Farewell Kiss.

"Why are you screaming like that? you surprised me," David protested.

"Unlucky! You scared me. Why have you been in the water for so long? I thought you were lost to the crocodiles!"

"Eat the crocodile?" David laughed out loud, almost out of breath. He felt a sharp blow to his left shoulder. "I don't die that easily, my dear. Give me your hand," he ordered.

Chloe furrowed her brows in confusion, but she kept her hand out to David without protest.

"Present for you,"

Chloe was surprised when she saw a small —white—heart-shaped stone in her palm. She couldn't say anything, just blinked as she looked at David in disbelief and amazement.

"How did you..."

"A special item for a special someone." David smiled sincerely. "You like it?"

Chloe nodded. Squeeze the small stone and put it on the chest. "Thank you. I love it, David. Really like it."

Chloe was very happy that David treated her special. Is this what is called a sacrifice for love? A person will do anything to make the person they like happy.

"Now then, time to join me,"

***

After swimming together, David invites Chloe to eat at a cabin. The owner of the place has prepared a special meal for them as well as Shady Beach's signature couple clothes. A white t-shirt with the words Shady Beach and a picture of a river. The two of them enjoyed their meal while chatting about many things. David paid a lot of attention to Chloe.

Done filling your stomach. David took Chloe out of Shady Beach and headed to the next place. Shopping center in Missouri, not far from Shady Beach. It only took a few minutes for David to reach his destination.

Along the way, Chloe and David browsed some of the shops in the shopping center. Check and choose if there is anything interesting for them to buy. Several times, Chloe took David to look at the antiques that were there, then came back out and walked to another store.

The childlike side of Chloe who was excited to be taken to a good place, was the moment David loved it.

"David, come here!" Chloe exclaimed. A black hat was in her hand. David walked over to Chloe. Then put the hat that Chloe had taken on David's head. Chloe pushed David in front of the mirror beside her. "Suitable for you, right?"

David nodded. "Hmm… Should we buy the same hat?" asked David. He glanced at Chloe briefly before turning his attention back to the hat on his head.

"Great idea. How about this color?" Chloe grabbed the same hat, but in a different color —blue—. And attach it to the head.

"Looks beautiful," David commented.

The two of them glanced at each other before looking at each other in the mirror. Pay attention to their appearance which is like a real lover, with a couple's shirt and hat.

David and Chloe went back around. Buy snacks at one of the food stands, and share. Chloe really is like a child. Running from one place to another, regardless of the crowd.

David cursed under his breath as Chloe ran away from him only to see a confectionery stand. David approached her. He saw a man trying to touch Chloe. David's eyes heated up. He immediately grabbed Chloe's arms into his arms and glared at the man in front of him.

"Watch your hands, man. Don't you dare touch my girl?" Threaten David. If only he wasn't in a crowded place. He must have beaten that pervert to a pulp.

Chloe was startled when David suddenly pulled her into his arms. His face looked very angry as he looked at the man—David's age—who was in front of him. She doesn't know what the man was about to do, to make David so angry. Several people who were there, including the candy seller, looked at the scene with confused faces.

"Relax guys, I didn't know this girl was with you." Said the man, and walked away.

David gritted his teeth in anger. His right hand clenched into a fist, while his left hand gripped Chloe's arm tightly.

"David," Chloe called. She tilted her head up only to see David's angry face.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"Next time pay close attention to where you are. Don't focus too much on what's in front of you. You understand?" David loosened his grip.

Towards evening, after their dinner ended. David drove Chloe back to his apartment. They didn't talk much in the car. Chloe looked quiet and only focused on staring at the road behind the car window.

Until they arrived in front of Chloe's apartment building. David stopped his car on the side of the road. Silence fell between the two of them for a moment.

David looked at his watch. 11:10 p.m. It only took a few more minutes for her role as Chloe's lover to end.

"It's time to end this," said David letting go of his arm.

"Yes,"

"Are you happy?"

"What?"

"With me, all day. I have to know, is it just me or you also enjoy our date today, "said David.

"I enjoyed it too, David."

David grabbed Chloe's face and caressed her warmly. His blue eyes looked into Chloe's dim eyes.

"Oh, my God… I never thought that I would love you this much. My charming little girl,"

Chloe bit her lower lip, holding back the pain that suddenly shot through her chest. She felt the emptiness, her heart seemed to shatter like a thousand scattered dust.

"David," Chloe whispered.

"Even if you're not with me, promise not to let another man hurt you," David's words sounded more like the howling of a wolf on the verge of death.

"Kiss me, David," Chloe whispered. She didn't know what she was doing. Her hands grabbed David's shirt and squeezed it nervously and fearfully. She wanted to get rid of the sad look in David's blue eyes. Only that,

David stared at Chloe for a long time. Considering whether or not to do her bidding, when he felt Chloe's grip tightening, he knew that she was waiting for him in doubt and anxiety.

David's head hung low, his lips finding Chloe's with soft yet searing pressure. Chloe gasped and tried to accept David's kiss. The man was tasting her mouth like delicious ice cream to enjoy slowly.

David's mouth left Chloe's slowly, stealing a quick kiss, then brushing Chloe's cheek as if to reassure herself that the kiss was real.

Chloe's breath hitched, some of her sanity lost, and all she remembered was the softness of David's lips when she kissed them.

"Goodbye, Chloe."