Chapter 22 Kiss

"That's your suitor, isn't he?"

My heart was pounding when I shook his hand.

"No. Jomar and I are just friends."

He just moved his jaw and ignored what I said. My heart feared that I might do something again that would make him angry. I notice that when I mention Oli or Jomar to him, it seems like we both have a problem.

I can't help but to pout when I saw him looking so uninterested, you seem to have no one with him.

"Jomar is really just my friend."

I whispered to myself and just peeked out the window. It was afternoon and there were many people on the street, there were also people lying outside their homes. My eyes can even see the green sorroundings through the tinted window of this car.

I held on tightly to the small baguette shoulder bag I was carrying. You have almost nothing but a handkerchief and other documents that I needed earlier to sign. I was stunned and left my gaze on the road to the Solidads mansion as he passed it.

"We'll be going to ta capital."

He breathed first before saying that. I wanted to show him my fancy reaction but I remembered he was angry. So even though in my heart I wanted to hug him with joy I just kept it to myself while nodding to him. The ghosts of the smile on my lips did not escape.

I focused my attention on the astounding nature. Forced to hide the fun from me because it feels more important now. I heard him sigh harshly so I turned to him. He changed his hand holding the steering wheel. I just followed the look with what he was doing.

"There's nothing wrong if you make friends with them Ava. Don't overthink."

I wanted to believe what he was saying but he was showing me something different. I nodded slowly at him. The silence also lasted a few seconds and he followed it up with a question.

"Is your class over?"

"Yes, we don't have to go in."

"Hmm-hmm?"

I nodded when he hummed.

"Next week is our prom, but I'm not going there. So I'll just wait for our graduation after that."

"Why are you not coming?"

I answered him nothing and just shrugged. He turned to me once and refocused his gaze on the road.

"You should come. That will be your last year in Senior High right?"

"Hmm-hm. But I don't have anything to do there either. If Oli can attend, I might come along."

I also had problems with what to wear just in case but I just didn't tell him that. He nodded in response. Our flight to the center was quiet. Even so, the joy in my heart did not diminish. I'm feeling so hyped thinking that we'll be coming into the capital without me expecting it.

Previously we did not continue and now without warning he picked me up to fulfill it. A few minutes after we saw the familiar look of the capitol, it was the only thing you could see in the distance but when the car turned around I also saw a tall building there. Their Hotel. I lost my back in the chair in amazement when I saw the park. There were not many people and they were very simple there.

The view of the peaceful sea on the bay walk opposite the park also grabs attention. I have a big smile while overlooking it all. I didn't even notice the few shifting of his car until it stopped. This is where he parked next to the bay walk. There are a number of people who stop there with different interests and activities. We also see the main church opposite. There is a mass every 5 o'clock.

I looked at him and noticed the amusement in his eyes. His lips parted as he looked at me.

"Let's go through mass for a moment."

The mere excitement on my tone was unable to hide. For the first time, today, I saw him smiled at me. I followed him with my gaze as he reached for the seat belt I was still wearing. The slight smile on his face was still there until I heard his approval.

"Okay. If you say so."

His tone seemed to tickle my heart. It was so tender that he was talking like a child. Ever since we got out of the car and walked the edge of the park I still couldn't help but marvel at the spleen. I almost forgot he was with me.

The Capital was never like this in my eyes before. Just the other day I came here but I didn't feel like this. Of course, it's different when I'm with him. I'm different when I'm with him. I stopped and looked back at him because I was already leaving him at the speed of my walk. There was no smile on his lips but I could see the relief in his eyes. Still looking so amused.

"It's full inside, let's just stay here outside. I'll just pray."

I taught inside as we arrived in front of the church. There were also a few people at the door so I thought it would be better here because we won't be long either. Her eyes widened and she said nothing when I grabbed her attention. I couldn't wait for him to say, I closed my eyes and clasped my hands together.

