Enjoy a long, long chapter, and a surprise at the end!

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I woke up the next day, put on some random jeans and tank top, just gave my hair a fast dry by the drier to enhance its thick waves, put on slight mascara and lip gloss, and then headed towards the heart of the city.

I'd agreed with Sebastian Keith that I would meet him at the Regent's park station where we'll head together to Regent's park, and from there we'd climb up the Primrose Hill as recommended on the internet.

His main condition yesterday after I'd agreed on being his guide was doing as much adventurous activities as possible. And well, climbing up a hill seems like a good start.

In something like thirty minutes, I had reached the place of interest, where I found Keith casually standing while taking some shots with his camera here and there. Chester woofed as I neared them, bringing its owner's attention in my direction.

He grinned at me, "Hello, my guide!"

I nodded softly back at him, without really any exaggerated reaction.

Reaching him, I took in his changed clothes. He had a sleeveless shirt showing further of his tattoos, a silver necklace instead of his scarf, and the baggy pants along with the rangers he wore yesterday. His hair was still messily tied into a lazy bun at the back of his head, and his earrings dangled down from his ears freely.

His eyes glowed with concealed intensity as they raked over me as well. I didn't mind him much, "Shall we go?"

He wasn't fazed by my dryness, "Sure!"

We got our tickets, and got into the train.

The ride was generally silent, the train was crowded, barely keeping some centimeters between the people on it.

Sebastian Keith was standing before me, his back to the window, and Chester was to his side woofing from the annoying crowdedness.

My back was to people, and I was trying my best to support myself so I don't fall and crush the guy before me.

The train took a turn at that, and two huge figures swayed at me from behind, causing my to wince slightly as I did my best to keep my balance. The two dudes simply laughed before the straightened again, and I frowned softly, letting out a sigh as I worried about upcoming twists and turns.

It was at that that a figure before me shifted, stepping towards me.

Both his hands extended to either the dudes behind me, and my head came right before his broad chest.

For a second, I could feel something in my chest clench, but it disappeared as fast as it had appeared.

His scent was drugging, and I must say I had not expected that.

It was the drugging mixture of cigarettes and cologne, both at once.

"Excuse me," both weights at once were lifted from above my back.

I looked up, only to find a pair of arrogant, and superior orbs belonging to the 'supposedly' friendly Sebastian Keith.

I shuddered.

For a second... this look... this superior gaze...

It was purely aristocratic.

What the heck?

"You're bothering her. Step back." His hoarse voice came, not a hint of hesitation present within it, rather, it was beyond serious.

No answer was heard from behind me, as he looked down towards me at that. I gasped, as a cool, composed smile of his was shot at me, and his green orbs were as friendly as ever.

W-Wait, was this the same Sebastian a second ago? Was I only imagining things?

"Let's switch places, my guide." He muttered, gently patting my shoulders as I complied without much complain.

Mainly because I was in some kind of shock.

We switched places, and his hands came to either my sides to support himself.

The position we stood in now only emphasized over his toned muscles and broad shoulders, as the train turned and twisted, and yet he didn't seem the least affected.

I wet my lips, "Uhm, thanks."

He fixed me for some seconds with his handsome orbs, and then an airy smile came to his lips, "You're a tough one."

I blinked, frowning softly, "Huh?"

I noticed the slight clench in his neck muscles at that, as both men from behind seemed to be leaning back against him in mockery.

He kept his calm façade, "You had been enduring this through the ride, and you didn't complain once." He spoke, his smile showing genuine interest, "I like people who don't complain."

I let out a snort, and smiled softly, "I have worse stuff to complain about, I guess."

He fixed his orbs into mine, wordlessly, and the conversation was left at that.
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It wasn't five minutes later that we reached our destination, and descended from the train.

The park was similarly crowded to the train, but at least there was way more space to stand and do stuff.

Looking around, I could see different people doing different stuff, from families taking pictures, to couples kissing, to friends enjoying some beer, and so on...

