Life Without You

Chapter 47 - Forest Cherry Hill Park

Leon laid back in his reclining chair and enjoyed the sight of his completed garden that was slowly bearing fruit from his hard work during a quiet Saturday afternoon. His mother would be so proud of him. He took a picture and sent it to her, and to Ron as well, his gardening therapist. Since moving into his new place, Leon had not been able to see Ariel once and she had not messaged him. What happened to the @CherryBerryKiss in her? He gathered that she was extremely busy and working overtime, especially after her restaurant won two Micheline stars.

"Tell me, Evan," he asked Evan who was sitting beside him. "How did you manage to woo Rita?"

"How did I woo her? Time," Evan replied.

"Time? What do you mean?" Leon gave a baffled look.

"Yes, time." Evan went on to explain. "I gave myself and Rita a lot of time to know each other, as friends first. I observed how she interacted with Imogen and me, ya know, know her as a person first. I wasn't sure about her until I realised we have good chemistry and we share so many similar values. When I finally revealed my feelings, she reciprocated the same. So, that was cool."

"Isn't that wasting time?"

"Love is patient, as my mum always drills in me. I find investing in the wrong women wastes more time than the right one, and I learned it the hard way. Rita's the kind who takes her time to understand people before judging, something I really love about her."

"I see," he found his advice similar to what Ron spoke of.

"And now that you're in the same neighbourhood as her, I get to see Rita often."

"Oh dear, I foresee you'll be distracted."

"Nah, not to worry!" Evan waved off with a chuckle. "Rita respects my working hours and is cool with it. That's what I love about her - independence. She's great with Imogen, considering she helped raised Andy before."

Leon pondered for a while, "Evan?"

"Yes?"

"Am I impatient?"

Evan rubbed his chin, "To be honest, you can be."

Leon grit his teeth, not too happy with the answer.

"But you're making a positive change, so don't give up," Evan encouraged.

"That's good to know. I hope she'll be happier with me now."

"Who will be happier with you? Is there someone special?" Evan asked cheekily.

"Absolutely!" Leon beamed.

Just then, an instagram pinged from Leon's phone.

@CherryBerryKiss: I've not heard from u since our last convo

Leon: Playing hard, like u do to me

@CherryBerryKiss: I miss u, sweetie

Really?? He smiled at the message with a quick pounding of the heart. Never before had he heard Ariel used such endearing words towards him.

@CherryBerryKiss: When can I see u again?

Leon: Tell me where you'd like to meet?

@CherryBerryKiss: At the observatory at Forest Cherry Hill Park, 8pm tmr Friday. I'll be there wearing a red scarf

Forest Cherry Hill Park! The last time Leon went there was many years ago when he was a teen. He had not visited it since he becoming famous and gradually forgot about the place. The open-air observatory was his favourite spot where he could observe the stars through a large, public telescope at the top of the hill. Since he introduced Ariel to his favourite stargazing moment at his parents' mansion, it was so sweet of her to remember his passion.