We heard the people bang their spoons against the crystal glasses, asking the bride and the groom to kiss.

Before I could steal a glance towards Bryan and Geena, I felt Ryder pull my chin towards him.

"I don't think they just meant the bride and the groom, love." His eyes twinkled.

I giggled and stared up at him as he bent his face towards mine and gave me one head-spinning kiss. People jeered on and I think they were cheering for Ryder and me louder than they were for the newlyweds.

Slow music played from the surrounding speakers and I felt Ryder wrap his arms around my waist. I rested my head on his shoulder. He kissed my forehead and then he rested his chin at the top of my head. I know we were the picture of bliss. The perfect, happy couple.

How I wish it was true. How I wish that I was totally over Bryan, that the impact of this wedding didn't hurt me a bit, that I could not care less that it was him and Geena who would be sleeping in the matrimonial bed I booked a couple of months ago. I wished that Ryder was really here for me, that he was here...because he wanted to, and not because I paid him to be... because he really does belong to me.

"Would you like to join me outside?" I heard him say.

I stared up at him. His handsome face was peaceful and at ease. I nodded. Hand in hand, he led me towards the veranda. I was happy to finally be alone with Ryder, to finally get away from prying eyes.

I was thankful for the cool air and the privacy. Although there was not much of it, since there were other people in the veranda too. I can even see some of Geena's bridesmaids flirting with some guys somewhere in the corner.

I stared at the lake view in front of us. I was content to stand close to Ryder quietly. It was just as comfortable as being alone.

I realized that I was more aware of Ryder's presence than I was aware of Bryan and Geena being in the same room as me. I smiled to myself. More and more, I am positive that I will get over them.

How pathetic am I? If Ryder wasn't here with me, people would think the same! Now only I knew just how painful it still is, and how sad I still am.

I felt Ryder pull me closer to him. I felt his breath on my bare shoulder and then I felt his lips on my neck.

"Because it's just the two of us here, I need not make up an unforgettable line to propose." He whispered.

I laughed and faced him. His eyes were sparkling. I took in a deep breath.

God, I wish I had his spirit!

He took my hand in his and he kissed it gently.

"Astrid Ysabelle Jacobson..." He started and I was surprised that he knew my real name. "You are the epitome of beauty and strength. You are smart and creative... you have a brilliant mind. Your being here showed just how courageous you are. Putting on a brave face and making your aunts and uncles think that everything is fine with you, even though you still ache, shows just how much respect and love you have for your family... seeing that you have not even thrown the bride and groom any antagonistic look or sarcastic remark, shows what a classy woman you are. You are a goddess, Astrid. Any man will be lucky to have you... any man will want to make you his bride. Someday, your real ever after will find you. Then you will understand that everything happened for a reason... you will learn to appreciate this pain... because if it weren't for this, you wouldn't find your way to the arms of your real soul mate, your real Prince."

I couldn't help crying at those words . His face was so sober, his expression was so genuine.

"I've known you for a short time, Astrid. I consider myself lucky to have met you. Torn as you may be now, I know you, of all people, will rise above this. To tell you the truth, they say that the bride is the most beautiful woman in the wedding..." He shook his head. "She's not. You are. Trust me. I'm not saying this because you asked me to. I'm saying this because... I look at your innocent beauty... and I know I'm incapable of lying to you."

He reached forward and wiped my tears with his fingers.

"Will you promise me some things?"

Because I couldn't say anything, I merely nodded.

"Will you promise me that you will allow healing to come? That you will rise above Bryan and Geena?"

I bit my lip and whispered tremulously, "Yes."

"Will you promise me that you will learn to love yourself beyond your love for anyone else?"

I let out a little giggle.

He took a deep breath. "And will you promise to find your way to me again... when the time is right? Maybe we can meet under different circumstances?"

This question took aback a little bit.

"Why?"

"We belong to each other tonight, Astrid. But after this night... it's over." He took a deep breath. "Someday, I would like to see what you have become... after you rise above it all. I want to see that you have kept your promises. I'd like to see the real you. The you that is buried underneath the smile that you put on. The you that Bryan and Geena attempted to bury in pain. And... I would like you to see me. The real me. The guy behind the mask I put on the day I met you."

I stared up at him and realized what a sincere person Ryder is. He may not be the rich guy he pretended to be tonight, but the rest of him is genuine. The type that you rip right out of a romance novel.

"Will you promise to come find me again someday?" He asked solemnly.

I stared up at him, tears still streaming from my eyes.

"Yes." The word was a mere burst of air from my throat.

He smiled and then he took something from his pocket.

It was the ring. He slid it on my ring finger. My breath caught in my throat. It was ten times more beautiful than the ring Bryan had given me. The stone in the center is probably at least two carats.

It was lovely and as it sparkled in the light, I thought I was gonna go blind.

"It's beautiful." I whispered.

"I'm glad you liked." He said. "It's not a rental."

I smiled at him. "It's lovely."

The stone could be cubic zirconia or probably moissanite. At least Ryder was honest about it, he didn't try to pass it up for a diamond when it wasn't. The beauty of the ring itself was extraordinary that you won't mind what stone it is.

"A little reminder of your promises." He grinned.

I laughed and then I said, "Yes. I promise to heal, I promise to love myself, I promise to come find you when all this is behind me."

He grinned at me and then slowly his face descended towards mine and he kissed me. The kiss was deep, sincere... mind-blowing!

When the kiss ended, I couldn't bear to open my eyes. I was afraid that if I opened them, Ryder won't be there. He'd be gone. Everything would be a dream.

Then I felt him kiss the tip of my nose. Finally, I opened my eyes and found him still staring at me.

"Are you for real?" I breathed.

He laughed. "I'm for real. At least for tonight." He released me and then he took my hand.

"Come. People will be wondering why you've gone missing." He said. "Plus, you've got another story to tell."

I giggled. "Yeah. Like what's the answer to 'when's the big date?'"

He smiled at me. "You can always say we haven't spoken about it yet. You've just said 'yes' to me."

I sighed. "Oh, yeah. I'm still in heaven. This is all a dream to me."

When we rejoined the group once again, the first person I ran into was the very familiar groom.

"Astrid!" He beamed at me. "I am so glad you made it!"

Liar!

But I smiled at him. Ryder squeezed my hand encouragingly.

"I'm glad I made it too." I said bravely.

He stared at me for a while and then he looked over at Ryder.

I realized that I have to introduce them... and then kill myself later probably, but for now, formalities first.

"Am... swee... sweetheart, this is Bryan, the groom. Bryan... this is Ryder Woodson."

"Your date?" Bryan asked still looking at Ryder.

Ryder extended his hand to him. "Ryder Van Woodsen." Ryder corrected me. "Her... fiance." He said.

In spite of my surprise that Ryder changed his surname, I didn't miss the shocked expression on Bryan's face.

"Wh... what?" He stuttered, not comprehending.

"That's right, Bryan." I said, keeping my voice steady.

"Wow! That was fast." He murmured under his breath, looking at me grudgingly.

"Apparently, still a lot slower than you." I said to him.

It didn't take long before Geena came up behind Bryan.

"There you are!" She said hugging her husband from behind, pretending to be oblivious of us... well of me, because I already saw her looking at Ryder as she approached us.