~9~

"The best feeling in the world is kissing someone for the first time when you've really wanted to kiss them for a long time."

***

Kate outwardly examined her friend from head to toe and wondered why she was not wearing a dress or something other than what she had on. Taking into account that she and Cyrus were to go on a date, Kate had anticipated for her friend to wear something more—

Her outfit was peculiarly poor and neglected.

She was going on a date. Couldn't she have worn something more—increasingly—charming? Something to impress Cyrus.

"What is with your outfit?" Kate murmured. Louise wore a unisex coat, some denim pants, and an easygoing pullover blouse. "You wore the wrong thing on such a perfect day."

"Nothing!" Louise looked at her confusedly. "Should I have dressed up?"

"Yes, this is a date. Louise—this is where you impress him. What are you doing concealing that body with those tremendous layers? You ought to expose that slender figure of yours more. You look good in dresses."

"It isn't a date. You are all right?"

"Well, you two are such an extraordinary match," Kate said, fuming that coincidentally, Cyrus and Louise ended up wearing matching outfits.

It annoyed her much more because Cyrus was supporting her.

"I think she looks great," Cyrus smiled.

Thanks!" Louise said. "You! Why are you so—don't worry about it. I'll see you later, love you," she said, kissing her friend on the cheek.

"Love you too," Kate answered, but still angry. "Amusez-Vous bien," she winked. (Have fun).

~~~

"I feel sorry for the male character," Louise said.

"Yeah! He waited two hundred years for her, and at last, he wasn't the person she loved. Though she knew everything— everything he did for her. She still did not accept his love and chose someone else."

"It's okay, she didn't love him, but she gave him false hopes. Promised him that she'd be with him."

"Love is incredible—but it can also be toxic. I wish he had realized that sooner," Louise said.

~~~

They walked in silence.

~~~

At that moment, Louise deemed that her situation appeared to be like the film character. All things considered. She decided to pursue him of her own volition. He was not using her, but she did not know how she'd react if he were to choose someone else. Or his former girlfriend.

Cyrus also inferred that: Although Mina had broken up with him because of his monetary circumstance, he still believed that she loved him.

He didn't believe and accept that she used him in their six years of relationship.

They strolled down the street peacefully as they both got lost in their inner thoughts.

Louise wanted to remind him how much she loved him; however, at last, she said nothing. She didn't want to appear as a pushy woman and excessively tenacious.

She had told him many times about her affections for him but had never acted on them.

After much hesitation, she held his hand, gradually entwining their fingers together.

She did not get a response from him, so she somewhat let go of his hand after a while. She needed to be cautious, not having any desire to destroy the little progress she had made.

Cyrus caught her hand, giving it a little squeeze, assuring her that it was okay.

He blushed. Despite his best effort to hide it, Louise had already seen it. She smiled.

He glanced at her, observing her expression. She was as Peter had described. She did not have that distant and cold expression, which caused her to appear like an egotistical person. She had a lovely and attractive smile.

"You should smile more often," Cyrus said. "You have a beautiful smile."

"Thanks! But I shouldn't smile at you?"

"Why do you say so?"

"You frown when I smile at you."

"Ah, it's not that I don't like it. It's—"

"You don't need to explain. I won't do it anymore."

"That's not what I— forget it. Could you give me the keys? I will drive." Cyrus cursed himself for being such a fool. He could never explain himself in front of her.

~~~

Cyrus was confused by his feelings. He was comfortable around Louise, and he loved being around her. But those feelings! He was not sure if they were romantic feelings.

As for her, she acknowledged that it had not been long since she told him about her feelings for him. It was all right for him not to feel anything.

Louise told herself to wait. She decided to be patient. She understood that he might have needed a bit more time to move on after Cyrus's last relationship. Louise also knew that some people did not fall in love quickly.

"We are here."

"Mmh!"

"Thanks for tonight," he said. "I don't remember the last time I watched a movie with someone or went on a date."

It was a date!

"You're welcome," Louise said, looking down her lap. "There's so much I wanted to say to you."

"Why didn't you say them?"

"Because from now on, I am planning on showing you," she declared.

Cyrus looked at her and smiled.

"I told you before. I can't figure you out. You say and do things unexpectedly."

"I don't know how I should take this. A compliment? Or—"

"Don't go there," he laughed, "But how do you plan on showing."

"Ah, an invitation, yeah?" Louise cocked her head to the side, a wide grin on her lips. "Curious?"

"You're teasing me. I am leaving," Cyrus said, getting out of the car.

She quickly got out.

"Wait." He walked around, leaning against the car. She stood away from him, deciding on what to say or do.

Louise was a very bashful and shy person, but strangely, she always managed to do and expressed surprising and shocking things around Cyrus.

She took a few steps towards him. She bent a little as she was taller than him. She put her hands on his sides as he was leaning against the car; Louise got in between his legs so that she could situate herself better.

"A simple no is sufficient," Louise said, staring into his eyes for a second before leaning in.

Cyrus watched her. However, he did not move or say anything. She lowered her head and secured his mouth with hers in a tender kiss.

No response. Louise stopped and looked into his eyes once more. There it was, the affirmation. She kissed him; this time, Cyrus reacted, surprising himself.

His mouth was warm and soft, much softer than she had imagined. She slipped her tongue, and Cyrus opened his mouth with a low moan. The kiss was sweet and slow. Cyrus didn't mind at all that Louise was guiding him.

He pulled her closer, wrapping his hands around her waist. They continued to kiss. 'Mmm!' a moan escaped Louise's mouth.

She felt her body getting hot as they continued to kiss; their tongue continued to mix with desires and hunger.

Cyrus was breathless; kissing Mina was okay, but he didn't know that kissing Louise would have felt this amazing. He pulled her closer, wanting more of the kiss. His hand slowly traveled down her back to her butt. He cupped her bottom and, she gasped.

He did not realize what he did until Louise slowed down and pulled away.

"I am sorry," Cyrus said, swiftly removing his hands.

If they kissed longer, Louise felt that she would not be able to stop herself, ending up doing something worth regretting the next day.

"Why are you, sorry?" She asked, her eyes still on him. "I am not sorry. You shouldn't be."

"Okay!" He said timidly, avoiding Louise's lips.

"I like you," she said. "What else should I do?" Louise asked, caressing his face. "Tell me how to show you, my love?"

"Huh?"

"Nothing," Louise laughed. She brushed his lips with hers and nibbled his lower lips. "Good night," she gave him a quick kiss.

"Good night," Cyrus said, finally speaking.

She smiled and got in the car.

Cyrus moved away and waved at her. Louise waved back and drove away.

'Oh,' Cyrus sighed. He breathed in and out as he tried to calm his heart. 'What did she do to me?'