Sebastian Keith disappeared from my side for some seconds, and I guessed he'd gone to take some pictures.

I started walking by myself, as I silently observed everyone from around me.

It felt weird. Everyone seemed to be enjoying, and yet I legit could feel nothing. Nothing at all.

"You know, the last time I checked, Chester," A familiar voice came, playfully, "Guides wait for their clients to move around together!"

My lips twitched, and I turned towards the source, who in return was smiling playfully in my direction as well.

"Well, had my client been clear about where he's going, Chester, I would have waited." I mused softly.

A chuckle erupted from his throat, and I saw he was holding cotton candy in his right hand. "Well, well, this baby here was irresistible!" He announced.

He gestured with his cotton candy in my direction, "Here, have some."

I shook my head, "No thanks."

He didn't apparently hear the 'no' part, as the cotton candy ball landed over the lower half of my face while extending from the stick he was holding.

"Mmmf!" I gasped.

He chuckled, "Come on, it's really tasty!"

I gave in, and took a bite, as I gently nudged his hand over the stick to pull it away.

He did, and I munched silently.

I couldn't help the pleasurable feeling that filled me from the tastiness of the candy. "It-It's really tasty!" I exclaimed in awe, my smile widening a bit.

He was looking at me, particularly my semi-excited expression, as he leaned in, and his mouth came over my nose.

I gasped, "Y-You!!"

He moved it softly, sending shivers across my sine, before he straightened, shrugging. "You had some candy there."

I felt heat rise to my cheeks, but held myself together, stepping back, "Err, you could've told me." I huffed, turning away as I started walking.

He walked to my side, munching over the candy.

We walked in silence until we reached the bottom of the hill, where everyone was gathering to start their climb.

Keith munched the last pieces of his candy, and I noticed him tightening his bun, as he eyed the top of the hill. "You sure you can climb all of this?" He questioned, calmly, "I really won't mind or judge if you don't wish for it!" He smiled gently at me.

I bit my lips softly, and fixed the top of the hill with my gaze, "Don't worry about me. I will be fine. Let's go."

He blinked in my direction, as a smile came to his lips at that, "Again, you're a tough one!"
I turned at that, and started marching towards the top.

Now let me make something clear.

The hill was not high, or very steep, it just needed a good deal of walking to reach the top, that was all.

I had developed a good stamina in the past months, and as a result I didn't exactly feel any tiredness or exhaustion.

My mind shot back to the chases I had back in Tottenham.

If only I had been stronger.

I wouldn't have burdened anyone.

And my father would still be alive.

If only ̶ my thoughts were cut off, as a hand came over my shoulder.

Turning in surprise to take a defense position, I was stunned by Sebastian Keith's somehow worried expression.

He lifted a brow in my direction, and his green irises lit in the light.

"You okay?" He spoke, fixing his gaze into mine, "Your look suddenly darkened at everything before you! Seriously, if you're tired, let's go back!"

I blinked, and let out a soft breath.

My look must've darkened unintentionally. Damn.

I sighed, and shook my head, "No, excuse me, I just had something on my mind th-that's all."
And we continued walking in silence.
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Reaching the top of the hill, I could not help the awe I felt at the tremendously beautiful scenery.

The noon sun before us shone too brightly, and the cloudy sky behind it took a soft pinkish colour. The silhouettes of some skyscrapers of London stood tall, and the large figures of trees miles away danced to the soft breeze.

I observed the beauty of nature silently, as I heard the snaps of a camera to my side.

Turning, I saw how taken by the scene was Sebastian Keith.

His expression did not exactly reflect cheerfulness or awe or anything.

It was peace.

He seemed like a child at home.

I couldn't help but stare at him as he snapped shots from here and there.

What a weirdo.

A moment later, feeling my gaze at him, the traveling photographer turned towards me, as he shot me a gentle smile.

"Well, the climb was not as adventurous as wished for it, but well, the view certainly makes up for that!" He exclaimed with a broad smile, and a soft breeze blew at that, making both our hairs flutter.

