CHAPTER 23 "FAREWELL DINNER"

JUST as they agreed, Ara had dinner at Daniel's house that night before Danica left for America. And just like the first time that she ate with the sibling the young lady had a great time. She only noticed one thing, the sadness in Daniel's eyes is obvious and that is for sure because his sister will be leaving soon.

"I hope as you promised me before, you will always accompany Daniel," Danica said when they were together in the entertainment room their house, and watching TV.

A beautiful smile broke at Ara's lips. "Of course, I promise you that no matter what happens I will never leave his side," that was true inside her.

She really had no plan of leaving Daniel. And she is sure that even though times may come that the young pushes her away, for example, she will for sure follow him, because of the intense love that she feels for him.

Danica smiled.

That smile is so meaningful that even aroused her curiosity. But even though she could feel the intense longing of her wanting to ask about it and what is the meaning of that smile, Ara held back.

Not because she doesn't want to look gossipy but because she is worried that she might not be able to handle the answer that she can get from Danica.

"I would love to still have a conversation with you, but I have a very early flight to catch tomorrow. I have to go sleep, I will just call Daniel so you can have someone with you here," Danica told her as she stood up.

Ara just nodded. Danica had just opened the door when she came across Daniel carrying a large bowl of popcorn.

"Are you going to sleep already?" she heard Daniel asked his sister.

"Yeah, just give Ara a ride home later, okay?" Danica reminded the young man.

"Sure," Daniel replied then pushes the door closed.

When Daniel turned to face her Ara was surprised, that is why she quickly took her gaze back to the romance movie she was watching.

"Are you okay?" it was Daniel who took a seat beside her then handed her the bowl of popcorn.

"W-Why not?" Ara asked biting her lower lip when she heard the shaking of her own voice.

Daniel did not say anything but instead chuckles softly.

Ara could feel the intense tension that seems to be enveloping the whole place. But despite all that, she still tries to normalize everything she does even if her attention is no longer on the movie she is watching and instead with the young man sitting next to her.

"Ara?" after a moment of silence Daniel whispered to her.

"Why?" she asked then turned to the young man for a moment then turned her sight back to the television.

"Have you ever had a boyfriend?" the young man asked her.

Ara was shocked by that question so she couldn't help but stare with astonishment in her eyes at Daniel's very handsome face.

"W-What kind of question is that?" she answered instead.

Then Daniel's hand moved and then he took the bowl she was holding. Ara was quickly surprised there and eventually, her eyebrows met.

"Look at me," when he noticed that her eyes became elusive, that was what Ara heard Daniel say.

Simultaneously with the gradual throbbing of her chest, like a robot, she obediently does what the young man said. Then, seemingly unsatisfied, Daniel grabbed both of her shoulders and turn her to face him.

"W-What---, Daniel," Ara protested trying to avert her eyes from the young man but she failed.

This time Daniel held her face so she could do nothing but stare at him.

For a few moments, the two of them just stared at each other.

Ara felt at that moment that Daniel was consuming all her energy so that is why she does not even have the ability to avoid his sight.

"Do you know that for me you are the most beautiful woman in the world?" Daniel begins in a tone that caresses gently not only her heart but also her soul.

Ara could not speak to what she heard.

She didn't know anything about it except that she could see the beautiful gleam in Daniel's eyes every time the young man stared at her. But since he did not tell her anything, she just tried her best not to expect and give meaning to it because she has always afraid of getting hurt.

She later shook her head in response to the young man's question to her.

That was when the corner of Daniel's lip rose and then gently touches her left cheek. Ara is not sure if what the young man did is the reason why she had the courage to open her mouth and speak but that did not matter. Because in the end she was also surprised by what she said.

"A-And for your first question, I have never had a boyfriend, not even once," she replied.

Daniel nodded with a smile. "Does that mean, I was your first kiss?" Daniel asked again while still staring into her eyes.

"Y-Yes," it may be a short response but Ara still felt the intense redness of her whole face because of her confession.

"So maybe that is the reason why you were very angry with me when I kissed you? Because that's not the way you want for your first kiss to be, am I right?" Daniel asked again in a clear tone.

Ara just nodded again and then swallowed spontaneously when she remembered how strong the effect of Daniel's kiss on her was.

And she could not even admit that to the young man but in herself, she knew she could not lie. She knew she wanted to experience Jason's kiss again.

"If I ever kiss you again today, will you be angry?" Daniel asked again in his still kind tone.

It was as if her tongue twitched that Ara could not speak immediately because of that question.

Why does she feel like Daniel can read everything that's on her mind? Because if not, is it just a coincidence that he actually asked what she was thinking?

"Ara?" again Daniel whispered to her, as if impatient to get her answer.

Ara took a deep breath. Then gather enough courage to shook her head consecutively in response to what Daniel asked her.

And as her eyes remained fixed on Daniel's she could clearly see how the aura of his face shone brightly even more through the windows of the young man's soul.

"I want to kiss you, and I'm serious about that, is that okay with you?" Daniel asked again as clarification.

At that moment Ara finally smiled. Shortly after that, she opened her mouth to speak.

"I want that too, Daniel, I want you to kiss me. But this time, more passionate, and longer," she said truthfully giving Daniel the permission to do what he wanted to happen.