Summer Is For Falling In Love
11. A Promise

Esther decided to wait. Waiting for her lover to get back in her arms, proposing to her, makes Esther his real life partner.

Although watching the man with another woman was painful, Esther remained steadfast. Because, when the two have expressed feelings and decided to establish love, they have been bound, it will not be that easy.

However, Esther is the one who feels the most how tormented a pseudo bond is. A bloody chain surrounded his body, preventing his golden maniac from looking at another man, preventing his body from running at the other's stranglehold, but was pulled back at Holland. Despite being so painful, suffocating, and so tormented, Esther continues to return to Holland without hesitation.

"The two of you have now been declared husband and wife."

Esther suddenly felt a real pain, as well as a few drops of blood that littered her pink dress. The pain from his lower lip from being bitten violently felt throbbing, but the pain faded as the pain in his heart dominated more.

His chest was extremely painful, as if torn apart, as if he had been pierced by a sword blade that pierced his chest. Her heart stopped beating, her fingers were shaking, and tears were dripping, rivaling the blood on the pink dress.

Esther took her eyes off the holy altar when the priest asked the two brides to kiss. Baron Descartez patted his daughter's head, pulling her nape until she could lean on Baron's strapping shoulder.

Baron said nothing. He knows best about his daughter, that a piece of the phrase in the grief wouldn't help much.

The baroness clasped Esther's trembling fingers, sharing the warmth there, to support.

Esther knows that she shouldn't visit her loved one's wedding in the spring. For, though flowers were blooming out there, the garden of flowers in Esther was decaying and withering, and her petals wept bitterly, as if a tragic event had sent them down. But Esther decided to go to church.

Not because he wanted to destroy a holy marriage, but to look at his lover. Despite the pain, Esther pressed him. Seeing the lover after Holland was engaged to Olivia was difficult enough, so Esther wanted to look at her lover even once. So Esther won't end up with regrets later on.v.

The wedding ceremony was declared complete, all the invited guests enjoyed the wedding reception held at the magnificent Floral residence. The decoration is so classic and luxurious, everything about the glittering walls, tables covered with lacy white cloth, and various snacks served also come from the hands of the best chefs. The invited guests really enjoyed this luxury, they laughed, joked, and talked lightly. Except for Esther who was mobbed by a dark situation. Her lips could not rise to form a smile, her mood was not so good, her chest was still sore, and both eyes were careless.

Esther knew she would regret not meeting her lover today, but Esther also regretted her presence at the wedding ceremony. If Esther knew that the situation would be so painful, Esther would not come.

"Miss Esther."

Esther who had just stared at her pair of shoes immediately looked up.

"Miel?" call Esther, more precisely like a petite mutter in a hoarse voice.

Miel immediately handed a folded piece of paper to Esther. "This is from Mr. Holland, Miss Esther. Then, I'll resign."

Miel actually wanted to ask if her lover Hanah did not come, but decided to be professional because she could read the situation. Esther's condition can be said to be very bad, especially for the noble lady who should have spent her youth with fun, but Esther's seconds were filled with heartbreak.

Miel secretly cursed Holland, making a lady cry like that was not what a man should do.

Miel bowed her body, then retreated.

Esther stared at the piece of paper folded in half between her fingers. The paper was torn with a mess, fragrant gardenia still impregnated in paper fibers, and when Esther opened it, neat handwriting though seemed hurriedly arranged there.

Meet me in the rose maze in thirty minutes.

Holland

Seeing the name in the corner of the letter, making Esther's breath choked. He pressed a piece of paper on his chest, and then he covered whatever meaning was behind that piece of sentence.

...***...

Holland married. He himself was doubtful of his current situation. Although the flowers out there are blooming, a situation that is so supportive of a wedding to be held, Holland cannot be so happy.

Holland could see Olivia's radiant face on the altar, her smile sincerely appearing, her pair of blood red beads no longer dark, but bright. Olivia was truly happy in this predetermined marriage.

Holland felt sympathetic towards Olivia.

"The groom can kiss the bride."

Holland silently bit his lips. Kissing the bride makes Holland's chest feel heavy. Holland has shared many kisses with Esther, but imagines that she kisses another woman other than her beloved, Holland.

Holding her breath, Holland approached Olivia's lips, then moved away. Holland didn't give Olivia a kiss, and even her lips barely touched.

Olivia even widened her eyes. He was about to take the initiative to kiss Holland, but the man had already withdrawn.

The church room was filled with applause from the invited guests.

Olivia slipped her hand on Holland's arm, then the two faced the invited guest.

How Holland felt his heartbeat stop pounding when he saw a red-haired girl who resembled a deep twilight. Red hair was so rare that Holland could easily recognize her even when she was sitting in the back of the church.

However, it was not only that that made Holland feel a throbbing pulse in his chest, but when he saw the look of sadness emitted from Esther's perfect canvas. His face, like an archangel, had become a grieving fallen angel.

Holland felt his eyes heat up. What a bastard he is, chasing a woman only to see her cry.

