After we arrive at Rian's house, I take a shower to wash the sweat off of my body. I step out of the shower, and I dry myself off quickly before changing into what I had on before practice. I step out of the bathroom, and I see Rian. He seems to be on the phone with someone, and he looks slightly upset.

"I don't know when I'll come up, but it'll definitely be soon." He says before running a hand through his hair.

I sit down with Bruno, and I softly pet him while Rian talks on the phone. As the conversation continues, his facial expression continues to droop, almost to the point where I can see tears forming in his eyes. After he told me about his father having cancer, I instantly sympathized for him. Knowing that a loved one is ill, especially with cancer of all things, isn't something easy to deal with. He deserves all of the love and support he can get right now.

"I'll have to take some days off work to come up to Sacramento." He says while nodding. "I love you too, bye."

He puts his phone in his pocket, and he lets out a sad sigh. He looks in my direction, and I can feel my heart sinking into my stomach. He looks so heart broken, and I just wish that I could squeeze away any pain that he's feeling right now.

"Who was that?" I ask, unable to hold my inquisitiveness inside.

"My mom," He says with a solemn expression on his face.

"You want to talk about it?" I ask, caressing his arm.

"Yeah, I do." He says and smiles at me.

We walk downstairs and relax on the couch, and I lay my head on his shoulder. I can slightly hear his heartbeat, and it's racing.

"My mother called again, and she wants to know when I'll visit. I don't know when I will, but I need to. Especially because of the news about my dad. I need to spend as much time as I can with him before it's his time." He explains.

"Yeah, that's understandable. My dad and I always thought that there would be this day where we'd say our goodbyes, but then he was gone. Just like that, out of my life. One of the worst things about this is that... I can't remember the last thing that we said to each other. It's been so long since it happened, and I keep trying to find it in the recesses of my mind, but I guess it isn't there. Death-," I choke up. "Death is on it's own clock."

"Alex, does the pain ever get easier with time?" He asks while playing with my hair.

"It doesn't really go away, it just gets more manageable. Some days I'm okay, and other days it just hits me that I'll never see him or hear his voice ever again." I explain, trying to swallow the lump in my throat.

"Alex, I'm so sorry." He says, and his eyes are sincere.

"It's okay, it's okay. Sometimes the memories actually make me smile." I say.

"It's just that-, my dad is everything to me. He's the man who raised me and taught me so many life lessons that I still use, and when he's gone, I'll feel a part of me go away too. I don't know if I'm going to be prepared even though I know what's going to happen to him." He explains.

Tears form in his eyes, and I see him try to blink them away, but it doesn't work. A tear falls down his sculpted face, and I wipe it away with my thumb, and he gives me a weak smile.

I pull him into a hug, and we seem to melt into each other. My sadness fades away as his warmth comforts me, and hopefully his sadness about his father is fading too. I don't want to break away from the embrace, in fact, I'd have no problem staying here for a while.

He pulls away from the hug, and he stares into my eyes.

"Do you know when you'll go to visit your family?" I ask.

"I don't know, probably next week or the week after. I'm so busy at the hospital, and I'm kind of a workaholic." He says.

"I think they'd understand if you told them why you need to take some time off. I mean, you just found out that your dad has cancer. If I had a job, I'd take time off too. Your family needs you there." I say.

"Thank you," He says gratefully.

"For what?" I ask, arching an eyebrow at him.

"Just being so understanding and listening to me." He says and kisses me.

"I never had anyone to talk to whenever I was upset. My older sister is in college, and my younger siblings just wouldn't really understand, so most of the time I just had to suck it up and deal with it on my own, or I'd confide in Xiu and Savannah. I want to be that person that someone can trust enough to confide in whenever they have issues." I explain, and I look at my twiddling fingers.

"Alexandrianna?" He says in a surprised tone, and I smirk.

"Yes?" I ask.

"I think that your father would be proud." He says, and I smile.

"I think so, too." I say, and I can imagine my father smiling at me.

