Vera bit her lip, and returned to her work. “You're not even denying it any longer.” James accused, looking happy to have something to tease Vera about. “Why should I? It's so obvious you're intent on thinking I have a lover somewhere, so whatever I say wouldn't get to you. And I have a lot of work to do, so arguing wouldn't cut it.” She replied, flipping open the document to write more suggestions on the 'Teacher' robot. “You're so boring.” James teased, and Vera smiled. She was used to hearing that over the years, so she finally had the answer to why she was so affected by the stranger. He was different from everyone else. Everyone had said 'No', but he'd said 'Yes'. She wanted to know why he said yes, what made him say yes, and if he'd keep on saying yes the more he knew her. After work, that evening, Vera walked towards the café. She didn't reply to the stranger, or give a definite reply that she'd be there. She had left his message on 'seen'. She was just going to go to the café, and have a chilled latte, then leave. If he showed up, then good for him, if he didn't, that was fine too. She would rather not get too attached to a stranger, and keep thinking of him. She would rather not seem easy, too. When she walked in, she walked straight to the counter, and ordered a latte, and a sandwich. Then she began to roam her bag with her hands for her credit card, which seemed to be hiding from her. “Here. Take out the bill from here.” She heard a voice say, and looked up. There was the stranger. He was just as handsome as the first time she'd met him. His hair shone black, and looked like it had been well-oiled. Vera found it challenging to stop staring at him, as he ordered something for himself. At last, he turned to her. “You want something else?” He asked, looking at her, with those beautiful gray eyes. “Uh…no.” She replied, turning away. “My card is…” She began to search her bag furiously again, but he took it gently from her, and went to sit at the same spot they sat the previous day.Vera followed him, and sat in front of him. “I can pay. I hate feeling indebted.” She said, trying to grab her bag. “Why don't you pay me with a few hours of your time, then?” He asked, and Vera rolled her eyes. “I'm not about to ask why you didn't reply to my messages, even if I want to.” He said, and Vera turned to the waitress who was bringing their orders. “I saw the message. There was no need to reply.” She said, simply. “Harsh.” He replied, taking his own tray. “You didn't even intend to meet me, did you. You walked in, and didn't even look around. You just went straight to the counter.” He pointed out, and she nodded. “I just don't want to give you high hopes.” She replied, biting into her sandwich. “I want to have them.” He replied, clinking his coffee mug with hers gently. “Well, don't. It's bad for your health.” She replied immediately. “Are you worrying about me?” He asked, and she rolled her eyes. “You know that's not the case.” She said immediately, and he placed a hand on his chest, flashing her a lethal smile. “Brutal.” “What's your name, by the way?” She asked, and he bit his lip slightly. “Louis.” He replied, and Vera nodded slowly. She caught a mysterious smile on his face that looked too much like a smirk, but she decided to let it pass. It looked like what he did all the time. After eating, Mark took her to a park where lights were attached to every ride, making the place alive with light. “It's beautiful.” She said, as he took her to a cluster of treehouses after paying for it. “I've never climbed before.” Vera said, with an excited smile, as she took off her heels. “Just what life have you been living if you've never climbed a tree?” He asked, collecting her heels from her, and she giggled. “The life of a workaholic.” She said, trying to climb onto the lowest branch. She took off her suit jacket, and stashed it into her bag, so climbing would be easier. As she climbed, branch after branch with a beating heart, Mark supported her, not letting her fall or slip. Finally, they got into the small house, and sat, staring at the people walking below, and taking rides. “Isn't it beautiful?” He asked, placing his hands behind him, and resting on it. “So, why were you named Louis? Are you French?” She asked, turning to him. “Do I look French?” He asked, with a smile that threatened to shake her heart up. “I don't know. French men look good.” “So, do I look good?” He asked, tilting her head, and Vera rolled her eyes. “Your mirror has the answer.” She replied, and he laughed. “My mirror has the answer. Can you be my mirror tonight? I need to hear from you if I look good or not.” “Why do you need to hear from me if you look good or not? Are you insecure about yourself?” She asked, and he moved closer to her, bridging the gap between them. “Why are you…?” “I'm cold.” He said, and she stiffened. For some reason, she didn't shift away. He was warm, and she liked his being warm. Then he began to stare at her, and from such a close range, it made her cheeks heat up. “You want to ask something?” She asked. “Look at me.” He said, and she rolled her eyes. “Why should I?” “Just do it.” He urged, and she turned to him. Once more, she found herself mesmerized by his sheer beauty. How she wanted to delve into his gray eyes all day by staring into them. “I really, really like you.” He said, and it felt like Vera's heart was going to beat itself to death. His words sounded sincere, and too real.Vera's heart lurched, as she saw the sincerity in his eyes. It moved her greatly, as no one had ever said such words with that amount of sincerity blooming in their eyes. Her heart began to beat