Sebastian turned to eye the horizon again, and his expression mirrored... longing at that.

I turned towards the scenery as well at that.

"Dammit, the clouds are too free. I envy them at times."

I blinked, and turned to see he was actually still eyeing the scenery with the same longing expression, and words had escaped him without his consent even.

I licked my lips, "But you're a traveler, you're free too, no responsibilities, no attachments, nothing to tie you to any place. Just like the clouds." I murmured softly.

A smile came to his lips, and at that, my eyes widened at something like... something like sadness reflected in his eyes.

It was directly masked, as he let out a deep, somehow painful chuckle, "You think so?"

I eyed him with a blank expression, awaiting for him to continue, to explain or open up, but was only met by his focus going back to the scene, as though he did not wish to expand the topic any further. He lit a cigarette at that, and I saw him savoring the scene to its best, as though it were some fading rainbow or such.

We remained like that for some long moments, until some chattering of people around caught both of our attentions.

"The heck! Free bagels?! Dude let's go!" ̶ A chatter was heard from a random fellow.

"Ah, but I heard you have to share in some kind of friendly competition to win some!" ̶ Another one replied.

Both Sebastian Keith and I moved, following the sources.

Well, what the heck was better than free bagels to make my day!

Following the fellows chattering, we reached a crowd of people where, most likely, the event was taking place.

An old man held a microphone, and to his side was a table full of different shapes and sizes of bagels.

I felt my mouth water at the smell.

"Okay so for those who thought the bagels were for free, I'm sorry they're not!" The old man laughed, and I could feel most pf the crowd craving his neck crack at that, "But well, there is a way! You can participate in a friendly couple competition, and if you win, you get as much free bagels as you want! Does that sound like a deal?!"

Cheers erupted from around, and my heart sank. What the holy? A couple competition!

The old man continued.

"The competition will be that of endurance and love!" He stressed over the latter word, "You'll have to hold your partner in a bridal style and see how long you can last! The winner couple gets to taste as much bagels as they want! Hurry up and put your names down here!" He announced.
A number of people walked away, a smaller number walked towards the old man.

Sighing, I turned to join the walking away squad, but was surprised when Sebastian Keith's voice came, dead serious.

"How much do you weigh, Charlotte?"

I jumped slightly, and frowned softly, "O-One hundred and twenty-five pounds."

His eyes glinted, and he stroked his chin, as a mischievous smile came to his lips, highlighting his chin dimple. "Well then, this will be easy!" He chuckled, and moved his hand towards my wrist, pulling me behind him, "Let's go!"

I gasped, and jolted in stop, "Excuse you?! No, mister!"

He stopped as well, and turned to shoot me a clearly surprised expression, "Oh, you have an objection?"

I felt fume wanting to exit my ears at that, "What? Of course I do! It's a couples' competition!"

He arced an eyebrow at me, "So?"

"So we can't share! Are you nuts?" I gestured.

He seemed to immensely enjoy my angry phase, as he chuckled randomly, "Well, all one has to do is hold his partner for as much time as possible! We don't particularly have to be a couple for that."

I frowned, pondering over his words for a second, "Y-Yes, but..."

He caught my hesitation, and knew the tables were turning in his favour, "But nothing! I'm broke and I'll do anything for the free bagels! Let's go!" And he pulled me behind him.

We wrote our names down, and the competition was minutes away from starting.

All couples were already hugging and kissing for motivation, and the general aura was least motivating for me.

Holy! We're really gonna get screwed at this! Ugh why did I agree??

I sighed, and Keith shifted to my side at that, turning towards me.

"Well, shall we give it a try before we start officially?" He suggested composedly.

I couldn't help a soft blush that came to my face, "T-Try what?"

He chuckled loudly, as his right hand came around my left shoulder, pulling me against him, and his left hand came beneath my thighs.

A soft squeal escaped me, as I was lifted off of the ground like a weightless feather.

