Me
Hey, can you lock my house's door?

I texted Nichole as I forgot to lock the door.

Nikko
Why...where are you...😏

Me
None of your business. 😑

Nikko
Rude!

Me
You deserve it!!!

Nikko
'dramatic gasp' WHY?

I rolled my eyes and chuckled at the text. She's so dramatic.

Me
Because you left me like that with him!!!

Nikko
But I saw both head out somewhere through my window... So I did a great job!!!

Me
WERE YOU SPYING ON ME!!?

Nikko
Not spying...I was just entertaining myself by watching live rom-com!!! Hehehe...

I was speechless so I switched off my phone and looked out the window with my cheeks flushed.

Something was off... Usually, the silence was comfortable between us but today, it's not. Maybe it's because of what happened earlier but I'm feeling there's something more than that. So after a lot of thinking, I asked, "Where are we going?" (I couldn't think of anything okay!)

"You'll get to know soon enough." He said with his mouth ticked up.

His smile was devastating even in his side profile. I tore my eyes away from his rare but genuine smile.

"Y'know, I could have dressed appropriately if you would just telll me where we are going!" I said, faking my frustration.

"If I told you, then my favorite part of the date would be gone, and you look gorgeous in everything." He said the last part so naturally, like he says that all the time.

"Wh-what's your favorite part?" I sputtered through my fluttering heart and the home of thousand butterflies which was once my stomach.

"Watching your face light up with surprise and excitement. You look so cute." He says with a shrug.

How does he say something like that with a straight face!!?

I was, again, speechless. But I think God was on my side because we reached there before I can reply.

"And...we are here." He said while hitting the breaks.

He got out of the car and opening the passenger seats door, he held out his hand and said with a French accent, "Mademoiselle..."

I giggled and took his hands in mine. It was really amusing to witness this charming person in the place of the cold CEO or the cruel villain.
Villain...huh?
I don't know if he's cruel or cold or both but for a matter of fact, I know that this man in front of me is no villain.

But, I still have my senses which keeps telling me to not get close.

H

e easily intertwined our hands as we walked and the moment I felt the coldness of his touch against my warmth, it felt whole. Like a perfect equilibrium. It was like I had been transported into 7th grade again, experiencing everything for the first time. When we entered "the place", I was hit with fresh whiff of all the flowers in the mammoth of a florist nursery. I walked around, my mouth agape, trying to inhale as much as the overwhelming earhy aroma. The above view of the glinting stars accompanying the full moonlight in the gradient blue-black night sky was just a glorious chefs kiss to the already dazzling vibrant hue of all the flower's maze. It could have been my personal heaven had it not been in the middle of a busy city and if the floor wasn't layered by cement, but it's really close.

I turned around to find Xaiden gone? I want to hug him and thank him in all the ways I can for being this thoughtful. No one has ever taken me to such a simple yet meaningful date.
Date...
If it was any other time, I would have been panicked at the thought of being on a date with Xaiden Aalders but now... Now, I just want relish and appreciate this along with everything he has done for me today.

So I search for him like a lost kid in a fair. After roaming around this huge greenhouse, I turn around to look for him outside but bump into someone hard. I realize it's Xaiden when I feel his chest and look up blushing with embarrassment. I take a step back and notice a...bouquet? Some pastel flowers and lilacs (mostly lilacs) wrapped in a pretty beige sheet tied up in a bow with a white  ribbon.

"Is it...for m-me?" I asked dumbly.

Why would he bring me flowers even after doing all these things?

Even though I was completely in love with the bouquet, I don't want him to do anything more than what he has already done for me....

"Ya, don't you like it?" He asked frowning.

"No! I love it!!!" I exclaimed hastily.

The last thing I wanted was to make him think I don't like this.

"But... I can't possibly except this! I mean, bringing me to this amazing place was enough to make me the happiest person!!! You don't have to do more..." I say, beaming and gesturing to the surroundings.

"It's not more, it's just the perfect amount. I mean, I should've brought you flowers when I came to your house, right? And you were also sick."

"So you did all this just because you didn't bring me flowers when I was sick?"

"Yes... Isn't that what people do?" He said, confused as ever.

I bursted out laughing at his cluelessness and hugged him while taking the bouquet.

"Yes Xaiden, that's what people do. Thank you!" I said, a little breathless after laughing.

~~~♡~~~

"Ooh! Look at that! It's my favorite Chinese restaurant!" I say excitedly pointing at a tiny building compressed between a cafe and a huge book store. It was almost invisible compared to the tall buildings surrounding it but it was there, alright!

"Really? I thought you were a vegetarian."

"There are vegetarian stuff in Chinese cuisine!"

"How did you find it?"

"I visit the book store beside it all the time and one day, I was so focused on this one book that I forgot to eat or drink for nearly 7 hours so, I entered the small restaurant as it was the nearest place that had food and the rest is history."

"Aaaah! Typical Talia." He says in comprehension and I nudge him.

"I like that pet shelter too, the puppies in there are so cute! And that bakery over there is my favorite! The owner is soo sweet and her hands work like magic because all of her pastries are so goo-"

"Do you hate anything?" He asked, genuinely curious.

" What do you mean? There are so many things that I hate."

"Like..?" He gestured to continue while intently staring at me.

"Um...like this! I mean, I didn't know that this brand existed until now so I'm talking about their clothes but I just don't like its name, personally that is." I say pointing to a random clothing store.

"Elaborate."

"I hu think designers could be more creative and name their brands a little special instead of naming it after their own name. On the other hand, it could be because they like their name so much that they made a brand about it...so, who am I to judge them? But yeah! I hate a lot of things but it's not important, what's important is that we appreciate the things we like...and speaking of, do you want to drink something because I know a perfect place!"

"No-"

"You know what, I don't care what your answer is, I just want to buy you something so we are going!" I said before he could answer and drag him along with me.

Even though I just want to buy him something to get equal, I felt like I had stepped over the line. The long lost fear slowly started creeping into the pits of my stomach but vanished when I saw the amusement flickering in his eyes at my sass.

I should stop. I should return to my house as soon as he lets me. But I'm here walking around the roads of New York City and convincing him to get a drink with me after our very real date. This man beside me could probably be anything, even a murderer (or a serial killer) and I am his victim for all I know. I should fear him and I do but just not now.

'Why?' The rational side of my mind asked me.

I don't know why. Every time he gets close,  my hands tremble, and yet, I don't back away. Every time he falls silent, my heart stops at the thought of making a silly little mistake around him, and yet, I don't do anything and wait.

Is it boldness or craziness? But the more important question is: Why can't I imagine him ever hurting me? And why can't I believe that he would ever be the villain?