Flowers And Stars

He went back in, started the engine, and drove away, leaving Lola stunned. He had never done that before.

The sunset had finally faded from the sky above after a few hours of driving.

The car came to a halt in front of a vibrant street food stall.

Luis got out of the car, and Lola followed suit.

"Why are we here?" Lola inquired.

Luis looked at her and said, "Of course, to eat and enjoy the view," before gazing at the sky.

He gently took her hand in his and led her to the stall, where he ordered the best Tacos Al Pastor.

While they ate the delicious Tacos Al Pastor, Luis talked about how he had always wanted to bring her here, and Lola just sat on the bench there watching him.

"The food here is excellent, unlike that of those expensive restaurants," Luis said.

Lola paused her eating, looked at the Tacos Al Pastor on her plate, and knitted her brows, "the only difference is how cheap this is."

"If you don't want it, I'll have it," Luis said as he placed his empty plate beside him on the bench he sat on. Lola shook her head and ate the entire thing, Luis laughed and said, "Are you that hungry?"

Lola remained silent, placing the plate beside her and staring at the night sky. Luis also stopped laughing and looked up at the sky.

"Would you like to see the sky more clearly at night in a less noisy environment?" Luis inquired. Lola looked at him, he looked at her, he stood up and extended his hand to her, she looked at his hand, averted her gaze, and stood on her feet. Luis grabbed her hand and pulled her along as she was about to go first.

"Don't hold my hand, I can walk myself," she said, pulling her hand away from his grip as they approached his car.

"I'm not sure why you're complaining about me holding your hand all of a sudden," Luis replied. Lola ignored him and entered his car. Luis sighed deeply and sat in the driver's seat before driving away.

***

Santiago exited his study and descended the stairs to the dining room. Only Livia was sitted at the table while the maids were serving food for only two people.

Before settling into his chair, Santiago inquired of the maids, "Why are you only serving I and Livia?"

"Sir, madam said she will be working late today," the maids replied as they exchanged glances .

Santiago nodded, sat on his chair, and concentrated on his food.

After they had finished dinner, Santiago began to pace around the living room while checking his wristwatch several times.

"It's 9:00 p.m. and she hasn't returned yet." He mumbled to herself.

Livia, who was watching him from the stairs with furrowed brows, yelled, "What the hell is wrong with you, Santi? I thought you wanted to spend the evening with me? What's the point of your pacing?"

She walked down the stairs and approached him.

"No, it's nothing," Santiago replied as he shook his head, without sparing her a glance.

"Stop lying to me, I can see you're waiting for Lola to return, since when did you care if she returns or not?" Livia asked peevishly, clutching Santiago's hand.

"For God's sake, Livia, she's my wife," Santiago said, yanking his arm free from Livia's grasp.

"I'm your wife, too, Santiago," Livia exclaimed.

He turned to her and covered her mouth and said sternly,

"Keep quiet and go back to your room,"

Livia grumbled, pushed his hand off her lips and stormed back up the stairs, slamming the door to her room shut.

Santiago exited the mansion and summoned one of the chauffeurs, and the chauffeur who drives Lola to work approached.

"Are you still here?" Santiago inquired, to which the chauffeur replied, "Well, Sir, madam hasn't informed me to come pick her up yet."

Santiago then ordered, "Drive me to her company now," as he entered the back seat of his car and the chauffeur took the wheel.

"Drive there quickly!" Santiago shouted as he dialled her number, which rang but she did not answer. The chauffeur started the car and drove away.

***

Lola looked at her phone and saw Santiago's missed calls; her forehead creased with annoyance as she set her phone to do not disturb mode before placing it in her bag.

Finally, the car came to a halt near a steep hill.

Luis got out of the car, and Lola followed suit. "Are you ready to climb that hill?" he asked, turning to her.

Lola looked at him with a raised eyebrow and asked,

"Why are we climbing the hill?"

"Just climb with me, you'll understand once we get up there," Luis said, and he began climbing the hill.

When they arrived at the top of the hill,

Lola's eyes widened as she took in the breathtaking scenery in front of her.

The clear and calm night sky was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen.

The air against her skin was crisp and cool, causing her to shiver slightly, but it felt incredible.

The moon was full and shining brightly on them both as they stood atop the hill. Millions of stars were scattered across the black to navy gradient night sky, which was so clear that one could almost see every crater. All the stars she could ever want to see were in front of her, and she let herself be enthralled for a moment.

"You know, they say the night sky and its stars is the same with the flowers in a garden. The flowers are bloom in the garden just like the stars glimmers brightly against the dark canvas of the universe . It's so fascinating . The sky is filled with so much beauty that it seems unreal. " Luis muttered as he inhaled the fresh air.

A comfortable silence enveloped them for a short period of time, before Luis spoke again, "It's almost as if you're close to the sky. I could reach out and take one of the stars. "

He reached out for the sky . Even though she was listening, Lola didn't respond because she was too engrossed.

"I always come here whenever I feel mixed emotions and to clear my head," Luis said, chuckling slightly.

Lola turned her gaze away from the sky and toward him.

'He always appears when I'm in need, it's strange, the first time was at the reunion, then that time we had lunch at my office, and now,' She reflected as the cool breeze blew her hair to her face and initially covered her face. Luis assisted in pulling her hair back, and Lola blinked and flinched slightly as his palm brushed against her cheek.

"Why are you so wary of me?" cackled Luis.

"I don't understand you," Lola exclaimed as she and Luis locked eyes.

"But I'm as transparent as I've ever been," Luis said, tilting his head to the side.

"If you're that transparent, I'd know what's going on in your head," Lola responded.

"I'm really transparent, maybe it's because you're not looking at what's in front of you," Luis responded. Lola raised an eyebrow at his remark, and he shrugged.

He then rested his brow on hers and gazed deep into her grey orbs, which reflected the moon's silvery glow. Lola could see a reflection of herself in his dark orbs.

"Lola I've been waiting for this moment for years, to finally do this with you " He said as he brought his face closer, their lips were only a few inches apart.