Emma was on her way to her car when she froze in disbelief. William was standing right there, leaning casually against her car as if he owned it, waiting for her. As her colleagues walked past, their heads turned, openly gawking at the confident figure who seemed completely unbothered by their stares.
"This guy," Emma muttered under her breath, shaking her head as she approached him.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded, crossing her arms. She couldn't help but be annoyed, beside it was already off the office hours speaking to a manager cordially is allowed.
William flashed that infuriatingly charming smile. "I didn't bring my car, so we're using yours. The last full show starts soon, and we'll be late if we don't leave now."
Emma blinked. "Who said I'm watching a movie with you?" This guy is stingy, using her car, what about the gas? Emma thought to her self.
"Are you asking me out?" she added, sarcasm dripping from her tone.
William tilted his head, his smile widening. "I am now. Emma, will you go out with me---- to watch this movie?"
Before she could retort, Emma noticed the subtle hum of whispers around them. Her colleagues weren't even trying to hide their eavesdropping anymore. It was as if their office had suddenly turned into a live soap opera.
With a resigned sigh, she grabbed William's arm and dragged him to the passenger side. "Get in," she muttered, annoyed but oddly amused.
As she slid into the driver's seat, she glanced at him. William was, after all, ridiculously good-looking, and he ticked most of the boxes on her checklist for potential baby sperm donors.
"So, we're really doing this?" she asked, starting the engine. "You will tell me how you know me?"
William leaned back in his seat, looking entirely too smug. "Oh, we are and I will"
Emma smirked to herself. Why not take the dive, she was already hated, and obviously by next week this will be a hot office gossip. Beside maybe this wouldn't just be a night at the movies. Maybe it could lead to something more… productive. After all, her Baby-Making Project wasn't going to fulfill itself.
And who knew? By the end of the night, the only thing William might regret was underestimating just how determined Emma could be.
The mall was a sight to behold, regal and shimmering under the golden lights of its chandeliers. The floors gleamed as if polished moments ago, reflecting the glitter of the high-end storefronts. Decorated arches and elegant displays added a festive air to the ambiance, making the place feel alive with luxury and excitement. Shoppers strolled leisurely, some with bright bags in hand, others stopping to admire window displays that promised indulgence.
Emma glanced around as they walked in, the grandeur of the place momentarily distracting her irritation. William, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease, as though he walked through opulence like this every day.
"Elevator's this way," William said, placing a hand lightly on her back to guide her. Emma resisted the urge to roll her eyes but allowed herself to be led.
They stepped into the mirrored elevator, which was nearly empty save for a couple of teenagers scrolling on their phones. Soft instrumental music played in the background as the elevator ascended to the top floor, where the cinema was located. When the doors opened, the vibrant cinema lobby unfolded before them.
Upon reaching the cinema, Emma's steps faltered as a memory resurfaced—the first and last time she watched a movie with the opposite sex. It kind of not ended well and the thought made her chest tighten. Her heart began to race, and for a moment, she froze in place, unsure if she could move forward.
William, noticing her hesitation, turned to her with a puzzled expression. Without a word, he reached out, his hand warm and steady as it closed around hers. With a gentle tug, he pulled her forward, grounding her in the present.
"Come on," he said casually, his voice breaking through her whirlwind of thoughts. "Popcorn waits for no one."
Reluctantly, Emma allowed herself to be led to the concession stand, her heart still racing—but now, she wasn't entirely sure it was because of the memory.
Bright, colorful posters adorned the walls, showcasing the latest blockbusters. The scent of freshly popped popcorn and butter wafted through the air, mingling with the excited chatter of moviegoers. Neon lights framed the concession stand, where people lined up for snacks and drinks.
William strode to the counter, confidently placing their order: one large popcorn and two sodas. Emma frowned, eyeing the single tub of popcorn.
"Only one popcorn?" she asked, her eyebrow arching.
William turned to her with an easy grin. "It's conjugal anyway," he said, his tone teasing.
Emma narrowed her eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. "Stingy," she muttered under her breath.
Popcorn and drinks in hand, they entered the dimly lit theater. The lights were partially on, creating a soft glow that allowed people to find their seats. William led the way, his hand lightly brushing hers as he guided her down the aisle. Emma noticed how confident and assured he seemed, his movements purposeful and calm.
They settled into their seats just as the commercials began rolling. Bright, fast-paced ads filled the screen, each one louder and flashier than the last. Emma's mind wandered briefly to her own job, remembering the campaign ad her team had worked tirelessly on. Soon, their commercial would be on screens like this too, introducing their product to the world.
