The forest enveloped them, a vivid landscape of greenery with sunlight hues flowing through the canopies, creating an intricate pattern underneath the grassy floor.
The scent of damp earth and tree leaves softly evaded their nostrils bringing with it a soothing calm alongside the playful wind.
The birds and little animals, as if infused by the playfulness of the wind, cheerfully rattled through the trees, creating a pleasant intertwine of chirps and rustles that magically elevated one's mood.
Elara's eyes flashed as the afterimage of a flying squirrel disappeared into the trees causing her to pout playfully.
"I couldn't get it!" she exclaimed with a frown at the thought of missing such a cute animal.
She had been taking pictures of the area as they passed through making sure to turn off her shutter to avoid breaking the immersion.
Terrence was beside her helpfully pointing out interesting things she might like to capture. Too bad she couldn't publish any of it on her social media, too bad she couldn't post any pictures involving Terrence due to his privacy!
'Well, I'll store them for good memories either way,' Elara thought as she licked her lips soundlessly, looking like a child plotting something silly.
Terrence chuckled softly, garnering her attention, her round eyes beaming at him; curiously, she asked, "What?"
He flushed uncontrollably; Elara was certainly charming before, but when did her charms explode this much? Everything she did was a straight arrow to his heart! Immensely cute!
Perhaps the perceptive woman had noticed his strangeness, probably from the adoring look in his eyes he barely hid.
She chuckled coyly, looking at Terrence before throwing him a wink, and before he could swoon like a love-struck fool, the lady left him, fleeing further into the forest.
He was speechless for a second before running after the giggling woman, calling out desperately, "Hey!"
When he arrived, the adorable female stood in front of a tree, staring at it indescribably. Question marks appeared in his mind as he approached her and, glancing at her middle parting, resisted the strong urge to smother her hair mercilessly.
"What is it?" he asked calmly, wondering why she kept staring at the tree like she had found something unique.
Was there? He wondered with a squint, but even till then, he found nothing until the shortie beside him pointed it out.
"It's smaller than the rest, wanna watch me climb? You can record me!"
It wasn't exactly a request he could reject because as soon as she finished speaking she had already handed over her phone before heading to the tree in one quick move.
Panicked, he called out worriedly, "Ela that's not safe!"
Elara paused mid-climb, turning about to face him with a wide grin before continuing stubbornly.
He was left flabbergasted, his already calm face heated up once more causing the air to feel stuffier than usual. Every little thing the lady did left him love-struck, and something told him he'd lose it before the end of this month if this continued.
Going to this forest would have to be a limited event, or spending time alone with the air-headed female who knew how to get smart only at the wrong time would be his undoing.
Control can only be stretched so thin.
He sighed helplessly, videoing the lady as she made her way effortlessly unto the wood like a wall gecko, and found himself genuinely impressed.
What was even more impressive was her speed. In less than a minute, she was done climbing, reaching the top of the tree before moving to a thick branch, fearlessly sitting with a loud sigh.
"See angel! I can do it! Now take a quick picture!"
The excited lady shouted, striking a common pose with the peace sign while grinning widely in awe of the blonde.
Terrence tapped the phone blankly, watching as the phone image and real view of the woman overlapped, causing something of an electric shock to zip through his mind, and suddenly, he tossed the phone to the floor.
"Huh? Huh?! Hey! Hey! What are you doing!! The branch won't!!" In the short while Elara was screaming, the male had already climbed up the tree and arrived beside her on the branch she sat on, leaving her agape.
"What the—"
Terrence grabbed her head pulling her into a kiss… On the forehead.
His eyes were wide in relief as his heartbeat exploded into a terrifyingly chaotic rhythm that had him wondering if it had gone crazed like his mind.
In that minute, with the bubbly female chattering excitedly with sparkling eyes, a wide smile, and blatant happiness that shone brightly, enhancing her adorable features, everything in him screamed to have her.
He wanted to hold her in his arms, engulf her small figure in his, kiss her tempting lips with a feverish madness, intrude into her sweet mouth, and consume her with a fanatic zealotry.
Run his hands and lips through her smooth, elastic skin to every vulnerable part of her until he left her shivering feverishly, exploring every inch of her privacy, ploying her to her deepest spot until she begged for mercy… Until she couldn't do so anymore… until every inch of her became his.
