He's The One™

That morning was more stressful than usual, especially when she thought of Alex. She left without letting him say anything. She just dropped a huge bomb and made a mad dash out the door.

She ran a hand through her hair with a sigh. Kaia was standing in the middle of the festival stage once more. This time, the crew was finishing up with the final touches to the set as well as the special effects. Some of the singers' rehearsals were taking place with short breaks here and there. She slowly walked around the stage and looked out at the area where the crowd would stand. Kaia looked at Naomi who was at her side. "Get another camera to focus on this spot and set up a little space for the press so they can get good coverage."

Naomi nodded while jotting everything down. Naomi could tell something was off about her today, but decided against asking. Kaia would tell her when she felt like it. If she didn't, she would have her reasons for not wanting to talk about it.

After Kaia felt like there wasn't much left to see on the stage, descended the stairs. When she looked up after descending the stairs, she noticed the festival director, Ray. Ray had attended the same high school and undergraduate college as Kaia. They tried dating for a while, but he ended up leaving her for a different chick. Thankfully, they hadn't really been that serious so Kaia wasn't too attached, which was why they stayed friends. He had a military crew cut and brown eyes. Kaia studied him for a bit before she realized why something about him felt off. He seemed to be a bit shorter compared to back then.

Kaia smiled and walked over before shaking his hand. "Ray! It's so nice to see you again!" Ray leaned in to give her a light kiss on her cheek. "Kaia! It's good to see you haven't changed, still as beautiful as ever." He grinned. Kaia smiled,"You also haven't changed much either, still good with your words." Ray flashed her a grin and continued, "Well, it also seems like you're still as independent and efficient as you were back then." Kaia smirked, "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. It's not that I don't trust your skills but..."

Ray blinked for a second then looked at her, chuckling while playfully clutching his chest and looking like he was in pain. "Are you trying to damage my self esteem? If you are, it's working."

They both laughed as a group of young men dressed in casual clothing walked up to Kaia and stopped a reasonable distance away. "Are you perhaps, Ms. Crestfall?" the young man at the forefront of the group of four inquired with a smile. Kaia composed herself quickly as she quizzically gave the man a once over and replied, "Yes I am. And who may you be?" The young man smiled as he replied, "We're a rookie group managed by Sabor Sights. Our manager wanted us to find you as soon as we arrived." Kaia smiled courteously at them before turning to Naomi and saying, "Naomi, can you get them set up so I can see what they're capable of?" Naomi nodded. "Got it," she said, before walking away. One of the band members stopped and held out a crisp cream colored envelope. "Our manager told me to give this to you. It's important," he grinned and bowed slightly before walking away after she accepted it.

Kaia walked to the front row and sat down before opening up the envelope and pulling out a piece of stationary paper in faint shades of a sunset. The words 'You're Beautiful,' was carefully written in flowing cursive penmanship. She scanned the rest of the paper and turned it over. She blinked when she saw some extra writing. 'Meet me outside.' Kaia smiled to herself before carefully folding the paper back up and neatly placing it back inside the envelope.

She looked up when she heard the vocalists testing out their voices in the mic. She stared at the band as they sang for her. Halfway through, she stood up and nodded towards Naomi before giving them a thumbs up as she walked towards the door.

Once she was outside, she spotted a familiar silver car and smiled. She walked over and got in. She was immediately greeted by Alex's handsome face. Kaia looked at him with a warm smile before holding up the envelope with the note carefully tucked away inside. "You could've texted me. But I do admit that I like this more." Alex flashed her a dazzling smile before pulling her in close. "I have something to show you." Kaia took a deep breath, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Alright, but I have to go back again later so don't take too long. I'm feeling kinda sleepy right now," she mumbled in a voice loud enough for him to hear. Alex nodded slightly while running a hand through her hair. "Catch up on your sleep then. I'll wake you up when we get there," he said affectionately while gently rubbing his thumb on her cheek. After a mini cuddling session, he grabbed a soft pillow from the back seat and carefully placed it in a comfortable place for Kaia to rest her head on, then, he started the car and drove away from the music festival's venue.

Through half shut eyes, Kaia studied Alex's expression carefully. She wanted to tell him she was sorry for suddenly leaving in the morning after dropping the bomb, but instead, she adjusted her head on the soft pillow before closing her eyes.

A good fifteen minutes later, Alex gently woke her up. They were parked outside of one of the most massive stadiums in the area. Kaia blinked the sleepiness out of her eyes and looked at him with a confused expression. "Why here?" Alex just smiled faintly before taking her hand. "You'll find out soon."

Alex led her into the empty stadium, pulling her up onto the stage and making her stand in the center. Kaia's eyes followed him in wonder. "What are you doing?" she asked, curiosity overcoming her. Alex then walked up behind her, pressing his chest against her back in an embrace. "Well, earlier my wife told me something that I didn't like." Kaia looked down with a tinge of guilt. She knew it was upsetting for him, and that she should've eased him into understanding her condition so it would've been less of a shock. She also knew that she should've done everything differently. At the moment, she was unsure of how to respond to Alex. Noticing her silence and stiffness, Alex tilted his head to look at her before reaching his hand up to turn her head slightly to face him. "I was a kid back then...I--I couldn't do anything to save you. I thought you died and was so scared and frustrated with myself, even though I didn't really know you. But even so, you made a huge impact on my life. I didn't grow up to be like my parents who look down on others who aren't like them." Kaia took a deep breath, her hands trembling as she listened, his words slowly sinking in. "I might act cold at work, but that's mainly because I'll be stepped all over by those who want my position as CEO so badly they could--and would, kill for it." He took a deep breath before continuing, "You know, I've donated my bone marrow twice ever since I was old enough to be a donor." He smiled softly.

Alex leaned down and kissed her on the lips, then her cheek, all the way to her forehead. Kaia could feel the traces of his warmth everywhere his lips touched. Alex lifted his head. "I got most of my company's top singers and groups to agree to a charity concert. There would be free admissions for registered donors who have been examined thoroughly and are willing to donate their bone marrow. To get in, they would have to show the special cards for donors with my special stamp on it, which I will be giving to as many hospitals as I can." Alex leaned in, kissing the nape of her neck. "I'll do everything in my power to find a match for your bone marrow transplant. I won't give up on you, so don't give up on yourself, either."

Hearing his words, Kaia reached up, covering her mouth with her hand as she sniffled. Tears streamed down her face, even though she tried to hide it. Alex turned her around in his arms gently. His heart ached, seeing the tears streaming down her face. He leaned in, kissing the tears from her cheeks. She wanted to say so much to him but her words were choked back. She let out a small sigh, wiping her cheeks to get rid of the tears, only to be replaced by new ones.

Alex smiled softly, reaching up to wipe her cheek with his thumbs. He tried to lighten up the mood by saying, "Oh! And to repay me..." He smirked, grabbing her hand. "You have to…" he leaned in closer and whispered, "stay with me forever." Kaia managed a weak but sincere smile as she giggled through her tears. "I had no intentions to leave anyways...at least not of my own free will…" Kaia slipped her arms around his waist, burying her head into his chest. Those words just left Alex with a big grin as he wrapped his arms around her tightly, pretending that by his sheer willpower and desire, that he could keep her there in his arms…forever...