Secret Admirer

36. Ferris wheel

The lively buzz of the fair filled the air as Ciro watched Kayu from across the small table. 

Kayu was eating with gusto, savoring every bite of his bowl of khanom jeen nam ngiaw, a rich and flavorful noodle dish. The bowl was generously loaded with tender chunks of meat and fresh vegetables, and Kayu seemed entirely focused on finishing it.

Ciro couldn't help but smile. 

Kayu wasn't usually such an enthusiastic eater; in fact, his appetite had been poor for weeks, likely due to all the stress he had been under. But now, with everything finally sorted between them, it seemed as though Kayu's body had realized just how hungry it was.

Kayu paused mid-bite when he noticed the way Ciro was staring at him. His cheeks flushed slightly as he lowered his spoon and asked, "What are you looking at?"

Ciro chuckled softly, reaching for a napkin. Leaning forward, he dabbed at a small spot of curry on Kayu's cheek with a tenderness that made Kayu's ears turn red.

"You are adorable," Ciro said, his voice warm and teasing.

Kayu froze, his cheeks flaming as he quickly turned his attention back to his bowl, hiding his face behind the rim. 

He wasn't used to this side of Ciro—the romantic, almost doting side. It was so different from the stern, composed boss he had known at work. And yet, deep down, he loved the attention.

Ciro leaned back in his chair, watching Kayu with a soft smile. Bringing him here had been the right decision. The little diner was tucked away in the heart of the fair, its reputation spread mostly through word of mouth. 

Yen had mentioned it earlier that evening when she passed by with her boyfriend, raving about their noodle dishes. 

Knowing Kayu's love for noodles, Ciro had decided to bring him here—and judging by the way Kayu devoured his food, it had been a great choice.

When Kayu finished the last bite, he set down his spoon with a contented sigh, leaning back slightly in his chair.

"Kayu," Ciro said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence. "Give me your hand."

Kayu blinked at him, confused, but slowly extended his hand across the table.

Ciro reached into his pocket and pulled out the bracelet from earlier that evening. Carefully, he slid it onto Kayu's wrist, adjusting it so it fit snugly. Then, without warning, he lifted Kayu's hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss against the back of it.

Kayu gasped, his face instantly turning crimson. He yanked his hand back, glancing around to see if anyone had noticed. "What are you doing?" he hissed, his voice both flustered and scolding.

Ciro only laughed, thoroughly amused by Kayu's reaction. "What? I can't show my sweetheart some affection?"

Kayu huffed, his lips twitching as if he was about to say something else, but instead, he pushed his chair back and stood. "I am leaving," he announced, walking out of the diner in mock anger.

Ciro chuckled, tossing a few bills onto the table before quickly following him. It didn't take long to catch up; despite his "angry" pace, Kayu had slowed down, and Ciro gently grabbed his wrist.

Kayu didn't pull away. Instead, he let his hand slip into Ciro's, his grip tentative but warm.

 Together, they strolled through the crowded fair, their intertwined hands swinging slightly between them.

Ciro couldn't stop smiling, and neither could Kayu. They looked like teenagers caught in the giddy rush of first love, their faces glowing with happiness.

In his other hand, Kayu held the teddy bear that Ciro had won for him earlier that evening. It was a small, fluffy thing, and Kayu held it tightly, as if it was a treasured gift. 

For a moment, the noise and chaos of the fair faded into the background. In the midst of the crowd, with Ciro by his side, Kayu felt a sense of peace he hadn't experienced in years.

As they reached the center of the fair, Kayu turned to Ciro, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What do we do next?"

Ciro raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Is there something you want to do?"

Kayu shook his head. "Not really. I just wanted to see what all the hype was about. I didn't have any specific plans."

Ciro glanced around thoughtfully, his gaze landing on the giant Ferris wheel in the distance. The colorful lights decorating its structure twinkled against the dark sky, and he smiled as an idea formed.

"How about we ride the Ferris wheel?" he suggested, turning back to Kayu.

Kayu hesitated, looking unsure. "But we just ate... What if we feel sick?"

Ciro laughed, reaching out to ruffle Kayu's hair. "That's exactly why I picked the Ferris wheel. It's slow, remember? It's not like one of those spinning rides."

Kayu pouted, crossing his arms. "I know that. I was just testing if you knew."

Ciro chuckled again, finding Kayu's stubbornness endearing. "Sure, sure. Come on."

He led Kayu to the Ferris wheel, quickly purchasing tickets for the two of them. The line was short, and within minutes, they were seated in a small cabin, the door closing securely behind them.

As the Ferris wheel began to move, Kayu leaned forward, pressing his hands against the glass. The view was breathtaking—the fairgrounds glittered below them, a sea of lights and colors. Beyond that, the quiet neighborhoods stretched out, their warm, golden lights dotting the horizon.

"Look at that!" Kayu said excitedly, motioning for Ciro to look outside.

Ciro, however, only had eyes for Kayu. The way the lights illuminated his face, the way his eyes sparkled with wonder—it was a sight Ciro would never grow tired of.

As their cabin climbed higher, the world below grew smaller, and the night sky seemed closer than ever. Just as they reached the top, a loud boom echoed through the air, and the first firework burst into the sky.

Kayu gasped in delight, his hands pressed against the glass as he watched the brilliant display. Fireworks of every color lit up the darkness, their reflections shimmering on the glass around them.

"Beautiful," Kayu whispered, completely mesmerized.

Ciro leaned closer, his voice soft. "It's said that couples who kiss at the top of a Ferris wheel become inseparable."

Kayu turned to him, his breath catching as he realized just how close Ciro was. "Can I?" Ciro asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kayu's cheeks flushed, but he nodded. Slowly, their faces inched closer until their lips met in a gentle, tender kiss. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth of each other's presence and the soft crackle of fireworks in the distance.

When they pulled apart, both were flushed, their hearts pounding. It was their first kiss since confessing their feelings, and it felt perfect.

Ciro smiled, brushing a strand of hair from Kayu's face. "Kayu, will you be my boyfriend?"

Kayu nodded slowly, his eyes glistening with emotion.

A particularly large firework burst outside, drawing Kayu's attention back to the window. Taking the opportunity, Ciro leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Kayu's cheek.

Kayu turned back to him, his hand flying to his cheek as he glared at Ciro in mock resentment. "What are you doing?"

Ciro grinned, leaning back casually as if nothing had happened. "Just enjoying the view."

Kayu huffed, but the small smile tugging at his lips betrayed him.

As the Ferris wheel descended, they sat in comfortable silence, their hands finding each other's again. The night felt magical, as if it belonged only to them.