faster, and it kept on increasing, like an athlete gaining momentum on the racing track. It felt like its goal was to tear out of her chest and fall into her hands. Vera's mouth opened slightly, as she couldn't grasp the way she was feeling. She felt weak within—like strange insects were crawling in her tummy, making her want to hold it tight. Her cheeks bloomed in a rosy red, and she realized something had gone really wrong. She had fallen in love with a total stranger. The feeling she was feeling was nothing like being fascinated by someone gushing over her. It was the feeling of liking someone. Vera turned her head away. As a young girl, she also had a few crushes, but they never stayed strong. Her crushes were always light and fickle. When it was time to get serious, and throw all her focus back into her studies, she always did. It had been so long since she had a crush, so she'd totally forgotten what it felt like. She had erased the word 'Love' from her head, so feeling so strange for Louis, who she met the previous day, was overwhelming to her. “I'm not forcing you to date me, or give me an answer, I just… I would rather not keep it in. Keeping it in makes me feel like a balloon being inflated every second. So, I… I just want you to know I really like you, and didn't approach you for any other reason apart from the fact that you caught my eye.” He explained, and seeing that Vera didn't say a word, he continued, “You know, at first, I admired you. Your beauty, your gait, you looked so smart, and serious, and it burned me to get to know you. I wanted to become someone you talk to and laugh easily with. But, spending only two hours with you, I fell. I think I might be stupid for falling for someone that easily, but I'd try what stupid feels like if it means falling freely for you.” He said, still staring at her intently, and Vera moistened her lips. “Well heard.” She said, not meeting his eyes, and he laughed. “I got myself a weirdly unique girl.” He said, and crossed his legs. Vera kept her eyes fixed on the countless stars littering the night sky because she didn't want him to see the blush on her face. “Do you like stars?” He asked, and she looked down below at all the people having fun. “Not really.” “Sometimes I imagined what they'd look like—what it'd feel like if I went to the moon with someone I loved most in the world. Last night, I thought of you and me on the moon.” He said, and Vera scoffed. “Who thinks up such odd, and weird stuff? Landing on the moon with a girl is quite unnatural, isn't it?” She remarked, looking at him. “It was odd, but I badly wished for that moment to come true. You and I, high above, looking down on the earth. I originally wanted us to climb a Ferris Wheel, but I thought it would be better in the tree house. Here, we can keep buying hours for us to stay, and we don't have to come down if we don't want to.” He explained, and tucked her hair gently behind her ear. “I can do that myself.” She said, brushing his hand off softly, as she looked at him directly. “Of course, I know you can, but I wanted to touch your hair. It looks soft.” He complimented, and Vera looked away, clearing her throat. “It's quite late, don't you think?” She asked, and he furrowed his brows. “We only just got here. Why don't we play a game? And the winner of that game gets a wish.” He said, and she turned to him, folding her legs in front of her in a monk style. “If it's a game requiring brains, just know you're out.” She said, with a smile. “Unfortunately, it's not a game that has to do with brains. It has to do with experiences.” He said, and she raised a brow. “What's the name of the game?” She inquired. “Never Have I Ever.” He replied, and her mouth fell open. Then she smiled. “I'll beat you in that.” “You have to be honest.” He said, immediately. “Of course, I'll be the most honest I've been in a long while, but there's no alcohol.” “Yeah, we don't have that, so instead, after three rounds, we declare our winner. The person who has done fewer things gets wishes.” He explained, and she folded her arms. “Bring it on. Should I start or you'll start?” She asked, releasing an arm to tuck her hair behind her ear properly. “Ladies first.” He replied, and she moistened her lips. “Never have I ever kissed the opposite sex.” She began, and he laughed. “Okay. I lost one. Never have I ever been so unwilling to trust.” Vera giggled, “I lost that, too. Second round. Never have I ever dated before.” “Unfortunately, I also haven't.” “You're a liar.” She accused, with wide, incredulous eyes. “It's difficult to take interest in a lady. My turn. Never have I ever worked in any Lincoln company.” He said, and she furrowed her brows. “How do you know that? I never said I worked for a Lincoln company. I only said I was a P. A.” She pointed out, and he looked away. “Louis?” She called. “I happened to see you this morning on my way to work. Trust me, I wasn't stalking you or anything.” He said, and she looked at him for a while before deciding to move on. “Okay, the last round.” “I believe I'm winning.” He said, and she nodded, biting her lip. “Never have I ever asked anyone out.” She said, and he laughed. “I told you I never dated— Why would you ask that?” He asked, still laughing. “Well, no. My turn. Never have I ever skillfully ignored someone's feelings for me.” “Did I skillfully ignore your feelings? I acknowledged it.” She said, “You know, you ignored my feelings a number of times today. So I guess I got the wish.” “I'm fair, so I'll accept defeat. What do you want?” She asked, and a smile curved his lips. Afterward, he gave her a reply that made her jaw drop. “A kiss.”