He puts his hand on top of mine, and I look back at him. He leans in and kisses me again, and I feel myself wanting more. I put more force into the kiss, like I'm trying to fuse our mouths together permanently, and I can feel his lips turning into a smile. His hands slowly move up my waist, and I can feel my heart taking off.

I'm surprised at how these feelings and this passion is so easy for me to show, because after Austin left me heartbroken, I thought I'd never be able to trust or love a guy.

I pull my lips away from his, and his eyes are still closed and he leans in, expecting another kiss. I give him a quick peck before smiling at him again.

"What can I do to take your mind off of things, Rian?" I ask while placing my hands on his shoulders.

"Let's go on a date," He says optimistically. "Right now."

"A date?" I say, slightly hesitant.

"Or not! If it's too soon-," He says, but I interrupt him.

"No, no! It's fine, it's just been a while since I've been on one." I say.

"It's fine, and where would you like to go?" He asks very politely.

"Anywhere is fine," I say and shrug nonchalantly.

Rian looks up for a second, and I can tell that he's thinking something. His face lights up, and he smiles brightly.

"I know the perfect place to take you, Alex. It'll be a surprise. Dress nice." He says.

I run up the stairs, and I quickly look through my clothes to try and find something that's suitable for our date. I probably would've just said "Fuck it, I'm wearing sweatpants." I almost gave up after aimlessly searching.

What am I going to wear?

How should I do my hair?

Should I wear heels?

I finally found a short red dress that was lace, and form fitting. After I put the dress on, I stare at myself in the mirror. It hugs my body perfectly, like it was painted on my body. I start searching for the perfect jewelry next, and I just go with a simple pair of stud earrings. I find myself contemplating on wearing flats, but my heels match the dress better.

God, how am I going to do my makeup?

I stand in front of the mirror in the bathroom, searching YouTube for videos on how to contour, and how to achieve the perfect winged eyeliner. My hands tremble as I reach for my foundation bottle. My breathing becomes audible, and raspy.

I try to subside my anxiousness by putting on some music, and I sing while I apply my eyeshadow. After achieving my perfect look, I straighten my hair and I do several checks of myself in the mirror. I can barely even walk because my legs are shaking with every step I take. I finally manage to walk down the stairs, and I see Rian.

He wears a white button up shirt with a black jacket and suit pants. He's fixing his hair, while Bruno is attached to his leg. He looks over and he gapes at me.

"Is it too much? I can go change if-," I start, but he comes over and kisses me, holding my face in his hands.

"You look stunning, Alexandrianna." He says, and a shiver runs through my spine.

"Thank you," I say, my voice unsteady and shaking. "You look really nice, too."

"Thank you," he says, and I can hear a faint wobbling in his deep voice.

"Why am I so nervous?" I suddenly blurt out.

"I was just about to say the same thing!" He exclaims, and takes a relieved breath.

"I'm kind of freaking out right now, are you?" I ask, and a trembling laugh escapes my mouth.

"Yes, Alex. You make me nervous." He states bluntly.

"I do? I'm an earthquake over here!" I laugh.

He laughs too, and we both shake the jitters out of our bodies before we walk out to his car. Acquainted by The Weeknd plays in his car, and I feel my body heat up every time a certain part plays.

Think I fell for you, I fell for you, I fell for you

To say that we're in love is dangerous, but girl I'm so glad we're acquainted

I get you touchin' on your body...

I'll keep on touchin' on your body...

After the drive, we pull up to an extortionate looking Japanese restaurant, and I can hear the indistinct chatter of people talking and laughing. We both walk inside, and are greeted by an attractive man.

"How many?" He asks politely and giving us a smile.

"Two." We both say simultaneously.

The man picks up two menus, and we both follow him to our table.

"Have a seat." Rian says, and he pulls the chair out for me.

My eyes widen in surprise, and I smile at him before sitting down.

"Wow, thank you. You definitely don't lack in the manners department." I say appreciatively.

"That was one of the first things my parents taught me. Common respect and manners, especially how to treat women. My parents would lose it if I wasn't following their lessons." He explains, and I smile.

