FIRST NIGHT TOGETHER I

Kaye and Ivan continued their chit chat using the question game until they reached home. Kaye came out of the taxi first followed by Ivan who stretched his hand which she automatically held. She put her other hand on top of his head to avoid him bumping his head on the car.

"It's almost nine already. I've got an hour before the movie starts." Kaye muttered mostly to herself as she led Ivan to the gate of the apartment complex. They were walking towards the elevator when Ms. Harley saw them from the Karaoke area.

"You guys went out on a date?" Ms. Harley eyed their linked hands with a mischievous smile. Kaye released her hold on Ivan's hand and faced Ms. Harley with a red face.

"No Ms. Harley."

"Yes auntie."

They answered the question together which made Ms. Harley laughed. Kaye was so embarrassed but she pretended calm and composed.

"What are you talking about? As if you know what's a date. You've never on a date even with your ex-gilfriend." she denied his statement with a rolling eyes but her heart had been beating so fast.

"We went out and spend a day together. Wasn't it a date?" Ivan teased her even though he knew it wasn't really a date. However, a day with her alone was always a date for him.

"Shut it will you? Who goes on a date in a meeting room?" Kaye was making face at him since he couldn't really see. She turned to look at Ms. Harley and said, "Don't mind your nephew Ms. Harley. I don't really know what has gotten to him. He was just fine earlier and now he's making a prank."

"I understand. I understand." Ms. Harley nodded her head in understanding but her face was full of mischief. Nobody knew what she was thinking but Kaye knew it wasn't good. "Don't fight. Get inside already. You must be tired." Ms. Harley gestured them towards the opened elevator.

Kaye waved goodbye and drag Ivan inside the elevator. She was clutching her bag and tapping her sandals on the floor. Ivan was standing beside her listening to the rhythmic sound produced by her sandals.

When they got inside their apartment, Kaye didn't bother changing her clothes but went directly to the living room and turned on the television. She placed her bag on the couch and stretched her body.

"Do you want to shower first?" she asked Ivan while shaking her arms and stretching her neck. It was just a simple question. A normal one, but to her it sounded like an invitation which made her frown.

"Why does it sound dirty coming from you?" Ivan teased her again, who was currently sitting on the sofa.

"Hey! What do you mean? I was just asking." she was blushing all over again. Everytime Ivan made some remarks, she would turn hot and red all over from embarrassment. "Anyway, you go first. I'll prepare some late night snacks. Or do you want a heavy meal?" Kaye added before going to the kitchen and check her fridge for food.

"Snacks will do. I'll take a shower first." he stood up and went inside his room to get his towel. Kaye went on her food preparation. She made some sour cream potato chips and took out a bag of spicy prawn knick-knacks from her cupboard. She poured them in a big bowl and placed it on the coffee table. She went back to the fridge and took apples and oranges to make a fruit juice.

Kaye was busy making a fruit juice, her back facing Ivan who just finished bathing. She didn't noticed him walking towards her and was still putting fruits on the juicer.

"Can I have a water?" Ivan's statement startled her, making her soul leave her body for a while. She abruptly turned to face him to give him a scold, but she bumped unto his bare chest, her lips pressed lightly and because he was looking down, his lips was pressed on his forehead.

"Wha...what...what are you doing? Why...why are you standing behind me?" she couldn't stop herself from yelling at him, making Ivan winced from her high pitched voice. She was backing two steps from him, her back was now pressed on the table, with Ivan in front of her just wearing a towel on his lower body. He's half naked.

"I want to drink water. I'm really thirsty." he answered her innocently as if nothing happened to them, but his hands were becoming sweaty, anxious that she would not talk to him after this.

"I didn't notice you. I'm sorry for yelling. I'll get you water." both her hands were covering her chest, even though there's nothing that he could see. Kaye went around the table and took out a glass of water. She pushed it towards him at the opposite side. "The water is in front of you." she didn't dare touch him again. 'That was an accident. I didn't kiss him.' she told herself over and over to keep herself sane.

"Thank you." Ivan drank the glass of water in one go and walked to his room. After closing his door, Kaye breathed a long breath, relief, surprise, guilt and other emotions were mixed together.

After few minutes, she continued making two glasses of fruit juice and left them together with the snacks on the coffee table. She got her bathrobe and took a shower as well.

Kaye wore her pajamas, dried her hair and put on some sleeping moisturizer. After she finished her routine, she went back to the living room. Ivan was sitting in front of the television eating the snacks she prepared.

"You don't mind me joining you, right?" he asked her without turning his head to look at her, his hand holding a chip and the other holding his phone.

Kaye continued walking and sat down beside him.

"Suit yourself." she stretched her legs and placed them on one of the smaller couch in front of her. She picked up a pillow and hugged it.

"Which is my juice?" Ivan asked her again. Kaye looked at him who was looking at the television like he could see what was being shown. She felt sad that he couldn't see what she sees, at the same time, happy because he couldn't see her.

Kaye picked up the glass with orange juice and brought to his lips. "This is an orange juice for you. I'm taking the apple." Ivan took hold of the glass and gave her a smile.

Seeing him smile, Kaye remembered something. Something important she promised to do.