Saying my prayers silently. Remembering my mom and dad who used to be with me whenever we come here. Once again, I felt this kind of joy in my heart. Close to the fun I feel every time I'm with mom and dad here. This time I'm with him. I don't know why He gives me this opportunity to be with this person. Maybe he heard my plea to be selfish even for a moment. But whether He intentionally gave this time for me, I know this is enough. It was more than I asked for.

My heart is scared. It's scary that after this fun the truth is suddenly thrown at me. But who cares about tomorrow? I want to spend this time with him. I opened my eyes silently saying goodbye to the distant altar.

I looked at Levi and I thought he's doing the same because of the remaining silent a while ago but he was looking at me.

"Done?" I nodded.

The rest of the minutes was like a mirage. The two of us were just content to walk through the wide oval of the center we didn't even enter the shops and were just content to look at them. We haven't talked that much either, it's often just about the things we see here and whatnot. But still, it made my heart happy.

I can't help but to look at him and notice all his flaws. Until now I'm still wondering why he seems so different from the people here even though he's wearing almost the same clothes as other men here. He's got this amazing physique that almost none of here has. He also looks rude because of the small wrinkle on his forehead look straight at the road. His oozing appeal was grabbing everyone's attention. So I can't help but cringe every time I see people staring at him.

"What wrong? Are you uncomf'table?" He stopped and faced me.

"No. Uhm, they're staring at you."

His forehead furrowed and his jaw tightened at what I said darkening his eyes as he looked around. His lips pursed and shockingly grabbed me by the hand. My hands seemed so small in his palm wrapped around me. I drifted over his covering body in front of me in the direction of the bay walk where she had parked the car. The sun is going down and it will definitely start to get dark soon.

Is that it? Are we going home? I don't think he was happy to see people staring at him. When we got to the side of the bay walk he slammed his white car and led me to the door of the passenger seat. He opened it and and stepped back so I could enter. I almost chased the look of his hand that released me, as if suddenly the size of the lack I felt.

Without a word I entered and sat in his high car but he did not close its door. I glanced at his appearance as he just leaned against the side of the door.

"Shouldn't I be the one saying that? Earlier I wanted to take you home because of the deep feelings they have for you."

"Huh? They're not looking at me. They're looking at you." when I sniff.

I bent down and looked straight at my feet, which were slightly resting on the foot of his car.

"Hmm? Really? I counted it Ava, five. Five men who roamed their eyes at you. Men who just looked at you is not counted."

I was amazed at what he said and in his accusing tone.

What is he saying? He licked his lips and chuckled without any humor when he realized I don't have any clue about what he's saying. He turned his attention to the vast sea and whispered cheap ones I could not understand.

"Those men will be the end of me."

He frustratedly said. I bit my lips and play with my hands. I try not to let go of my smile as I see him like this. I don't want to think about that idea. It's unclear what will happen. After a while I heard him sigh.

"Do you want to go home?"

"Can we stay a little more? Let's wait for the sun to set. I just saw it again from the center."

Gladly, he nodded into my plead. Her hard expression calmed and the look followed the sun I was looking at.

Silence once again passed between the two of us, only the noise caused by the wind could be heard. The color of the sun set was brushed upon the sky like an artist's canvas, spreading it's largeness into the vast sky. Billions of people in the world wake up just to see it sink again.

"Does it feel the same when you look at the city?"

None of my own words were still staring at the mixture of orange and yellow sinking into the distant ocean.

"It was never like this." He uttered.

When I shifted my gaze to him he was looking at me. His eyes were wide and his lips were pitying.

"Really?"

He just nodded timidly still not taking his eyes off me. My cheeks warmed at the stare he was doing. I bent down for a moment and turned my attention back to the setting sun.

"Do you know why the sun is setting?"

He shifted on his place and cocked his head.

"Why?"

"Back then, the sun never sets, endless mornings enveloped the world. "

"uh-huh?" He grinned. Trying to buy my story.

"Hmmm." I nodded.

"There were two people who were in love then, and the woman got sick, she's not allowed to get sunlight. So when the man found out that he asked the deity to let go of the sun. But the deity gave him the condition, in exchange for his life he will heal the woman. "

He fell silent listening to my story. I looked at him again.

