Chapter 6: The start of winter

Alice arrived at central park and asked herself if it was worth it to have come out in this weather for it was the start of winter, and nights were cold and she was not dressed for this type of weather for she didn’t plan on going out that night. After a while of fighting with her inner self, she came to the conclusion that it was worth it, and that the cold was just a by-product of her future success at the magazine.

She looked at her watch that read 7:55pm, asking herself if she was this desperate to see Oliver that she would come before the designated time, not even thinking of coming a minute later in order to create any mystery around herself, making him think if she was the one who was coming or not. But no, she wanted to see him.

The next 5 minutes felt like an eternity as Alice watched the seconds pass and felt the cold starting to get to her, making her shiver quite a bit. She put her hands together and rubbed them while blowing warm air into them in order to stop her fingers from turning into popsicles. She pulled at the sleeves of her cardigan and tried tucking her hands into them.

As she struggled to get her hands into her sleeves, Oliver emerged from around the corner holding two coffees. “Hi," said Oliver excitedly as he waved at Alice. Alice turned to face Oliver and felt all the irritability she had built up waiting for him, just leaving her body as she turned to face him with a smile that grew wide on her face. She was happy to see him. “Hey," said Alice as she walked towards him.

“I’m sorry that I'm late. I tried getting here earlier but as I was walking over, I decided to grab us a couple of coffees. I hope you didn’t wait too long for me."

“No, I also just got here," Alice lied. Oliver saw that her hands were tucked into her sleeves and put the coffees down on a bench.

“What are you doing? I thought I was getting one of those," said Alice.

“Well I don’t want you to freeze to death before even getting a chance to even drink the coffee. Here, put this on."

Oliver took off his coat and put it on Alice, rubbing her arms to cause some friction, heating her body up. “Thank you," said Alice while looking deeply into Oliver’s eyes as he stood not even a foot away from her. She held her breath for she didn’t know what was about to happen, but luckily for her, Oliver pulled away and picked up the coffees and handed one to her. That was close, thought Alice to herself. She did not want to give in to temptation for she had a job to do, an interview to perform.

The two walked through the park and Alice asked Oliver all the questions she had wanted to ask him the previous night. Who was his family? Where was he from?

Oliver had rehearsed his answers all day because he knew that they were coming and he was fully prepared to answer them all. Oliver told Alice about his family and his relationship with his father and how it was very difficult to impress him for he had unrealistic expectations of his children. He told her about his siblings and that he hadn’t seen his family in a very long time. He also told her about the love of his life who he lost and how painful it was. He told her parts of the truth, and sometimes lied. He did not want to tell her anything that might trigger her memories, for her memories were the key to her demise.

Alice listened attentively and did not let him drag her into his own topics that would derail the interview like the night before. For just as Oliver rehearsed his answers all day, Alice too prepared for the showdown, preparing her questions.

Alice acted professionally to the end and did not let her temptation takeover for she did feel some type of attraction to him, but it wasn’t the money, the looks or the conversation, No...it was something that she couldn’t explain..

Alice completed her interview feeling satisfied with her findings. She then thanked Oliver for being a little more cooperative this time around. They said their goodbyes and Alice tried giving Oliver his coat back but he absolutely refused, which Alice could not lie, was very sweet. The two walked in opposite directions not saying another word to another.

As the two parted ways, neither looked back but both walked with a smile on their face. Alice, feeling accomplished, and Oliver getting to enjoy time with his soulmate. Oliver wanted to turn around and just call out to her, asking her to see him tomorrow night, but didn’t feel brave enough. But as he walked on in deep thought, his trance was broken from a voice behind him, it was Alice.

“Let’s get Chinese tomorrow night, okay."

Oliver turned around and stood still for a second before running back to Alice and putting his warm hands on her face, pulling her towards him, kissing her deeply. She did not expect this, but she couldn’t find it in her to pull back, for she wanted it, and slowly, slowly, she felt herself pulling him now into her, letting loose of all her temptation towards him. She felt the heat of pleasure run through her body, making her warm, and wet.

She could not fight it anymore, she wanted him.

Oliver pulled away and opened his eyes while Alice did the same. They looked at one another and both knew what the other was thinking, why could this moment not last forever?

But eventually Alice pulled away and kissed Oliver once again, this time on the cheek and said her goodbyes and walked into the night. “Wait, one more thing”, said Oliver. It’s a yes on the Chinese tomorrow night. Alice turned and smiled and then continued on her way

Oliver watched on, before turning and walking in the opposite direction once again.

As Oliver walked through the park, he stopped by a fountain and decided to sit by a bench while looking at the reflection of the moon. He started to think about Helena and how their only sin was loving one another. He hated the idea that Alice would be destined to a fate that no one deserved. He wanted to break the curse, for her.