I was tightly clutching the bouquet of purple tulips in my hands as I leaned against my bike. As I stood outside Atlas's huge house, I contemplated whether to give him these flowers or if it was a lame idea. Biting my lip in deep concentration, I tried to come up with a quick decision. Thinking it through, I went with the former one.

Director Hale had suggested that before she departed to New York, she wished to have a look at my paintings. She was gobsmacked when I showed her my works. I must say that I was flattered beyond imagination because her compliments were genuine.

After she'd left, I roamed around the town to go on a gift hunt when I stumbled across a cute and amiable flower shop. Giving flowers could be a very unoriginal way to thank someone but I'd still say that it's the best way too. 

The other reason might be because my brain never seems to cooperate with me when I need it the most. It just comes up with an empty search. And since I was contacted by a world renowned art institution, Atlas deserved more than my gratitude. It's because of him that everything is coming true, things are being possible for me.

Which is why, here I was, standing in front of his house and biting my nails anxiously. "Here goes nothing," I mumbled to myself.

Taking deep breaths in, I walked up to his porch steps and put my hand on the doorbell but not actually ringing it. 'Do it, do it, do it, do it,' were the words playing in my head. And so I did. By accidentally applying too much force.

I quickly hid the bouquet behind me and rocked back and forth on my heels. I had everything planned out in my head like a chain. 'I will give him the flowers, say thank you, show him my gratitude and get lost. Yep, that's it. Very easy. But guess what? It is not.' 

My nerves didn't seem to understand my pep talk and rebelled against it by heightening their presence.

The door flung open and I saw Atlas looking at me with a confused expression. 'Expected,' I thought. Smiling widely, I waved at him like a maniac. 

He was in his sweatpants and a t-shirt like the last time. His hair was standing in all directions though he still managed to look handsome. I smacked my head internally and blinked my eyes to come out of my daze.

"Hey, there," I chirped with a huge grin.

"Hi. I didn't expect to see you," he said awkwardly, gesturing towards his attire and laughed shyly.

"You still look good," I told him and realized how stupid I sounded. 'Geez, Aria.' If I were in his shoes, I am sure I'd have resembled a stray human.

He just chuckled. "Come on in," he said, making way for me to enter. 

He led me towards his living room before leaning against the arm of a couch. Folding his arms, he stared at me expectantly. 

Copying his actions, I stood opposite him to hide the flowers, trying my very best to not seem so obvious.

Thankfully, he didn't seem to notice it and asked me, "So… what brings you here?"

"Um, I just wanted to, uh… actually thank you?" I spoke nervously and berated myself when it came out as a question.

"All right? Okay. What for? And are you hiding something? Behind you?" His tone was skeptical but he looked really cute as he tried to get a glimpse behind me.

"Oh, well yes. Here." I extended my arms and held out the bouquet to him. 

He was taken aback after seeing the purple tulips and I saw a faint blush coating his cheeks. It was unobtrusive, making me squint my eyes. 

"And thanks! I mean, it's because of you that I am offered - not a job exactly - but I am asked to work for the biggest art institution. If it hadn't been for you, putting up my painting for the auction that day then I don't think I'd be standing here giving you this best news." I beamed.

His eyes widened and a beautiful smile graced his features automatically. "Woah, seriously?" He asked me and I could see the pride shining in his eyes. 

My heart was beating erratically inside my chest while my stomach was doing those weird somersaults. "Yep, seriously. All thanks to you, boss." I giggled and shoved my hands in my pockets. 

"But I don't think I deserve all the credits you're giving me here. It's actually your determination, you know," he replied with a soft gleam in his eyes.

"Without you? No. Truth be said, I didn't even have any determination," I argued. He was about to say something, probably to contradict my point but decided against it. "Thank you," I whispered again. "You... it... it means a lot to me." 

He smiled at me gently. It was different, this smile because the crinkles around his eyes were more prominent. I've seen him smiling but this, this was like he was genuinely happy. "You don't have to thank me, really. I am proud of you beyond measures. I know that you're gonna go a long way and that you will climb the stairs of your dreams. I just know that you'll reach that peak soon."

