Exiting from sleep, the dim nightshade greeted me. A smile carved itself by the warm breath fanning the side of my neck. After looking at the awakening gleam through the blinds, I stirred. But the firm hand curled around my waist didn't permit any distance.

"Don't go." The husky-voiced owner lying next to me began, pulling my small body closer even though there weren't any space between us.

Gently, I caressed his face, "I can't, Alfie. Thalaa had visited twice, and July told him I'd come in today."

I had decided to confer Thalaa the proper pronunciation as it deemed right. Furthermore, I'd been appointing Alfie as human, disregarding his anatomy. It did not change what both of them were, and I wasn't in the right to judge; it was just a proper way of addressing.

A rumble reverberated from Alfie's chest, his face wearing a sheer frown. "From what I hear, Thalaa likes you."

"I don't understand," I deadpanned.

"What if you like this Thalaa back? I just-"

Adjusting my position, I snuggled into him, leaning my head to his bare chest. The sound of his heartbeat tuned in a beautiful rhythm. "Are you jealous?" I giggled.

"Yes, and I'm worried. July's plan sounded like a seduction to me."

If only Alfie knew how factual his words were, I doubted he would let me carry out the idea. July had proposed me to get as close as possible with Thalaa to scan his chip. The problem with it was, it needed direct contact with his shoulder. After twice meeting Thalaa, he had had a long sleeve coat on. So if the case persisted, there would be no other choice than to remove part of his clothes. Drugging him was to be involved, but for safety reasons, the whole play must at least looked natural.

"Then stay here, so July doesn't need to replicate the-" I trailed off, reevaluating the situation. With the chip, my Alfie would be able to move around and live at his fullest. I wanted him to have freedom. I realised that it wasn't just a one-time thing; it was for his future.

Coaxing him, I planted a kiss at the side of his chiselled jaw; a different approach I hoped would soften his heart. "I know I can't change your mind, and you can't change mine either. But I promise you will forever be the only one in my heart, " I enunciated.

Loosening the knit on his eyebrows, Alfie put on a weak smile. "I love you... so much, " he said. Before the word finished, he cupped my face and united our lips.

The kiss lingered for what felt so short but resulted in me breathless. I wished the air wasn't something necessary so we could remain in the state longer. When we parted, I was on his lap, straddling him. His beautiful brown eyes alluded his risqué desire which I couldn't circumvent. Coyly I nodded, and he didn't waste a second more to take me. Bliss and passion engulfed us, winning over right for time to spend.

***

"I can't be late!" I mumbled as I sprinted to the cafe. My hair was possibly dishevelled when I finally reached Reypal Brew's door. I wanted to blame it all on Alfie, but one hand couldn't make a clap, so I was some more guilty too. Luckily, the array of clocks surrounding the cafe announced my arrival was on time.

July who was wiping the counter chuckled at my sight. "My first theory on why you looked like you just ran the whole block would involve a certain someone. But I'm feeling happy today, so I'll spare you. Let's just say you miss the bus."

"Cut it out, July. She's clearly occupied with something," Ember commented.

A tinge of blush rose to my cheeks, remembering my reason to the ordeal. However, even indiscreet, I nodded. "I really did miss the bus."

While the two sisters snickered, I paced to the kitchen where April was dressing a cake. She gave me a knowing smile, the one meaning she heard what her sisters had said. I changed into the assigned theme dress and started brushing my hair, hoping to avoid conversation, especially about the issue.

"I remember when I was in love." Out of a sudden, the redhead began. Once I swivelled, she continued, "He was from the first battalion. Oh, he was so charming, I couldn't get my mind off of him the first few months we were together. Sadly, my feelings made me a flaw."

As if put on trance, I didn't realise when she closed in our distance. With one hand on my shoulder, a worried smile drew in her face, "Balance it and don't make the same mistake as me. Make your love your strength."

In a sense, I understood what she was trying to tell. I had been hasted by my feelings several times before to no point of denying. I admitted the fault and nodded to her.

Unlike hours ago, time had suddenly become stubborn to move. It was almost like it was scheming with my anxiety. Even though the meetup with Thalaa wasn't something I was eager to do, I wanted it to be done as soon as possible so the plan to save my mother could commence. In between, I ended up staring outside at the beautiful fall. Orange rippled on the blue ocean sky, bearing the night tides.

