"You hung up?" Remi hit me with a pillow. "And then didn't call for three days?"

"We were going to do the family court. I had to prepare. And then I thought he'd call again." I whined and she hit me some more.

"And you gave him that pathetic excuse. Maybe the guy thinks you're trying to end it with him now." She sighed. "Take the phone Francy and repeat after me."

I took the phone ready.

"You're going to say that you're sorry for not being able to call him, that you've been thinking about him, and want to see him."

"Might as well as give me a heart attack now Remi!" I shook my head.

"Be nice to the guy. He is probably waiting for your call."

I sighed. She was right. I know she was. I wanted to say that but...

I touched my cheeks gently. They were burning up. Taking a deep breath trying to calm my voice, I dialed.

"Hey." He answered.

"Hi, um..." I stopped and Remi gestured for me to start talking and then ran out of the room.

He waited in silence for my next words.

"I'm sorry for calling you so late. There was a family emergency.."

"Is everyone okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, yeah." I cleared my throat. "It's going to resolve soon enough." I squeezed my hands in fists. "I want to see you again. I'm sorry it took so long to call you. I can't stop thinking about the date. About you."

He let out a long breath.

Oh my god. He hates me. He hates me.

"I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. These were three long days."

Okay. He's not mad. He doesn't hate me!

"Let's see each other again. This weekend?" He asked.

"I can wait one more day I guess, but can you? " I teased and heard him chuckle. Phew.

We good.

"Can you meet me around 1 at Avignon's tower ?" He asked.

"Sure." I said already thinking about what I want to wear.

"Alright then. Good night Francy."

"Goodnight." I almost sang out of happiness. I can't wait to see what he has planned this time.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later that night I was lounging in the living room with a face mask on watching the reruns of "Hunting down elephant poachers" with Alan and Briolette Savinsky. Ace walked in the living room humming to himself. He dropped on the couch next to me in a cuddly way.

"What's up with you?" I asked suspiciously.

"I'm in a good mood." He grinned and pulled out his phone. "Look at this."

His screen was all messed up with numbers, letters and colors.

"I understand this as much as you make a difference between indigo and navy blue."

That snotty remark went over his head because he was still smiling. "This phone has been touched by the devil himself. It has seen things. Things beyond your wildest imagination. And I'm the only one who's phone has been touched in a good way."

I sighed. "So you let Lucy take your phone?"

He glared at me. "Stop talking about him like he's some sort of bully taking my lunch money."

"I'm just worried about you brother. He is a cyberbully after all."

He dismissed my words and leaned on my shoulder. "Lucy is a genius. Today I finally made progress with him after a whole year. What I can learn from him in a day, imagine a year. He and I are meant to be friends. Best friends. His brain and my brain...we'll be rich, successful and ultimate power in the tech world."

"You're delusional. Do you think he will let you in on his already dangerous business?" I said nonchalantly. "The devil rules the underworld alone."

"But if you think about it Hades for example, has Cerberus."

"You want to be his faithful dog?"

He glanced up at me with a smile. "I'm a three headed hunt dog. I probably have three massive dicks as well."

I snorted. "Cerberus does not have three dicks."

"How would you know that?"

"He is a three-headed dog not a three dicks dog."

"There is nowhere in Greek mythology that says he doesn't have three dicks."

"Okay fine. Be a dog with three dicks."

"Fine."

"Fine."

***

Saturday came faster than expected. I wore a soft ivory turtleneck and tucked it the mini black skirt I had changed in and out of, a couple of times this morning. I decided instead of all black tights, I would wear slightly dimmed ones. White boots and coat and the look was perfect for a fall date.

Excited, I made it out of the house to Avignon's tower. I was a bit nervous, but excited. It was totally different than last time.

Suddenly a car parked in front of me. Elric rolled down his window and smiled at me.

"Get in." He winked.

I circled the car and jumped in the front seat. Ah there was heating. Thank god!

His eyes landed on my legs. Yes, the skirt might have been too much. I covered them with my coat a bit embarrassed. He instantly could focus back on the road.

"Where are we going?" I asked, putting on the seatbelt..

"A surprise. This time I checked the weather beforehand so there is no way the plan goes awry. Don't worry."

"Perfect. I'm already intrigued." I leaned back into the seat.

"So did your family issue resolve?"Elric asked.

I sighed. "It did. Peacefully, unfortunately."

"Unfortunately?" He raised a brow.

"My brother got punishment for what he did, but it was too lenient if you ask me. He should have suffered more, but what's done is done."

"You're a cruel little one, aren't you." He smiled.

"I like justice." I shrugged. That damn Ace got away with just doing all of our chores for a week and he should have suffered more for all the stress he gave me.

But because he was doing all my chores I had a whole weekend free to go on a date, so... maybe I shouldn't question Kai's justice system.

We drove for maybe an hour talking and listening to music until he parked next to a surfing shack.

"The beach? In October?" I asked, shocked.

"It's sunny." He grinned in the most innocent way.

