35|Rhea Rutherford?Eris.

She took each step carefully. Dressed in her off-shoulder black gown that was laced with crystals, the dress merged perfectly with her slender body creating a beautiful figure. She looked majestic. Her appearance was as that of the moon goddess. Her luscious hair that swept to the side danced with the movement of the soft breeze that parades the starry night. Every eyes watched her in awe as she stepped closer to the building before her.

She looked at the address displayed on the screen of her phone and looked at the gigantic building that stood before her. She was in awe. Eris style of a date was so so... After she had left Claire's apartment, she took a taxi that brought her to the address, although everything about Eris' idea of a date was not as she expected, she did not take it to heart and neither was she disappointed.

"Welcome ma'am, your name and what service should we offer you?" The female receptionist asked her politely as she stood before the desk. She could tell easily that she was in a totally different exotic world from the usual. She braced herself, lit her face with a smile and said,

"I am Rhea Rutherford, I guess there is a reservation here already—"

"Miss Rhea, I never expected you to be this stunning— sorry" The receptionist quickly covered her mouth after blurting out unnecessarily.

"It's no problem, please speak" Rhea said giving her a smile. Although she could not help but wonder the reason for the sudden and unexpected reaction.

"Thank you, please follow me" The receptionist said with a curtsy.

Although Rhea nodded, she could not help but notice the immediate change in behaviour and reverence after giving her name. The receptionist was courteous and mindfully kept a distance from her as they walked. She also did not miss the keen eyes of people that watched her every move.

As they walked, they got further away from the people. Then they stopped in front of an elevator that indicated 'roof'. With the receptionist's lead, they took the elevator. While in the elevator, the receptionist would look at Rhea discreetly for a moment and then open her mouth to speak but as if she remembered something, she would shut her mouth and look straight. That was how the entire elevator ride went and Rhea wondered who exactly Eris is to make her receive so much courteous behavior.

"DING"

The elevator sounded and came to a halt. The receptionist stepped outside and Rhea followed after.

"This is where I am instructed to bring you miss" The receptionist said and Rhea nodded. Giving a small bow, the receptionist walked away.

Rhea looked around, the rooftop of the restaurant was large but empty, it was dimly lit and did not look like any typical place for a date. She had initially expected a surprise awaiting her. Something like a red carpet entrance, a candle light dinner under the stars and Eris giving her a symbolic bunch of roses. So much for her creative thoughts.

She wondered where Eris could be. Brushing off the thoughts, she walked to the edge of the rooftop. It showed the overview of the city, the sight was so beautiful at night. The sky was dark and clear, it was filled bright stars. The night of the new year eve was very cool and beautiful, the last day of the year.

Just as she watched, A brilliant flash of light shot straight into the sky followed by an explosion. Vivid green, red, orange, yellow, blue, violet and pink colors tumbled like a scarlet waterfall against the night sky. She fell in daze. The fireworks display for the new year eve were a beautiful sight from the rooftop.

"Aww.." She said in small voice that was evident of her awe. The fireworks continued in different awesome displays. It whirled in a spiral in the sky and floated in a glittering silver shower. It illuminated the starry night and colors felt like daylight.

"Beautiful isn't it?" A voice, deep and filled with masculinity spoke. Rhea was immediately transported back to reality and she turned around.

"Eris" She breathe in surprise.

"Surprised? I guess I did well to give you a good surprise on our first date" He said and took long strides towards her. She looked straight ahead and saw a table set, her jaw dropped. 'When– how did this happen?' She thought to herself.

The table, covered in a velvet linen was filled with different assorted dishes and bottles of wine. Eris walked her to the table and pulled out the chair for her. She sat down and he sat across her.

"I did not expect such things as fireworks to distract you so well" He uttered. It was after he spoke that Rhea knew he had prepared everything while she watched the fireworks display, it was more surprising that she did not notice no movement at all.

Eris poured wine in two glasses and offered her a glass. He watched her take a sip from the glass while twirling his glass in his hand. Rhea felt his gaze on her and let out a shy smile. He gave a small laugh and drained his glass of wine. The setting was filled with sparks of light from the fireworks and also a few well placed candles in the middle of the table.

