Of course, you know what is funny? Even if she were only after my inheritance, I wouldn't care because I want her to be mine, and I am willing to provide for her." I responded.

"And how are you going to provide for her? In order to do that, you have to redeem yourself to your father." My cousin replied as I could see the bead of sweat on his forehead.

I was catching my breath since I had stopped running since my life went astray, and I am now having a hard time catching up with Vince.

"That is my plan. I know I told you I would never return to my father's place, but I have Iza in my life now. If I want to keep her, the sanest thing to do after my punishment is to go back to my father and ask an apology and tell him that I am ready to work for him." I responded

"How about your dream of having your own studio and making your own business?" He asked, and I shook my head.

"I know I have a long way to go, and I have to be a good son before achieving that. I only realize this time that there's nothing I can do if I rely on my own because money can change everything." I responded.

"I thought it doesn't matter if I don't have money at all, but ever since I met Iza, I want her to look at me with pride," I added.

"Well, I could say that Iza is proud of you for being her boyfriend, or don't tell me you are going to keep your relationship a secret?" my cousin asked, and I shook my head.

"Of course not; she is up to it. Iza wants our relationship to be known by everyone here, and I couldn't wait to show her off," I said

with a smile, and he chuckled.

"You are so in love with her; you always keep your relationship low-key." He replied.

"Yeah, but she is different," I mumbled.

I fetched Meliza in her room every single day after we became a couple, and I couldn't stop myself from kissing her every time we were alone; I couldn't wait to bring our relationship to the next level, but I had to wait for her eighteenth birthday, but of course, when she is ready.

Girls would do everything to have a one-night stand with me, but with Meliza, I knew it would be special, and it was something I was waiting for, and I am willing to wait.

I couldn't believe Nicole would bother Iza again, and I was holding my anger since she told Meliza we made out. I am just glad Iza didn't make a big deal out of it, and I became more in love with her.

I asked my friends and Vince to help me set up a surprise party for my girlfriend. They all told me she doesn't like to have fancy celebrations, so instead of celebrating her birthday in a fancy restaurant in town, we all agreed to have it at the hills, her favorite spot.

Nina was happy when she knew about our relationship and promised not to tell my father about it, and she supported us. I asked her to prepare food for the celebration, and I was amazed that she provided us with more than enough.

I only invited those who cared about Iza, even though most girls envied her. I found out there were still girls who wanted to be friends with her, but they were only afraid of Nicole and her minions.

But now that I am here at the farm, I will never allow anyone to hurt her anymore.

The happiness I saw on her face was priceless when she found out about our surprise. She couldn't stop crying, and I know it was tears of joy. We had fun, and I couldn't wait to be alone with her.

We all sat on the ground atop the hill, feeling the subtle breeze tickled on our skin, facing the west. It was almost sunset, and the freshness of the air filled my heart as I put my arm around my girlfriend's shoulders.

She gradually put her head on my chest, which was such a beautiful feeling. I hope we will be like this for the rest of the summer because I know she's going to come home after her summer job.

But I was hoping Ruby could be right since she mentioned Iza would be extending her stay here on the farm because that is what her mother wants. I am aware she wants to study college and will do everything she can to enroll, and I wish I had met her when I had the money to support her. I have plans, and I hope she can wait.

I asked Vince to take our friends back to the farmhouse and took everything back to the house except the ice bucket with a bottle of wine and two wine glasses.

I wished to be alone with Iza and spend her special day with me. My cousin gave me the key to the pick-up before he drove away with Adriana's coaster van together with our friends.

"Is it safe here late at night?" She asked, and I took her into my arms and kissed her forehead.

"Don't worry, you are safe with me; I will not let anything happen to you," I whispered in her ear and showered her butterfly kisses from her earlobe down to her neck. She moaned, and I couldn't stop from taking her into my lap as I claimed her lips.

We lay on the picnic blanket as we continued to kiss, and we were both gasping for air after I released her mouth.

I am thankful that the night sky didn't disappoint us as we looked up and found thousands of stars shining above us.

"Wow! I couldn't believe kissing could be this wonderful," she mumbled as I could see her beautiful face illuminated by the moonlight.

"Am I a good kisser?" I asked, and she laughed.

"How can I say you are when I didn't have somebody to compare it with?" She asked, and I felt so proud that I was her first kiss. Meliza was so beautiful, and I couldn't believe she was mine and I was the only one who tasted her sweet, tempting lips.

"I don't want you to kiss anyone but me. I will beat anyone who will kiss you." I mumbled, and she giggled, and we lay there on the ground holding hands, watching the night sky.

"I didn't know you like star gazing," she mumbled, and I wished to tell her I used to do it a lot when I was younger with my sister and Vince and sometimes with our parents.

"I do," I replied as I looked at her sideways and squeezed her hand.

"Iza, there is something I wish to do, and I hope you will not call me stupid or you won't laugh at me," I said as I sat up, and she looked at me

with confusion all over her face.

"I know we are both young, and you have dreams you want to achieve, but I can't wait, and I am selfish," I added.

"I don't follow you, Ethan, I don't understand what you mean," Iza responded as she looked

at me with concern on her face.

"Is everything okay?" She asked.

"Yes, actually, everything is perfect right now," I responded as I kneeled on one knee and took her hand.

"Ethan, what are you doing?" She asked, confused.

"Meliza Lizondra, I am so in love with you, and I am not letting you go. Will you marry me?" I asked, and her eyes widened.

"Please, say something, Iza," I said as I waited for her to reply.

"Ethan, I am sorry, but I don't know what to say to you; this is so sudden, and you were right; we are both young. You are lucky since you already graduated from college and are here at Adriana's farm to clear your head. You can have a decent job anytime, but I am still navigating my life." She declared.

"Iza, I will provide for you, and I promise I will send you to college," I replied, still kneeling on one knee.

"How are you going to do that?" She asked, and I found no answer since I couldn't tell her who I was.

"I am sorry if I put you in a delicate situation; I don't want to scare you, Meliza," I responded, feeling defeated.

"I am not scared, Ethan. I am just shocked, but to tell you honestly, I wished to scream yes, but I am afraid we will fail; what if we break up?" She asked, and I cupped her face.

"No one can break us apart, Iza. I love you, and I will fight your battles," I responded.

"Then, my answer is yes!" She replied, and I had never felt so happy in my entire life.

"I love you, Ethan. I want to be engaged with you; we don't need to marry immediately, right?" She asked, and I beamed as I put the engagement ring on her finger.

"Yes, I still need to save for our wedding," I mumbled, and she giggled as she tiptoed and kissed me. I took her into my arms, and we kissed under the moonlight and made sweet promises to each other.