Chapter 1994: Is That a Yes?

The two spent fifteen minutes painstakingly locating all four bottles. The bottlenecks were tightly corked, protecting the contents from rain and moisture. Someone had even wisely suggested adding desiccants, ensuring the papers inside were perfectly preserved.

Holding the four bottles, Jonathan smiled. "Let's clean them before opening them. I can't believe it's been almost thirteen years!"

Madilyn nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips as a wave of nostalgia washed over her. It felt like stepping back into her youth.

They found a water tap nearby and rinsed the mud from the bottles before wiping them dry. Returning to their campsite, Madilyn peered at the transparent bottles. Each contained paper of a different color: purple, blue, pink, and white.

She guessed the white paper was his; knowing his preference for simplicity. "Then the pink one belongs to Elektra?" she mused.

Jonathan nodded. "Yes. But we shouldn't pry into their secrets. Let's keep them and give them to Elektra later."

Madilyn agreed; invading someone's privacy was unethical. Jonathan set down all but the blue-papered bottle. "We can open mine. This one's mine."

He reminisced, mumbling, "Lucian and James joined us, but refused to write wishes. The white one's James', but I'm not sure if he wrote anything. We'll open it with him another time."

Blue—representing depression, rationality, and hope—seemed fitting for Jonathan's emotions then.

Seeing Madilyn's excitement, Jonathan shyly removed the cork. "To be honest, I've forgotten my wish. It's been so long."

"I know, right? I'm so curious!" Madilyn couldn't contain her eagerness, reaching for the paper the moment Jonathan removed it.

"Here. You look first," he offered.

She carefully unfolded the neatly folded square and used her phone's flashlight to read the words: "Madilyn, will you be my girlfriend?"

Dumbstruck, she froze. Re-reading the sentence, she was certain she wasn't dreaming. I didn't read it wrong! But why?

In disbelief, she shone the flashlight on Jonathan's face. "This can't be real, Jonathan. This is…" she stammered, suspecting she was imagining things—until she saw his mischievous grin.

Did he plan this? Was he acting? This is a lie, right? He said the bottles were buried years ago—he probably buried them hours ago!

Slowly, joy replaced her shock. I can't believe he confessed like this!

Overwhelmed with elation, tears welled in her eyes.

"Madilyn, is that a yes?" Jonathan's gaze was as soft as the moonlight.

Madilyn nodded fervently. "Yes! Yes!"