“Doesn’t it look ugly? Doesn’t it scare you?” Leon looked at me. He looked directly in my eyes. He was looking for something in them.

I shook my head. “It doesn’t scare me.” I said truthfully.

“Then do you pity me?” Leon asked seriously. He held my eyes to his, locked in his gaze.

‘Do I pity him?’ I asked myself.

I shook my head again. “No, I don’t pity you. On the contrary I am happy and proud.”

“Happy and proud?” Leon looked at me questioningly.

I nodded.

“Because you have gone thru this and made it out alive. So I am happy because you are alive and I was able to meet you.” I said while looking into his eyes. “Proud because you have gone thru this and yet you can still continue on living with a bright smile in your face.”

“Bright smile?” Leon asked.

I blushed and looked away. “Y-yes. I like your smile a lot.” I said shyly.

Leon chuckled. “You are really different Alicia.”

“Different? Is that a bad thing?” I asked curiously. All my life the people around me told me I was different and I felt bad about it. I don’t want Leon to think of me in a bad way.

Leon shook his head. “No. It is a compliment.” He smiled his bright smile I so love to see.

“Don’t worry. This smile of mine is reserved only for you.” Leon promised me.

He stared at me for a while that it made me embarrassed that I looked down. But then Leon held my chin and gently pushed my head up.

Our eyes met once again. His gaze locked mine in place. I can feel his thumb gently caress my plump lips.

“You look so sweet that it’s dangerous.” Leon said softly.

I can feel my heart racing. It was like there is a machine thumping inside my chest.

“Promise me that you won’t let other men see this look.” Leon said.

I look at him confused. ‘Why? How do I look?’ I thought.

“Promise me you will only look like that for me.” Leon said seriously yet seductively.

I don’t understand but I just nodded.

“Good girl.” Leon gave me his bright smile. I felt happy instantly. I want to make him smile for me more often.

Slowly he was inching near me. My heart was now thumping like crazy. His gaze locked me in place.

“Can I kiss you?” He asked.

I was silent. I don’t know what to say. ‘A kiss is given between a couple right?’ I thought.

“I’ll take your silence as a yes.” Leon smirked.

He inched closer and closer. I can feel my heart thumping even wilder. I closed my eyes.

Then I felt something wet and hot on my lips. It was a foreign feeling yet sweet. His lips was tasting mine, savoring it gently.

“Breathe.” Leon told me.

I didn’t realize that I wasn’t breathing. I inhaled deeply. Leon smiled and caressed my cheeks.

Then he kissed me again. Different from earlier, now it was like he was hungry. I can feel his tongue licking my lips deliciously. The feeling was intense that my head was starting to spin.

“This is dangerous.” Leon said while withdrawing. “Let’s leave it at that for now.”

‘Dangerous? But why?’ I asked myself.

“Now you are mine. Remember that.” Leon looked at me with serious eyes.

“Yours?” I repeat the words.

“Yes. ONLY MINE.” Leon said with a commanding voice.

I don’t understand what he meant but I nodded. The idea of being only his sounded like I will be always by his side. And I thought I want to be always by his side. Now and forever.