I'll wait for as long as forever, just to be with you.
Archer's Point of View
I sighed contently as I stepped my foot in. This coffee shop hasn't changed at all. The chair arrangements, the aroma, everything. It's all the same. I went to look for a seat and looked at the snow falling from the coffee shop. The shop was quiet, with only one person in it. Aside from me.
"What can I get for you, sir?"
"Can I get an iced caramel macchiato and also a flat white." I said as I smiled at him. He then nodded and proceed to go back at the counter.
I still remember how our conversation went here, Aly.
-
"Can we meet right now?" My eyebrows met as I read the message. It was from Alcyone, my long time student. I'm not technically her professor, but I'm her tutor.
Her father wanted me to help her with her studies, and so I complied.
"Why?" I texted back.
"I want to ask about something." It says.
"Just send it through text."
"It's about math." I sighed before gathering my things.
"Where are you?"
"At our coffee shop." I didn't waste my time and immediately walked to my way there.
-
By the time I arrived at the coffee shop, I was so short of breath. The way here was kinda exhausting.
'What the hell is she even doing here? It's our exam week.' I rant before examining the place. Once I saw the other side of the coffee shop, a familiar figure reveals itself.
I walked towards her and glanced before taking a seat.
"What did you want to talk about? I'm sure it's not about math." I spoke.
When she finally felt a presence in front of her, that was when she turned her head to see me. The radiant smile on her lips sent a fluttering feeling in my heart. I would be lying if I didn't admit that her smile was attractive.
"How'd you know?" She sent me a teasing smile.
"I figured." I observed as she drank her flat white. She placed down her cup then proceeded to talk.
"I like you."
"I- what?" My chest felt heavy. I know that deep inside me, I badly want to tell her that I like her too.
I like Alcyone.
I want to be with Alcyone.
"I said I like you." She repeated.
"You.." I gathered my thoughts and tried my best to suppress the urge to sit beside her.
"I like you," she cuts me off "I like you so much that I won't even ask why you can't be with me even if I know that you like me too." Alcyone continues, "Do you really want me to date Leo?"
Ah, Leo. The guy whom her father arranged her with.
"Can I say no, Aly?" I responded then I turned my head away from her.
"No.." she mumbled.
"Then why are you still asking me such questions?"
"Because I want to hear you say that you like me too!" She exclaimed. Catching the attention of others. When she noticed what happened, she sat back down and calmed down.
"Please, don't make this hard for us." I could see her eyes glistening as she tries to suppress her tears.
"Arc.."
"Aly. I actually thought it would be easier if I could pretend that I have no feelings for you. Even if I did, things wouldn't change. But.. if that's the thing you want to to hear before letting each other go, then okay. I like you, even if it would only break our hearts more." I finished my words with a bittersweet smile.
I didn't waste another second and finally went beside her. I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a tight hug. It was full of yearning.
"I'm sorry.. I'm so sorry, Arc." Alcyone cries, hiding her face in the crook of my neck.
"Don't be." I hushed softly. "I understand, I'm also sorry for being a coward and hiding my feelings." I pat her head with gentleness.
"After this, after I settle my problem with my dad and Leo. After their partnership with the Kim Family, I'm sure we'd be free again." She said and looked at me with hope.
"What are you planning to do?" I curiously asked.
"Let's just run away together."
I gave her a chuckle. "Silly, you know that's now how things work in real life."
"Three years." She suddenly mentioned.
"Hm?"
"In three years, their partnership will end. We can be together by then." I looked at her and she's really serious.
"What? Are you going to make me wait for three years?" I spoke jokingly asks.
And she answered with a confident. "Exactly."
"Excuse me?"
"I'm kidding, I'm not that crazy you know." She laughed, finally breaking from the hug.
"Well then. I guess I'll have to wish that you're still single when you come back. I hope the gods are on my side." I stated.
"Really?" The lights inside gleaming from above reflected through Alcyone's warm hazel orbs.
I looked at her with a smile on my lips. "We can't be sure about the future. But if in three years, you can pick the choice to come home to me, will you?"
-
As I was drinking my iced caramel macchiato, a knock on the table interrupted me.
"Hey, miss me?" She's back. I almost forgot what her voice sounds like.
"Aly.." She flashed her brightest smile. "How.. how have you been?" I asked, eyes on the brunette in front of me.
"I'm doing good." She pulls a chair to sit and grabbed the flat white that I ordered earlier. "Was this for me?" I could only nod. Still shocked.
"By the way, congrats! I saw your movie, it was so good. Director of the Year, Archer Wesker." She took a sip from her drink.
I bit my lip to hold another surge of emotions. How long can I keep this up?
I gave her a timid smile and, "Why did you come back?" There it is. The question I've been dying to ask.
"I don't know if you still remember it but, didn't you ask me if I had to pick the choice to come home to you, then would I?" She held my hands and gave it a squeeze.
"Did things finally go your way?" I asked, eyes full of longing.
"Yes. We are now free." The smile on Alcyone's face were bright. For she knew that she was finally back to the universe she calls home. Me.
You don't have to wait anymore.