"I like that." I say and wink at him.

His cheeks redden as he smiles at me, and I smile back.

"I want to know more about you, Alex." Rian says while putting down the menu.

"Already decided what you want to order?" I ask, because I'm struggling to decide with the numerous amount of food to choose from.

"I come here a lot, and I have a usual. Now, back to you. What's your favorite color?" He asks, and I smirk.

"Pink, what's yours?" I ask, genuinely interested.

"Black. Favorite singer?"

"Oh, God. I have so many it's hard to pick. The Weeknd is my most recent obsession, though. I'm also a fan of Lady Gaga, Adele, Rihanna, Nicki, Beyoncé, I could go on." I ramble.

"You have great taste in music, Alex. I'm a fan of some, but not all of the people you just named. What's your favorite book?"

"Divergent series." I say, and his eyes light up.

"Those books are amazing! Which one was your favorite?" He asks excitedly.

"Probably Divergent, don't get me wrong, Insurgent and Allegiant were good too. The ending of the last one made me cry." I say, and he smiles.

"I'm still not emotionally stable after that ending." He says and we both laugh together.

"Okay, now you ask me." He says, and leans back in his chair.

"Do you have any tattoos?" I ask.

"No, but I do plan on getting one of the names of my parents."

"What're their names?" I ask.

"Emmanuelle and Daniel." He says.

"I love that name, Emmanuelle, it's so pretty." I say.

"The name fits her perfectly. My mother is aging well, and people always tell her how beautiful she is, and I definitely agree."

I smile at the way he talks about his mom. I wish I could say the same about mine.

"Anymore questions?" He asks while quirking his flawless eyebrow.

"Umm...oh! If reincarnation exists, who would you come back as?" I ask.

"Excellent question," He comments. I can tell that he's thinking hard by that cute look of incertitude on his handsome face. "I'd come back as you, so I could date myself."

I roll my eyes and let out a snort.

"I can't believe that you just said that." I say, and I can't fight the smirk off of my face.

"You can't deny that I'm a hunk, Alexandrianna." He says, playfully fixing his tie.

"You're such an ass, Rian." I say while shaking my head, and I can hear him dying of laughter.

A see a pretty young woman with perfectly straightened black hair walk to our table, and I try to compose myself quickly so I can order.

"Konnichiwa! Konbawa, I'll be your waitress! My name is Azumi, what would you like to order?" She asks happily.

I love how polite they are.

"I'll have my usual, the Iron Chef Combo. For my drink I'll have some water." Rian says politely.

"I'll have the Tuna Sliders, and I'll have water." I say and smile at Azumi.

She takes our menus, and I see her disappear into the back of the restaurant. While we wait, Rian and I still continue to discover more about each other, and I think I'm falling even harder than I have already.

"You still have the scar from when you dislocated your elbow when you were fifteen?" I ask in amazement.

He rolls up his sleeve, and I see a dark spot on his tanned skin, and I wince.

"That must've been painful, but hey, I experienced it too. Except in my knee." I say.

We see Azumi again, and she has our food in her hands. She gently places the plate on the table and then bows before waking off. I take out my phone and take a picture before I have to destroy the gorgeousness of the plate of food.

We both devour the sushi, and we both continue sharing stories and memories we've had in our lives.

I was nervous for nothing, because this is going perfectly.

We order dessert, and I got the Tempura ice cream, and Rian ordered the Mochi ice cream.

"That looks so good, can I try some?" I ask while staring not hungrily at his plate.

He takes some on a spoon, and he holds it out, and I eat it off of the spoon, licking my pillowy lips afterwards.

The look in his crystal clear eyes is longing, aching for something. His cheeks are red, and he bites his thick lower lip before licking his lips.

I feel that same thing that his eyes show.

Desire, lust.

"You full?" He asks after we've finished our dessert.

"I couldn't eat one more bite." I say while holding my stomach.

After paying the bill, Rian takes my hand, and we both walk to his car before driving back to his flat.

Tonight was perfect, and I don't think I could've asked for anything better.