Rhianne was about to walk toward the bus stop when a familiar voice called out from behind her.

"Rhia!"

Her heart skipped a beat. She knows very well who owns that voice.

When she turned around, she saw Keith stepping out of his car while waving and smiling brightly at her. Her face lip up the moment their eyes met.

"Keith!" she happily called back.

Without thinking, she ran toward him with her heels clicking lightly against the pavement. As soon as she reached him, Keith leaned down and pressed a quick kiss on her cheek.

The gesture was so sudden that Rhianne froze for a split second before her cheeks turned warm. She looked up at him and smiled in disbelief.

"Someone is getting more confident today." she softly teased.

Keith chuckled while scratching the back of his neck but clearly pleased.

"What? You don't like it?"

"I didn't say that." Rhianne said. "It's just... You used to be so shy when we started dating. Back then, I was the one who needed to take the first step every time."

Keith laughed quietly while closing the distance between them.

"Well, things change. You are my girlfriend now. So why would I hide how I feel?"

Her heart melted a little at that.

"You're getting good at this, Mr. Protagonist."

He grinned and reached for her hand.

"And I am just getting started, Ms. Protagonist."

Rhianne laughed softly but she didn't let go of his hand.

"I thought we were supposed to meet at the cafe. Why are you here?"

"I finished my work early." Keith said while opening the car door for her like a gentleman. "So I thought I'd surprise you and fetch you from work instead."

"Well, you succeeded." Rhianne said with a smile as she settled into the passenger seat. "I really didn't expect this."

Keith rounded the car and got in beside her. As soon as the engine started, he glanced at her.

"So how was your first day?"

Rhianne's eyes sparkled.

"It was amazing! A bit overwhelming but still amazing. Director Jamie is really strict but I expected that. She even reminded me she won't go easy on me just because we know each other. And honestly, I like that. It feels fair."

Keith smiled as he drove and listening to her voice fill the car. He loved the way her eyes glowed when she talked about her dreams. It was always the same look Rhianne had whenever she talked about the things she likes.

"I'm proud of you." he softly said. "You really are making your dreams come true."

Rhianne smiled warmly.

"Thank you! And guess what? We're going to shoot a short drama next week for one of our marketing campaigns. Director Jamie said I will help in the production. I'm so excited!"

"That's great." Keith said while glancing at her from the corner of his eye. "Just don't overwork yourself, okay? I know how passionate you can get."

Rhianne chuckled.

"No promises. But I'll try."

By the time they arrived at the cafe, the sky was already filled with stars. The warm lights from the cafe windows spilled onto the street and creating a cozy atmosphere. Rhianne stretched her arms a little as she got out of the car.

"Ah. I really needed this break. Talking about work made me hungry."

Keith smiled and followed her inside. They chose a quiet table by the window. Soon, the gentle scent of coffee and pastries filled the air. After placing their orders, Rhianne leaned forward on the table and rest her chin on her hand.

"So what about you? How's work been lately?"

Keith smiled faintly.

"Everything's going well. We had a few client meetings today but nothing too difficult. I guess I've gotten used to the workload."

"Well, that's not surprising." Rhianne said. "You've been exposed to that environment since you were young. You're practically trained for it."

"You can blame my brother for that." Keith replied. "Since he doesn't want to be our dad's successor."

"But Dr. Calvin is doing well now! I even heard he is now one of the top surgeon in their hospital. And besides, it is your dream to follow your dad's footsteps."

He shrugged modestly.

"Maybe. But my father likes to keep me busy though."

"Speaking of your company!" Rhianne said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You might bump into my brother soon. He mentioned your companies have several collaborations this year."

Keith's relaxed expression instantly shifted into one of mild dread. He leaned back in his chair and let out a deep sigh. That made Rhianne laugh uncontrollably.

"Not again..." Keith groaned while covering his face with one hand. "Don't tell me I'll have to deal with him at work too?"

"Oh, come on. My brother is not that bad."

"He literally told me before that if I ever make you cry, he will "accidentally" break my car."

She laughed harder.

"He's just protective! You know how brothers are."

"...I don't think so." Keith said. "Then maybe I should start parking underground from now on."

"Good idea!" Rhianne teased while still smiling. "But don't worry, I will tell him to behave."

Keith sighed again but his lips curved into a smile as he watched her laugh.

"As long as you're smiling like that, I guess I can handle him."

