Chapter 17 My goal is to be with you forever and ever till we grow gray hair till death do us apart.

As Aria politely declined Ace's offer to share his food, her heart was melting with joy. "Oh, fine, I won't insist, then. Enjoy," Ace said, receiving a similar response from Aria.

Manson, who had been quiet until then, smiled when their eyes met. He had been surprised when Ace made his way to Aria's table, but he didn't object and instead followed him after collecting their food. Now, after witnessing Ace's behavior, Manson muttered under his breath, "He finally knows what he wants." Love, he thought, can seriously change a boring person into the sweetest ever.

As Aria and her friends emptied their trays, they excused themselves and left. Before parting ways, Ace made Aria's heart skip a beat by saying, "I'll talk to you later."

On their way out of the lunchroom, Reyan asked Aria, "Did you notice what's going on?"

"What's going on?" Aria replied, playing dumb, as she didn't want people to know what was happening between her and Ace.

Reyan elaborated, "Of course, I'm talking about Ace. Didn't you notice he loves you? If not, why would he trouble himself to sit at our table and look at you the way he does? He's never done that with any girl, even though he's a bad boy in school."

Aria answered briefly, "Yeah, I noticed."

Helena chimed in, "Aren't you happy you got what you want?"

Aria replied, "Yeah, I'm happy. Why wouldn't I be? I love him, and I hope he'll love me in the same way."

Helena smiled and said, "I'm happy since you're happy, Aria. Come, let's hug."

Aria thanked Helena, and they shared a hug. Reyan, not wanting to be left out, opened his arms wide and engulfed both girls, saying, "Oh, my! Do you want me to act like a mother and say, 'Oh, my daughter'? The heck I'm your dear friend, okay? No, I'm your best friend. Come on, must you thank me?"

Aria and Helena pushed Reyan away, laughing.

Back in the lunchroom, Manson asked Ace, "What do you think about him?" referring to Marcel.

Ace replied, "Let him make another mistake. One chance, and that's the last one."

Two days passed, with Aria and Ace spending time together, sometimes in the library and sometimes after school. However, Aria couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Why hadn't Ace told her he loved her, instead of just saying cheesy things and flirting with her? It confused her deeply.

But she had no idea that Ace would soon confess his feelings.

As they stood in a quiet area of the school, Ace asked Aria, "What do you want in life? What's your goal?"

Aria smiled and replied, "My goal in life is to be a good daughter, have a successful career, be rich, and take care of my family. I want to have my own mansion."

Ace smiled, looking at her lovingly. "And you?" Aria asked.

Ace smiled again. "Look over there."

Aria looked around but didn't see anything. She turned back to Ace, confused, but before she could ask, she heard a voice in front of her.

"Aria, in this life, I'm rich. I have everything you wish to have, or let's say, anything any young man would like to have. But my one goal in life is to be with you, till we grow gray hair, till death do us part."

Ace continued, "Aria, I don't know how or why, but I know I'm attracted to you. Those black eyes, and the way you make me go crazy over you... for these past few days, I've felt annoyed if you're not with me. I always want to see you by my side. I want to be with you, Aria Fredricko. Will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?"

Ace asked lovingly, stretching out his hand and opening his palm for her to take.

Aria was stunned by Ace's words. She had never thought that he would do this, even when she was thinking of him, of the two of them together. She had never thought of this day or what he would say. He surprised her greatly.

She had no reason to say no to him. She knew she loved him and would like to have some good memories, even if it wasn't for the rest of their lives. But she wished and hoped it would be forever.

Instead of taking his hand, Aria knelt down on one knee, just like Ace, and said, "Ace Alexander, will you do me the favor of being my boyfriend,".

"Yes," Ace answered, and Aria's "yes" followed as they hugged each other for two complete minutes before parting away.