Thirty
I thought sitting and enjoying the sunset in Brooklyn Park was the end of my trip with Andre. Moreover, he expressed his feelings again and again. In fact, no, he invited me to tour along Times Square with the people who filled this famous place. Every corner of the place I stepped on was lit with neon lights and advertising boards large enough to attract attention. Andre held my right hand tightly while occasionally turning his head and smiling sweetly. I don't know how often the man blushed like a teenager, even though he was no longer young.
Remember that he is 14 years older, Lizzie!
"Don't let go of my hand, okay?" he said, kissing my hand.
Damn! Can I resist his charm? God, what should I do?
"Where are we going?" I asked, then turned to cover the pounding in my chest. I hope he doesn't hear how loud his heart is beating.
"Broadway."
"Broadway?" I repeated enthusiastically because it was the only place with shows such as musicals, romantic dramas, and comedies. There is also one building that says Madame Tussauds Museum. Ah, I've always wanted to go there with Emilia. Because of Emilia's work and busy schedule, the plan remained a plan without knowing when it would come true.
He shook his head and laughed until my right shoulder accidentally bumped into someone. I turned my head, and the person turned around and grinned at me. For some reason, the shape of his face reminds me of someone, but I'm not sure—a tall, thin man with pale skin and thin lips. The person turned away and disappeared among the crowd, but suddenly, a voice approached and whispered.
"... I'll find you easily."
"You'll remember me."
Just spontaneously, my body froze in place. That remark... I think I've heard it before. At home? Office? Ah! The hospital, that janitor! I turned my head again with a tense face. Could it be Billy, who was said to be the city's fugitive? Does he know that I'm here? Times Square?
"Are you okay?" Andre patted me on the shoulder until I stood on tiptoe in surprise. He furrowed his eyebrows and then looked straight into my gaze. "What do you see?"
"I-I'm okay, Andre. C-Come on."
"Are you sure? Your face is pale," asked Andre. "If you're uncomfortable, we can go home now, Ms. Khan."
Go home? By abandoning this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? But... I doubt it. Meanwhile, that person... is this my hallucination?
"Hey, is everything okay? You look so nervous, Lizzie. Remember what I said? Could you tell me?"
I nodded. "I..." my words stuck in my throat; I still felt unsure while my heart screamed that the person was very suspicious earlier. Could he come back and stalk? Isn't this the same thing as in a hospital?
"I... feel like someone is following me, Andre."
This time, Andre's face suddenly became worried, and he looked around warily as he hugged my body tightly. What I heard from his lips was that it would be easier for people to disguise themselves and carry out attacks in a crowded place like this. Suddenly, I looked up, feeling he was also anxious like me. I could also feel the pounding in his chest in rhythm with mine with rapid exhalations. He offered to end the trip, but I refused.
"Maybe it's just my imagination," I said, trying to calm him and myself. "Hey, Mr. Johnson. I'll be fine if you're beside me, right?"
"But-"
"I'm fine," I interrupted.
My lips curved into a faint smile, ensuring that the coffee man didn't need to feel worried like that. Finally, the lip line expanded even though it was forced. Just in case, he hugged my body like a blanket to keep me warm as I walked down the street on W 42nd St Broadway. Many shops offer crazy discounts even though this is not the high holiday season. Andre offered to go there several times, but I didn't want to. Then he whispered that there was something better than visiting the shop while taking something out of his jeans pocket.
"Did you prepare this in advance?" I asked as he held up two American Airlines Theater tickets. Okay, I agree that instead of shopping for unimportant things, it's better to watch a drama show.
"Of course, aren't we on a full-day date?" he teased when we arrived at the theater entrance. Wow, Emilia and I haven't been here yet, and she must be jealous that her roommate has joined the big boss.
We delved deeper into the theater area, which was already full of people. Andre pulled my arm towards a chair in the middle of the building. Strategic position, not too close and not too far.
"This is my favorite show," he whispered, sitting up. "I guarantee you'll laugh at that."
"If not?" I sat to his right, raising an eyebrow. In my opinion, Andre is not the type of person who can be funny; he is so good at replying to the person he is talking to that he feels like scratching that handsome face.
"I'll make you laugh my way."
"How?" I tilted my head wonderingly, imagining Andre would act like Mr. Bean or Charlie Chaplin. Ah, still, he doesn't fit in, and it's true what people say: Andre is more worthy of being an actor than a big boss. His flexible lips conveyed seduction and sarcasm at the same time.