Rhianne felt her heart flutter at his words.

"You're really getting smooth with your lines now."

"Only when it's you." he replied with a smile.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other. The quiet buzz of the cafe was fading around them. Rhianne's chest felt light and her earlier exhaustion replaced by warmth.

As soon as their order arrived, Keith got up to get it so they could start eating. Rhianne stirred her iced coffee with a straw when her expression became thoughtful as she glanced at her phone. Then a soft smile curved her lips before she looked up at Keith who was sipping his drink.

"Oh, right. Did you see Andrew's post earlier?"

Keith raised a brow slightly while looking half-curious and half-indifferent.

"Which one?"

"The one he posted this morning!" Rhianne happily said while scrolling through her feed and turning the screen toward him. "Look! He's wearing his uniform! He finally started his in-training pilot program."

On the screen was a picture of Andrew while grinning proudly in a crisp navy-blue pilot trainee uniform. The sunlight was catching the silver wing pin on his chest. The caption says, 'First day of training. One step closer to the clouds.'

Keith gave a small nod as he leaned back in his seat.

"Yeah, I saw it."

"...That's all?" Rhianne blinked. "You should at least react a little! He's our good friend and he is finally chasing his dream."

Keith chuckled under his breath before putting his coffee cup down.

"He is literally chasing his dream, Rhia. He's going to be a pilot. Andrew will probably achieve it even if I don't say anything."

Rhianne crossed her arms and pretending to pout.

"That's not the point, Mr. Cool-and-Composed Protagonist. You could still be a little supportive."

Keith tilted his head while pretending to think about it.

"I think I am supportive enough." Keith said with a playful sigh. "But alright. I will go like it right now just for you."

Rhianne giggled at that.

While she watched him scroll through his phone, her teasing expression softened. There was a barely noticeable smile tugging at the corner of Keith's lips.

He might act nonchalant but Rhianne knew better. That little smile spoke volumes. Seeing one of their closest friends finally walking the path he always dreamed of must've stirred something inside him too even if he didn't say it aloud.

"See?" she said while leaning forward a bit. "You are happy for him!"

Keith glanced up at her with a faint smile still on his lips.

"Maybe I am."

Rhianne chuckled.

"You are such a bad liar sometimes."

"I'm not lying." he said with a shrug. "Andrew deserves it. He worked hard for that."

Rhianne laughed softly as she finished her cake before wiping a small crumb from the corner of her lips.

"Oh right!" Rhianne exclaimed while taking her phone again. "Candice texted me earlier."

Keith raised a brow again. His expression became wary in an instant.

"Candice?"

"Yes!" Rhianne said while chuckling at his tone. "She told me she is now an intern at a magazine company! She got accepted as a junior copywriter. Isn't that great? She's been trying to get that position since last month!"

Keith leaned back in his chair and crossing his arms with an amused look.

"That's good news. At least now she will be too busy to bother us every weekend."

"Keith!" Rhianne gasped while lightly hitting his arm. "Stop bickering with her already!"

He winced playfully and rubbing the spot where she hit him even though it didn't hurt at all.

"What? I'm just telling the truth. Every time we go out, she somehow calls you to "check on things" which really means checking on me."

Rhianne giggled while shaking her head.

"She just worries about me, that's all. You know how close we are now."

"Yeah, yeah." Keith muttered with a small sigh. "Too close. I have to keep proving myself to her every single time."

"You two just need to get along. She is not your enemy."

Keith smirked a little.

"Maybe. But if she keeps doubting my love for you, then I have to fight back if needed."

Rhianne burst into laughter at his serious expression.

"Fight back? What are you going to do? Challenge her to a duel?"

He leaned closer and pretending to whisper a secret.

"If that's what it takes. It's me against the world."

Rhianne covered her mouth while trying to hold back her laughter. But it was no use. She laughed so hard that a few people from nearby tables turned their heads at their direction.

"You are worth dealing with all of it."

That made Rhianne pause. Her laughter was fading into a gentle smile. The sincerity in his voice always caught her off guard. Even after all this time, Keith's quiet way of expressing love still made her heart flutter.

She reached for his hand again and squeezing it lightly.

"Candice just wants to make sure we are happy."

"I know." Keith said while his thumb was brushing over her fingers. "And I will make sure she will see that you are indeed happy."

Rhianne smiled warmly while her heart was melting at his words.

"You already do, Keith."