"NIGHT WALK"

I received a call from Marius a little past seven in the evening. It was earlier than I expected. He knew my home address because I had given it to him earlier. That's why he checked in at a hotel closer to my place. Well, that works better too. It's not far from the project site either, just as I mentioned to him before. The lot for the future branch of Scott's Café is right next to my rest house’s lot.

"I missed you, you know?"

That's what Marius greeted me with when we finally met.

I just smiled, even though deep inside, I wanted to tell him that I felt the same. But since we're still not officially a couple, I held back.

"Shall we eat? I know a great food place."

That's how I responded to him instead.

As Marius's smile widened, his eyes sparkled. "Really? Well, what are we waiting for then? Let's go!" he said, stepping towards the car, but I stopped him.

"It's nearby. We don't need to take the car," I told him.

Marius nodded with a smile before reaching out to hold my hand, pulling me gently. We started walking until I could see the restaurant I was referring to.

"There it is," I said, pointing to it.

"It looks like a lot of people are dining there," Marius replied in his usual lively and kind tone.

"Yeah, I ate there earlier. But since I was alone, I used my car," I recounted.

Only later did I realize the implications of what I had said. And I couldn't take it back anymore.

"Ah, so you mean you're willing to walk as long as you're with me? Is that it?" Marius spoke with a tone that hinted at his appreciation for the situation. I knew he liked how things were unfolding. I sensed he already knew my answer to his question, so I chose not to respond. Secretly, I was grateful he didn't press the matter further.

"Would you like to have a drink, even just for a moment?" Marius asked me.

We had finished eating by then and were just engrossed in conversation.

"Sure," I replied without any hesitation, readily accepting Marius's offer.

"Would it be alright with you if we headed back to the hotel where I'm staying?" he inquired.

And since I couldn't find anything wrong with what he wanted to happen, I agreed. After a few moments, we were walking again, this time heading towards the hotel where Marius had checked in.

We ended up in the hotel's bar itself.

"Don't drink too much, alright?" Marius reminded me as we started.

I raised an eyebrow, though I was smiling at his remark. "I haven't even started yet," I complained, accepting the glass of wine he handed me.

We were in a secluded corner of the bar, where the lighting was dim. But despite that, I could still freely admire Marius's handsomeness. And it became even more pronounced in my eyes as I noticed a subtle flush spreading across his cheeks. This was despite his naturally tanned complexion.

"Are you okay, Sam? You seem like you're getting drowsy," he asked, probably noticing my eyelids growing heavy.

Truth be told, I had consumed quite a bit of alcohol by that point, so I confess I wasn't just a little dizzy. I was also feeling sleepy.

I gave Marius a thumbs-up to assure him that I was alright. Then, I took another sip of the drink he'd poured into my glass.

"Okay, that's enough," Marius said, attempting to take the wine bottle away from me when I became startled by the empty glass.

He hadn't refilled it like I had expected, so I took the initiative, but he stopped me.

"Just one last drink, please?" I pleaded.

Marius shook his head consecutively. "Come on," he urged me.

"Where would you take me, if ever? Would you accompany me home? Don't tell me you'll leave me like this, alone and in this condition?" I questioned him.

I admitted to myself that I was a bit tipsy. I was quite intoxicated, giving me the courage to say those things.

"Of course, I can't leave you alone like that. Or, you could stay in my suit to sleep. Take the bed; there's a sofa I can use," he suggested.

A warm surge of emotion touched my heart as Marius said that, as if it had brushed against my very soul.

"Really? That's heartwarming to think you'd take care of me like that," I replied, feeling a rush of giddiness.

At that moment, Marius gently held my hand, and then he tenderly kissed it.

"I love you, Sam. That's the reason for all of this. For everything I do. Because I love you. I love you so deeply, Sam. And I've never felt this intense of love before, not for anyone. Only for you."

I gazed into Marius's eyes during those moments. The real reason I was doing this? I wanted to see to prove if he was just playing me or not. I believed that, if it were genuine, I'd see it in his eyes.

"I love you, Sam," Marius repeated as I continued to gaze at him.

I couldn't speak during those moments because the overwhelming happiness brimming within my heart became so dominant.

"I don't know what you did to me, but everything changed. Now I know, and I'm certain that I truly, deeply love you, Sam," he continued, tightly holding my hand and softly kissing it.

At that point, I couldn't help but smile. I knew I didn't speak. Because in those moments, I couldn't find anything to say. Maybe everything I was doing at that moment was due to the effects of the drinks. While all the drinks I had might have been enough to give me the courage to tilt my neck and press my lips against Marius's,.

"Hey!"

That's what I heard him say as I quickly let go of that kiss. And if I were to judge by his tone, it was as if he was complaining because our moment was cut short.

"We can't do that here," I told him.

It was said in a hushed tone, but I laced it with allure. I wasn't sure why I did that. All I knew was that I wanted Marius to desire me more. And I had a feeling that this was the way to make it happen.

I looked meaningfully at Marius after I said that. And I believe he understood what I meant. Because just a few moments later, he took hold of my hand and gently pulled me away from that spot.

I already have an idea of what could possibly happen between the two of us. But I'm ready. I might still be a virgin, but I'm not naive. I know the first time can be painful. And because I love Marius, I'm willing to give myself to him without a trace of doubt, to offer my virginity to him. My virginity, which in reality eluded many of my past boyfriends back in London,.

"Sam, you don't know what you're doing to me," he said as we stood in the elevator.

We were alone, and he took the opportunity to grip my waist tightly. Then, unsatisfied with just that, he leaned down to give me a rushed but intense kiss.

I let out an involuntary gasp at what Marius did. A surge of electricity coursed through my entire body. Not to mention the immediate need for a breath of air.

"Are you okay?" he asked as the elevator doors opened.

I glanced up at Marius. I could feel the intense heat on both my cheeks. But this time, I didn't shy away from locking eyes with him. My courage was bolstered, aided by the alcohol I had consumed.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I responded to him, punctuating my question with a soft laugh.

Marius didn't respond to my words. But despite his silence, the tension between us intensified. And that tension added to the discomfort that was already building within me, which I was fighting to suppress.

After he opened the door to his suite, Marius pushed it shut once we were inside. At that moment, I experienced just how intense the heat was that I had initiated between us, particularly in his presence. As I took a step into the room, he swiftly pulled me inside. Following that, he pressed his lips against mine, and then the door closed, its knob clicking shut.