We snuggled closer to each other, watching the bustling city into the distance in the quiet serenity. We had our backs supported by the end of the cargo bed and our arms tugged around one another. We didn't speak a word for a long time. Yet the silence was the most soothing and comforting that I ever had the privilege to endure.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I turned my sight to him, staring directly into his gaze. He turned towards me after a second or so.

"I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that whatever just happened is real. And that it is not a dream. It feels too good to be true. I'm afraid that this is all just a beautiful dream that I have waited for so long and I'm going to wake up any second and bam, it will all be gone. If this is a dream, heck I don't ever want to wake up again."

He looked so vulnerable at this moment. It broke and melted my heart, both at the same time.

"Well, it's a good thing that this is not a dream. It's all real and oh you poor guy, you're now stuck with me. For a very, very long time." I tucked on his arm tighter in reassurance.

"Hmm... Well, it's a good thing that I don't want to get rid of it. For a very, very long time." He beamed a radiant smile that magnified his features that made him unbelievably adorable.

Have I ever mentioned that his dimples are heart-melting? In those sweet dimples, my heart is a willing captive.

An uninvited thought knocked on my doorstep that I wasn't expecting. Something started rambling chaotically in my mind, or rather someone, who surely shouldn't be crossing my mind right now. But it was too late for that now.

"I have something to tell you." My voice dramatically loses its chime.

"What's wrong?" He cautiously asked, his voice drastically shifted into an agitated one.

"I don't want to start our... relationship by keeping a secret that could potentially harm it so I just want to say it out loud."

He kept a straight face and gazed into mine, signaling me to go on.

"The night before I was leaving. You know. That night. David came into my room and he... confessed... his feelings towards me and then he tried to... umm... kiss me. But I pushed him away immediately!" I nearly shrieked at the end in a futile attempt to defend myself.

"Oh." That was all he said.

"Oh?" I asked in incredulity. I didn't expect him to be this cool about it.

"Only this?" He asked when I stared at him for a full minute, expecting his outburst.

"Uh-Yeah. Just...that."

"Okay."

"O...kay? Just okay? Why are you so cool about it? Aren't you mad at me? Or him?" I questioned, my voice clear of utter astonishment.

"Nope. None of you." That was all he said and shot a small smile towards me.

"I don't understand; why-"

"I am lowkey happy, and not mad." He cut me in.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. This was just getting weirder.

"I am not mad because I already knew about it." He clarified.

"You did?" I gasped.

"Yeah. David told me the night before I flew to Boston. At first, yes, I was mad at him. Furious even. He broke the bro code. I am still not happy about it today, but then, there was no point holding anything from the past that could upset you and forbid you from the happiness you truly deserve."

Is it just me or did he really get this... wise? This guy never failed to surprise me.

He continued, "And I am happy because you chose to tell me by yourself. You could have just gotten away with it, thinking I would never find out but you didn't. That made me very happy."

I flashed a cheeky smile because honestly, I didn't know how to reply to that.

"I said this a million times and I would keep saying it again. There's no one like you, Maya. And that makes me love you so much even more."

If I had ever said that life couldn't be perfect, I am gladly taking my statement back. Sometimes, having all the luxuries and pleasures of the world doesn't make your life content and complete. It is those little things that matter. Just having the right, supportive people, standing beside you in all your storm and sunshine, creating heartfelt and nostalgic-worth memories, and just the love that you never knew could make you feel whole and content. Every little thing that you start to appreciate adds up and inclines to your definition of a perfect life.

I shifted forward so there's enough space for my back to lay down. The posture did turn out uncomfortable after sitting for what, like half an hour. I arrange the cushions aside so there's enough space for me to snuggle into the air mattress. Shawn looked in my direction and joined me as well.

We were so busy gazing at the city that the thought of stargazing didn't cross my mind. But now that we were, it only added to the magic in our tonight's perfect date night. The dazzling bright lights scattered across the velvety darkness that hugged the angelic glow of the moon. The whirling of the breeze created a soothing rhythm, adding to the serenity.

It was peaceful. So peaceful. His fingers grazed mine and soon they were entangled, fitting ever so perfectly as if they were designed to. The entire scenario felt like a deja-vu. Lying. Stargazing. Peace. Call it a woman's intuition, but I felt I knew what was about to come next.