"You're thinking about work, aren't you?" William's voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned to find him watching her, his lips quirking into an amused smile.
"It's hard not to," she admitted, shrugging.
"You're really dedicated. I admire that," he said simply, before turning back to the screen.
Emma blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice.
The lights dimmed further, signaling the start of the movie. A hush fell over the audience as the title appeared on the screen: It Ends with Us.
Emma leaned back in her seat, the drama-romance film drawing her in almost immediately. As the story unfolded, she found herself stealing glances at William. He seemed completely engrossed, his profile illuminated faintly by the screen.
Emma let out a quiet sigh. Maybe tonight wasn't such a bad idea after all.
Halfway through the movie, Emma felt something warm and firm settle on her shoulder. Startled, she glanced to her side and raised an eyebrow. William's hand was resting there, his fingers lightly brushing against her. She shot him a questioning look, but he merely kept his eyes on the screen, his expression feigning complete innocence.
Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, Emma decided to let it slide. Instead, she relaxed into the warmth of his touch and leaned slightly against him. His presence was steady, comforting in a way she hadn't expected.
But then, as she tilted her head to glance at him, she froze. William's gaze wasn't on the movie anymore—it was on her. His eyes were intense, dark, and smoldering, igniting a heat that spread through her chest and down to her core.
Before she could process what was happening, his hand moved, trailing gently from her shoulder to cup her face. His thumb brushed her cheek, slow and deliberate, sending a shiver down her spine. He leaned in, closing the distance between them. Emma's breath hitched, her lips parting slightly in anticipation.
His lips met hers, soft at first, testing. But then the kiss deepened, growing more urgent and consuming. His other hand found her waist, pulling her closer as his lips moved against hers, slow yet demanding.
Emma's hands instinctively gripped his shirt, anchoring herself as the world seemed to fade around them. His tongue teased hers, exploring with a deliberate sensuality that left her breathless. Every movement was deliberate, each kiss building on the last, a slow burn turning into a full flame.
Time seemed to stretch as they kissed, their breaths mingling in the dark theater. It wasn't just a kiss—it was a claiming, a moment charged with passion that left her trembling and wanting more.
When they finally broke apart, Emma's heart was pounding, her lips tingling from the intensity. William rested his forehead against hers, his thumb still caressing her cheek. His voice was low and husky as he whispered, "I've wanted to do that all night."
Emma swallowed hard, her thoughts a whirlwind. She wasn't sure what she'd expected from this evening, but this is certainly intensed. She has never shared a kissed like before with anyone. The kiss was too intensed that she felt something on her stomach. Is that the butterflies her friends was talking about before Emma wonders. Yet as she looked into his eyes, still dark with desire, she realized she didn't mind one bit.
As the movie played on, Emma's mind still buzzed from the kiss. She let her gaze wander around the dimly lit cinema, observing the other patrons. Her eyes landed on a couple a few seats ahead. They weren't just sneaking kisses—they were almost doing it right there. Emma pressed her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh, her shoulders shaking.
William noticed and leaned closer, concern laced with curiosity. "Are you laughing at my kissing skills?" he whispered, a teasing edge to his voice.
Emma shook her head, pointing discreetly at the couple in front of them. William followed her finger, his brows raising as he took in the scene. The corners of his lips twitched, and soon, both of them were silently laughing, trying not to draw attention to themselves.
As the movie reached its climax, the theater grew quiet, save for the sound of soft sniffles and the occasional gasp from the audience. The final scene played out against a sweeping score, and the credits began to roll, signaling the end of the last full show.
The lights came up, casting a warm glow over the theater. People began to shuffle out, some chatting about the movie, others still wiping away tears. William and Emma lingered for a moment before standing and heading toward the exit.
By the time they stepped out into the mall, it was well past midnight. The once-bustling corridors were now eerily quiet, most of the stalls and shops closed for the night. The only sounds were the faint hum of escalators and the distant echo of footsteps.
William glanced around and then turned to Emma. "Well, since everything's closed, how about dinner at 7/11?"
Emma blinked, caught off guard. Then she remembered: Right. This guy is stingy. She couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "A romantic movie date and dinner at a convenience store? Wow, you really know how to spoil a girl," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
William grinned, unbothered. "Only the best for you."
She rolled her eyes but followed him out of the mall.
