18 This is all Pretend (2/2)
”Well...it's getting a bit too late,” I said, slowly getting up and slowly helping Loriana onto her feet. ”I should get her home. Bye.”
”Really? That sucks,” Cheral frowned upon hearing my desire to depart. However, her and Yerith did not attempt to stop me, probably knowing that I won't be able to bs anymore stuff out of the top of my head.
”Sorry,” I excused myself. ”And thanks for taking care of Lori for me. And as for Lori's portion of the bill...”
”Don't worry,” Yerith said. ”We paid when we got here.”
”Is that so?” I nodded. ”Then we'll be heading home now.”
I lowered my head somewhat in a slight bow and slowly took off with Loriana towards the door of the place. We exited without any interruptions, and once outside onto the nighttime streets of Palisia, I realized that I wouldn't be able to take Loriana home by way of public transport. It would just take way too much effort and it would probably not be the best for Loriana. Therefore, I decided that it would be best if I called a taxi.
The taxi system in Palisia is quite convenient. Not only do they pick up customers while driving around the city, if one does not see an empty taxi, which is quite common in Palisia, one can use the official taxi app to call a taxi to your location. Since the taxi company is partially owned by the government, the fixed rate is quite low, at only 50 Vil for the first two km and each km from that on is 20 Vil. And if one uses the taxi service during any times after 11:00 PM and before 5:00 AM, the starting fee will be 80 Vil for the first two km and each km from that on will be 40 Vil.
With one hand holding Loriana close so that she can use the left side of my body as a support, I used my right hand to take out my phone. I navigated through my phone and opened up the taxi app. I then confirmed the request for a car and moved closer towards the main road so that we will be easier to find.
However, just when I was about to mobilize, I was halted by a voice from behind me.
”Um!”
I looked over my shoulder and discovered that the voice belonged to Markus. His heavy breathing led me to believe that he rushed out of the restaurant soon after us, and from his determined eyes, I could sense something bad.
”May I help you?” I asked cautiously,
”Are you really Loriana's boyfriend?” He ignored my question and immediately began his interrogating.
”Yeah,” I responded. ”Isn't that obvious?”
”I...I find it hard to believe.”
”Then how do you want me to prove it to you?”
”I know it's um...weird and maybe even creepy for me to ask this but,” he blushed as he averted eye contact but soon recreated the line of communication once again. ”If you two are truly lovers, then a kiss should be easy!”
”A kiss?” I eyed him with surprise.
”What?” a look of joy spread over his face as he believed that he might've discovered a weakness. ”Can't do it?”
”No,” I said, forcing myself to uphold the act since I had still not received the mission complete notification. ”It's just that doing it in front of people is quite awkward.”
”T-then go ahead!”
”Fine,” I sighed.
I turned my face toward Loriana's, eyeing her beautiful lips.
Come to think of it...I've been a bit too naive. This mission is something I can't avoid, but it's also something that will have tremendous consequences. For example, all of Loriana's coworkers have heard me claim that I'm her lover, and...things might be become weird for Loriana. Hell, even her reputation might be at stake for possibly dating someone way younger than her. So...things will be quite weird for her. However, there should be a way to make things right...There should be. However, thinking of a solution will be something the future me has to deal with. The present me still has this challenge before me.
With the moon shining high above in the nighttime sky over head, and the bright lights of the city illuminating the world. I slowly brought my lips closer and closer to Loriana's. I ignored Markus's surprised look, and continued to bring my lips closer to hers.
I can see that Loriana has opened her eyes, and those light gray eyes stared back into mine. They seemed to sparkle and waver in surprise as she realized how close my face was to hers, but it was already to late to stop. Therefore, the kiss connected.
My lips touched with hers, and immediately, I could feel something trying to penetrate my closed lips. My eyes opened wide when I realized that it was Loriana who's trying to use her tongue to create a more intimate kiss. My sudden surprise led my mouth to slightly open, which then allowed for her tongue to enter my mouth and encircle mine. She wrapped her arms tighter around my neck, preventing me from escaping her, and continued the kiss.
Soon, I was out of breath and that led to me pushing her away from me gently. As our lips parted, threads of saliva connected her mouth to mine, and even our heavy breathing couldn't make it part.
”There,” I immediately said as I turned to face Markus. ”You got your proof?”
”Yeah,” Markus looked down at the floor with a painful expression of despair on his face as he accepted what he had just saw as reality. ”Thank you.”
He then turned around and started for the other way, leaving me standing there along with Loriana still in my arms.
I slowly glanced back over at Loriana, and I discovered that she has once again fallen into a intoxicated slumber. Her gentle and peaceful breathing as she slept almost made what had happened earlier a distant dream. However, when I touched my lips with my fingers, I can feel that they were wet with her saliva...
What the hell?
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