My chest suddenly was tied to a knot, and I couldn't help how near he felt, I tried keeping as much distance as possible by arcing in the opposite direction of his chest.

W-Well, we could do the competition while I arc away, right? Right??

As though he'd heard my thoughts, the Adam holding me let out a loud chuckle, "No, no. It's not going to work like this, Miss. You're working against our balance." He neared his head to mine at that, and his lips approached my ear to whisper, "The right way is for you to hug me so my feet can support a united entity, don't you think?" His voice came deep, utterly business and void of any emotions.

I gulped, and sighed.

I signed for this, I need to take responsibility.

Letting out another breath to compose myself, I frowned at him, as I, carefully, laid against his chest while wrapping my arms around his neck.

A chuckle escaped him, "See? It's not that hard!"

I huffed, and felt my cheeks burning.

Wh-What the hell is wrong with this person?

How can he be so composed?

He put me down at that, as he stretched coolly while everybody braced themselves.

The old man held his mic before his mouth, and a stopwatch in his hand, "Okay, so the competition starts in three, two, one, go!"

I was lifted from the ground in a second, as I wrapped my hands around his neck.

Okay so there was this one difference from when we trained to this moments ago.

This time, Sebastian Keith was pulling me really close, as though to prevent any possibility of letting me go before he won the competition.

I was technically crushed, as I saw couples from around us surrendering one after the other.

Looking up to the man holding me, I could see he had a perfectly carefree expression.

Not even a tired one, he looked perfectly fine.

I gulped, "A-Are you tired? I mean, we've been like this for ten minutes."

A gentle smile crossed his lips, as he shook his head, "I signed up for this, did I not? I don't appreciate people complaining about something they signed up for."

His sentence seemed perfectly suitable for the situation, and yet, I could see it was not meant for this specifically.

Somehow, it was like he was talking about something else.

That was one thing about Sebastian Keith.

There was more about him than what it looks like.

I said no more, and neither did he.
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We eventually won, considering there were not much competitive couples present, much to our luck.

As we stood before the old fellow awaiting our free bagels, he eyed us for a long moment with a gentle smile.

"You two seem so in love, you remind me of my old days!" He smiled at us.

I flushed, and shifted to defy.

Sebastian Keith, though, had better plans than that.

He smiled comfortably, "Yes, yes. We're so in love, now if you'll let us take our free bagels..." he turned towards the table with so much bagels at it.

The old man chuckled, "Sure, take as much as you'd like!"

Sebastian started picking up the bagels he liked and stuffing them in a paper bag the old man had given to him.

I smiled as I eyed how Chester woofed beside him in excitement.

He grinned at the doggie, "Easy, buddy, I'm picking up the ones you like too!"

I couldn't help but observe how carefree he was.

It was weird.

That such a small thing as free bagels managed to make him rather happy.

He turned towards me at that, and winked in my direction as he nodded, "Hey there, partner! Come here and choose the bagels you like! It's free bagels for God's sake!"

A giggle escaped me, and it felt weird.

I had not experienced an urge to giggle in a long time.

I approached him, and picked out some bagels.

I noticed the old man still giving us a longing look at that.

"Won't you reward him with a kiss?" He winked at us.

We both jumped, and I felt myself redden.

I fidgeted, "Oh, I'll..." Nope, don't ruin it now Char!! "I'll save it for private times?" I managed out, uncomfortably.

A loud chuckle erupted from the man beside me, and I pouted as I looked in his direction.

Sebastian Keith's dimple showed too clearly, and he was throwing his head back as he laughed, his Adam's apple popping out.

"Don't mind her," he chuckled, "She's just shy. Well, if you'll excuse us now," he nudged me to start walking away, "Thanks for the bagels!"

And we started walking away.

When we had gone relatively far from the old man, I pouted in Keith's direction, "It was really rude to laugh like that at me, you know."

He laughed again.

Holy, he's impossible!

"It was a scene! How you were trying so hard not to ruin our lie!" He chuckled, his green orbs glowing in