"Do you think the man agreed?"

His lips twitched. He did not answer my question. I smiled and look at the sun.

"Of course he agreed. No one loves without tolerance. But when the man disappeared the woman's grief did not end. So he asked the goddess again. He said to delete all the memories of the woman about to him. "

"Isn't it sad?" I balk at him.

He sighed and licked his lips. Hidden in my ear were the runaway hairs on my face. "It is." I nodded and continued.

"He has sacrificed his life, and he can even sacrifice the rest of their memories together."

I was silent for a moment, along with the breeze was the touch of sadness in my heart.

"Please tell me happy stories. You're making yourself sad."

He said calmly. Because of that I laughed and went back to my trance. I also laughed at his reaction because he seemed to care about my sudden sadness.

"The goddess admired the man's affection. So it bewitched him. That he would sink the sun and here there would be a chance for the two of them to meet again."

I just looked at him seriously looking at me.

"It's funny isn't it? There wasn't enough ending, but they're still happy for the moment they see each other. That's why I love sunset. For me it means true love, because true love is far away. The distance between you, no matter how different the world is, will not change the fact that the two of you are destined. "

He didn't answer me and we just looked at each other. His jaw tightened and he averted his eyes from me. I'm sure he's not buying my story. I laughed faintly.

"I just made it up. You believe it." I teased.

It was as if he really believed in me, even though I knew he was thinking he was just listening to a children's story.

"If that's what you believe. Then you are my sunset."

My heart almost stop beating. I stared at him for a few seconds as he stared at the sunset seriously. I am his sunset? No that can't be. I think I'm too ambitious to think about that.

No, impossible. He turned to me and I turned my gaze back to him as well, but I was distracted by an old man who was almost struggling to carry his ice cream cart.

I saw him relax on the boardwalk and caressed his back. I watched him for how many seconds and my heart fell into sympathy. I jumped on the foot of the car and ran closer to him. I searched for some money on my bag and found a fifty pesos, my only small bill. I think this is what I exchanged for the tricycle earlier.

"1 Ice cream sir." His fatherly smile touched my heart. I just followed his slow motion and waited for what I bought.

"Thank you. Just keep the change. "

"Oh thank you Hija."

His eyes shone brightly and his smile gleamed like piano keys. I just smiled at him and turned around carrying the ice cream I bought.

I stopped when I saw Levi still leaning on his tall opened car, realizing that I only bought one. I looked at my father again but was embarrassed to go back to ask for another one. Maybe Levi doesn't eat this dirty ice cream either.

"I'm sorry, I only bought this one. I just feel sorry for him because he looks tired."

He only raised his two eyebrows. There was no smile on his lips but his eyes I could see in amazement. I stepped on the foot of his car again and sat down. I started to lick the melting ice cream on my hand while his wide body is blocking my view, looking at me. I saw his adam's apple moved.

"You like?"

He bit his lower lip and slightly cocked his head.

"You're so compassionate with men aren't you?"

"Hmm?"

I could not speak because my mouth was full of cold ice cream. He smirked while looking at me. "

Wait here."

He left and made his way to Dad. He stayed there for a few minutes and I even saw the two of them look back at my seat. I just stared at them as I continued to consume the sticky ice cream in my hand. He came back in front of me but he didn't have any ice cream. I sniffed and looked at dad and saw him pushing his card again.

"Hmm, where's your ice cream?"

"I bought it all. I told him to just give it to the people he meets."

My mouth went agape on what he said. Wow. I forgot, this is a Vidalio I'm with. Levi Vidalio. He chuckled again. I wiped my mouth with my hand because he might be laughing at the melted ice cream on my face. When my hand was sticky and the small cone was sticking to my palm.

I looked behind him to find a trash can but he took it in my hand and quickly threw it in the nearby trash can. He bring out a handkerchief from his pocket and when he's near me he held my hand and wiped it.