We got out of the car and I started to doubt his sanity. The wind was blowing and I was wearing a mini skirt.

He opened the back door and pulled out a bag and a basket.

"Follow me.!" He said and went ahead.

I tried following him down to the beach in my boots, but sand and fancy boots didn't mix. I tripped and my hands reached for his back. It was so broad and sexy.

"Be careful." He glanced back at me.

I pulled my hands back embarrassed. Like this was my fault.

He then transferred his bag in the same hand he carried the basket and took my hand in the other to help me.

Oh man.

Can he stop killing me like this please?

The day was gorgeous. The sun was already out midday and sent warm ticklish sunrays over me.

Elric put his things down and then out of the bag he took out a blanket and spread it out on the sand.

I kneeled down over the blanket, my fingers touching the cold sand.

"This is crazy. We'll freeze." I laughed as a cold breeze ran chills down my back.

"No, we won't. Didn't I tell you I have this figured out. Trust me a bit." He had such a smoldering look on his face that I had to shut my mouth.

He took out another thicker blanket and he instructed me to sit down. He laid the blanket over my legs and even tucked me in.

"Better now?" He asked and my mouth curved in a wide grin.

"What do you have in that basket?" I asked trying to peek inside, opening the lid but he slapped my hand away.

"Be patient."

I bit my lower lip. Well you are taking too long mister.

In minutes he had a whole picnic set up for us.

There were three different thermoses, one with black coffee, one with raspberry tea and one with pumpkin latte.

Steaming bread, cheese, cream spreads, sweet marmalade croissants and all kinds of sweets. Even little glasses.

"Okay, tell me. How did you become so caring like this? To be able to organize this...just blows my mind. I grew up with three little monkeys and I hardly believe anyone would plan out something like this." I said taking a sip from the coffee he poured me.

He smiled as he poured in his cup. "A compliment?"

"Absolutely. I love this. It's even too good to be true." I grinned.

"Well if I'm being honest..." He started and shot me a glance.

"Yes please. Go ahead." I gave him an encouraging nudge.

"I know you like aesthetic things so I did some research and well um... I thought you would like these stuff. Maybe take pictures...."

My eyes shot open. "Can I?" I reached in my coat taking out my phone.

Remi had threatened to take away my phone if I brought it out on the date. But this was an exception.

After a full on photo session, I turned the camera at him and took a snap instinctively.

I leaned the phone towards me and then glanced at him. "You don't mind do you?"

"No." He fixed his turtleneck and coat and did a sexy pose for the camera. God he looked so sexy. What an eye candy.

He then took the phone out of my hand.

"Want me to take one?"

Like I could freaking pose in front of him without dying of embarrassment . Hell no.

"No um..maybe another time."

He then cleared his throat. "Can we um...take one together?"

My heart started jumping up and down.

"Sure."

He leaned closer and I leaned closer. Then a bit closer and closer.

Our heads slightly touched as we tilted for the photo. The sun was falling perfectly at us.

Once he took the photo and we looked at it we realized how tense we were.

"Food?" He asked, trying to break the awkwardness.

"Yes."

He handed me the warm bread and while he was opening the cream lid wind blew strong and wide.

We managed to protect the food, but my hair was a mess.

He leaned over and brushed my hair back slowly and gently. I stood there frozen from his touch but once he was done he went back to opening the lid.

I was sure I'd be calmer after the first date, but I only seemed to be getting more nervous.

After eating and drinking the delicious stuff, he played music from his phone.

"Very romantic." I laughed. "Are you sure you're in highschool? You are way too smooth."

"I'll take that you are enjoying this date." He grinned and leaned back on the blanket while I cuddled it higher and higher to my chin.

"Yes. Thank you for the date. This was another amazing Saturday."

He reached forward and took my hand. His hands were so warm. His fingers intertwined with mine gently and he leaned closer. His fingers softly brushed over my hand..then my wrist..His hand glided up my arm and then gently pushed my hair back until he touched my face. I shivered back making him smile. He leaned closer and...

Suddenly his phone rang and he hesitated before taking it out of his pocket. His face instantly changed colors. The warmth was gone. He was distant and cold and I couldn't tell what , but his glare at the phone screen said many angry things.

"Sorry I need to take this." He pushed the blanket away and got up walking further down the beach so I can't hear the conversation.

Damn it! We were going to kiss right? Argh. Who called him with such bad timing?

Was it his father again? I know he was the cause of his bad mood last time. But then why would he go that far to talk.

I leaned my elbows on my knees. The sun was calling it early today. It was heading down fast and it was getting colder and colder.

I sneezed and cuddled further in the blanket.

I wondered why he was talking that long.

He suddenly came back pretty pissed off.

"Francy, I'm sorry. I have to go. Ugh.." He brushed his hair back. "Something urgent came up and.."

"Yes, no worries." I said and got up. The moment the blanket was off the cold swept over me.

We packed the things in silence and I kept glancing back and forth at him, wondering what caused that sour look.