While whoever it was entered from one side of the kitchen, I pulled Elric with me and we ran out from the other side. The plan was to run to my room but suddenly I could hear the slippers moving again.

The water tap started running.

Elric used that chance and opened the veranda door and pulled us outside as fast as he could. He closed it silently and we hid there behind the wall.

My heart was beating so loud and I was barely holding in my breath, trying not to breathe loudly.

I peeked and saw Kai ambling from the kitchen in the living room.

It was freezing outside. My body was shaking and my teeth were chattering. Elric pulled me closer to his body, to keep me warm.

Kai suddenly sat down in the living room, chilling on the couch.

Oh ma god. He's sitting there. I mouthed to Elric.

"What are we going to do?" Elric whispered.

I pulled out my phone from my back pocket and texted Remi.

Kai is in the living room. I'm hiding outside in the garden with Elric. Need help distracting him!

I just prayed Remi had not fallen asleep in the meantime.

Suddenly I heard a door close and I saw Remi making her way to the living room.

She subtly looked outside and saw me. She glanced down at Kai before he could notice anything. "Hey."

He put his phone down, shocked. "Hey."

"I couldn't sleep." She pulled her sleeves down nervously. "Mind if I keep you company?"

Kai gestured for her to sit. Remi sat down smiling. She stayed there staring at him lovingly.

Oh no. I was freezing outside and she seemed to forget why she was there in the first place.

Elric rubbed my back to keep me warm. I tried to signal to Remi that I was there.

Remi wanted to say something and she saw me trying to wave to her to go to the kitchen.

She finally snapped back to reality. She stood up.

"Um Kai..do you want to make some coffee with me? In the kitchen."

"Oh, Okay.." He got up and followed her.

I waited until they turned on the loud coffee machine and Elric and I slipped back inside and ran to my room as silently as we could.

I closed the door behind us and instantly Elric and I started shaking. We were freezing.

"I can't believe we almost got caught." Elric took my blanket and wrapped us both in it.

My heart was still jumping and my stomach was still turning from anxiety.

"Oh no, the bracelet." I panicked.

"I got it here. I just left the empty box. " Elric said and pulled out the bracelet from his pocket. He put it on his left wrist.

"It looks nice." I smiled.

"Should I wait here until Remi comes back?" He asked.

"I think that's a really good idea." I nodded. Once Remi was back she could tell us if Kai is still there or not. I don't want another jump scare.

This was starting to get out of hand.

Elric glanced at the bed and then took back steps until we reached my bed and fell on it.

We covered ourselves with one more blanket and cuddled.

"I'm still cold." He chuckled.

"Me too." I cuddled closer to him and intertwined our legs.

He started brushing my hair back. Slowly and gently. I relaxed completely in his arms. It felt like I was laying on clouds. Next thing I know I was falling asleep.

***

I was watching Remi take a sip from the coffee so deliciously. I can't believe this was happening. A real opportunity to be alone with her was finally presented to me. This was my lucky break.

But also very unlucky because I did not plan for this. Is this really the time to tell her I like her?

I started sweating. Why was the heating up so much?

I held my own warm mug in my hands. I took a sip and then brought the mug down on the counter.

"So?" She smiled trying to think of a conversation to end this horrible awkward silence.

I cleared my throat. "I couldn't sleep either."

She nodded. "Oh... Well I figured as much. "

Probably not the best conversation starter. Okay let's start that over.

"Wow It's a beautiful Christmas morning outside. " She looked at the window behind me.

I placed my mug down. "right.. umm.."

"Hm?" She waited to see what I was going to say.

I opened his mouth and closed it.

Come on man. Spit some words out.

"I'm sorry you couldn't be here yesterday. You missed the um..the Italian thing." I somehow coughed it out.

She sighed. "Oh man. I really wanted to see it in action again."

"Yeah."

Why did that matter?

What was I doing? This would be a great opportunity to ask her out.

Just say it. Say you like her.

I opened my mouth and closed it. Deep breaths.

Aaaand...

"Did you have fun last night? Playing monopoly?" I said breathlessly.

Why do I keep shooting myself in the leg like this?

She smiled. "Oh tons. I like your style of playing. Total wreckage. Crush the enemy's will to go on."