The philosophical side of him was... 'adoring' to put it modestly. Nothing could ever come close to the happiness I was feeling right now. It was because of that exact happiness, something snapped inside of me.

I couldn't tell what got into me. I don't know if it was the high feeling of being overly enthused for something or if it was the way he was smiling and passing encouraging words to me. Or if it's been some weeks since we've been friends and had no physical contact excluding the hands holding and a peck on my cheek and forehead. I really was clueless.

So I jogged a few steps to stand directly in front of him and hugged him. Tightly. He was caught off guard by my actions and grunted an "oof."

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I rested my head against his chest. I could smell his amazing scent because of our close proximity. I buried my face deeper in his chest and tightened my arms even more if that was even possible. "I'm glad that you're proud of me."

"Aria..."

Reluctantly, he wounded his arms around my waist. His embrace was awkward while mine was confident. A few seconds must have passed before I broke the hug and looked him in the eyes. 

My smile was so huge that I thought it might even blind him. But what I saw in his tender gaze was not even remotely close to contempt or irritation like I'd expected. They were twinkling. 

Up close, I could see the blue in his eyes clearly. It was so rich, so dark and so entrancing. There were light and tiny freckles sprinkled around his sharp nose.

My eyes moved downwards toward his lips. They were… pulling me in. Very... kissable. There, I admitted it. I could feel my face getting all hot. "You're so handsome," I whispered, my arms still dangling around his neck and his around my waist.

To say that he was stumped would be an understatement. The repercussions of my actions would make me cringe once I'd come out of this whatever spell I was under. Right now, I didn't care what they would lead to. I wanted this. So, without thinking, I leaned forward and saw Atlas's eyes widened in surprise.

There was this flick, tiny flick, teeny weeny flick inside of me that actually brought me out of my trance but before I could pull away, Atlas came closer to me and gently pecked me on my lips. My entire body went rigid but I soon relaxed and closed my eyes.

He tightened his arms around me while I did the same. Our kiss was platonic because it didn't involve our tongues. However just when I thought that it was platonic, he bit my lip seeking for an entrance. I parted my lips, trembling and he slid his tongue in my mouth without any delay. 

This feeling was out of the world feeling, like I couldn't even describe it. Otherworldly, if I might say so. 

The butterflies in my stomach were nothing compared to the giddy sensation I was feeling. Like I was floating. Like the world had disappeared. It's just him and I. It was that good. Indescribable. 

The kiss was soft and slow and gentle. It was beautiful, very beautiful. After what felt like ages, we pulled apart. I could hear nothing except for our ragged breathing. For sure, I had kissed Aiden but nothing could beat this kiss I shared with Atlas. Who was I even kidding? Atlas didn't even need to be compared to Aiden. He sure as hell could kiss.

"This... this... I don't know what..." I whispered breathlessly. I was in a daze that I didn't wish to come out of.

He released a breathy chuckle. It was then that I understood what I had done. I blushed furiously and took a step back. 

I suddenly started feeling hot and a smile was beginning to creep onto my lips. I clasped my hands behind my back and stared at my feet intently, fearing that if I looked in his eyes, I would see repulsion.

"Aria," he called out my name with such softness that I couldn't bring myself to not glance at him. He gave me an earnest smile and I could see an imperceptible red dust on his cheeks too.

I scratched my head nervously and muttered, "I think I should go." I guess I saw the disappointment in his eyes but he quickly masked it with yet another grin. 

I could tell that he wanted to say something but held himself back. I resisted myself from smiling and laughing like a creep in front of him.

And just when I was turning around, I saw a picture on the coffee table. It was the same picture. The same picture of an unknown, beautiful brunette and Atlas smiling at her with content. A pang of hurt squeezed my heart but I ignored it and hastily made my way towards the main door. 

I kept telling myself that she meant nothing to him, that maybe, just maybe she was a cousin or something just so I could be in peace. But the rational part of me knew that there is something deep between them both and that this kiss was nothing more than a mistake to him. 

A tear rolled down my cheek and just like that I was forlorn within seconds. 'Is this how a true heartbreak feels like? No, it doesn't. I'm just overreacting. That's it. Yes, I am overreacting.' I tried to assure myself but in no vain.