He kissed my lips again in an instant, always doing it without warning. Even if his kiss is just like a hello for a moment, I can't forget the taste of his lips. He laughed when I smiled shyly until I chose to give him a pinch on the arm. Oh my God, I don't know how many times he made this heart beat so fast it felt like it would explode.
####
My stomach muscles are stiff!
Damn! Andre acted silly by imitating one of the theater actors without paying attention to the people around him. I'm tired of laughing until the hunger comes back. He offered me to eat at a fast food restaurant, but I refused because I wanted to experience street food at Broadway Bites, which offered a more varied menu.
Unable to refuse, Andre agreed. And look, when we arrived at a row of food stands selling various Asian and European menus, Andre's blue eyes widened like a child who discovered a secret playground. We also filled our stomachs for the third time, maybe? I bought Korean-style food such as kimchi and spicy chicken with gochujang seasoning, which wasn't too heavy on the stomach but spicy on the tongue. In contrast, Andre bought biryani - a typical Indian food from rice seasoned with spices. Spices and pieces of mutton.
After eating at Broadway Bites, we needed a sweet and fresh dessert. Finally, Andre bought two ice cream cones sprinkled with messes decorated with pieces of chocolate biscuit and strawberry sauce. I guess I'll have to weigh myself later at the apartment after ingesting so many calories today. My stomach bloated like a woman who was pregnant, except that I had too much food stored in my stomach.
Stroll along Broadway 47th St to see free musical performances while licking ice cream. I could faintly hear music like the 80s era, making me want to shake my body. Moreover, the lyrics represent Andre's figure, that of a rich man who buys a girl's love only with money and gifts, but the man cannot win the girl's attention because there is nothing valuable other than sincere love. Is the singer making fun of the coffee guy?
Money rains from the sky above
But keep the change cause I've got enough
A little time and some tenderness
You'll never buy my love
No other thing that's as precious to
Than a heart that feels and a genuine heart
Something that you've got to know this girl (This Girl by Kungs Vs Cookin On 3 Burners)
Then suddenly, several people shuffled their dance movements, either with their friends or lovers, according to the tempo of the music, which was getting louder. A few seconds later, I saw Andre trying a dance that was once popular in the late 80s, very nimbly following the rhythm. I was amazed that he could dance harmoniously while singing the lyrics. Then, he grabbed my right hand and made me turn around.
"Take my hand to win over," said Andre, singing the song while rolling his eyes. "Come on, try it, it's easy." He showed off his flexible foot movements.
"I can't," I said, laughing, and then I tried to do the running man movement - moving my right foot up and then pulling my left foot back - following Andre.
He clapped his hands while nodding his head. "Yeah, that's right, baby," he praised.
We held hands, stretched our arms, pulled them again, and pushed and pulled our bodies. Andre hugged my waist while pressing his forehead against mine so I could feel his soft breath on my face. He smiled faintly as he sang the song's lyrics in a low voice.
And it was as if time had stopped ticking, making room for us to enjoy this atmosphere while laughing and rubbing our noses. Then Andre fell silent, locking me in his beady irises. He slowly tilted his head and kissed me slowly on the lips.
I closed my eyes as his lips caressed mine, sending millions of feelings that paralyzed all the bones and nerves of the body. He held my waist so I wouldn't fall while his left hand held my cheek. He pecked my lips so gently, then bit them slowly. I don't know which demon has possessed me now; I wrapped both arms around his neck as if enjoying his intoxicating kiss.
He succeeded in exploding sparks in my heart for all his sweet gestures today. OK, I know he's annoying sometimes, but... what girl wouldn't melt down with a guy like him?
"Would you be mine?" Andre asked between kisses.
Time passed again when I heard loud applause from the people around us. I feel so embarrassed that I even want to disappear right now. They all saw the two of us kissing so hotly. Isn't that embarrassing?
"Hey." Andre pulled my chin. "I'm in love with you, Ms. Khan."
Before I answered, my gaze shifted to a man in a leather jacket behind Andre. He was wearing a hat that said New York so that he couldn't see his face very clearly. However, the pull on his lips seemed to mock me, and then slowly, I saw him brandishing a small black gun. As ordered, I suddenly screamed,
"Andre! Watch out!"
DOR!!!!
"Argh!!!!"