When the wedding ceremony was over and the two brides arrived at the Floral residence, Holland immediately let go of Olivia's entourage.

"Miss Olivia, I'm sorry, my clothes aren't comfortable and I want to fix them first. Please wait for five minutes and we'll enter the reception room together." Holland said his sentence politely, but flatly. Without waiting for Olivia's answer, Holland pulled Miel's arm which had been trailing behind her.

"Mr Holland, slow down! I could fall!" miel shouted as Holland pulled Miel roughly up the spiral staircase. Miel even stumbled upon the golden embroidered red carpet lining the marble staircase, fortunately she was able to balance her body and endure the embarrassment.

Holland did not answer. She pulled Miel towards her room, then closed the door loudly.

Holland's breathing was hunting, his body shaking violently. Not because he walked too fast to his room, but the memory of Esther who seemed to be grieving over the disappointment made excessive anxiety arise in Holland's chest.

Holland even clutched his head with one hand. The neatly arranged golden hair now turned messy.

Miel would not want to sympathize with her master. Miel knows best that the only woman who continues to shadow Holland every second is a deep red-haired woman and a pair of golden beads that resemble lanterns. However, a cruel fate severs the relationship between the two, imposes Holland's will, and breaks Esther's heart.

"Take the paper," Holland ordered in a choked voice.

Miel did not ask and went straight to Holland's desk. The gardenia's scented paper was quickly drawn, along with the ink, to be given to Holland.

Holland tried to calm himself down as his hand went up to receive a piece of paper and a quill pen from Miel.

With trembling fingers, Holland wrote a word, but as the quill wobbled, his writing swayed. Holland tore off half the paper and threw away the failed ones.

First of all, Holland took a breath and then exhaled slowly. Then, pressed hard and fast thumping chest, calm the feeling of enslavement that makes his anxiety excessive. After feeling quite calm, Holland wrote down what he wanted to say on a piece of paper that had been torn off. The written alphabet is still neat, but the counterpart is messy, impressed in a hurry.

"Give it to Esther."

Miel receives a letter that has been folded in half from Holland.

"Do you still want to come to the wedding reception?" ask Miel carefully.

Holland laughed. "Of course, Miel. It was precisely at this reception time that I was able to take on a lot of my influence, that many people would acknowledge me as Duke Floral quickly. If this goal fails, then this fucking marriage will be for naught."

"Ah." Miel nodded in understanding.

The only thing that made the previous Duke, Ivor Delano Floral, to marry Holland to Olivia was because Holland was too young to rise to office. Other nobles will feel that Holland is not worthy to get the position until there will be many parties who try to bring down Holland. The advantage of Holland being associated with Riquetti is that they will protect Holland from his downfall.

Holland then returned to Olivia's side who had been waiting in the living room in a gloomy state. After hearing Holland's footsteps and seeing his figure, Olivia's expression brightened again.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Miss Olivia," Holland said in a flat tone, without regret.

"It's okay, Mr. Holland," Olivia replied lightly. He slipped his hand back into Holland's arm, even trying to scrape away while hugging Holland's arm.

Holland is a little distracted by Olivia's exaggerated touch, but tries to hold her back.

Half an hour had passed, the crowd around Holland had dwindled, and the man could breathe a sigh of relief. Being swarmed makes it tight and hot.

"Miss Olivia, I'm going to the break room for a moment" Holland said politely.

"Oh, I'll come with you too, Mr. Holland," Olivia replied quickly, she tightened her arms around Holland.

Holland feels sad, he tries to release the arm of Olivia who snared him. "Just for a second, Miss Olivia. After all, it would be impolite for both hosts to leave the event. We can take turns taking breaks."

Olivia let go of Holland with a disappointed expression. She was self-conscious that her ego needed to be lowered here if it did not want to humiliate her husband.

"All right."

"thank you. Then I'll be right back." Holland turned around without looking again. He walked out of the party room and ran across the hallway with wide strides. The only thing that filled Holland's mind was a red-haired woman. Holland hated to make the woman wait until she quickened her pace.

When Holland crossed the garden and arrived at the maze of flowers, he was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief, his smile arising when he saw the woman.

"Esthers." Holland hugged the woman from behind. The man could feel that Esther's body was stiffening at the sudden touch, but the woman didn't even fight back.

Esther's distinctive aroma filled Holland's sense of smell, making her heartbeat flutter pleasantly. The pecking of Esther's temple, the tightening of Holland's grip on Esther's slender waist. However, his jaw hardened when he felt a warm liquid dripping on the arm that surrounded the lover.

"I'm sorry" Holland murmured. He bit his lips, his eyes warmed up and blurred.

Holland held back the tears to come out, then took off his embrace to face Esther directly. But his heart broke. How crazy Holland felt because of an expression full of pain depicted in the beautiful canvas. Again, Holland made her Esther cry. Again, Holland simply gave his Esther a suffering.

"Esther, Honey." Holland pulls Esther into an affectionate embrace, letting Esther's face sink into the curves of her shoulders.

