Chapter Seventeen

CHAPTER SONG: CADEAU BY AYA AND TIAKOLA

Oh my gosh, I realised that Ariel6552  you had told me your birthday was on the 15th of March and I completely forgot. I'm so sorry. This chapter is for you, love! Hope you enjoy. xoxo

As the days turned into weeks, Kylian, and Sapphie's relationship continued to blossom. Though their time was always very limited, they always tried to make time for each other. Like when Kylian was due for a visit at his foundation, 'Inspired by KM', he invited her to tag along. Even though he'd introduced her as a friend, she hadn't minded at all.

"I wish we could just spend more time together. No gimmicks or anything... just us two." Kylian had said with a sigh as he sat back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. He did this to resist the urge to reach out and take her hands in his in front of everyone around. They'd been sat down the school's dining hall enjoying a couple of sandwiches.

"I know, but I'm just glad we're here making the most of what we can. That's what matters most." She told him, but she couldn't shake the feeling of frustration. It wasn't just their busy schedules that were causing her stress. They had been trying to keep the fact that they were dating from the media, and it was becoming increasingly difficult. Until they started dating, she hadn't understood just how much the paparazzi 'loved' Kylian. It was stressful having to be very careful about the way they acted toward each other everywhere and every time because there was always a camera pointing in his direction. Be it paparazzi or one of the guys in the gym or wherever else recording a video clip to post online. But despite that, she was determined to not let anything get in the way of their growing relationship. Kylian was a great guy, and she believed they had something real. Something she was eager to see was how far they would go. Which is why when their next dinner plans ended up being cancelled, she felt utterly disappointed.

Sapphie was standing over her desk at the visitor's side. The pen in her hand flew across the page as she put her signature on a couple of documents she was supposed to drop off at Pierre's office when someone knocked on her door.

The moment she turned around, her face light up into a bright smile, "Kyky! What are you doing here?"

She checked her watch and found it was lunchtime.

"Hello to you too," he kissed her cheek and stepped back to smile at her, "what? I can't come around here anymore?"

"No, but you never come down here during this time." She saw his smile slowly drop from his face, causing her to shift on her feet in worry. Kylian reached between them and gently took hold of her hands by her fingers, removing the pen and placing it on the desk. She ignored the fluttering in her stomach and forced herself to focus on his words.

"Do you have a minute?"

"Barely. Why, what's up?"

"I have some bad news about dinner tomorrow night."

She nodded, prompting him to continue. He played with her fingers as he spoke.

"Jires is visiting from out of town and since we haven't seen him in almost a year, my family decided we'll have dinner together at my place instead. I promise I tried to reschedule but, it didn't work."

"Oh," her shoulders slumped, "well, that's a bummer. So, I take it we have to cancel dinner?"

"I'm really sorry. I was looking forward to our date, too." He said, rubbing her shoulders as she leaned her head back as if to cry out into the air above them.

"I told you dinner again was bad luck," she playfully punched his shoulder, "just admit it. Popcorn and a round of me whopping you at your favourite game was a good idea."

"Sapphira, one win doesn't make you a GOAT."

She gaped at him like a fish out of water, "How dare you use my government name?"

He laughed. "I'm sorry, I really tried to reschedule but—"

"No, no. Don't worry, it's okay. Family comes first."

"I know, but I still feel bad. Maybe we can reschedule for another night?"

Sapphie nodded, "Yeah, that sounds good."

"How about next Friday?"

"Sorry," she shook her head, "I can't next Friday. I have plans with some friends."

"Saturday...?"

"I can't that day either. I have tests that will run from the following Monday to Wednesday and I've got to fire fight."

Kylian sighed, "This is really frustrating. I really want to take you out on a proper date."

"I know." this time she was the one rubbing his arms. "Maybe we can try another week?"

Kylian suddenly froze when an idea suddenly entered his head, causing Sapphie to pause too.

"What?" she asked, concerned now etched on her face.

"Maybe we don't need to reschedule at all."

"What do you mean?"

"What if I bring you along with me to dinner?"

"What? Kylian, are you crazy?" She blinked. Instant fear gripped her gut. If there was any person Sapphie found intimidating, it was Faizah Lamari. Kylian's mom. Now not to talk of being the odd one out if she were to be surrounded by his family. Judging from the way Kylian matured and grew as his career took off and getting to know him ever since September, she could only imagine what kind of strong woman Ms Lamari was. What would the older woman think of her? Would she accept she was dating her son? Would the rest of her family accept her?

"Come on, it's a great idea."

"No, it's not!"

"I had dinner with your family before we even started dating."

"Kylian, that was completely different." She pointed, "Besides, I'd be intruding."

"Sapphie." He peered into her eyes, as if he could see right through her. It calmed her down a bit. "You don't have to worry. If I like you, I know that my family will definitely like you. Plus, they are really excited to meet you."

"What do you mean, they are excited? They don't even know that we're dating." That question made him pause for a bit, but it took him a second to recover. With a grin, he shrugged.

"Ethan has a big mouth and he won't stop talking about you."

"Uh huh, yeah right."

"So? Will you come?"

Dang him and those puppy dog eyes, she looked away.

"Kylian..."

"Sapphie...?" He gently used his index finger to turn her face, so she was looking at him again. "I don't want to wait another week or two before I can be with you. I know we might be moving a little fast, but. It'd be an honour for you to come to dinner with my family." His voice was so smooth, so soft, yet powerful enough to punch through any of the reservations she had.

"Okay." She breathed. Sapphie didn't think she could ever deny him. That had to be dangerous, right? After all, they'd only been dating for a few weeks, but she felt like she was already falling for him fast. How could she not when he was charming, funny, kindhearted, hardworking and everything she was looking for in a partner?

Was she falling too quickly? Was she setting herself up for heartbreak? These thoughts swirled around in her head as closed the gap between them.

"Amazing, thank you," he pecked her lips, making her insides melt into goo again. "I promise you won't regret it."

"So, how are we going to do it?"

"Dinner is at 7 pm. I'll come and pick you up at 6:15 pm."

"Alright, I'll be sure to get ready by then."

"Great! I'm really can't wait for you to meet everyone."

"Me too!" That was a lie. "Thanks for coming up with a new plan so quickly. It means a lot."

"Of course. I told you last time that I'd try to make us work," he smiled and took her hand, "I'll continue doing that every opportunity I get." He whispered, coming closer and leaning in for a kiss.

Sapphie, having been long since hypnotised by the way he was looking at her, let her neck fall back as her lips parted in anticipation, though a part of her hesitated.

"Kylian?" she said as a warning. "We can't, not here."

"You didn't say that five minutes ago. Besides, no one is here." He continued closing the gap between them.

"But my door is open." She remarked.

"There's no one in the hallway."

Just as his lips were about to land on hers. Someone clearing their throat loudly interrupted them, causing the two of them to separate quickly.

Sapphie felt her face heat with embarrassment as she tried to compose herself. Pierre stood by the open door, glaring at the two of them, and behind him was Renée with saucers for eyes.

"I see why that form is taking so long to sign off on Sapphira." Glared Pierre. But Sapphie was too flustered to answer. What made it worse was that Kylian, on the other hand, was calm and collected. He looked like he straight up didn't give a dime. With a smirk secure on his lips, he swaggered up to Pierre.

"Hey, Pierre. Sorry about that. We got a little carried away there." He said, extending his hand to shake the older man's hand.

Pierre still, taken aback and not please, reluctantly shook Kylian's hand and quickly left the room after Sapphie handed over what he'd come for. After Renée couldn't stop giggling, which only made her feel more embarrassed.