Our arms grazed and I turned aside on my arm, facing him. He looked calm, peaceful. He seemed different. Has he always been this way? Or am I starting to look at him differently? I still didn't know if what they say, that everything seems different and brighter with eyes drenched in love, was true. But right now, it sounded like the most logical explanation for it. I would never agree to it out loud though.

He turned towards me as well, without speaking a word. I decided to do something that I would have never dared to if it wasn't for my adrenaline. I stretched my arm slowly and ran my fingers around his neck, feeling his hair raising under my touch. My fingers moved up and caressed his scalps, playing and fiddling with the hair that came in the way. He slowly closed his eyes, his breathing ragged. It strangely felt good to know that I held some kind of power over him.

I slowly traveled my finger over his cheekbone, his body jolting in reflex. It was amusing and comforting all the same. I shifted closer towards him and he began to breathe heavily. I was trying my best not to laugh and ruin the moment, but it was too adorable to watch him trying to hold his control and letting me take the initiative. He wasn't making this easy for me.

I kept grazing my thumb on his face for over a minute or so and after that, I decided to set him free from the torture. I guided my face closer to his, eventually leaning in. The mere contact of our chests was enough to clarify how rapidly his beats were pounding. My fingers brushed the hem of his shirt, my both hands tugging its collar when I pulled him in. My lips enclosed his and the world around us just turned meaningless.

Nothing could ever possibly mean more than us, nothing could have been more innocent and intimate than this moment: his arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer and deepening the kiss, the way our eyes fluttered to a close, afraid of this moment to disappear if we open it. He leaned in, asking for access and I grant, our tongues dancing in perfect harmony. We lost ourselves in the passion of our kiss. I didn't know how long we kept kissing- could have been from dusk till dawn for all we knew- before I pulled out, panting. Our breathing mingled and it took us several minutes to calm down and finally catch our breaths.

"You take my breath away, you know that right?" He whispered into my ear.

"That is so lame and cheesy." I grinned.

"Exactly my point. You go all "Aww- so cute" when your favorite guy character says this in a romance movie." He smirked.

Busted.

We both burst into fits of laughter and this was what 'perfect' seemed like to me.

~

"I need D-E-T-A-I-L-S." Lexi threatened me with a tone higher than a pitchfork as soon as we drove back to the hotel and Shawn walked back to his room and I was left to deal with the She-devils. The way they were towering upon me, I was scared for my life.

"We." Maddie corrected, rolling her eyes at Lexi.

"Yeah, right. WE need details. Now spill. Did you guys... you know... did the nasty?" Lexi smiled devilishly, the same shine twinkling in Lexi's eyes.

"Eww guys, No! No, we didn't. Geez, don't you guys have better things to think about?"

"Geez you crazy bitch, calm down. I'm just pulling your leg. Okay now enough leg-pullings, did you ask him out?" They both watched me curiously.

"I did." I beamed victoriously.

"And...?"

"And...?" I get to pull some legs too.

"Seriously? Stop getting on my nerves and spill!" Lexi practically shrieked at this point.

"Geez, you girls are crazy. Of course, he said yes."

"YES!" They both squealed at the top of both their lungs.

"Finally the Quinn chapter is over."

"Shamaya ship is now ready to sail."

They both chanted. I chuckled while shaking my head. These people were really unbelievable.

There was a knock on the door and we all turned our heads in towards the origin at the same time. Shawn walked in with something clenched in his hand.

"Hey. Umm..." He turned towards me, "Here take this." He handed me a small bottle of lotion.

I wriggled my brows in confusion. Sensing my cluelessness, he further added,

"I saw some bug stings on your arms when we were driving back here so I went down to the medical store and bought you some calamine lotion. I think that will do it." He explained with a small, yet sweet smile that had been plastered on his face since morning. I could swear it didn't move an inch.

I raised my arm to my sight to inspect it. It turned out, I did have redness spread across my face. While doing it, I began feeling the sting at my legs as well. How is it that I am noticing it right now?

"T-Thank you. That's really thoughtful." I began to feel the burn in my cheeks at this point.

"It's all good." He said and after sparing a nod at the two other people, may I say that I forgot for a while, were in the same room as ours, a nod and turned on his heel and walked out of the room.

