His Roses

"You're so beautiful."

He said with a sweet smile, then handed me a bunch of red roses.

"For you."

I smiled, feeling shy when he complimented me. I took the roses from his hand, and our fingers brushed against each other.

"T-thanks."

"The weather is nice today. Is it okay if we take a walk in the park?" he asked, and I nodded as we began walking side by side.

The weather was beautiful, and my heart felt light. I was truly happy-happy that I finally met the guy who always complimented me, cared for me, and... loved me?

I still didn't know for sure. But that's how I felt. That's what Sierra told me-that love doesn't always scream. Sometimes, it whispers.

And maybe... maybe that's what he's been doing all along.

I hate how confused I am. One moment I'm sure he likes me—the way he smiles when he sees me, the way he remembers the little things I barely recall saying. But then, he pulls away, hides behind silence or sarcasm, and I'm left doubting everything.

Does he like me? Or is it love? Or is it nothing at all, and I'm just reading too much into every little moment?

I keep replaying our conversations, searching for clues like it's some kind of puzzle I need to solve. But love shouldn't feel like guessing.

Still, when I'm with him... I feel something I've never felt before. And maybe that means something. Maybe it means everything.

Even if I don't have the answers yet.

"So, tell me how your week went," he said, glancing at me with a smile before looking ahead again as we continued walking in the park.

"Some nights I didn't sleep. Some days I skipped meals," I chuckled to myself, but he remained silent.

I looked at him and saw he was staring directly at me-serious and still. He stopped walking, so I stopped too.

"Elira, never let that happen again," he said firmly. "The first thing you should do every morning is take care of yourself and make sure you're okay."

Then he gently held my hand. I was surprised. I looked down at our hands, then back at him.

"Don't ever do that again, okay..."

I felt hypnotized by the way he looked at me. It was as if I had eaten or drunk some kind of love potion with my breakfast. Before I realized it, I was already nodding slowly, still staring into his brown eyes.

He smiled, then looked down at my lips, and back to my eyes. I could feel him slowly leaning in. My heart started racing, and I instinctively closed my eyes.

And then... I felt his lips on mine. He pressed them gently against mine, making my knees feel weak.

His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer, his lips still touching mine-no movement, just the softness of his kiss lingering.

I kept my eyes shut out of shyness.

With his kiss came a sudden gust of wind that swirled around us-cold, just like his kiss.

We stayed like that for about thirty seconds until he slowly pulled away. I opened my eyes, feeling my cheeks burn. I was sure my whole face was red. I quickly looked away, hiding my blushing face with my hair as I pretended to watch the kids playing in the field.

He chuckled-and it was the sexiest laugh I'd ever heard from a man.

I felt his finger lift my chin so I'd look at him. He raised one of his sharp eyebrows, silently asking why I was acting so shy.

Who wouldn't be shy?! He kissed me-right here in public! In the middle of the park!

He better not raise that eyebrow at me again or I'll shave it off!

I looked around and snapped back to reality, realizing we were still in the park. I stepped back and gave him an awkward smile.

"I-I'm hungry now. Let's go eat..."

I didn't give him a chance to speak. I just started walking, even though I didn't know the way to the restaurant.

He ran to catch up, grabbed my hand, and gently pulled me back.

"Wrong way. This way," he said, then began walking while slowly intertwining our fingers.

I hoped he couldn't hear my heartbeat-it was so loud I thought it might burst out of my chest or give me a heart attack.

We rode his big motorbike toward a restaurant near IT Park Cebu. He helped me get off the bike, offering his hands, which I gratefully accepted. I waited for him at the side while he parked his bike properly for safety.

As I waited, I observed the surroundings and the restaurant. It was pyramid-shaped, which explained why it was called "The Pyramid."

It was my first time there, and I heard they served a lot of delicious food.

We went inside, found an empty table, ordered, and ate while chatting. After a while, when we were done eating, we decided to sit on a bench outside.

The breeze was so cold, and I didn't bring a jacket. I didn't expect it to be this chilly at night.

I hugged myself to keep warm. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Caleb move.

A few seconds later, he placed his jacket on my shoulders. I looked at him in surprise, but he just smiled and leaned back on the bench.

"What about you?" I asked, seeing he was now only wearing a plain grey T-shirt.

His biceps and broad chest were obvious, like he lived in the gym-or maybe had one at home.

"Elira..."

My heart skipped a beat when he said my name. I smiled as I turned to him.

There was softness in his gaze, and he gave me a sweet smile that showed his perfect white teeth.

"I love you..." he said, just as the wind blew once more.

And for the third time, he pulled out another bright red rose-one he must have hidden in his pants pocket.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"