Maybe his eyes were too terrifying, filled with an impossible-to-conceal desire, or his mischievous hands had listened to his chaotic thoughts wandering to certain places they shouldn't have, but the woman underneath him stared anxiously with trembling eyes while trying to escape his clutch.
"Angel?" Elara called out, confused as to why a pair of naughty hands were being a bit too exploring.
It was fine with her female friends since she was 100% sure they did it playfully to trigger a reaction from her, but not only was her angel a male, but his eyes were looking a bit too passionate for this to be brushed off as a joke.
She trusted him but better safe than sorry.
"Angel, snap out of it!" she cautioned loudly, managing to bring back the dazed male. What was he thinking?!
Terrence stared at her indescribably, causing goosebumps to erupt all over Elara's body from the intense gaze, but as soon as she considered slapping the man awake, his voice came.
Extremely low, extremely calm, and infinitely passionate.
"You... are beautiful."
Her eyes widened before a playful scoff escaped her, fighting uselessly to suppress her smile.
Being called beautiful was one, but being called beautiful by someone she loved with such genuity had her feeling fluttery like she had swallowed a huge ball of feathers.
She eventually burst out laughing happily before hooking her hands around the man, fearlessly throwing herself into his arms.
"So are you angel!"
Terrence's nerves stretched taut, scooping her closer into himself as he returned her hug with an intense passion.
Elara groaned softly at the male's tight hold, like she would disappear from him at any second leaving her quivering, a low laughter rumbling underneath her throat.
She tried to break free but was held tightly and they ended up staying like that for a while until the branch snapped.
"....."
"....."
"I told you it was too much for two!! Let go lemme try to break my fall! Hey!" Elara screamed panicky as she struggled to break free from the male's tight hold, who stubbornly held onto her, reaching out to another branch that held them briefly before they eventually reached ground level.
Thankfully, that action had broken their fall, and as Elara peeped nervously, she found a large expense of blue elevating and deflating periodically before her with a pair of hands still snaked around her waist. Before she could react, she felt her world spin, and in a second, Terrence had her turned over with him on top.
Their eyes clashed with one another, and she couldn't help but notice how the green environment increased the greenness of Terrence's gray pupils.
Their breaths mingled together as they heaved softly probably from the wane of the adrenaline rush.
Terrence was long lost in thoughts. Sunlight hues filtered through the tree canopy, hitting the lady's brown eyes, which shone gorgeously, showing its beautifully layered pattern hidden underneath.
He caressed her cheeks softly as he studied the woman in awe, had she always been this perfect?
The undeniably ordinary palette of black hair and dark brown eyes, when on her, seemed to possess an unattainable allure to them.
Her kinky black hair, which had loosened, scattered across the floor, its enigmatic charm leaving him enthralled.
Elara stared at him with round innocent eyes, holding no ulterior motives to them… Or so he assumed.
After all, he was failing so hard to conceal his love for her; how could she not notice? It was possible that beneath these seemingly clear eyes was an intelligent owner whose skill at deceit was ultra beyond.
It made him wonder, did Elara approach him to seduce him on purpose? Was all she did filled with hidden intents he couldn't perceive?! Or was he so reluctant to accept the fact he had completely fallen hopelessly in love with a woman he might never have?
"Hah," he sighed dejectedly, "Elara, what if I told you that I love you?"
Elara, who had dazed off mid-stare, seriously fighting with herself if Terrence's eyes were more green or the trees were eluding her, snapped back to reality to this question.
She looked at the male who had cornered her with both hands, staring at her burning gaze, and a strange thought formulated in her mind. Was she missing something?
The hints, the patterns, the moves, even the words… could…. But then, a certain memory appeared in her mind, dissolving all doubts.
The same man stood before her smiling brightly as he corrected her softly: "Don't call me Terrence, call me Terry. From now on we're friends."
His eyes were filled with trust and sweetness, endlessly seducing her to indulge as she promised. To always be his loyal friend. And that was when she remembered.
'Ah… he's eyes are more blue actually, how could I forget?'
She was thinking too much, Terry did not desire her like that. Thank goodness.
Smiling softly, she squinted her eyes as she responded, "Yes, of course I do!"
Terrence sighed internally, a smile that didn't look like one stretched forth across his face. Of course, you do, Ela.