The Waiting Game

THE WAITING GAME - 32

FEBRUARY 2021

NEW YORK, USA

Ariana got inside Traver's car with a scowl on her face. Despite half of her face being covered by a face mask, the way her eyebrows met halfway, and the way her eyes were narrowed were more than enough for Traver to notice her foul mood.

Traver crouched to level his face with Ariana's as he tried to catch her gaze. He placed his one hand on the headrest of the passenger seat while his other arm laid against the dashboard. He leaned his head further inside the car and tilted a bit as he faced her, covering Ariana's line of vision which was directed on the road ahead.

Ariana had no choice but to look at him. Not that she didn't want to. She could stare at him all day and not get bored. But she's trying to show that she's sulking.

However, she could already feel her annoyance subsiding just by looking at him and having him so close to her. But she fought so hard not to show it nor to let out a smile. "W-What?" She asked, raising her eyebrow.

"How does it feel to grow up that beautiful? Do you ever get tired that no matter what you do... may you be happy, pissed off, sad, or whatever... you still look so damn gorgeous?" Traver paused for a bit and shook his head lightly, then he clicked his tongue. "Must be illegal."

Ariana bit her lower lip to hide her smile, muttering a 'thank you' inside her head to whoever invented masks.

"Do you want to know what my favorite parts of your face are?" Traver asked as he reached for Ariana's face mask. "May I?" He asked before removing her face mask. Ariana nodded and tried to calm her nerves down as he slowly removed her face mask with such gentleness and delicacy. "Damn..." He cursed upon seeing Ariana's face fully. "I could stare at you all day."

Ariana blushed profusely. Her heart was beating wildly against her chest. It was so loud that she wouldn't be surprised if Traver was able to hear it.

"I love your eyes. They're the windows to your soul. They're very expressive. I love how they twinkle when you're happy. Those brown orbs are so captivating... it makes me contemplate my favorite color."

"What's your favorite?" Ariana asked as she stared right back at his smoky eyes. "Mine is gray..." She said as she carefully examined the swirls in his eyes.

"Silver." Traver replied, sporting a look that Ariana couldn't decipher. It's like there's something behind his answer, and that's why there is a certain glint in his eyes and a ghost of smile on his lips.

"Why?" She asked, giving in to her curiosity. But Traver just let out a boyish grin and shook his head.

"When you figure out why, I will grant one wish of yours." He confidently pledged.

"Any wish?" Ariana asked, already thinking of what she could ask from him. Her imagination ran wild. There are so many things she could possibly wish for.

All of those things made her even more determined to know why.

Traver momentarily closed his eyes and moved his head from left to right. "Any wish within my power."

Ariana smirked at that. "You just set yourself up."

Traver raised his eyebrow and an amused smile formed on his lips. "Did I?" He asked.

Ariana giggled and it made Traver smile in satisfaction. He leaned back and stood straight, stepping back to close the car door before jogging towards the other side.