Night fell and yet the people around the heart of the capital didn''t decrease. If anything, the night became even livelier. But the festive atmosphere in the air didn''t faze Abel.


    Abel stood in the corner, leaning against an establishment with his arms crossed. He had been there for hours now, eyes on the particr bench where Aries was sitting down.


    ''Why don''t you leave?'' he wondered internally.


    He had witnessed her panic when she realized he left her. He had also seen her walk away as if she had already realized the opportunity he opened for her. But to his surprise, Aries returned and sat down on the bench.


    She stayed there, near where he left for hours now. She didn''t move a muscle even when the night fell and the wave of people changed.


    "She is so foolish to dare and get attached," he murmured, looking up when a drop of waternded on him. The night sky was being smothered by thick clouds, indicating it would start pouring soon.


    He opened his palm as the thin rainfall patterned against his shoulders. The people around also picked up their pace, running to find a shade from the rain that washed down the festive atmosphere. Merchants also set up their protective gears in a hurry.


    In a blink of an eye, the lively surrounding was reced with panic as everyone prepared for the rain. But for two people, Aries and Abel didn''t move a muscle. His eyes remained on the figure sitting on the bench, while she stayed there despite the rain growing stronger.


    Even when it poured and drenched the two of them, they did nothing.


    "She''s so stubborn," he whispered and took a step forth when he couldn''t take it anymore. Abel approached her and stopped in front of the bench.


    Squatting down, he rested his arms on his thigh, looking up at her. "Why are you still here?" he asked, watching her raise her head slightly.


    "Why did youe back??" she answered his question with a question, unfazed by the rain drenching them. "Hmm?"


    "Same reason as yours." He shrugged, keeping it vague like usual.


    "Then my answer is the same," she whispered, handing out the chicken skewers to him. "It had gone cold and now... wet. But I''m hungry."


    Abel nced at the chicken skewers in her hand, watching the sauce get washed down to her hand from the rain. He slowly peeled his eyes away from her hand to her emerald orbs. Those eyes that always bore rity from the start until this very moment.


    A pair of eyes that always appear decisive and already knew what she wanted. Oh, how he longed to have those eyes looked at him with yearning. Not this kind of... sadness.


    "You should''ve left, Aries," he muttered, rising from his squatting position. "You are such a foolish woman."


    Abel offered his hand for her to sp, cocking his head when she nced up at him. But when Aries sped his hand, he pulled her up without blinking. The chicken skewer fell ever so slowly, making a light sound along with the rain and his voice.


    "It''s annoying... how you drive me to the corner."


    His arms sprawled towards her, burying his hands in her emerald locks. He tilted his head, eyes narrowing dangerously as he imed her lips.


    His abrupt action caused her eyes to dte before she closed her eyes ever so slowly. The firm hands that pulled her head to him felt gentle and the taste in her mouth... wasn''t the usual taste.


    The faint taste of tobo and wine was gone, reced by a tang of mint. His tongue slipped in between her lips, exploring her mouth thoroughly. He felt warm. Of all the skinship they both shared, this kiss was what they would consider their first.


    His first time kissing someone with a burning passion, and her first time responding to a kiss that wasn''t forced.


    And yet, although it was too sweet for their taste, setting their body aze that was being cooled down by the rain. A distinct bitterness lingered in their mouth. The bitterness that came straight from their hearts.


    Abel breathed out, forehead resting against her forehead, hands cupping her jaw. "I told you to never close your eyes or respond," he uttered under his breath, water dripping from the apex of his nose as it was pouring heavily.


    "Why can''t I?" she whispered, looking up at him. "It''s just a kiss, Abel. It is not like it is something new for you."


    That question naturally left her lips without calction. She didn''t know where she found this courage to speak with no fear of pressing a nerve. But that didn''t matter to her. Aries... just wanted to know.


    What game was he ying, or was he still ying? She wanted to know what exactly he wanted from her. Her lips? Her body? Her death? Life? Just what was it? Because right now, everything was a blur to her. It was very unlike when she was in Maganti Empire where everything was clear. And very unlike her first few months in Haimirich Empire.


    The rity was distorted, leaving her with myriads of question marks. She wouldn''t know if he wouldn''t tell her that.


    "But it is your first time." He pointed out, making her chuckle briefly.


    "It''s definitely not..."


    "First, I mean, it''s your first time responding voluntarily." He caught her, making her hold her breath. "Aries, darling, you will be the death of me."


    "I''m fine with that."


    Abel smirked, leaning closer, and whispered into her mouth. "Me too. I''m fine with that." And once again, he imed her lips to dominate, monopolize her.


    As he did, she carefully let go of the other chicken skewers. It barely made a sound as itnded on the damped ground, and she wrapped her limb around him. She pressed her lips against his, standing on her toes while he wrapped an arm around her hips.


    Under the pouring rain, where everyone else was busy finding a shade, the two of them shared a passionate kiss as if the world didn''t matter.


    Just Aries and Abel, the real Aries and Abel, and their kiss speaking the words that never left their lips.