"Really?" I said without thinking.

"Yeah." She flashed me a bright dimpled smile.

Her smile is so sexy.

" But I wouldn't want to ever play against you." She laughed.

"I will never play against you." I replied seriously. I will never ever play against her. She's either on my team or I'm not playing.

She sighed in relief. "That's comforting. I would rather be on your team."

Me too.I was just thinking that. Okay we're on the same page. This was meant to be.

I took a deep breath. " Remi I.."

Nope. I can't do this.

My heart was beating too damn loud I couldn't even hear myself talking.

Damn it.

I slammed my hand down on the counter. "Perhaps you're hungry?"

"No.." She shook her head confused.

Get it together man. Have some balls. You know she likes you. Just say it. You practiced this. You went over it a million times in your head. You planned this for the perfect opportunity and this is it.

Why is it that you're good at anything except telling the girl you like the truth?

"Kai?" She was waiting. "Am I bothering you? Maybe you wanted time alone and I.."

"No I just.."

"Because I can leave.." She continued..

"No I.."

"It's pretty early and I know you don't like talking in the morning. Oh no, did I ruin.."

I raised a finger for her to stop talking. "No no. Wait.Just wait. Please.." I took a sip of the coffee. I placed the mug back down and let out a long sigh.

"I like you." Just like that it was out. .

She stared at me in shock.

I stared back. My hands were sweating and I wondered how I can wipe them without ruining this moment?

Why wasn't she saying anything?

I gathered my courage again. "I've liked you for a while now."

She gulped. "How much is a while?"

"6 years."

Suddenly her hand tapped on the counter without breaking eye contact with me and she reached for her mug. She raised it, took a sip and brought it back down.

"I like you too."

As the words left her lips my heart dropped a heavy weight.

Suddenly I felt like I got air again. I could talk.

"I know." I took a step closer. "I accidentally overheard when you told Francy."

Her face froze in shock.

"Oh my god." She covered her mouth. "Oh god.Oh no.no no no ." She covered her whole face embarrassed. "How much did you hear? Oh no! Don't tell me. I don't wanna know." She wriggled in place, freaking out. "Oh no. Now I have to move to China."

I didn't want her to run to China so I approached her smiling. "It's not as embarrassing as me hearing this after six year of being clueless..." I paused. "When I spent years trying to hide I like you, avoiding any contact because I was sure you'd be able to tell how I feel and it turns out I was right..."

"Stop stop stop." She covered my mouth with her hands. "I started suspecting you might like me back but that you have a six year crush..I was not expecting that. Are you sure?"

I gently brought her hands down so I could talk. Her hands were so warm.

"I like you way more than you like me." I said. "And longer. So um.. I know that maybe I might be a bit too forward now, but would like me to take you on a date sometime? If you want."

She bit her lips nervously. "Too forward? No, this is just right. I mean uh.. yes.. I would like that."

I pressed my lips together. Right. Um...

"When did you start liking me?" She asked breathlessly.

Oh god. "Umm I'll tell you another time. But can I be honest with something else.. I really want to say this.. I want to say that I'm glad you told Francy and I had the chance to hear it because I doubt I would have told you anything until I heard that you like me."

"Why?" She asked innocently. "Is it because I'm Francy's best friend?"

"I just thought um..you would um. reject me."

She bit her lower lip. "But I like you..I really like you." She covered her mouth and she suddenly laughed. "Sorry I'm just so nervous. I did not expect this to happen like this. Right now.."

Shit.

"Oh no. Did I ruin this?"I ran my fingers through my hair. Oh no. I totally ruined this. I grabbed her hands again. "Let me fix this. I'll do it over."

She released her hands from my grip, put them on my shoulders and came up on her toes...

it happened in a second. She closed her eyes and kissed me. Her lips touched mine.

The texture of her lips surprised me. They were so soft. It was a unique way of touching I've never felt before. My mind rushed analyzing that.

She pulled away embarrassed. My heart was beating really strong, even stronger now that I was looking at her.

"Oh no. I shouldn't have surprised you like that." She panicked and started murmuring something about girls not supposed to be doing that first, but I just wanted to kiss her again.

What happened next was instinct.

