1 1 THE KISS

New York, United States of America.

New York. The most populous metropolis in the United States. There is no difference between day and night. The crowd is an everyday song. Human traffic mixed with vehicles passing inside and outside working hours. Party. Student riots sometimes. And nightlife in pitch-black underground bars.

Since moving from Beijing to New York, Siu Sean had to start adapting as quickly as possible. Because in her simple house, breakfast four healthy five perfect must have been served on time every morning. Complete smile of her mother at the dinner table. Also, her father's crisp laugh when she read the news of political silliness in the newspaper.

Siu Sean. A 23-year-old girl who received a bachelor's degree in Informatics Engineering scholarship at Fordham University. Smart, friendly, has a flowery smile, is tall and slender and has a pretty face. You didn't read it wrong, especially since I was wrong in typing.

Siu Sean has big eyes. Her nose sparkled. Thin rosy lips and back-length hair that rattled the fingers of anyone who touched them. No, no. She didn't mean to beat the charm of any woman's existence, but her father said... There's nothing wrong with showing beauty according to the style you want to have.

Siu Sean. Her laughter can attract men's pheromones and can even turn the cafe where she works shaking milkshakes into a bustling crowd of customers.

"Thank you..." said Siu Sean. Her hands a customer a milkshake with a cute wink. "Enjoy your drink..."

Instead of replying to Siu Sean's words, the teenage customer actually laughed loudly with his chest full of flowers because she was smiling. Dare to bet. If Siu Sean notices the cell phone number he left on the barista's table, later at home he'll scream like crazy. But, Alexander's strategy, the cafe owner actually prohibits any fangirling activities if they don't sit there for two consecutive weeks.

Oh, promotion.

Siu Sean doesn't mind being made a kind of display in there if she is given a high salary.

Honestly, Siu Sean needed money. Next month she has entered the exam season and the total billing for campus facilities is now piling up and squeezes her chest.

Apartment also accumulate debt. Her financial plan failed because a week ago she accidentally broke a drinking glass at the feet of a customer. As a result... his fingers were badly injured and Siu Sean had to be responsible for the medical expenses.

Bad. Very bad. Especially when Sean is faced with another reality: her tuition payments must be completed immediately or stop continuing her education at this point. For whatever reason, Siu Sean dares to take a risky decision if it can make her parents no longer worry at home.

"Is it true?" asked Edward Rich with a smile and a snort. "Be careful with what you say, Siu Sean. You could be eaten by it one day."

Siu Sean stopped typing tasks on her laptop. She turned her head. Staring at Edward Rich's blue eyes which did not show the slightest hostility.

That afternoon, in the campus library and alone, Edward Rich actually pulled Siu Sean's face with a sudden peck.

"Ed!"

Edward laughed loudly when Siu Sean coughed in amusement while rubbing her lips.

"What the hell are you doing? Fuck!"

"Hahaha... Why? Don't tell me it was your first kiss?"

"Of course not!" cried Siu Sean with a blush on her face. "I have an ex in Beijing. But it's not like this, is it?"

Edward Rich laughed. "Hello... It's U-S-A!" he exclaimed. "That's normal, right? Especially in a few days until Christmas. Why don't you take it as a gift for me?"

Siu Sean's nose wrinkled in disgust. "Okay, done..." she said. Then stood up. "Today's work done, Ed."

Immediately Edward Rich took her hand. "What? Wait!" he said immediately. "Siu Sean... Siu Sean... Don't be old-fashioned... Just try to enjoy your current life, hm?"

"By being cheap? Fine... If you think that's still sane."

Edward Rich also stood up only to press Siu Sean's shoulder and slowly sat back in her chair. "Okay-okay... Sorry. Let's just say I made a mistake on that just now," he said. "But you know what? It's stressful every time my friends at the bar ask about you."

DEG

Siu Sean's brows furrowed as well this time. "Asking about me?"

"Hm..." Edward Rich nodded. He then cupped both sides of Siu Sean's face. "Look at you. Damn, you're so beautiful... I'm bi and seldom at the thought of kissing you like before."

Siu Sean's mouth closed. "Nope," she said. Then looked away from Edward Rich's hands. "It's not fair for me ..." then scratched the back of her neck that didn't itch. "Should I cut my hair instead of this—"

"What?! No!" ban Edward Rich.

"So you'd rather I turn cheesy?"

A bit long pause.

Edward Rich couldn't run from being honest anymore.

"Honestly, yes. I mean, less old-fashioned ..." said Edward Rich. "Ok, I know... You're from China, but isn't there something called Taiwan in your country? I heard that promiscuity and even LGBT are allowed. So I really wonder why your thinking is this old-fashioned."

Siu Sean bit her lip. "It hurts..." she hissed. Then ruffled her hair in frustration. "Could you please stop talking about this in front of me? Can you just ignore me?"

At that point, Edward Rich was confused. This time purely as a friend, if you were alone in your current position would you leave your best friend? Impossible, right?