Day Fifty-Eight…
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Aiden and Cherry enjoyed ziplining at the view deck. The feeling of sliding from a certain height downward gave them a wonderful feeling. It felt like they were flying through the air. The scenery from up above was priceless.
"I love it!" Cherry blurted out, her eyes gleaming with joy.
"I'm glad you like it." Aiden's lips curled up in a broad smile.
After ziplining, the two climbed back to the view deck. The two sat under the maple tree as they took a rest.
Aiden brought a basket of food for their snacks. He offered her some water and sandwiches. Cherry happily accepted it. It had been so long since the last time she enjoyed this kind of outdoor activity.
When she was still working for Phantom's Assassin Guild, she often stayed in her computer room, doing her important tasks. She seldom visited places like this.
"I should ask my sis to try this!" Cherry mumbled. She was thinking about Jane.
Aiden could only sigh helplessly. Every time they were together, Cherry always mentioned Jane. She only talked about her.
'It's hard to compete against Phantomflake.' Aiden lamented to himself.
While Cherry was munching her sandwich, Aiden could only watch her in admiration. Even the way she eats could catch his attention.
Reflexively, his gaze fell on her lips. Aiden could only gulp hard as he restrained himself. He was tempted by her kissable lips. Aiden immediately shook his head, erasing the inappropriate thought out of his mind. He should behave, otherwise, Cherry would beat him up.
He didn't want to ruin his confession. He had to be patient.
With that thought in mind, Aiden slowly stood up. He went to grab the bouquet of flowers he hid behind the maple tree. He also picked up the jewelry box containing a silver bracelet.
Aiden exhaled deeply, trying to calm his anxious self. He was so nervous. Who would have thought that confessing feelings would be this nerve-wracking experience for him?
He gripped the bouquet tightly. He took another deep breath. "This is it! No backing down now."
Aiden finally mustered his courage up. He was now ready to confess his feelings. Cherry just finished her snacks when Aiden stood in front of her.
Cherry looked up with a questioning gaze. He was holding something behind his back and he looked so tense.
"What's wrong with you?" Cherry asked him, lifting her eyebrow. She also stood up, dusting her clothes off.
Aiden bit his lower lip and presented the bouquet of red roses to Cherry. His hands were trembling. But he took the courage to say, "F-Flowers for you…"
"You are as dangerous as the thorns of these roses!" Aiden spoke without thinking. He was supposed to say 'as beautiful as these roses', however because of nervousness, he said a different thing.
Cherry just frowned as she darted her gaze back and forth between Aiden's face and the roses.
Realizing his mistake, Aiden just smiled sheepishly while scratching the back of his neck.
"I'm just kidding. I mean you are so pretty like these flowers." Aiden corrected himself.
Cherry just blinked her eyes, contemplating whether to accept the flowers or not. She was not used to receiving flowers from a man.
But since Aiden became her friend, she finally accepted the bouquet. "Thank you for this. What has gotten into you? You don't have to do this."ραпdαs `n?ν?| сom
"I just want to celebrate our friendship and appreciate you," Aiden replied, his face blushing.
"O-Okay…" Cherry replied. She gazed at the flowers and smiled. "Why are you blushing?" she asked him straightforwardly.
"Oh. It's nothing!" Aiden immediately turned around to hide his reddened cheeks.
'Alright. Now, I just have to give her my gift and confess my feelings.' Aiden was motivating his own self.
After a while, Aiden picked up the jewelry box from his pocket. He kneeled in front of her and suddenly asked her, "Cherry, can you be my girlfriend?"
Cherry: "..."
There was a moment of silence. Aiden remained on his knees while holding the jewelry box. He looked like someone proposing to his girlfriend.
Cherry didn't know what to say. Aiden's action was unexpected.
"What did you say?" Cherry finally broke the silence. Did she hear it right?
Aiden started to sweat profusely. "I'm asking you if you can be my girlfriend. I like you."
Cherry's eyes widened in surprise. Aiden was anticipating her reply. He felt like his heart was going to burst from too much nervousness as he waited for her.
When she recovered from her trance, Cherry stepped back and shook her head. "No. I can't. Not me. Getting into a relationship is not part of my plan… nor my priority."
Aiden's face became pale as soon as he heard that. He felt like every ounce of his energy was drained from him.
Cherry couldn't handle this situation as she felt awkward and uncomfortable. Without saying a word, Cherry ran away, leaving Aiden in his spot.
"Ouch!" Aiden slumped on the ground, unable to move. He just watched her back until she vanished from his sight. Cherry's rejection hit him so hard. He was shocked beyond belief.
'Damn!' Aiden placed his hand on his chest. His heart clenched. 'So this is the feeling of being dumped by a woman?'
Aiden blinked his eyes, feeling lost and absentminded. At that certain moment, Aiden felt the need to contact his friends– Stephen and Nathan. This was the first time he felt so broken and helpless. He was used to being the one breaking off with women.
He clumsily picked up his phone and dialed Stephen's number first. He badly needed a friend right now.
"Hello?" Stephen's voice was heard from the other line.
"Steph…" Aiden's voice cracked. He couldn't utter a word.
"What happened? Where are you?" Stephen asked him worriedly. He could sense that something was wrong with his friend.
"View deck…" Aiden replied shortly. He didn't expand nor elaborate on his answer.
"Okay. I'm coming!" Stephen went to the rescue. He already knew that Aiden needed him. He sounded like he was about to cry.
"Please bring a few drinks!" Aiden requested.
"We will drink, but not in the view deck," Stephen was thinking about safety first.
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