"Holland." Ah, even the woman's melodic melody had turned into a clear vibration, her breathing rang irregularly, her body was trembling.

"Esthers. I ... Ilove you. No need to worry, I just love you." Holland stroked Esther's head gently. Her wavy hair is so fine when in direct contact with Holland's fingers. But it was Holland's heart that was tangled.

"I know that" isak Esther. "I know that you love me, but it still hurts. Watching you marry another woman, kissing her, and holding each other."

The words Esther uttered were not clear as a result of her stuffing, but Holland could understand each meaning.

"I'm sorry."

There's nothing Holland can say but apologize. He had hurt the woman he loved so many times, but fixing the situation was impossible, that Holland could only apologize.

Holland silent. He grabbed Esther, waiting for her cry to subside.

"I'll wait" Esther replied.

Holland's smile rises. "Thank you, Esther."

"Please promise me, Holland."

"What is that, my dear?"

"Don't touch Miss Olivia."

"I promise," Holland responded quickly.

The only woman Holland wanted to touch was Esther, so Holland could guarantee that she would never even look at Olivia. After all, a child between Holland and Olivia would only tie the two together, preventing Holland from running into Esther's embrace, and holding her by Olivia's side.

Holland will divorce Olivia after making someone else shake just by hearing her name, then bowing her head in the face. Holland will reach his peak, divorce Olivia, then marry Esther. That's the only way.

It sounds unfair to Olivia, but if the relationship continues, both parties will certainly feel tormented.

"Esther, would you like to spend the night in the capital with me? We can do whatever you want" Holland said.

Esther raised her head, looking at Holland with a pair of teary beads.

"We can have dinner at a restaurant or visit a place you like" the man continued.

Esther tried to pull her smile. However, when a smile is engraved, tears trickle down.

Holland wiped away the dripping tears with his lips, dipping them. His kisses retreated towards Esther's pink lips. Gently pressed Esther's lips, supported by Esther's body by her arms, then a kiss was reciprocated by Esther.

Both kisses feel soft, tickle the skin of the lips, feel supple, and bewitch. A simple kiss seemed to hint at a promise. Holland won't touch Olivia and will return to Esther. Esther will be willing to wait until Holland gets back to her.

That sweet kiss came off. Esther's lips twinkled and flushed, making Holland let out a brief kiss there.

"Well, Miss Esther?" tawal Holland is back.

Esther let out a small sigh, both of her cheeks dyed a deep red that almost rivaled her hair color.

"It's not fair" Esther replied, she brought her fingers to press against her chest, at a beating heart, mad, as if overtaken. "Why do you make me feel like this? Why do you make me sad, but also make me happy?"

Holland's highlight turned grim for a moment, but it softened again. "For I love you, Miss Esther." Cupped both cheeks Esther until the two faced each other just a few inches away. "The only thing on my mind and in my life is Esther. I'll make you happy, Esther. Maybe not today, but someday. I promise."

The red hue grew more and more dense and a pair of Esther beads trembled with a feeling of desolation that dominated the heart.

"I love you too. Let's spend the night in the capital together."

Holland kissed Esther once more, then drowned in an intoxicating kiss when dusk had come.

...***...

Meanwhile, Olivia is angry. She smashed the bridal room that had been decorated by red roses and fragrance candles.

Holland did not return to her and left the residence somehow going nowhere with another woman. His servant who followed to the Floral residence accidentally saw the two kissing near the maze of roses.

Olivia screamed and threw the vase. The waiter standing beside the door jumped and lowered his head deeply. They already know how Olivia's ego and personality have been since working at Riquetti's residence, but it's hard to get used to.

"Kissing another woman?!" scream Olivia. "He didn't even kiss me at the wedding ceremony, but instead kissed another woman in the garden?!"

Olivia did leave a plain and friendly impression on the public, but at a time when there was only herself, Olivia's temperament was very bad. He is easily angry, selfish, greedy, and will achieve anything he wants even in a sneaky way. Olivia has lied to the public and even Holland with her war, but Olivia has already taken a liking to Holland.

When the two pairs of red beads stood against each other, Olivia felt something spurt in her chest. I want that guy, he thought. So, Olivia will do whatever it takes to make Olivia's Holland completely hers.

Olivia once again cried out for frutration, throwing whatever items she could reach out to ease her anger. However, want as ruined as the room, Olivia's emotions never subsided. His anger was even more burning, burning, and soaring.

"Find out who is the woman****** that has captured my husband, hurry up!" olivia shouted at the waiter standing beside the door.

The servant gasped before bowing his head deeply. "Okay, Mrs Olivia." Afterwards, the waiter opened the door while running.

Olivia breathed heavily. He sat on the messy bed while gripping his black hair.

"Just wait," murmured Olivia. "I am Lady Floral now! My name is Olivia Scarlett Floral now! I'll destroy that bastard woman sooner or later."

...***...

Olivia is third here. But in Olivia's view, Esther was the third. Which do you think?

July 2nd, 2023