"Let us eat" Eris said and picked his cutlery. Rhea did the same. Looking at the table of so many dishes, she did not know what to eat. Eris served her a plate of seafood pasta with grilled asparagus drizzled with olive oil. She looked at him with a small smile. Her cheek tinted with blush.

At first, the table was quiet, only the clattering of the cutlery against the plates mixed with the whispers of the passing breeze filled with the explosion of the fireworks and crackle of the candles could be heard. Then Eris dropped his fork and his gaze fell on Rhea. She had the resemblance of an ethereal being.

His eyes travelled from her face and fell on her glossy lips. Rhea felt she was been watched and raised her head, their eyes met. His eyes swallowed her up into the whirlpool of emotions. She could feel the surge of energy coursing between them. It was undescribable. The two were basked in the warm glow of love.

After eating, Rhea stood up and walked to the edge again. She looked at the city. The gentle wind swept her hair gently.

"It is so beautiful here tonight" Rhea commented.

"Is it?" Eris asked.

His voice was so close that Rhea turned around. She realised that Eris had cornered her. With her back against the edge of the roof and Eris hands on each side, she had no where to run to but to stick very close to him.

She held her breathe, the closeness was just so overwhelming. When she finally let loose of the breathe she was holding, their breathe mingled together creating a harmonious warm sensation that lingered around them. Rhea's eyes were glued to his broad chest in front of her, she could not bring herself to meet his enchanting gaze.

"You are more beautiful" He said softly.

"The most beautiful thing I see" He added. He was so close that his breathe fanned her skin. The feeling was tingling that it left her exposed skin covered in goosebumps.

As if the tortures were not enough, he ran his finger tips from her cheekbone down to her neck and her collarbone. She shivered and subconsciously closed her eyes.

"Very beautiful" Eris mumbled against her exposed skin. His cold but alluring voice made her fall into a world of trance.

His touch had left her in a mess, all she wanted was more. She was speechless and it felt like all need was his touch which is why she craved for him at the moment. Even if these spiral of emotional tantrums were all new and unexpected, she let loose of all her emotions and it floats. Eris felt the loose of emotions in her and smiled. It looks like he was not the only one who wanted her after all and he was a step closer to making her his.

He dropped a feathery kiss on the tip of her nose and her eyes snapped open. Their eyes met immediately, every other thing around was ignored and nature placed her attention on the couple. Lost in the abyss of his eyes, she no longer saw the flashes of light nor the echos of explosion from the fireworks, all she could see was him with her, in their world of fantasies.

Eris raised his hand and caressed her cheek. She let out a small sound and leaned into his touch. All she felt was something surreal.

"Rhea..." he muttered and she blinked at him.

"After from not being a man of many words..., mere words cannot describe how I feel about you. For the first time, I feel like I have found everything that I need. You are like the drops of rain in my desert. You are everything" He paused and brushed back the strands of hair on her face. He then enclosed her palm in his.

"Will you be mine? The only woman for me?" He asked calmly, his eyes not leaving hers as he stared into the depth of her soul.

At first, Rhea's throat ran dry. She stared at the man standing in front of her for the longest time. The heart indeed knows what it wants. Her heart yearned for his love and affection, in cold nights, all she wanted was to be in his embrace. He was the first man she felt all this emotions for so why not go for it. Without even planning, her head moved and formed into a nod of affirmation.

Eris saw the small movement and pulled her to him. He held her in a tight hug before letting her go. Before she knew it, her lips were captured in his. Time stood still. It took Rhea a couple of seconds before she registered what was happening and when she did, she returned his soft kisses. Their lips melted together as if it was made for each other. The taste of the fruit wine they drank mingled in the kiss creating a sweet savor.

Eris let go and she held on to him catching her breathe.

"Happy New Year" he whispered and locked her lips with his for another kiss. High above them, fireworks exploded and shattered into thousands of sparks. 'Happy New Year' was engraved in the sky. It was indeed a happy new year, the beginning of so many things for the couple.