Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Kiss in the Rain I don’t know how long that kiss lasts. By the time I come back to my sense, I’m soaking wet and shivering from fingertips to toe. So I start coughing and sneezing right into his pretty face.

He chuckles, “Alright. At least now I know how you felt about that kiss.” “No! It’s just —I’m freezing here.

Don’t you feel cold?” “No. Not really,” he shrugs. “How can I feel cold with our passionate hot love burning in my chest?”

“Eww, gross!” I hit him playfully. “Eason Ramirez, I don’t know you as a cheesy talking guy.” “Now you know. And it’s too late to have a second thought…ok enough of this. We’re heading back. You’ll definitely catch a cold if we stay out here a minute longer.” My feet are numb because of the rain. So I have to cling on his body and stagger forward. He signs and lowers his body having his back towards me. “Hop on.” I hesitate. “Umm…you sure? I weigh like “You weigh like a feather. And with your limp legs, we won’t be able to make it before dawn. So hop on.” I blush and climb onto his back. He picks me up with ease and starts heading towards the beach house. It’s still insanely cold outside. But my body warms up again with him being so close to me.

I rest my chin on the hollow of his neck and ask. “Hey. Have you seen a movie called The Notebook?”

“No. Why?”

“You haven’t? For real?” I gasp. “It’s such a classic. We should definitely watch it together sometime.”

“OK, so A, this isn’t a college interview, so I don’t need to lie about how many classic movies or books I’ve seen. And B, are you asking me out on a date already? Because I have some other plans for our first date and it’s so much better than your boring movie night proposal.” “It’s not boring at all!” I yell in protest. “Hear me out. So there’s a scene in the movie where the couple has a dramatic reunion and they just kiss it out right in the middle of a pouring rain “Like what we just did?”

“Yeah and it’s so romantic. I’ve always wanted to try it out with someone before I die peacefully.” He laughs and his shoulders are shaking. I hurry to tighten my arms around his neck, so I don’t fall.

“Glad to be at your service Miss.” He teases, “You can pick ten other romantic scenes from the –

the Roy movies, and we’ll find a time to do those as well. That’ll make an epic date night.”

Before long, we reach the terrace of a beach house. When he puts me down onto the ground, I finally realize that it’s not Katherine’s house. “So you are telling the truth? That Mr. Ramirez actually owns a house here?” I ask while he opens the door.

“Ask the top ten riches people in Boston and they all own a house in this area,” he steps aside motioning me to come in as he chuckles. “So you thought I just made that up?”

I did but he doesn’t need to know about that.

I slowly move inside and turn on the light. Wow the interior is even prettier than Katherine’s house. It’s my dream house coming to life. Eason kicks off his shoes and walks across the living room. “Come.

There’s a guest room on the first floor and we’ll sleep there for tonight. I’ll run you a hot bath.” I follow him into the guestroom and then into the bathroom. He pulls out a towel, tosses it to me and then bends down to turn on the tap. I wipe my wet hairs absent-minded, staring after his back. Everything is happening so fast. After the initial rush of excitement passes, a familiar anxiety surges up in my heart.

I bite my lips and smile. “Look at you…so normal.” “You better mean that as a compliment,” he says, testing the water temperature with his hands.

“I just thought you must have a butler or a maid to do these sorts of daily stuffs, like running a hot bath, putting on cloth, cooking… I don’t know you can take care of other people like this.” “You have a very biased opinion on rich people, you know that? We have money. It’s not like we are disabled.”

I try to laugh along but my laughter comes out squeaky and awkward. My nervous is too obvious. After a short moment of internal struggle, I still decide to go for it. “Hey Eason?”

“Yeah?”

I gulp and try to say the following words in a light and carefree tone. “So where are we right now? W-

what are we?”

I said it and then the bathroom lapses into silence. He props his hand on the curb of the bathtub and says nothing. I can’t see his expression from the back and the awkward silence is just killing me.

Then finally, before I’m suffocated by my own anxiety, he speaks up again. His tone lighter than I thought:

“You have to ask?”

That’s not the answer I’m hoping for.

“Yes, I have to ask!” I squeeze the towel in my hand and snap. “You are a very difficult person!

– 31 kesinthe Ran And a fuckboy who specializes in ruining girls. So pardon my questions!” He turns around and walks towards me. I’m finally able to see his face clearly. It’s still very gentle and sweet, with a slight trace of amusement, as if he is finding my questions funny. I’m instantly relieved by that. “Can we save my critic session to later?” he chuckles and palms my face. “I thought my behavior spoke for itself. I’ve never seen you as my sister, same as you.”

I’m drowning in his deep green eyes. I hold on to my last shred of sense and murmur, “so… boyfriend and girlfriend?” “Yeah.” He smiles and gently kisses me. I think I’m melting under his lips. A short moment later, he slightly pulls away from me and says hoarsely, “wait for me in the bathtub.”

“Where are you going?” I don’t want him to leave.

))

“To get you some hot water. Don’t worry. I’ll be back shortly,” he smiles and heads outside. Then he stops by the door and turns around raising his eyebrows. “And I don’t need a maid for that!”

I laugh. “Noted.”

***

Eason’s POV Her carefree smile is contagious. As I walk into the kitchen, I find my lips curving upwards, smirking just like she did. Her smile makes my heart swell. I open the top drawer and take out the kettle. I’ve never boiled hot water in my entire life, which unfortunately she was right about. But I don’t want her to see me as a stupid rich brat who can’t even put on his own socks. As I’m fumbling with the kettle, I suddenly hear a gentle cracking from the terrace. I snap my head around and find a dark figure sneaking in through the terrace’s glass door. “Trespassing?” I roll my eyes. “Seriously?” James steps out of the darkness and walks into the kitchen, shaking off the rain from his body. “I could ring the doorbell. If you don’t mind your little ‘girlfriend to be alarmed.”

“Keep your voice down,” I settle the kettle on the stove. “She’s in the guestroom.”

James grins and comes closer, nudging me with his elbow.”So, how did it go? Did it work?” I turn on the stove and smiles. “Absolutely.”