A conflicted feeling clung on me as I gathered my belongings to go home. I was excited to meet Alfie, but I was also disappointed Thalaa didn't come. Time wasn't something on my side anymore since my mother's final day was due in a week.

All four of us stood at the entrance, waiting as July switched on the close sign and locked the door. When I spun, I was faced first with a looming figure. My head arched upward, identifying the deep dark eyes instantly. The second I matched his gaze, the corner of his lips lifted.

"I'm late. And I guess a single customer won't make you ladies extend working hours. But I was just-" He gathered his breath and took a neat inhale before resuming, "I want to make sure Charis is alright. That's all." He pressed his gaze on me as he said my name.

For a moment, I was trapped in his scrutiny, lost for words. But July swiftly intervene between us, "She's alright, but she didn't eat the whole day. Why don't you take her out for dinner?"

"Yes, I would be delighted, " Thalaa responded.

My eyes widened by the suggestion. When I looked at July, she had a maladroit grin plastered on her face. "Oh yea, Charis, in case you may not come in tomorrow, can you show me where you put that book?" She asked, playing the facade calmly as she unlocked the door to the cafe.

Without my consent, she pulled me in towards the back office. Thalaa stayed where he was, seized by April and Ember's questioning.

"Here, this is a very mild sleeping sedative. A little dose will make Thalaa woozy. The rest, you know what to do." She gave me an eye dropper bottle, which I took without question.

The latter verdict made my stomach fastened. Nevertheless, we both took deep breaths and headed back to the entrance. The three was still in a heavy conversation, which none managed to registered into my heavy in thoughts mind.

Before I knew it, a vehicle stopped next to the pavement. The trio was waving goodbye at the end of the intersection when Thalaa opened the passenger door for me. A mixture of oak and mint scent whiffed inside his car as I settled in.

"Do you mind if I turn on the music? Or... " Thalaa started, adjusting himself on the driver seat.

I tried to avoid looking at him as hard as I could, but when I did, I couldn't help myself from scanning his face. There was something very peculiar about him, but I couldn't grasp what it was. "No, I don't mind at all, " I replied.

The four-wheeler dashed on the road, slowing on turns and gaining speed again on a straight path. A minute or so passed by before Thalaa broke the silence once again, "Where do you want to eat? Just say the place and I'll take you there."

"I am thinking about porridge. My stomach has been acting up since, you know, " I let out a nervous laugh. The situation was utterly awkward, but I couldn't afford to mess things up.

"Actually I don't come from here. So I don't know a specific place. But I'll look it up on the internet."

As the car slowed down in speed, I looked around. The whole place was reasonably lit, so I couldn't possibly jump on him and strip him without tripping suspicion. The only way possible was to be in private with him. The question was, how?

"I found one. They served porridge during breakfast. But, let's just try, " Thalaa said, placing his phone back on a holder. The screen showed a map to follow, which fascinated me since I had never seen such a thing before.

While I was busy staring at the talking map, the car stopped once again, aligning a mark on the map with the voice stating we had reached our destination. We both enter the premises, drawing onlookers instantly, which I was sure because of the undeniably strange yet handsome human being walking next to me.

A waitress, wearing a cheongsam attended us after several minutes we were seated. "What would you like to have tonight?" She said with a voice which I was sure sounded like fear.

Thalaa took out a card from his pocket, flashed it to the woman who then eventually put on a smile. "We would like a bowl of your congee, a set of huoguo and Oolong tea for two, " he said expertly.

"I'm sorry, but we only serve congee during breakfast, " the waitress informed.

With an apologetic look, Thalaa mouthed the word sorry, which took me off guard at how those eyes dug deep into my soul. Unintentionally, I smiled back at him.

"Wrap the huoguo for take away. That's all." He said, taking his eyes back to the waitress.

After the woman left, Thalaa stared at his phone, fingers actively gliding on the screen. "I can cook the porridge for you. If you... Don't mind coming to my place. I mean, or I could just cook it and send it to your place. Any way you feel comfortable with, " he proposed with eyes still glued on the lit device. His voice lacked the usual enthusiasm.

I took the invitation as a given chance for my plan. Regardless, the words only came after much effort. "I... don't mind going to your place."

Like a shot, Thalaa tore his eyes back to me. By the slight gap on his lips, he was no doubt surprised by my reply. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

To be continued...

✥✥✥

Thank you for reading. I appreciate every read, comment and vote.

So what do you think would happen next?