Alex took Maria out of the club, the night air cool against their flushed faces. "What was that back there?" he demanded, his voice low but intense. Maria looked up at him, tears still shining in her eyes. "I...I didn't mean to spill the wine, I swear," she stammered.
Alex's expression softened slightly. "I don't care about the wine. I care about you. About us." He pulled her closer, his eyes searching hers. "Why did you just disappear like that?"
Maria swallowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I...my family, they're...they're hard on me. My grandparent sent me on holiday to get away, to figure things out. I got confused, I didn't know what I wanted."
Alex's grip on her hand tightened. "You didn't think I'd wait? That I'd understand?" he asked, his tone a mix of hurt and frustration.
Maria shook her head, tears falling. "I didn't know what to do. I was scared."
Alex pulled her into a hug, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm here now. We'll figure it out."
The friends from the club watched from a distance, looking sheepish as Alex shot them a warning glance. The lady who'd caused trouble looked away, embarrassed.
Alex pulled back, his eyes locked on Maria's. "You okay?"
Maria nodded, her smile waky. "Yeah. Thanks to you."
Alex smiled back, his anger fading.
Alex held Maria's hand, and they walked in silence for a bit, the night air filled with tension. As they strolled, the sounds of the city faded into the background, and all that was left was the beat of their hearts. They walked past street vendors, their lights twinkling like stars, and the smell of grilled meat wafted through the air, making Maria's stomach twinge with hunger.
Alex stopped under a street lamp, his eyes locking onto hers. "Why did you really disappear?" he asked again, his voice softer this time.
Maria looked down, her fingers intertwining with his. "I was scared," she admitted. "Scared of how I felt about you. It was...new to me. I didn't know how to handle it."
Alex's thumb brushed against hers. "You mean, no one's ever made you feel like I do?"
Maria shook her head, her smile shy. "Not like you do."
Alex's eyes curled with warmth. "Good. I like being the one."
Maria's heart skipped a beat. "I like that too," she whispered.
Alex smiled, pulling her closer. "Good. Because I don't plan on letting you go again."
In the cozy meat store, the smell of grilled meat filled the air. Alex and Maria sat at a wooden table, laughing as they devoured the spicy brochettes.
As they ate, they discovered shared loves for adventure, music, and...food Alex gestured with a skewer. "Best part of racing is the post-race food. Always gotta carb-load."
Maria grinned, wiping sauce off her fingers. "I crash after a long shift at the cafe. Need carbs too."
The conversation flowed. They talked about travels, Alex wanted to visit Japan, Maria loved Italy, and books (both liked mystery novels), and movies (action vs. Romance- they disagreed, playfully).
As they slowed down on the food, Alex leaned in. "Want to try something crazy?"
Maria raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"Like...a food challenge," Alex said, eyes sparkling. "Whoever eats the spiciest brochette wins a prize."
Maria's smile was daring. "I'm in. What's the prize?"
Alex's grin was mischievous. "If I win, you come to a race with me. If you win...I take you anywhere you want."
The challenge was on. They called the vendor over, asking for the hottest brochettes.
As they dug in, flames danced on their plates. Maria coughed, laughing. "This is crazy!"
Alex grinned, eyes watering. "Bring it on!"
The vendor laughed, refilling their drinks. "You two are trouble!"
In the end, they both lost, the brochette was _that_ spicy, but they won something better - a memory.
In the cozy meat store, the smell of grilled meat filled the air. Alex and Maria sat at a wooden table, laughing as they devoured the spicy brochettes.
As they ate, they discovered shared loves for adventure, music, and...food (of course). Alex gestured with a skewer. "Best part of racing is the post-race food. Always gotta carb-load."
Maria grinned, wiping sauce off her fingers. "I crash after a long shift at the cafe. Need carbs too."
The conversation flowed. They talked about travels (Alex wanted to visit Japan, Maria loved Italy), books (both liked mystery novels), and movies
As they slowed down on the food, Alex leaned in. "Want to try something crazy?"
Maria raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"Like...a food challenge," Alex said, eyes sparkling. "Whoever eats the spiciest brochette wins a prize."
Maria's smile was daring. "I'm in. What's the prize?"
Alex's grin was mischievous. "If I win, you come to a race with me. If you win...I take you anywhere you want."
The challenge was on. They called the vendor over, asking for the hottest brochettes.
As they dug in, flames danced on their plates. Maria coughed, laughing. "This is crazy!"
Alex grinned, eyes watering. "Bring it on!"
The vendor laughed, refilling their drinks. "You two are trouble!"
In the end, they both lost, the he brochette was _that_ spicy, but they won something better - a memory.
As they stumbled out of the meat store, laughing and wiping tears from their eyes, Alex turned to Maria. "Rematch?" he asked, grinning.
Maria shook her head, still chuckling. "No way. I'm sticking to water now."
Alex laughed, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Fair enough. Want to walk it off?"
Maria nodded, and they strolled through the quiet streets, the night air cooling their spicy buzz. They talked about everything and nothing - music, books, silly memories.
As they turned a corner, they spotted a tiny night market still lit up. Alex's eyes lit up. "Dessert?"
Maria raised an eyebrow. "After that heat? You're crazy."
Alex grinned. "Best part."
They ducked in, picking out ridiculously sweet pastries. Alex insisted on "testing" them both, making Maria giggle.
As they sat on a curb, licking sticky fingers, Alex turned serious for a moment. "You know...I really like this."
Maria looked up, her smile soft. "Me too."
The night air charged. Alex leaned in slowly, his lips brushing Maria's. The pastries fell forgotten.
The kiss was sweet, messy, and perfect