Michaels in Love (BoyXBoy) English

Chapter 16 - Season 1: The Secret Place

It was around 9:30 PM when Mike and I finally arrived back in Manila. I hadn't even realized I'd fallen asleep during the drive. I must have been completely drained from all the excitement of our date and the endless rides we enjoyed at Enchanted Kingdom.

I stirred awake when the car came to a stop in front of a brightly lit mini-stop convenience store. Blinking a few times, I noticed Mike glancing over at me, his face soft and filled with affection.

"Looks like my baby got tired," he teased gently. "What time do you have to be at work tomorrow?"

"2:00 PM," I murmured, still groggy.

"Do you want to come over to my place?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a playful edge. I caught the glint in his eyes and the way he bit his lip—just enough to send my heart racing.

I inhaled deeply, trying to steady myself. I could already guess what he was thinking, and the thought alone sent a shiver of anticipation through me. "Where's your place, Mike?" I asked, my voice soft, almost a whisper.

Mike reached over and took my hand in his, his palm warm against mine. "It's close by, baby. See that building over there?" He pointed through the car window toward a tall structure lit against the night sky.

"The one that looks like a condominium?" I asked, my throat dry.

He nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah. I have a secret place there. It's special, and you'd be the first person I've ever brought there. Even Liz doesn't know about it."

"Really?" My voice betrayed my curiosity and excitement.

"Come on, baby. You don't have work until the afternoon tomorrow. Just let your Uncle Jerry know you'll be out for a bit. I'll drop you off at home by 9:00 AM before I head to work."

I hesitated for a moment, but the way Mike looked at me—with those eyes that held both mischief and tenderness—made it impossible to say no. "Okay. I'll call Uncle Jerry to let him know," I said, giving in.

The grin that spread across Mike's face was enough to melt me completely. "My baby Michael," he said softly, "would you like some ice cream?"

I laughed lightly, the suggestion so simple yet endearing. "Sure, let's have some ice cream."

"What flavor do you want?" he asked, already unbuckling his seatbelt.

"Cookies and cream," I replied without hesitation. "It's my favorite."

"Perfect. I'll get mango for myself," he said with a smile. "Wait here, baby. Is there anything else you'd like?"

"No, baby. Just the ice cream. And of course, you," I said sweetly, my words carrying more weight than I intended.

Mike leaned in closer, his gaze locking onto mine. "I'm all yours, baby. I'll be right back. I love you."

"I love you too, Mike," I whispered, watching as he stepped out of the car.

Even as he walked away, my heart was full. There was something so effortlessly romantic about the night—the way he cared for me, the way he made me feel like I was the only person in his world. I leaned back against the seat, smiling to myself. This wasn't just love—it was something magical, something that felt like it could last forever.

Mike returned with three pints of ice cream—vanilla, mango, and cookies and cream. He also picked up bananas, ice cream cones, chocolate syrup, and nuts. My heart fluttered at the thought of us making banana splits together. Delicious, sure, but not as sweet as Mike himself. I couldn't help but grin at the thought.

As we pulled up to the towering building he called his "secret place," I couldn't help but marvel at its grandeur. We parked in the basement, and Mike led me to the elevator, pressing the button for the 18th floor. The ride up was silent except for the faint hum of the elevator, but my heart raced in anticipation.