*Song: Need Somebody by Xiutcasecity*

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'Danielle...Dani. BABE.' I wave my fingers in front of her eyes.

'Huh? Sorry, I spaced out.' She gives me an apologetic smile, 'What is it?'

'I was asking you, are you really gonna pay the extra for my ticket? I don't mind sitting in the Economy, and you can use the money to get yourself a First Class.'

I point at the laptop screen, which presents a list of prices for different seats.

She rolls her eyes, 'Don't be silly. We're not sitting separately. Since you think First Class is too fancy, Business Class it is.'

'What's your problem with Economy anyway?' I ask. That's a very good amount of money for an upgrade.

'It's like canned sardines in there.' She says righteously, examining her nails.

'Fine. I'm gonna press booking?' I linger my fingertip on Enter.

She nods, 'Yeah, book it.'

So, it's done. We're flying together to Singapore at the end of August.

I'm quite excited, but I remain a calm face.

I look over to Danielle, she doesn't seem happy or bothered...or anything. She has that unfazed look on her like nothing is her goddamn business.

I was actually expecting her to have a lot of say in this trip since she's kind of a control freak. Yet, the only thing she asked for was Business Class.

She said I could put it however I like because she's not been to Asia before.

Well, easier for me, but I'm slightly worried. She seems to be in her ocean of thoughts a lot these two days.

A superwoman as sharp as her doesn't usually space out...unless there's something bothering her.

I'd ask her now, but my mobile suddenly vibrates. It's my mum.

'Mama! How are you?' I exclaim as I pick up and walk over to Danielle's sofa.

I hear her weak chuckle coming through the line, 'Good, Mija. And you? Everything okay?'

'Yes, quite great.' I glance at Danielle's back, 'Actually, I was just booking my flight to Singapore in August.'

'Oh! You're coming back? That's so great! We've missed you so much!'

I chuckle, 'It's just a visit though. I think I'll work here in England for a while.'

'Okay, you've found work already? That's good too.' My mum's voice seems to lower a little.

'Probably, at the company that I'm doing my internship now. Ma, don't be sad, I'll go visit as much as I can.' I try to cheer her up, 'Also, I'm taking someone to meet you.'

The corner of my eyes catches Danielle shifting in her stool, yet I'm not sure if she can hear me.

'Who? Oh my god, is it the girl you told us the other day? Your boss?'

Yep, I've told my parents I fell in love with my boss who's five years older than me and a very competent woman.

Of course, I saved them the sadistic and bitchy parts of all.

'Yes, Danielle is coming with me. We plan to visit you guys and go travelling a bit.'

'That sounds great, darling. I'll make sure your Papá and Mateo are presentable then.' She says playfully, 'So, what's the date of your flight?'

'The 25th. I'm going to send you the flight details, don't worry.' I reassure her. My mum panics easily.

'Yeah, yeah. That's a good idea.' My mum yawns, 'I think the surgery must have triggered some sleepy genes in me. I've been feeling tired a lot recently.'

I chuckle, 'Your body is still recovering. Give it some time.'

'Ugh! I feel old! If this has happened ten years earlier, I must've been all back to normal by now.'

'Don't say that. You're doing great now. Okay? Don't overthink it.' I sigh.

'You don't overthink it, kid. You worry too much.'

'I worry the right amount. Anyway, go get some rest. I'll talk to you later. Te amo.'

'Yo también. Adiós, Mija.'

As I hang up the call, Danielle turns around on her stool.

'You've told your mum that we're going?' She asks directly.

So, you were indeed listening. I smirk internally.

'Yeah, I did.' Then I see her complicated expression, I frown, 'What's wrong?'

She stares at me for a moment and shakes her head lightly, 'It's nothing.'

She rests her back at her counter, crossing her legs, seemingly thinking about something but not sharing with me.

And I hate it when she hides things like they are solely her troubles.

'Okay,' I walk up to her, cupping her smooth face with my hands, 'You are going to tell me what's on your mind right now.'

She stares into my eyes, shifting and glinting, 'I'm thinking about you. Us.' She says under her breath.

'What about us?' I ask softly, not wanting to scare her.

She averts her eyes, placing her one hand on mine, pressing her face into my palm, 'Have you ever thought, that maybe in two months, you wouldn't want to be with me?'

Her words are light as feathers but hit me hard as stones, I can't help but scowl a little, 'I'm sure we're stronger than that. Do you not have confidence in us?'

'I do, but...' She trails off.

'But what?' I ask patiently.