I fell silent and watched his gentle caress on my hand. I can do it but why do I seem to want to stop him from what he is doing? I looked at his face whose in full concentration.

He finished wiping it and left her handkerchief in my hand. My heart was pounding at what he did, I couldn't look him in the eye. I tried to turn my attention to the handkerchief he was now stained with purple.

"He said you're beautiful." he tucked the strand of my hair in the back of my hair. I looked up into his eyes.

"I don't know if I should be glad that you can attract even aged man."

I chuckled at what he said. My heart pounded and I could not explain how I felt.

"Do you like that boy?"

At first I didn't get what he said, but when I immediately thought of it I answered him.

"Is that Jomar again?"

He raised his thick eyebrow. I pouted and continue to wipe my hands.

"Jomar and I are just friends, Oli- or anyone."

"And you're always that intimate with your friends?"

"It's only now that Jomar came up to me, I don't expect him to do that either."

"Uh-huh? And you let him?"

I snorted and shrugged because I had nothing to return to his answer. He will really believe what he wants to believe .

"Then who do you like then? That other friend of yours?"

His voice is sarcastic and I don't like it anymore.

"Oli is my friend, I treat him like a brother!"

"Oh? So he just hugs you whenever he wants?"

"Huh?"

"Tss."

He took his eyes off me and licked his lips. I don't know what I can tell him to make him believe me. I don't know how will I prove my point.

"I only consider him a brother ... aren't we the same?"

He was stunned by me and I looked at him in astonishment.

"Mother Celia said you would be a good sister to me."

I tightened my grip on the handkerchief with the chisel said.

"And she's right" I whispered.

I know he knows my point. After what happened last night. I know he's wise enough to know that. That I like him, that I admire him so much. I remained bent over, while he remained standing silently in front of me.

"And one more thing, you're the one I want."

I bit my lip hard. I didn't expect this way I would say that to him. It seems like that's what I wanted to convey last night, but it's still different when it comes to direct words.

I can feel the heat at my face spreading all through out. I felt him stop even more at what I said, I didn't hear anything from him but his small and silent curses. I want to hide myself in shame.

"Shit Ava, you're way to young for this."

I felt a light stung on my chest as he spoke those words so hard. That was always his mouthpiece to me. That I'm young- and should not entertain suitors because I'm only 17.

"I'm not a kid anymore! I'm turning 18 next month."

I couldn't hide the annoyance at the tone and sharp look at him. I expect his expression to be sulky but no, I can see a ghost of smile on his lips and amusement on his eyes. Her lips twitched at what I told her.

"That's still young."

I'm not sure if he sounded factual or he's speaking with humor, because of the peeping smile on him. I was even more devastated by what he said. Is it bad to like him? It's not like I'm saying that I want a relationship with him or with somebody else, I like him that's it. What is wrong with that and what makes him angry?

"Yes, when Ate Celest is okay to like you. Me, I can't because I'm young-"

He groaned. My eyes automatically shut when I felt his lips on mine.

My heart fluttered so damn crazy. He was dizzy and thought of nothing but the softness of his lips. Like a moon I forgot the pain in my heart. His lips were soft and tender. It was just fast but it was heaven to me.

He parted his lips and rolled his eyes while not measuring the closeness of our faces to each other. He looked at my eyes and down to my lips and licked his lower lip after wards. I seem to have run so far with my heart rate now. He kissed me. He did! Why did he do that?

"I don't do waiting Ava. But if that's the only assurance I can give you to end your jealousy then so be it." I gulped.

My heart pounded with joy. He brushed his thumb into my cheeks and my heart went crazy. I closed my eyes tightly as I inhaled his manly scent.

"god damn it. I like you too baby, if it's not yet obvious to you."

That's right! I think my heart had reached it's limit already. I think I'm deaf. A Levi Vidalio would I like? Is all this possible?

"What did you put on your lips? It tastes like cherry. "

I bit my lip even more remembering what Alicia had put on my lip.

You Levi, you'll be the end of me!