Bittersweet Beginning

Wes stood sulkily beneath a cloud-laden sky cloaked by red-orange sunset hues, the dim horizon mirroring his solemn mood.

Sighing, he pulled a black mask over his face and a cap on his head. This was a public commercial district, and he couldn't afford to get seen. The people back inside the café had drained him enough, so had all the unprecedented events they had instigated.

‘I’ll call Seth later to handle the matter with Alice Quin. Right now…’

He slipped a hand into his pocket and took out the crochet flower that meant to serve as a charm. Gripping it, he heaved out another sigh and wondered silently where Mia could be at this moment. His chest churned in pain at the memory of her crying and shaking after being put in that spot.

‘I want to see you, talk with you, ask you once more…’ But he wouldn't be able to bear it if she ended up rejecting him after what happened.

It would be evening soon, but he walked down the street at a slow pace, not feeling like heading home yet. All that waited there was Seth's scolding, as well as a vast and forlorn space steeped in opulence yet devoid of warmth. Had he done things right, he would have been with Mia right now, immersed in bliss from their blossoming love.

“I sure messed up,” he groaned to himself and covered his face with one hand, filled with frustration and self-loathing. "How am I gonna...?"

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of him.

His head jerked up, and his eyes widened. There she was, framed by the soft glow of the late afternoon sun. Her hair caught the light, her expression a nervous mix of confusion and worry. As he stared at her, frozen in place, his heart began to race while words lodged in his throat.

“Wes…”

Her swollen eyes glistened with unshed tears. She had been crying the whole time.

At the realization, he finally moved and grabbed her by the wrist. Despite her surprise, she followed him quietly and allowed him to lead her to an empty alley.

“I thought you went home,” he started as he tugged his mask off his face. “What’re you doing out here? It’s getting dark.”

There’s one apparent reason she’s still around, but the underlying circumstances crushed all his hope. He didn’t want to assume again, but then, she looked up and reached out to him with a shaky hand. She grasped the fabric of his shirt before stepping closer, causing him to take a sharp inhale.

“E-Even if I’m anxious… Even if I’m afraid…” she said in slow, breathy stutters. “...I want to be with you, Wes. I can’t ignore these feelings anymore.”

For a moment, he thought he’d stopped breathing altogether. He blinked several times, stunned. The air between them seemed to spark, yet remained fragile.

‘This… Is this happening for real? She wants to be with me?’ Wes couldn’t help but try to confirm. “Mia, is that true? Do you really…? Are you sure?”

“I-I…” she stammered, “...I like you, Wes.”

As if by magic, he’s struck breathless.

He found himself turning his head away and letting out a chuckle he couldn’t contain. All at once, the tension that had gripped him melted into a warmth that spread across his cheeks and down to his fingertips.

Not for the first time, she upended his emotions in a heartbeat, just like flipping a switch. He smiled his soft, genuine smile at her, no longer able to hold back from letting his feelings show all over his expression.

“Thank you, Mia. I am honored.” His hand found the one pressed on his chest and gave it a tender squeeze. “You have no idea how happy I am. Of course, it goes without saying I feel the same. I promise I will not let you down.”

Now that he knew how she felt, all of a sudden, everything seemed brighter and lighter.

When she offered him a smile, his heart fluttered and sang with joy. But it disappeared not too long, as she looked down and took a deep breath.

“Umm… This is… So, we’re…”

He somehow knew what she was trying to say. The sight of her being all flushed and flustered pleased him to no end—simply adorable. What made it better was that it was no longer because she was shy around him.

Maybe she still was, but he’s also aware that it could be these newfound feelings.

As he watched her fidget under his gaze, the urge to kiss her hit him with startling force. That would be asking for too much, and he sensed she was already overwhelmed. In truth, he kept getting these inappropriate impulses around her for a while now. But he had managed to ignore them, and this time would not be any different.

Before desire could overcome him, he decided to settle with holding her face in one hand and wrapping her waist with another, making her jump a little.

“May I hug you?”

She squeaked, her eyes darting everywhere but at him. Her mouth opened then closed, her skin now warmer against his.

Even then, she hadn’t pulled away, hadn’t teared up or run off.

His heart soared when she leaned closer towards him, her arm draping across his back. She then shoved her blushing face into his chest and nestled against him. He stood perfectly still for a few seconds, so in shock and disbelief he thought his heart was about to burst.

‘And I was so arrogant for wanting to kiss her when I couldn't even handle this much.’

Of course, he was more than thrilled by her willingness to engage in physical touch. Silently promising himself never to trample on her trust, he tightened his embrace around her and placed a hand on the back of her head. At their closeness, she whimpered out a small sound of surprise but stayed in his arms.

He would never do anything that might scare or upset her. However, as it turned out, their current position was only tempting him more to go further—a test of restraint. Without her knowing it, she was awakening in him a strong, dangerous longing for earthly indulgences.

He was terrified of hurting her, yet he couldn’t stop.

“I want this. I want you so badly, Mia,” he whispered, “We don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with. If you want, we can keep this a secret. This doesn’t have to change what we already have.”

“A-A secret…? But why?”

“Well… You know who I am, so…”

“Who you are…? Um, I don’t think I’m getting it…”

The romantic air broke in an instant, and Wes quickly pulled back to look at Mia. A pit formed in his stomach when he saw the pure, raw bewilderment on her face. Contrary to what he believed, the incident earlier failed to bring the truth of his identity to light for her.

All the clamor, all the chaos—yet she understood not a thing.

‘Oh, dear.’ Wes was incredulous. ‘Didn’t someone literally shout ‘Wes Ashthorne’? Or was it after she left? Or did she hear it but still didn’t know who it was?’

He sighed deeply before chuckling once more.

Not telling it was bound to complicate things in the long run, but that’s alright. She was more than worth it. They had enough revelations for the day, and besides, they had all the time in the world now.

‘It will only be a temporary secret, anyway. I’m not sure how long we can keep this from everyone else—perhaps just until she gets used to this, to us.’

Wes made his decision.

It’s too early in their relationship for him to feel secure that Mia wouldn’t change her mind. There’s a chance she would, and even as he tried to assure himself otherwise, a quiet unease gnawed at the edges of his confidence. The reality of being with an Ashthorne could daunt her far more than physical contact would.

That’s why, a secret, it would be. At least for now, it’s theirs to keep.

With that in mind, he tackled her into a hug once more, making her squeal, “Kya! W-Wes?!"

For the meantime, Wes would enjoy this moment of holding Mia in his arms before it slipped away like a magic spell undone by the inevitable.