I put my arms on each side of the counter and leaned over.

This time I closed my eyes.

Our lips touched again. Her body was slightly shaking unlike before, but the longer I stayed like that the more relaxed she became.

My pulse was over the charts. I never wanted this moment to end.

Eventually I pulled away to take a look at her. She opened her eyes half way and then looked up at me.

My heart was beating so loud I was sure she could hear it.

Her arms found themselves around my neck and she pulled me closer, a bit unsure. Her lips were so warm as she put them over mine.

I raised my arm, and brushed her hair back holding her neck. Her lips tasted so sweet from the coffee.

I glided my lips over hers and somehow got lost in that kiss.

She eventually pulled away for air and smiled over my lips.

I smiled back. "What?"

She shrugged, still smiling.

She's so damn beautiful. I reached for her hand uncertain, and tried to intertwine our fingers. She closed the gap between our fingers and tightened her grip on my hand.

That calmed me down.

I locked my eyes on hers. She closed her eyes again waiting for a kiss. My kiss.

My heart started beating really loud again. I leaned forward and kissed her.

Her nose slightly brushed against mine as we turned our heads. I could feel her breathing pace as she was pressed close to me. This was right..so so right...

***

When we opened our eyes I was unaware of the time that had passed. I turned around and saw the clock on the wall signifying 7:30.

We had been kissing for hours. Her head was on my shoulder and she was nuzzled in my neck as I held her.

Was I dreaming? Why did all of this feel like a dream? But it wasn't...I was so happy I could die.

I knew it would be best to let her go to sleep but I was scared that if I let her go now, she would change her mind.

But she wasn't saying anything either. Someone had to say it.

"Remi.."

"Mmm?" She answered sleepily.

"Let's meet again in a few hours and tell everyone we're dating. Wait.. we're dating right?"

She finally pulled away and nodded her head. "Well um.. I hope we are.Are we? Is that how it goes?"

I shrugged. "I don't know.But if you're asking me I want to call you my girlfriend in front of everyone."

She smiled. "Me too. But maybe we should hold off telling everyone. Isn't that too rushed?"

I shook my head. "No. If we're dating. I'm not hiding it. When everyone wakes up I want to tell them the great news. Don't tell Francy either. We'll do it together. Can you do that for me?"

"Sure" She smiled and took my hand. "Come on. Walk me to my room before we say bye."

I followed her along smiling.

I heard the door squeak and instantly opened my eyes. Remi was tip-toeing in and closing the door as silently as she could.

The moment she saw me she panicked a bit and then tried to suffocate a laugh.

Francy was asleep in my arms. Apparently we were asleep for way more than five minutes.. I gently pulled away from her and rolled off the bed. Remi was beaming with happiness; she didn't even care.

I gave her an understanding nod and she saluted me as I went out.

Those girls were hilarious. I wonder what was that reaction? Did something happened with Kai? Nah..

I carefully threaded back to my room without anyone hearing a squeak in the floor. I jumped back on the bed tugging the heavy cover over me.

I raised my arm and stared at the bracelet Francy gave me. I unhooked it from my wrist and turned it over.

My fingers brushed over the glanced out engraving.

Great now, bound to become magnificent.

Damn.. those words were really doing something. My chest felt heavy every time I read it.

Who was I kidding? Magnificent..Heck.I couldn't even go and figure things out with my dad, nor tell Ace I was dating his sister.

I twirled the bracelet between my fingers.

I miss my mom and I miss the holidays with them. But I hate what my dad did and I want to prove him wrong too.

Suddenly I could hear Francy's words ringing in my ear.

Show up at their door on Christmas and be mature enough to tell them you want to spend time with family even though you're independent.

My chest started filling up with anxiety. Was I able to go over my ego and just show up like that?

Can I survive the pain of them shutting the door on me if I show up?

My heart was beating faster and faster.

What if I tell Ace and he wants to beat me up for dating his sister? Can I go back to how it was before our friendship? Before we made those big plans to take over the gaming industry together?

Was I a coward after all?

I took a look at the bracelet again. ....Bound to become magnificent..

I put the bracelet back on my wrist and sighed. Guess now I had to gather the courage and try to become magnificent.