The First Kiss

Griffin was smoking in the car with a half-open window shield. The place is named Tagaytay, known for its pine trees and cold weather just below 80 degrees Fahrenheit a few hours drive from the central city. He sniffled as he peered through the hotel. He wanted to check in to follow his dear half-sister, however, he couldn't. Gray knew him and a disguise would still make Gray recognize him.

He remembered that a young boy Gray was being bullied by them. Becoming their servant after their family, Lefebure took over their country. His great grandfather was Duke Lukas Lefebure I. Their family was eager to take back the country that they believed theirs, for years, more than decades, they ruled the country named Paradis Evergarden. It's located somewhere in Europe near France. It's an old small kingdom but now, it's a rich small kingdom like Monaco. But no matter what, there was still someone that Gray detest.

They clothed him, and almost treated him like a hostage. No one came after Gray. They had no idea that her mother is Phoenix. A Phoenix Empire is an ancient Empire that has the gift to foresee the future. They thought that it was just a myth but the Serpent, which is their Empire, was the one who helped with wiping out the Phoenix together with other Empires.

The bastard that they clothed, gave knowledge was a traitor. But he can't blame him for that. He was used as a dog and was brainwashed many times, but it seemed that the Serpent's venom doesn't affect the Phoenix. They will die and resurrect again. That's the cycle of the Phoenix anyway. He suddenly felt a goosebump as he quickly threw his smoke and rolled the window shield. It only meant that Gray was trying to look through the person that was following him and it was them.

"Shit," he grumbled. "Let's go."

"Boss, but what about that woman?"

Griffin glared at him as the man quickly drove.

"That woman's name is Eris and she's beautiful." He rolled his eyes. "Let's drive far from here."

"Would he find us?" The man named Winston asked.

"Yes, he will if he wants to. So, don't be an ass, and let's go. Eris will be fine."

The man cleared his throat.

Griffin leaned on his seat, staring at nowhere while thinking of Eris. He hopes that she will be fine. Somehow, he hoped that they wouldn't know that Eris was a Lefebure. He hoped that they would have all of the gems so Eris won't be killed by the Rossie.

Griffin is not as sick as Luke or not as obsessed as Janella, but he can be called dumb, however, he's not someone that would risk a family and Eris has been through a lot.

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The gray cold smell of tobacco had a little taste of mint. He was trying to search for whoever was following them. He closed his eyes and relaxed his body as he tried to concentrate to follow that scent. In the car, he found the plate number the same as the one he saw in the parking lot.

The only way to find them is to focus more. He was focusing hard.

"G-Gray," She called softly. Gray looked at her. She was holding her nose and there were spots of blood on her yellow dress. He quickly grabbed a tissue and gently pulled her hand as he held her nose.

"Eris, why are you bleeding again?"

"I-" Eris bit her tongue as Gray became busy wiping her blood. It stopped after he wiped it off and he quickly grabbed an ice bag from the freezer, he checked if they had an ice bag holder and placed it over her nose.

"I should take you to the hospital."

"No. I am fine." She said and held him so he wouldn't leave. "Stay. I don't want you to go. I don't need any doctor. I only need you."

"Does this happen often?"

"Yes. But it's normal for me. I just need to relax a bit and later, maybe a hot spring can relax us?" Eris held on to his shirt tightly. He sighed as he nodded his head. It wasn't hot in the room to give her that nosebleed nor is it hot outside.

He helped her clean up and helped her change into his shirt that could swallow her. He took a piece of paracetamol and made her drink it. She asked for a bathroom as he escorted her to the bathroom. Shortly, she came out as she walked in bare feet toward the bed, she nearly hit the bed if he didn't stop her. He pulled her waist closer to him while he was sitting at the edge of the bed.

Eris was caught up in his actions as his arms wrapped around his nape. He hugged her protectively.

"Eris, is there something I should know about you? About your health?"

"Gray, let's wait for the test results, but I am completely fine. Let's sleep, okay?"

"Nap. Let's nap and later, we will have a nice hot spring as I promise."

He grinned as he took her to bed and tucked her in. Once Gray undressed a little and lay beside her, he tried to search about that person again, but all he could see was blurry and nothing else. Eris fell asleep fast with her hand extended to him. He smiled, reaching her hand, and kissed it.

"I want you, Eris. All of you." He whispered.

When Eris woke up, Gray already settled everything for their hot spring. Everything is perfect including their dinner. Eris wore a pair of bikinis with a see-through dress over it. She seemed to not know anything about what she was wearing since it made him gape. He would scold Keira or Johanna for packing such a thing. He quickly took a robe and wrapped it around her. She seemed to be shivering from the dress that's why she wrapped the robe around her.

A nice dinner was perfect, with a perfectly cooked steak, together with vegetables. First, they ate their salad and she looked so happy while eating. She's feeding herself without any of his help but he makes sure that her food isn't hot so she won't get burnt.

"Gray, can we have the same steak for tomorrow? It's delicious." She looks like a kid and it was more adorable when she found out that there was no steak on her plate, she looked like pouting. Gray spared half of the steak for her and started feeding her with it. He was happy to see her eating. "You are making me fat already." She said as she chewed carefully. "Gray, are you eating well?"

"Yes, you love the steak and I love the chicken." He took the chicken wings as he removed the bones. "Open your mouth," She swallowed hard as she opened mouth. He put it in as she chewed on it carefully.

"Hmm."

"Do you love steak more?" He asked as she smiled like a little girl and nodded her head. "Don't worry, love. I got you. You will have another but that's it. You can't eat more meat at night. It's bad for you."

After their dinner, he takes her to soak in the hot spring. They sat first with their probiotic drink. Eris rubbed her tummy feeling too full from all of the food.

Gray moved closer to her as he soaked half of his body down on the hot spring pool and he cornered her. He smiled up at her as she bent down. She raised her hand to search for him. When she felt his arm, she moved it up to his jaw to his face.

"Gray," she called. Somehow, hearing his name from her made him feel those sorts of things inside him. He's feeling tingles. He moved closer to her to reach her lips.

"Yes, darling?"

"I like sleeping beside you." She said out of nowhere. She speaks about whatever's on her mind and he loves that about her. He grabbed her lower back and pulled her. She squirmed as her arms were wrapped over his shoulder.

"I can't stop now."

"Gray," She whispered.

"I will kiss you now, Eris." He scooped her face as he tilted his head. He planted his lips to hers. Eris was surprised, but Gray wasn't done. "Open your mouth a little, darling."

Eris did as she was told. Gray stared at her eyes as he kissed her passionately, his tongue wandered into her mouth and it took seconds when Eris finally responded following him.

"Hmm," She hummed. Gray's hands tightened around her as he pulled her closer to him.

"Eris," He mumbled as he kissed her again. "Hmm, Eris."

"Gray," She gasped. He grinned as he scooped her face and kissed her cheeks lightly.

"I love hearing my name in your sweet mouth."

"Gray," She called him again.

"Yes, darling?"

"I like you, a lot. But this is our first kiss."

"Yes, and it'll be forever our kiss." He lifted her chin and kissed her again with the same hot passion as before.