One Fine Week

05

"Hello, excuse me!" Lilly exclaims, knocking several times on the hotel door to finally achieve an answer from the clients that occupied the room.

"Seems like many guests left the hotel to visit attractions." Lilly snapped her fingers.

Before they came here, both teens remembered what their friends told them the day before.

"Such as...?" Pao asks, leaning against the wall, as he observes how Lilly undies her ponytail and shakes out her hair.

"Such as the 'Feria'. Lilly responds quickly.

"Have you ever been there?" Pao folds his arms.

"Nope, never, I only observe from afar whenever I pass by."

For a second, both teens kept quiet. Just when Lilly wanted to ask Pao about him coming over, the young male already took the opportunity and broke the silence by saying:

"Would you...", Pao gulps, as the adrenaline within rises. "Would you like to go with me and my friends to the Feria? Well, we wanted to celebrate my birthday-" Pao's response leaves Lilly perplexed and in shook.

"What?! Oh god, I am so sorry..." Lilly interrupts, as she stares at the male with wide eyes in disbelieve. Indeed, she was happily surprised by his invitation but also truly disappointed by herself, for not having a clue and not having a gift that concerned his birthday.

"Happy birthday!", Lilly shouts joyfully, making the corners of Pao's mouth form into a divine grin. "But I don't have a present for you..." Lilly shakes her head in disappointment.

Pao didn't want anything from her, only her presence was enough to make him happy.

The nineteen-year old felt guilty. She had no way of knowing, but now that she is informed, she wants to give him a present, at least something, even if it is small.

"Oh, Pepsi was your favorite, right?" Without listening to what Pao had to say, she hesitantly takes some steps backwards, eyes not leaving his while she talks again in a loud tone: "Just give me a second, I will rush over to-"

In seconds Lilly feels herself falling, stumbling over an object that felt like Pao's toolbox they were using. Her eyes shut quickly, and she knows that pain is coming. Just when she thought about the impact, Pao rapidly twisted his arm around her waist, pulling her as close till their chests met while she digs her nails unconsciously into his shoulders.

Gazing into each other's eyes, the world around them starts to vanish, and Lilly feels her heart connect with his. For an instant moment she watched how Pao's gaze turned a little shocked but immediately changed back to his soothe face expression.

"I only want you to come." Pao replies in a low voice without any timidity. "That is my only request."

Lilly's cheeks flush red, causing her head to slightly jerk to the side with a pout forming. Her eyelids sink as she nods her head several times in understanding.

***

"You look wonderful, Lilly." Zoey complimented her with widened eyes as soon as she stepped out of her room. She staggered slightly with the heels she wasn't comfortable in and started squirming around in the black lace dress that stuck close to her body. She turned her curls into a pin-up.

"Alright girl, take care and have fun." Zoey smiles and gives Lilly a soft hug.

Pao also took several preparations. He was more than excited to meet his beloved angel and spend the day with only her. He bought flowers, reserved dinner at a fancy restaurant and made sure to memorize the locations for a smooth running. Furthermore, he got slightly nervous when his friends stood him up with a text message saying that they won't come and that he should spend time with her alone.

***

The city was simply urban, just like Lilly imagined - tall buildings in an exact grid pattern. Ubiquitous skyscrapers were smudged by the smog-filled sky, no sunlight, no birds. Cars raced between red traffic lights, stubbornly flickering in the gray.

"Lilly." Pao calls, and she turns, parting her rosy lips. Pao gulps in view of her state, she truly looked adorable in that dress. In his eyes, she looked like an angel sent from heaven. Magnificent, alluring and graceful.

The young lady was also positive surprised from Pao's presence. The shirt he wore included blue stripes that matched his eye color. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, slightly exposing his upper glossy chest. He also wore jewelry, a necklace and a few rings. Pao gasps, shoving his hand into his cotton pants as his golden curls gently sway in the wind.

They're outfits were pleasantly matching. It was classy and elegant.

"Can I?" Pao asks kindly, tilting his head while offering his hand.

Lilly grins, as she places a black bracelet on his palm instead. "I thought you would like it."

His eyes linger with excitement on the leather bracelet and he laughs and says happily: "I love it!"

Lilly doesn't want to be distrustful, she wanted to accept the feelings she had created towards Pao. After all, she was aware that love couldn't get controlled and even after several abortive attempts.

With fingers intertwined, the teenagers walk close by each other through the vast crowd in similar pace, spending a wonderful time, enjoying and chatting during the event and dinner.