Chapter 243 - Gondola

"See? You were so worried about your worth. But Chiaki, you're much too precious to the company – and to me."

Suzuki Aki's words felt like a caress in her senses. Warmth enveloped her heart, the dread that had festered within her core for years about her status was washed away completely and her insecurities were laid to rest. However, she couldn't help but be overwhelmed by her relief that tears flooded her vision until they poured out of her eyes down to her cheeks.

All this time, she had tried to deprive herself of the love she had been longing to protect him. That thought was like shackles around her, chaining her in place, preventing her from reaching out and be with him. Now that those shackles were gone – now that she realized that they didn't exist in the first place, she was more than relieved.

Ah, but that was wrong.

Aki did say that she was very important to him – as well as a vital part of the company. In a way, she had reached her goal without her noticing.

"Why are you still crying? Is it a bad thing after all?" Aki asked with a smile as he let go of her hand so he could reach out a hand and wipe her tears with his thumb.

Chiaki was still unable to speak because if she did, she would definitely cry out loud, and so she just shook her head, as she too tried to wipe away the tears that kept flowing. It was as if a dam broke inside of her and they wouldn't subside fast enough to her liking.

She was a proud woman – and proud women did not dare show any weakness to anyone. Yet, here she was, vulnerable and a crying mess in front of the man whom she had vowed not to worry. She was irritated and frustrated she couldn't stop the tears.

Aki who had been watching her shook his head as well as the smile on his face widened. He had a clear idea of what's going on in her head and he sighed.

"It's fine. If you want to cry just do it. There's no one else here other than us," he told her softly. "I promise I won't tell anyone," he added teasingly, making her laugh in spite of the tears.

Right after, as if given the go signal, Chiaki finally let herself go. It came out like small hiccups at first, her body trembling as more tears came, and then she cried her heart out.

The entire turn of the giant Ferris wheel took fifteen minutes in total, and Chiaki had been crying the whole ten minutes of that. When her tears had finally subsided, and her hiccups gone, the gondola was already three feet away from the ground, and then it stopped.

Aki almost laughed at the obvious disappointment on Chiaki's face. She totally looked like she still didn't want to leave – and it was more than fine. He watched as she pulled at her clothes, straightening the crumpled parts – although there weren't really, and fixed her hair. Then she shifted, readying to alight the car, but he stopped her.

"Where are you going?" he asked her softly, and she was obviously confused upon seeing that he still lounged on the seat looking like he had all the time in the world.

"Isn't it over?" she asked as she reached for the door.

She was probably wondering what the attendant was doing, for normally, someone from staff would be the one to open the door and assist people to get out. But no one came yet.

Aki reached out and pulled her back to her seat.

"What?" she asked and Aki grinned.

"We'll go together," he answered as the door finally opened, and a beaming staff assisted them out.

But they didn't really leave.

Aki guided Chiaki to another car, and his grin widened watching her reaction upon seeing the see-through gondola waiting for them.

"Don't tell me…"

"Yep. We're just going to transfer," Aki affirmed her suspicions and soon, the two of them were inside the see-through car.

In the Ferris wheel, there were two special gondolas for thrill-seekers. Those were the see-through cars where people would have a sense of floating up in the air. It's a total nightmare for those who had fear of heights, but for Chiaki and Aki who loved amusement park rides, this was a very good experience.

"You booked two rides?" Chiaki asked in disbelief as soon as the door closed.

"Nope. I booked sixty," he answered, leaving her stunned.

"W-what?"

There were sixty cars or gondolas in the Ferris wheel. Aki booked them all – well, his men who were left below earlier did. He had given them a message he had surreptitiously sent during the car ride earlier. As soon as Aki and Chiaki rode the first turn, they had booked the whole Cosmo Clock 21 for the next turn.

It was a great feat actually considering that today was a Saturday. But as it was already getting late, it was not difficult to get rid of the people who were waiting outside for a ride. With a little cash and a plausible dramatic excuse, the people were more than happy to give way to them.

As to what the dramatic excuse was, Chiaki would find out later…

"You crazy rich guy," Chiaki growled, but couldn't maintain the scowl and laughed.

A few minutes later, the two of them were back up in the air. However, unlike earlier, as soon as they reached the top, the ride stopped. The gondola shook as it remained suspended in the air.

"What's going on?"

Chiaki wondered out loud as she tried to peek at the people below to see if there's something.

"Nothing you need to worry about," Aki answered before clearing his throat exaggeratedly, making Chiaki look at him.

"Chichi, are you ready to give me an answer now?" he asked softly, and Chiaki finally realized what was going on.

"Oh, so this is why we stopped, huh?" she accused with a smile.

"Kind of," Aki countered before raising a brow at her. "Well? Are you finally going to allow me to be with you?"

The question made her smile bigger as she shook her head.

"What? Is that a no?" Aki pouted but Chiaki slapped his thigh.

"Shouldn't it be the other way around?" she countered. "I'm the one who should ask if it's okay to be with you."

"Nope. It's always been me who wanted to be with you, but you never allowed it," Aki reminded her and she straightened in her seat.

After all, even if her thinking wasn't like that, it was what happened. She was the one who ran away.

"Well…" her voice trailed off as a tell-tale blush colored her cheeks. "Sorry to keep you waiting then. The spot next to me is still available. If you still want me, then please, be the one who will stand by my side."

Aki scratched his head. Chiaki still had a penchant for being so indirect. But, anyway, it's better than nothing. But before he could answer, Chiaki pointed at him with her index finger. "I have to warn you though, there's no turning back. If you choose to be by my side, you have to be there forever."

With her words, Aki grinned as he shifted on his seat. "Actually," he began as his hand disappeared in his coat pocket as he fished out something. "I've been waiting for a damn long time for you to say that," he continued as he retrieved a velvet box and opened it before her, showing her the solitaire ring resting within.  

"How about making this arrangement permanent?"