The Tangent Lines

Chapter 38 - You are really cunning, my princess

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Almost. It's a big word for me. I feel it everywhere. Almost home. Almost happy. Almost changed. Almost, but not quite. Not yet. Soon, maybe.

— Joan Bauer; Almost Home

♡♡♡♡

We finally kissed.

This time, nothing interrupted us.

God, it still felt unreal.

Even the days after, we're still in hues of gray. Tyler was definitely chosen to be the Romeo of the play. I braved myself to kiss him sneakily after that, on the corner of a deserted hallway. It was our tenth kiss, perhaps - I don't know, I've sort of lost count - but every time our lips touch, I feel alive and excited and all over again.

What are we? I don't know. None of our friends seem to notice the smile and the glance we secretly exchange during lunch, or our holding hands beneath the table. It's as if the world still runs like it uses to, but I'm happier to know that our thing has developed into something.

Soon, the year is going to end. Tyler spent his Christmas in The Hamptons with his big family and of course, Elliot. Meanwhile, we had a festive dinner at a fancy restaurant. I gave him a red scarf, knitted by myself. Flo, Fio, and I enrolled ourselves to a knitting class and knitted the scarves for the boys. Safe to say, I wasn't born to knit. But I managed to finish it decently two days before Christmas and got it shipped to his Hamptons address. Little did I know, he sent me one too, and it definitely beats my mediocre handmade Christmas gift.

I got a Pandora bracelet from him. He filled the exquisite bracelet with aquamarine charms. Honestly, I've never had one. I really like the colors, they're blue like the ocean and crystal like his eyes. Does he know that I've been obsessed with his eyes? I hope not. I'll probably die in embarrassment if he knows.

What makes it extremely special are the violin charm and the piano charm. .  The love charm that hangs on the middle of our instruments. . And the special love letter beneath the box. The envelope is sealed with his waxed initial and his cursive handwriting of my name. The paper's texture feels so nice on the tip on my fingers, probably one of the expensive goods along with the wax itself. I think he wrote it with quill pen. I've seen them around in the library, but I never guess he would actually use it to write an exclusive love letter for me. The ink looks nicely carved on the paper, whispering his words to me.

To Ms. Chelsea Finley
155th Benjamin Street, Tribeca #150B
NY 10065

Hey Chello, Merry Christmas! I'm sorry I couldn't spend today with you, but I hope you receive my gift along with my letter. I know the bracelet would never replace the necklace you've been desperately looking for, but a man surely can hope.

I am in Hamptons now, sitting by the fireplace in Elliot's mansion. Everyone was here, including Kevin's soon-to-be fiancee, Erica. He just proposed yesterday and they kissed under the mistletoe. They made me thinking about you and me. Us.

I really miss you, I really do. I wish you're here by my side. The sight is breathtaking, but it doesn't matter when you're not here to see it with me. Until then, I have to be contented by seeing your lovely face from my phone's screen. I can't wait until I get back to Manhattan so I can kiss you under the mistletoe even though it's not Christmas anymore.

So please wait for me. I'll promise you a kiss that you won't ever forget.

Ps. You looked cute in your pink pajamas last night; and even ravishing in the red dress you wore on your family's Christmas dinner.