Zia felt very uneasy about her relationship with Ian. She felt this relationship was not getting her anywhere.

Especially when Ian didn't show that he was ready to take it to the next level and make the relationship between them fall in place.

It was not that Zia didn't know what problems Ian was facing and why he wasn't taking the initiative in this relationship.

But, how long would Zia have to wait? She was no longer young and she had already wasted a significant part of her youth in a meaningless relationship with Aidan.

And now, it seemed Zia was stuck in the same type of situation, although it looked a little different because this time Zia and Ian didn't have to cover up their relationship.

Zia knew that Ian felt a little insecure, or it could be said that he didn't feel his status was enough to be with Zia, therefore, the man never said anything about marriage.

Until then, Zia let him be, but now, after all these years, Zia didn't think she could just leave it to fate.

This time, she had to take action and tell Ian what she was thinking.

Therefore, Zia was now in a coffee shop that Ian owned, waiting for the man to finish his business and approach her.

"Sorry, did you wait long?" Ian asked, he kissed Zia's cheek and sat beside her, not forgetting to bring her a cup of black coffee. "I hope it's not too late for a cup of coffee," Ian said in a soft voice.

"Thank you," Zia muttered, she took the coffee cup and could feel the warmth in her palms. And when she took a sip of the coffee, the bitter taste that invaded her senses made the tension Zia felt a little better.

"What is it?" Ian asked. He could see that Zia had something to say. Because this woman always tended to be quiet whenever she was trying to say something important or had something bothering her.

Meanwhile, outside, through the opaque café window, Ian could see the evening sky being overcast, indicating that it was going to rain soon. It seemed a cup of coffee was the right choice.

Zia seemed to be moving around in her seat uncomfortably, but then she took a deep breath, indicating that she was ready to say what was on her mind.

Ian had known Zia for quite some time, after all they had been in this relationship for many years. He could recognize this woman's habits quite well.

Therefore, Ian straightened his posture and faced Zia, trying to listen carefully to what this girl had to say to him at this moment.

"I wonder where we will take this relationship?" Zia asked in a low but firm voice, her beautiful eyes staring at Ian pointedly.

On the other hand, hearing the question, Ian fell silent. He stared back at Zia for a few moments before he finally averted his gaze and stared at the raindrops outside his café.

"Zia… I…" Ian couldn't find the right words to convey to Zia, because he really didn't have anything to say… he felt like the jerk of a man right now.

"Just tell me Ian, what do you want from this relationship?" Zia insisted, but there was a hint of hope in her voice and Ian knew what the girl was hoping for, however, he didn't feel that he was capable of fulfilling those expectations.

There was a moment of silence between the two of them as the rain outside started to fall hard while the drops made the glass blurry.

The atmosphere inside the café became calmer, but this didn't make the two of them feel any better, because after all there was a problem they should have solved a long time ago.

"I think I know the answer," Zia said, she smiled, but the look in her eyes showed how painful that understanding was.

She realized that she wasted her time again and this time it was much more painful… the pain even numbed Zia.

Zia didn't cry as she walked past Ian to get out of the café and into her car and then by some amazing miracle, she managed to start the car.

Half of the trip was blurry and she couldn't remember whether Ian was holding himself back or not or he just let Zia go. Zia wasn't sure about all of that, but then she realized one thing…

The relationship that the two of them had been in for years was over and nothing could be done to save it.

After arriving home, Zia dragged herself into the house and up the stairs, into her room and lay down on the bed.

Only then did Zia feel an overflow of unbearable sadness and pain.

Zia didn't know how much time she spent crying and letting out all the pain, even though after that she didn't feel better.

In the end, Zia fell asleep to the accompaniment of the sound of rain outside.

====================

Zia woke up when she felt someone sitting beside her and holding her hand tightly.

With heavy eyes and heart, Zia tried to open her eyes and found Ian sitting beside her bed holding her hand.

Was it a dream? Zia could not confirm this.

"Ian…?" Zia wiped her face and could feel the remnants of the tears still on her cheeks and wet eyelashes. Did she fall asleep crying?

When he heard Zia's voice, Ian raised his head and gave the woman a small smile. He looked just as miserable as Zia.

Ian's eyes were filled with sadness as well as doubt. But then, when he decided to speak, his voice sounded much firmer and better.

"I know how stupid I am for letting you wait that long." he started, shaking his head. "I know that my fear of my family's disproportionate background makes me look like a coward."

Zia had known about it for quite some time, so it wasn't a surprise, but for Ian to talk about it now, Zia wanted to know what this man really wanted to say.

"But, I also can't imagine my life without you. I've been preparing for this for five years." Ian then took something from his pants pocket. "You must marry me." He then put the ring on Zia's finger.

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