Chapter 2010


    Chapter 2010


    In the dim light of the movie theater, Balfour’s eyes gleamed with an intensity that left Ivy tongue-tied,


    unable to muster the words of rejection.


    If she did, she knew she’d feel as though she’dmitted a grave error, shattering the hopeful


    anticipation in his heart.


    “Look, how about this? I owe you one for today, and I’ll make it up to you with a gift tomorrow, okay?”


    Ivy offered, her voice tinged with hope for apromise.


    Balfour’s gaze dropped slightly, locking onto hers with a ripple of emotion, “No, after today it’s not my


    birthday anymore. Since you didn’t bring anything, why not improvise with what we have here?”


    Ivy blinked, befuddled by his suggestion, “But we’re in a cinema. There’s nothing here.”


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    Before she could finish her sentence, Balfour’s hand reached out, cradling the back of her head, and


    he pressed a warm kiss. against her lips.


    The heat of the contact sent Ivy’s eyes wide with shock, her whole body tensing.


    She couldn’t fathom why Balfour had suddenly kissed her, but even more startling was the fact that she


    didn’t find herself repulsed by it.


    Balfour didn’t deepen the kiss, and he simply allowed their lips to touch lightly.


    This fleeting contact sent Ivy’s heart racing.


    “Come on, and it’s starting.”


    Laters rushed in, urging each other along, and Balfour quickly released Ivy. They both sat straight


    in their seats, pretending as if nothing had happened.


    Throughout the movie, Ivy didn’t catch a single scene. Her mind kept reying the moment Balfour had


    kissed her, her body feeling inexplicably feverish.


    Balfour, sitting beside her, was equally distracted, absentmindedly adjusting his tie as if he were too


    warm.


    He couldn’t understand why he had impulsively kissed Ivy. Sure, he had had a drink or two at the club,


    but he was clear-headed, and that amount of alcohol wouldn’t affect him.


    Yet, when he looked into Ivy’s eyes, he felt intoxicated, losing his reason momentarily and leaning in


    without a second thought.


    By the time he realized what he was doing, their lips had already met.


    What did that kiss mean?


    Unable to focus on the movie and not in a position to chat, Ivy felt a mix of boredom and awkwardness.


    She nced at the popcorn bucket beside her and reached for a piece, hoping to ease the difort.


    Just then, Balfour also reached out for popcorn, and their hands brushed against each other in an


    awkward coincidence.


    Startled by the contact, Ivy lifted her head, and their eyes met and both quickly looked away.


    “Want some popcorn?” Balfour offered, lifting the bucket towards Ivy.


    Ivy hesitated before epting the popcorn, “Thanks.”


    Their exchange was brief, and Ivy nibbled on a popcorn kernel, her attention nowhere near the film.


    Ivy hated waste, and yet, for this movie, she had squandered four tickets.


    In the end, she had no idea what the movie was actually about.


    The leads are so tragic, so in love, and yet they couldn’t end up together,” she overheard someone


    saying as they left the theater.


    Despite not being particrly fond of the film, Ivy felt a twinge of regret. It seemed like it was a decent


    movie after all.