Moved

"Are you alright?" Alan handed a bottle of cold water he purchased from the convenience store to Ginny.

Twisting the bottle cap opened, Ginny nodded with a smile on her face. Subconsciously, he made a "phew" sound after seeing her being back to her regular self. When he saw her crying earlier, he didn't know what he should do.

Although he was in a few relationships before, he had never seen any of his girlfriends cry. Even during the dating period and after the breakup, his girlfriends would act like nothing had happened. Instead, the girls would hug another guy's arms the next day. Therefore, he was quite surprised and shocked to see Ginny crying.

He remembered how his dad comforts his mom when she gets upset, so he used the same method. While he patted her back, kissed her head from time to time and pulled her in his embrace to comfort her; his heart was pounding like bunnies making moon cakes with a big hammer. Like smashing moon cakes, he swore his heart was as loud as the hammering sounds it takes to soften the ingredients.

"Good. If your relatives bother you again, you might want to consider moving to a new location. I could help you find some less costly alternatives if you ever want to move out. They sound like mutant pests that stubbornly live through pesticide. Scary." He suggested as he watched her drink mouthfuls of water to replenish her energy.

Ginny answered after swallowing the fresh, cool water down her throat. "Ah! That felt nice. As for your concern, I've already moved to a different location without them knowing. Honestly, they tailed after me last time and stalked me to my apartment. They made fliers using red paint and super glued it to my door and hallways. I didn't want to bother my neighbors nor have them look at me with suspicious glares."

Shrugging her shoulders, she sighed. "So, I moved out during the time frame that they've been quiet. I know I can't continue hiding like that and them being my relatives should not be the excuse. This time around, if they stalk me again...I'm going to call the police and have them arrested. My current apartment has security cameras and could use it against them."

"I see. Anyways, I'll send you home from now on after our dates. I don't feel calm knowing others are targeting you for idiotic reasons. If I see them, I can at least scare them away." Alan felt slightly calmer after hearing about her plans.

"But you live in the opposite direction. Whenever we separated at the train station, you go the opposite platform." She remembered waving to him a few times after they had parted at the station.

"You are more important to me than the time I spend to get home. What kind of boyfriend leaves his girlfriend alone when he knows about stalkers coming after her? If they bother and stalk you again, it wouldn't be basic arrest. I'll have them scram through my own ways." He held her hand and pulled her up from the bench.

With their height difference, Ginny's head reached his shoulders. She lifted her head, wanting to ask him what he wanted to do now they were both standing. In the next seconds, something soft and warm rubbed against her face gently.

"You're probably not used to this, but I really want to make an effort to protect you. As your boyfriend, it is my job to take care of you in my way. You can be independent in front of anyone, but you can always lean on me when you're tired. In front of me, you can always be yourself. I'll be here for you."

Ginny stared into his eyes as if trying to read his mind. Through his eyes, she saw her own reflection. As he said those sweet words, the Duchenne smile on his face could not be contained. His smile was addicting as if he was stuck with that curve on his lips. Her heart raced, eyes watered and lips followed with an emotional smile.

"Why are you so good to me?" She whispered.

"Huh? Because I really like you. I've never felt this way for any girls. When I see you, I just want to hug you close and spend time with you. When I get a text or call from you, my frown becomes a smile. I don't really know what I'm-" His words were cut off by something warm against his lips.

His eyes had widened slightly before he responded to her kiss. Her hand settled on his shoulder as she supported her body and tiptoed to taste his lips. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he closed his eyes and returned the same pecks she showered on his lips. The kisses were slow and had mini pauses in-between, but it felt content. Her lips were soft as marshmallows and sweeter than cotton candy.

Time seemed to have stopped for both of them as they kissed until they ran out of breath. Even after their lips parted, their eyes remained gazing deeply in contact. It wasn't until Ginny's phone started ringing from notification sounds that they came out of their daze.

She rummaged through her bag for her phone to realize she was holding onto it. "Whoops.." She mumbled and fixed her fringe as she looked at the messages. A new group chat was created on WeChat. Toby was the one who formed the group and added everyone from both families into it.

As messages filled the chat, Ginny received a private text from Lily.

Lily: "Do you want to invite your plus one for the vacation? It's rare for mom and dad to be free for vacation. Want to introduce Alan to them? [Wink]"

Ginny gave it a thought and turned to Alan with a questionable look. "I'm going on vacation with Lily, Lily's parents, Lin Que and his parents. Do you want to join us if you are free? It's rare for auntie and uncle to be free since they're always working."

Leaning forward, Alan smiled, "Is this an invite to officially greet your family?"