"How thoughtful of him!"

"Aww look at him being cute and caring."

"Someone is simping."

"Always had been."

The girls kept teasing for several minutes and for the first time, I wasn't unliking it at all.

"You girls need to chill. I think I really have to find you, boyfriends, if that's what it'll take to keep you two clinging off my back." I announced once they quit the teasings.

"You can cut me off the list. I may have someone in my sight." Maddie waved her hand in the air in dismissal.

"Oh really? Pray tell." Lexi questioned and I joined her, standing beside her.

"One who waits is the one who scores, bitches. You will find out. Soon." She said and walked out of the conversation by exiting the room, with a playful smile on her face.

"Do you have any idea who that mystery guy might be?" I asked Lexi while watching Maddie disappearing in the corridors.

"I might have a hunch. Let's see if he is the one. Only time will tell." And with that, she walked off too.

What is it with people walking out today?

I shrugged and walked out of the room too.

~

"Say what now?"... "I cannot believe this. Well I can't say I am surprised either."

I heard mutterings in the corridors as I made my way to Shawn's room. I stopped on my steps and looked around for the source of the voice. It came from behind the wall. I tiptoed my way towards it. I had no idea why I was walking cautiously like a burglar, hiding from the residents and accomplishing my mission, but I was doing it anyway. I should really control my growing interest in thriller binge-watching shows.

As I reached near the wall, the voice sounded too familiar. I could recognize that voice anywhere. It was his.

I could only have a rear view of him from where I was standing but I could decipher he seemed worried, stressed even. He rubbed his temples and sighed heavily often.

"I get it." He sighed and continued, "I'll be leaving next thing in the morning."... "Sure. Have a good day." He disconnected the line.

"Are you alright, Shawn?" I asked with a concerned tone as I walked towards him.

He was taken aback by surprise by my sudden appearance but recollected his composure quickly.

"Yes... No. Everything is not alright." He let out a slow, heavy sigh. It was rare to see Shawn this worked up. And it worried me.

"What is it?" I asked, reaching out to him.

"It's my dad. That wimp left town for a few weeks, apparently for some "business work" leaving Chloe all alone there. That man had one job to do! One fucking job! To take care of Chloe while I was gone. That scumbag of a father." Shawn was agitated, trying to contain his anger at bay.

"Hey calm down. Breathe." I motioned him to follow me. "Breathe in. Breathe out." He followed.

"He might actually have work to do. We never know. But that's not the main problem here. Chloe is alone there with no family member for assistance and helps with the formalities and medicines and stuff. I think you should go to her as soon as you can."

"That's what I thought too. I will leave tomorrow with the first flight I get to Manhattan. Dr. Dannell will arrive in Manhattan after two days anyway. It'll be best if I can be with Chloe until then." He replied with a soft voice.

"I think it'll be best too." I squeezed his shoulder blades in reassurance.

"So that would mean... We just have... today?" He spoke in an even softer voice.

"Seems like it." I found my voice surprisingly calm. He too surely noticed it.

"I am not ready to leave you here already. I just got you. It's too soon." He looked down, his voice too vulnerable.

"You wouldn't have to." I stated, grabbing all his attention, I continued, "Because I am coming with you."

"What?"

"Yes. It's been a while since I've last been there. I miss my family terribly, and it would be the best way to visit Chloe. And... I am not ready to let you go just yet, too. So, it's a win-win-win."

"Are you sure? I don't want you to make a reckless decision. Think about it thoroughly."

"Wouldn't be my first time now, would it?" I winked at him. "And I am absolutely sure. No bargaining there."

He chuckled while he shook his head.

"You are crazy." He whispered.

I smiled and replied, "Aren't we all?"

Hey guys! How are you all today? We're almost at the end of the book! I am thinking to end it after Chapter 43-44, that would depend on the storyline.

I am so excited about it!

Question of the day: What's your dream destination?

I honestly want to do a full world tour but I would very much like to visit Europe. It's so beautiful!

As we're almost at the end, I would try to update as much and as soon as I can. I somewhat need to get it done before October kicks in as I'll be traveling and start taking my classes.

I hope you liked this chapter.

Feel free to vote and comment.

I'll see you guys soon.
Stay tuned♡.

~Loveya~( ˘ ³˘)