They stood like that for a while until Phoenix was satisfied. She loosened her hold around his waist, took a step back to look at him properly.
She had to admit that this man was breathtaking and his eyes were more like a woman's instead of a man. For a long time they locked gazes with none of them willing to break free.
This was the first time Jade got to see Phoenix and was surprised when he saw her. She appeared more like a sixteen year old student instead of a lady in her twenties. Jade had a hard time believing that the noisy woman with the squeaky voice was this lady staring at him. Sizing her up, he felt like hugging her tightly which he did. Jade pulled her into his embrace and tightly locked his arms around her waist.
This time it was Phoenix's turn to be shocked. Her heartbeat accelerated. She was delighted that she hugged him back. Feeling her hands around his waist, Jade revealed a bit of a smile.
" I meant to give you a suprise today but you ended up crying." He said next to her ear. She shivered when she heard his husky voice from such close proximity. " Phoenix."
He called out her name but she didn't answer. He called out again, this time slowly.
" Phoenix." This jolted Phoenix out from her trance. Her name sounded beautiful when he called it out loud and she loved it. She gave a humming sound to which he responded still hugging her.
" Thank you Phoenix. I wanna say thank you a million times for you to hear. I am happy and grateful for the time you spent with me, the memories we shared together. And I came here cause I want...."
" Please don't say anything more." She cut him before he finished speaking.
Jade pulled away and proceeded to hold her shoulders. He furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at her sad eyes.
" Is something the problem Phoenix? And what is it that you don't want to hear. What shouldn't I say?' he sternly asked her.
Lowering her face, Phoenix couldn't stop tears from rolling down her cheeks. _'why is she crying, is it great to cry?'_ he wanted to ask her.
Lifting her face up, Jade stared into her eyes.
" What are you scared of?"
She quickly blurted out, " am scared that one day you'll leave me and I will be alone again. Am scared that you will go back to your friends and I will be left with non... none." Her voice broke as she cried harder.
Not knowing how to calm her down, Jade hugged her tightly and her soft skin felt good to the touch. He patted her back.
" Am not leaving you. You are my only friend so why would I leave you alone? I once told you that am not unreasonable remember. So stop crying cause you look ugly." He teased her.
" That hurts and you are the one who is ugly not me. Now let me go." She retorted as she freed herself from his embrace.
He handed her a handkerchief to wipe her face. Taking it, she wiped her face as she strode towards the only double seater couch in the room. She sat down as she patted the space next to her.
Seeing her gesture, Jade approached her and sat next to her. Turning his head, he found her gawking at him.
" Why are looking at me like that, you know it's quite rude and it can make one uncomfortable. But since am no stranger, I will tolerate it. So what is it?" The man asked.
Shrugging her shoulders, she answered, " nothing much. Well has anybody ever told you that you are a handi-beau? You have beautiful eyes."
" What's that, haven't heard of that before?" He frowned deeply as he couldn't comprehend her questions.
" My friends used to say that to each other. It means that you are handsome and beautiful. You have beautiful eyes. Let's switch." She giggled at his expression.
Her giggle was infectious that Jade too started laughing. He glanced at her as if he wanted to imprint her into his mind. His blue eyes reflected her being as she looked back into his eyes.
" Let me look at your eyes. You know you have a beautiful pair of googles as compared to mine." She said touching her eyes.
He chuckled at her silliness. _'sure short people like her tend to be silly and cute'_
Taking her hand into his, he made her touch his eyes.
" Now you can feel and touch them. And I will be glad to swap with you cause you have beautiful ones too and I really mean it."
_'is he flirting with me? Aahhhh. Mama catch me oohhhh am falling deeper and deeper'_she squealed inside her head.
" Your face has changed to red, are you a chameleon?" Phoenix retracted her hand as if she was scalded by something hot. She touched her face and she could feel the heat being emitted from her body.
_'what is wrong with me, nah I can't show him that am crushing on him. oh mama Mia.'_
At her realization, she widened her eyes as she stared at him in horror. She cannot fall in love with him, what if he did not love her back. He had his own life to live.