Risks.

What now?

" What now?" Ruth asked as she wrapped herself in a shawl. They were doing a winter shoot and she had to be practically naked in the snow. She was freezing cold but she was sure her shots were perfect. After all , she was the best.

" Take a break. We're done for the day. " Bob , the photographer , patted her shoulder and walked away as he ordered the rest of the crew to pack up.

Ruth hugged herself and looked around. The snow was so beautiful. She stretched out her hand to let a snow flake fall in it. She found herself laughing all by herself. She was acting like a kid.

Her eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of Leo seated all by himself in a distance. He was lost in thought , as usual. He looked like a like an angel. He was in a long black coat and his fluffy hair danced with the cold air.

" You idiot. " Ruth smiled at herself. " Do you really think he'll ever be with you ?"

She puffed her cheeks and mustered the strength to walk to him. A little bit more of the rejection wouldn't hurt , right?

" I'd like to be alone. " Leo spoke before she could even get to him.

" I'm sorry , but I cannot seem to leave you alone. " Ruth sat next to him.

" What do you want? " he turned to her.

" Uhm...we both know what I want. " She placed her hand on his and he pulled away.

" Other than that. " He looked away. " What do you need now? "

" Company. Someone to keep me company. " She pushed closer to him and looked up to the sky. It was night time and the sky was covered with snow flakes.

" Why did we take these shots in the night?" She was curious. They could have just done it during the day.

" There's beauty in contrast. " Leo looked up. " The dark night and the pearl white snow covered ground. Two different worlds. Opposites. "

" Like you and me?" Ruth smiled painfully.

Leo looked at her. She didn't look at him. He sighed. Why didn't she just let him be? She could have anyone she wanted. Why him? He'd been rude to her on several occasions but she still stayed.

" Why don't you let me go?" Leo was serious.

" Why don't you let Gwen go?" She looked him in the eye and smiled.

He had no answer.

What now?

" What now, Alec?" Gwen sat in his bed with a hot cup of tea and a warm gigantic blanket over her feet. He sat by the bedside and kept staring at her. He had a strange look on his face. Something like contentment and peace.

Gwen coughed and fixed her gaze on him.

" Sir , I know that I'm sizzling hot but staring at me like that makes you seem a little bit too desperate to have me. "

Alec smirked and leaned in on her. His nose brushed against her chin. His blue eyes held hers.

" I'm not trying to deny it. I am desperate. " His voice lowered and so did her heartbeat.

" Really? " She swallowed. She swallowed hard.

" You don't know how many times I've pictured you in my arms. How many times I've wished to touch you. To smell and feel you. " He drew back and massaged his brow with his fingers.

" I'm here now. " Gwen held his hand.

" What's stopping you?"

" Wow!" Alec kissed her hand. " Look who's desperate now."

" That's nothing to be embarrassed of. " Gwen kissed him . " You're all mine. "

She placed a loose strand of golden hair back in place. She realised that his head was burning up.

" Oh my goodness!" She placed her cup of tea on the bedside table and came closer to him. " You have a fever. "

" It's nothing. " He brushed off her worry but she wasn't one to listen. She moved him to the bed and covered him up. She loosened his tie and undid a few buttons.

" Wait here. " She disappeared into the bathroom and returned with a bowl of water and a towel. She sat by his side and soaked the towel before placing it on his face and chest.

" You'll need to lie down Alec. " She pressed him onto the pillow but was caught by surprise when he hauled her ontop of himself. She was seated on him. She looked like she was riding him. If anyone walked in they'd think exactly that.She nearly dropped the bowl of water.

" You can do it like this. It's way better. " He held her by the waist and smiled viciously.

Her tummy felt tingly and she was getting hotter and hotter. She slowly brought the cloth to his face and dampened it. His wet skin made her shiver. When the cloth went to his chest , he hissed and pressed on her waist.

" D-Dont do that please. " She was trying her best not to lose her senses.

" And what exactly am I doing? " He opened his blue eyes innocently. He was playing the fool.

" Nothing. " She hardened herself and focused on taking care of him.

He watched her as she worked. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever met. Her hazel eyes were dazzling as she occasionally made eye contact with him. She was intersting to look at.Not in a million years did he ever think his world would revolve around someone so drastically. She was like the air in his lungs. Without her , he'd eventually end up dead. One thing he'd come to learn was that the beautiful things in life could be gone in a flash. He never wanted that when it came to her.He held her hand and kept looking at her.

" What is it?" She raised her brows. He wasnt saying a word. She poked his chest.

" Whatever dirty thoughts are running through your mind can wait. Let me first take care of you. Okay?"

He kissed her hand and placed it on his chest. He wanted her to feel his heart beating.

" Alec...what's the matter?" She giggled at how strange he was acting.

His face was calm and his eyes were so tender that it scared her. His lips had a gentle smile.

" Gwen...please...just marry me already."