Always, Lily

▫️ Twenty five

LILITH

"How do I look?" I asked Enzo when I was done getting ready.

He had been watching me the whole time since I sat in front of my dressing table.

"You're always beautiful," he replied with a small smile as he stood straighter, away from the door frame he'd been leaning on.

I smiled, while meeting his eyes through the mirror.

Always. He'd said that before, many times than I could count actually, and each time, my heart swooned when he passed me that loving gaze.

I adjusted my hair one last time and just as I was picking up my purse, Enzo hugged my back, his arms crossing over my upper chest.

"Shouldn't we be leaving now?" I asked, when seconds passed and he didn't lift his head from my shoulder.

Today was Friday, the day when I was supposed to meet his friends; Reece, Clarissa and their other two friends.

I was obviously excited for this. I had prepared since last weekend; going shopping and buying what I felt would be a suitable gift.

During that period, Enzo and I had stayed together so that I could easily monitor the progress of his wound.

Despite my constant plea, he had totally refused going to hospital for a quick check-up. I couldn't convince him about reporting his case to the police either.

Sometimes I felt like he was afraid of going there but that didn't even make sense. He was the victim.

Enzo eventually lifted his head and gave me a full smile. "I just needed a hug."

"Everything is okay?" I asked while standing up, assessing his eyes for any issue.

"Yeah," he kissed me before I could figure out what was wrong. It was brief at first but when he started to explore further, I slightly pushed his chest.

I didn't want to ruin the effort I'd put in while doing my makeup. Enzo didn't seem to agree, his frown growing.

"We'll be late if we..." I tried to explain what I meant through gestures but with Enzo's rigid face, it seemed I was talking to myself.

On my toes, I softly touched his face and began to caress his growing stubble. His eyes softened immediately and I smiled, knowing I got him there.

He met my eyes for a second before looking away, as he mumbled, "You didn't call me darling, yesterday and today."

Huh. I tried to turn his face towards me, but he seemed adamant on looking the other way, though I saw his cheeks flush.

"Darling?"

He pursed his lips together as if to suppress a smile, his eyes darting on the floor of my room before he looked at me.

"Can we now leave, my darling?" A full boyish smile formed on his face, his cheerful self already back.

"You forgot this?" He asked, while pulling out lip gloss from his left pant pocket.

"You carry that all the time?" He nodded right away, like it wasn't even embarrassing.

"I know you'll start looking for it during the day." He explained, while applying a bit of the strawberry lipgloss on me.

It was the flavor I was wearing during our first kiss and he seemed to like it the most.

"All set." He stepped back after he was done, quietly whispering, "Let's go before I kiss you again."

I smiled while picking up my purse and rushed to meet him at the door where he'd moved to.