Twenty nine

Andre's car went down the street at 11th Ave, then turned left towards the Battery Park exit, then went straight until skyscrapers greeted us. At the end of the road, I saw the Statue of Liberty illuminated by the sun without fear of overheating. I wondered to myself whether Andre would take me there. What is he planning?

As expected, we stopped at the Battery Pier in Lower Manhattan. Many visitors are queuing to get on the boat, which will invite them to wander around with a statue of American pride.

"We're going on a cruise," said Andre, walking quickly towards one of the ships.

Does he rent or own that white boat with the American flag that moves with the wind? Okay, I wouldn't be surprised because he's fucking rich. It's just how much property the boss owns.

"Hey, is everyone ready?" Andre asked the man with long, blonde hair standing at the ship's deck entrance.

"Yes, Mr. Johnson, we can go now."

Andre nodded, pulling my arm more deeply into the ship's body. Then, climb the tiny stairs one by one to get to the roofless upper deck and enjoy the brightness of the day. I fell silent, lost in thought, admiring the atmosphere of the pier as the wind caressed my hair and skin. It's also amazing how he can have all this so quickly.

"Let's just sit here; you will see New York from the other side," continued Andre as he landed his buttocks on the extended bench on the right side of the ship.

I sit down next to him and take out my cell phone to capture several angles of the ship as it moves away from the pier. The wind blew harder following this ship's speed until my hair became unruly. Finally, I tied it with pink rubber from my right wrist. I'm lucky to be going on a date, going out with him wearing jeans and a white blouse, and not worrying about the wind blowing my clothes off. Ah, the smell of the sea is so soothing to the soul and fills the recesses of my chest.

"Do You like it?" Andre asked as he grabbed my hand and held it tightly.

"I will judge until the end of our journey," I answered with a smile. "But, so far so good."

"Reasonable?" he repeated, then laughed, grabbed my shoulders, and affectionately kissed the top of my head. "Looks like I'll have to work harder to impress you."

Suddenly, that strange tingling appeared again, increasing the blood flow in each of my veins. This time, the sensation that emerged wouldn't make me faint on the spot. Yes, my body got goosebumps when Andre stroked my arm, holding me tightly so that perhaps our body scents mingled as one. Until the blood flow quickly stops in your cheeks, causing a red hue that you feel beats the color of the blush on the dressing table.

This time, I let the red blush on my cheeks as I thought again about him and his feelings for me. Is now the time for me to have a relationship with a man? Can I?

"Andre," I called.

"Yes?"

I stared silently at his ocean-blue eyes while biting my lower lip, hesitant to say that my heart was starting to like him. It wasn't easy to even form words when his face got closer to me. He tilted his head to look at my lips until my eyes closed unconsciously to feel the softness and sweetness of those lips again.

One second

Two seconds

The sound of a photo snap immediately made my eyes open wide. Andre, with his mischievous laugh, took a picture of my face with his damn cellphone.

"Y-you?"

"Your face is cute, Ms. Khan. Look at your cheeks as red as a lobster."

"Andre!" I screamed in disapproval. I was embarrassed and annoyed; how could he have destroyed any expectations that we would kiss on the boat?

Slowly, the ship landed on Liberty Island, where the icon towered so high that it reached the limitless sky. Annoyed, I left him down the stairs and out of the ship area. Andre called but didn't pay attention.

"Don't be angry." Andre took my hand after saying goodbye to the ship captain named Robin.

My lips are silent; he needs to get the silent treatment so he doesn't mess with women carelessly. We entered the Statue of Liberty area with several doves flying low and some even perched on the grass. He grabbed his cell phone and told me to pose among the pigeons. I just glanced at him briefly because I wasn't in the mood.

Andre raised an eyebrow, then cupped my face and kissed my lips. The pounding in the chest suddenly echoed and bloomed like a rainbow that shines after heavy rain. "Are you sulking because I didn't kiss you?"

"No!"

"It is," he whispered. "Stand there, I'll take your picture."

Damn! Why does my annoyance suddenly disappear like steam? My lips spread without being ordered. My legs were the same as if they had succumbed to the coffee man's words after receiving a brief kiss on his lips. I stood among dozens of pigeons, posing shyly in front of him. After taking several angles to take photos, he ran towards me, and we took a selfie together with the pigeons flying around, making me scream.

After we were satisfied with our selfies, we bought tickets to the Liberti Tower and entered the elevator, which was quite busy. Instantly, my body tensed when I saw the iron box; it felt like there would be no air left in it, even that. I moved back, especially as those standing there looked at me strangely.

"Don't be afraid," whispered Andre, holding my body from behind. "I'll be with you."

He retook my hand and got into the elevator. The people there gave us space as the guy next to me chose the back corner on the left side of the elevator. He fortified me with his two strong arms so that I felt safe. But, in this position, I didn't dare look up. Andre's breath was so close to touching the skin of my face that if I looked up, we automatically...

He pulled my chin with one hand, our irises met and I could see the reflection of my blushing face there. I swallowed hard because my heartbeat was racing so fast that I didn't realize I was squeezing my sling bag. The next second, his lips brushed mine again, exploding vibrations in my chest until my left hand hit his broad chest.

"Don't take the chance," I said awkwardly.

Andre didn't have time to answer when the elevator doors opened. The two of us came out last after the crowd had scattered. Not many words can be said when I stand on top of America's iconic tower with a truly fantastic view.

"How?" asked Andre, embracing him from behind.

"Reasonable."

####

The sun's glow begins to fade, replaced by the radiant moonlight, even though the air temperature does not drop during the summer. At the end of this enjoyable trip, we sat on a bench in Brooklyn Park, enjoying the beauty of the famous bridge that crosses the East River. The lights adorn the Brooklyn Bridge against the purplish blue sky, making the atmosphere even more romantic, even though the roar of the car engines passing over the bridge is quite noisy.

"This." Andre came from behind, handing me a hot latte, and sat beside me. "I've never taken a walk like this."

"Is it true?" I inquired, taking a solid sip of the aroma of the latte, which could relax my mind.

He nodded. "Never been this happy and free in my ... probably 23 years of life," he added.

"Exactly how old are you now that you say 23 years of your life doesn't feel as free as it does now?"

"Should you? You'll be surprised."

I snorted in annoyance as I took a slow sip of my latte.

"36 years, actually," he said casually,, making me spit out a latte.

"What?" I shouted, then shifted my body a little away from him. "I feel like I'm walking alone with my uncle."

"Hahahaha... am I that old to you?"

I cringed; of course it's true, isn't it? I have just turned 22 years and six months old. While he is 36 years old, you can imagine that Andre was already in high school when I was born. The difference between us was very striking, and I realized that the wrinkles on his forehead were not because he was a complex thinker but because he was about to turn 40. I've been too rude to him all this time; should I apologize now?

Unfortunately, my brain was suddenly paralyzed when he approached, locking his irises on me with a thin, seductive grin.

"You know Ms. Khan? This old man is in love with you," he whispered.