"That's a pretty name!" Char mused, widening her eyes animatedly.

"Thank you, sweets," Chan grinned, and then continued, "I am from Australia, and I... am a budding musician? I'm trying to debut soon."

"You make music?!" she gaped, "That is..." she murmured to herself, "...hot."

"I heard that," Chan grinned cheekily, "And the fact that you're a writer is so adorable. You know, like, having someone who can spin the prettiest words and stories, creating worlds in their heads and expressing their views so fucking beautifully. I love that!"

"So you love me?" Char joked, giggling.

"Well, I might soon."

She gasped, "We're moving too fast!"

"I'll slow it down for you, then, pretty," he winked at her, and by now, the pizza was a third wheel.

"Oh..." she mouthed, feeling her face heating up for the nth time that night, "You sure know how to flirt."

"I don't know how to flirt."

"Uh-huh? Then I don't know how to blush!"

"We're such a match made in heaven, then," he smirked, "I'll learn how to flirt to make you blush. Sounds good?"

"Christopher!" she groaned, "Stop rizzing me up, I might go insane!"

"That's the plan," he laughed.

"You know what? I'm naming the book 'Christopher'. Suits so well," Char tried to act slick. Who's gonna tell her that she failed miserably?

"Sweet," Chan grinned charmingly, "By the way, you know what's the date today?"

"14th of February. Why?"

"You don't know the significance of today?"

"Well, it's Valentine's Day, but I am not so much into it."

"Then you will be into it soon, because I'm really into you."

Char's eyes widened, and then he said the magic words, "Be my valentine?"

"But... it's moving too fast!" she panicked.

"Well, we can take it slow for you, again," he genuinely smiled a bright, hopeful one, "I'm willing to learn more about you."

"Really?" she meekly asked.

"Yes! Are you, though?" he asked, his eyes glimmering in anticipation.

And who could say no to those eyes?

Char grinned, "Yes, valentine."

Because young love glitters with hope.

Happy Valentine's Day to every young, every old, every single one out there; who hopes to love and be loved back.

['CHRISTOPHER' WILL BE OUT ON 15TH FEBRUARY, 2024!]

THE END.