She falls silent for a long moment then sighs, 'You said you wanted to work in the UK for a while. Do you ever plan on going back to Singapore?'

I tilt my head, thinking for a bit, 'Well, I do. But, probably not any time soon. Why?'

She mumbles, 'What if I want to stay here? What will happen to us?'

Why did she say it like a goodbye?

I feel a lump in my throat, making my mouth and nose sore. I compose myself to say it in a normal voice.

'Well, first, my plans aren't definite, if I have a stable job here, I'd stay. Even if I go back, we'll find a way to stay together. So, nothing will happen to us.'

I try to sound as firm as I can, however, it doesn't seem to reach her. When she lifts her gaze, all I see in her ice-blue eyes is insecurity.

She says in a shaky tone, 'I-I don't think I can do long distance. If you're going, I'd want to go with you, but I know it's not good to move only because of the relationship. But, I don't know what else to do, I-'

The uncertainty and helplessness in her voice pain me, I don't want her to think it like that, so I press my lips on hers to stop her panicking and rambling.

I kiss her gently, trying to calm her mind.

She slowly wraps her arms around my waist, pulling me in until there's no space between us. She responds with the same delicacy as if she's afraid of hurting me.

After a long minute, I rest my forehead against hers as we part our lips, saying with a sigh, 'I'm not going anywhere, okay? I'm not going to leave you here in London alone. If I'm going anywhere else, you're definitely coming with me, and it'd be our mutual decision.'

I stretch my arms over her shoulders and give her a tight hug, 'We'll move when you're ready, or we can just stay. Do you hear me? I'm not leaving you.'

She doesn't say anything, only nodding lightly and hugging me harder.

Suddenly, I feel dripping wetness on my shoulder.

I pull away slightly, feeling my eyes get glossy when I see tears streaming down Danielle's beautiful face.

'What are you looking at?' She quickly uses her sleeve to wipe away the tears, yet they just keep on falling.

She looks so fragile like a glass-made doll, which I want to use my life to protect.

'Babe...' I cup her face and wipe her cheeks with my thumbs, can't help but giving her a light kiss on the forehead.

'Are you sure you still want to be with me now?' She says, but it sounds like whimpering, 'I'm a bloody insecure cry-baby.'

I chuckle, feeling a tear sliding down my face, 'Yes, I still do. I wouldn't have it any other way.'

How can I trade it with anything else after all this time? I've been waiting for her to be this open with me for too long. Damn, I'm gonna lock her down.

I look into her with seriousness and reassurance, and this time, they seem to reach her eyes.

She curves her lips up, giving me a genuine smile, letting me know that she, we, are going to be okay.

That night, I have another dream about the past. It looks like we are running away together.

In the dim sunlight, I am on a horseback, my back against my knight's torso. She's not wearing her armour anymore, only soft garments like mine.

'Where are we going?' I ask while resting my head back on her shoulder, satisfied to feel her warmth through the clothes.

'Anywhere. Any place in mind?' She tilts her head and whispers in my ear.

'Anywhere is fine, as long as I'm with you.' I place a kiss on her beautiful jawline, earning a chuckle from her.

'Let's go to the beach first, then.' She gently squeezes her legs, and the horse starts running faster forward.

As we sit down on the beach, I'm mesmerised by the pinkish-orange light reflecting and glinting on the surface of the ocean. It's like a dynamic oil painting, full of hopes and dreams.

'Sage.'

Suddenly, she calls my name. I turn around and see Danielle smiling at me, her face glowing in the magical hues of sunrise.

'Yes?'

I answer as quietly as possible, not wanting to disturb this breathtaking scenery.

Her gaze is soft as water, coloured in the iridescence, and her plump lips move in the most beautiful way, making a celestial sound.

'I love you, so much.'

I feel myself melting in her loving eyes and say in a heartbeat.

'I love you too, Danielle Osis.'

She grins at the sound of it and leans in. I feel her soft warm lips on mine, kissing with prudence as if to seal our destiny.

Our breaths entwine as we press harder and deeper along with the breeze from the horizon, then eventually, becoming one.

—Fin—

*Song: Like A Movie by Cam*

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Note:

Thank you so much for finishing this. :)

I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have.

All the songs I put in are my favourites, and they do go with the themes of the chapters (playlist link in comment).

And if you like my stories, don't be shy to show your support at ko-if.com/snuna (link in my bio)! Every little motivation helps! ;)

Anyway, see you later!

*Bonus chapter added 👇🏼 *