The 7/11 was brightly lit, a stark contrast to the dark streets outside. The store smelled faintly of instant noodles and fresh coffee, and the shelves were neatly stocked with snacks, drinks, and other essentials. A few tables were tucked into a corner, creating a makeshift dining area.
William grabbed a couple of microwavable meals and a pair of drinks, then whispered to Emma "Can you pay for this, I left my card and wallet at the office, my spare was already used up for the Popcorn and drinks at the cinema before."
Emma sighed and go to the counter with him and paid for the meals. Then William, gesturing for Emma to sit while he heated their food. She watched him, shaking her head in disbelief. "This is how I'm spending my Saturday night," she muttered under her breath, though she couldn't help the amused smile on her lips.
Emma raised her cup in mock toast. "To the most romantic date of my life."
"To us," William said with a wink, clinking his cup against hers.
As they dug into their unconventional dinner, Emma couldn't help but laugh. The night had been far from perfect—but maybe that's what made it memorable.
As they sat in the brightly lit corner of the 7/11, sipping drinks and picking at their microwaved meals, Emma's mind drifted back to something William had said earlier. The movie ticket was supposed to make her remember something—something about him. The thought lingered, nagging at her until she finally broke the silence.
"What was that about, anyway?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. "The ticket. It was supposed to jog my memory or something, right? Because, honestly, the last movie I remember watching with someone was back in high school. Jerome asked me to go."
William chuckled, setting his cup down. "Me?Jerome? Seriously?" He leaned back, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "Come on, Pres is gay."
Emma blinked, taken aback. "Pres?" she repeated, frowning. "How do you know he was class president back then?" Her voice trailed off as a realization crept in. "Wait… were we classmates in high school?"
William's grin softened, his expression turning almost serious. "You really don't remember me?" he asked, his voice tinged with mock hurt. "Third year? Emma, I'm hurt."
Emma looked down, guilt bubbling up. High school wasn't a time she liked to revisit—especially not her third year. "I'm sorry," she admitted softly. "I don't remember much from that time. My mom had just passed, and I was… all over the place. I barely even knew which class I was supposed to be in. Teachers had to remind me daily." She forced a small smile. "It's a blur."
William nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Well," he began, leaning forward slightly, "That year, I asked you out to the movies too."
Emma's eyebrows shot up. "You did?"
"I left a note in your book," he explained.
Oh that note, she found that note after school year during summer as she tries to bring all her book up in the attic, the book fell and that note appeared.
William continues "But you never replied. Then, one day, while I was hanging out with some of the guys, I saw you walking out of the cinema with Jerome. And… I kind of lost it."
Emma tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
"I may have shouted something stupid," William admitted sheepishly. "Like 'Gay plus lesbian couple!'" He winced as he said it, rubbing the back of his neck. "You nearly fell down the escalator."
Emma's jaw dropped. "You said that?!"
William shrugged, a guilty laugh escaping him. "I was young, dumb, and my pride was hurt. What can I say? You crushed me."
Emma frowned, her annoyance flickering briefly. "I don't remember the lesbian part, just some teasing." She shook her head. "You were awful."
"I was," he agreed with a grin. "But you didn't remember me then, and you don't now."
Their conversation continued as William tried—and failed—to make Emma recall him. When they finally finished their meals, Emma stood and asked, "Where do I drop you off?"
"Back at the office," William said with a smirk. "I left my car there."
Emma groaned, rolling her eyes. "Of course. How stingy can you be?"
The office parking lot was eerily empty, the pale glow of streetlights casting long shadows over the asphalt. The building loomed quietly behind them, its windows dark and lifeless. Emma parked her car, and they both got out.
As she turned to head back to the driver's side, William leaned in, catching her off guard with a quick peck on the lips.
She blinked, stepping back, her heart fluttering in a mix of surprise and something else she couldn't quite name. "Okay, goodnight," she said, starting to walk around him.
But William stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Still don't remember?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.
"Move," Emma said, trying to step around him again.
William raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "How about now?" pointing at his raised brow.
Emma froze, her eyes widening slightly. A memory surfaced, hazy but familiar. A good-looking boy blocking her way in class, not saying a word, just standing there with a smirk. When she finally gave up trying to pass him, he raised an eyebrow at her, letting her through. He'd done it for nearly a week.
Her eyes flicked up to meet William's, and the pieces clicked.
"You…" she murmured.
William leaned back, crossing his arms. "There it is. Took you long enough." He smirked. "You dumped me in high school, remember?"