Diane’s P.O.V.

Now, my problem was over. I only needed to polish the whole document for any grammatical errors. My formula was indeed correct. I just blindly selected the wrong cell. Instead of D2, I mistakenly used E2, and it caused a spider-web error resulting in ‘Unknown References’ and ‘Can’t Solve’ issues.

It looked like I should see an eye doctor now and have my eyes checked if I should wear glasses. Because of what Liam did, our thesis was close to printing. I would just send the final file later to Lorenz’s e-mail so he could print it.

He took a sip on his juice again before saying, “I don’t want you to get so tired, sweetie. You, working on this for two hours already, makes me think that I should have come here earlier. You could have spent that two hours with me. Well, I guess this is the first time I would be too proud of developing something like the ACC MZ Xcel. Also, I don’t want your friends to kill my soon-to-be girlfriend!” He teased me.

“Hmm, thank you for solving this.” That was all I could say. With his pick-up lines, I suddenly became speechless until I remembered what he said before that. “But, seriously? You’re the one who developed this software all by yourself?” I couldn’t believe it. Liam was indeed smart.

“Yup, I enrolled for an online programming class before. Your current version is only for college students like you, but the advanced version is quite complex. I patented them both. It is regularly used by EGC and even purchased by other accounting firms,” he explained before he continued.

“Anyway, thank you is good, but I think I need more. Come here, can I receive a reward for doing those calculations? How about a hug or a kiss?” He spread his arms wide like he wanted to receive a hug from me while pouting his lips at the same time. Liam even closed his mesmerizing eyes.

After placing my laptop on the center table, I approached and sat beside him while being tongue-on-cheek. That was when he opened his eyes and looked at me. He couldn’t believe that I ignored him.

“Of course, you can solve it because you are indeed the developer of the software—so there’s no doubt that you already memorized it. And you think you’re lucky enough to receive my kiss just like that? I didn’t know you’re this conceited, Liam. Get your reward from planet Mars!” I shrieked and burst out laughing while playfully palming his cheek away from me.

“Is that so? How about bringing you into that planet, huh?” Liam refuted as he held my wrists before friskily pushing me. I tried to push him back but to no avail.

Liam was indeed strong, and my might was still not enough. I also got easily distracted by his fabulous dimple and muscular arms. We continued to playfully push each other until I got defeated and felt my back softly pinning against the sofa.

We stared at each other for a long time. It was as if his stares were melting me before he decided to remove some of the hair strands on my face. After that, he stared at my lips.

Moments later, his face slowly came closer to me while I couldn’t even blink. I could smell his fresh breath, making me feel intoxicated. It smelled like a mint, and I just couldn’t get enough of it. He kept on moving towards me until…

Liam kissed my forehead.

Actually, I was ready to close my eyes and submit myself to him because I thought that he would kiss me on the lips rather. I might deny it in words, but I always got betrayed by my own actions.

“Get up now, my lovely Diane. I’m afraid I couldn’t control myself soon, and that could lead me to do something unnecessary to you.” Liam smiled as he gently placed his right arm on my back and supported me from getting up.

Oh! How unlucky, Diane? He didn’t kiss you as you anticipated, mocked by the little voice inside my head.

I almost sighed due to disappointment. I truly hope that he just continued whatever he liked to do with me. Now, I’m becoming a flirt already. Tsk!

Hello? You didn’t even say ‘yes’ to him last night, then you would think something like that? Are you okay, Diane? Say ‘yes’ to him first, and you two will be allowed to do whatever you want legally. Sky is the limit! my subconscious mind intervened again.

“Alright! This is your reward, but I’ll be only doing this over the cheek, okay? And of course, in one condition. You have to close your eyes first and don’t cheat.” I pretended to appear as innocent as I could be, but deep inside, butterflies were flying inside my stomach due to a strange excitement. Shivers were running down my whole body, tingling my innermost veins.

He merrily conformed with my condition and closed his eyes. That was the cue, so I slowly moved my face closer to kiss him on the cheek, but I never expected that he would suddenly turn his face to me, making me kiss his lips instead. I was surprised, but I did not cringe nor move away from him even though he intentionally did it.

For the umpteenth time, our lips pressed towards each other. It was exactly the third time, but the feeling was still the same. Like the second time, I felt like I was already anticipating this—wanting and even craving for what would be the next thing.

Because of this fervent desire that was slowly building inside me, I steadily closed my eyes. Whenever I was with Liam, this ardent yearning always made me forget about the rest of the world. It was only a simple kiss at first, but later on, Liam started devouring my mouth like it couldn’t wait any longer. He ardently kissed me with hunger.

I just let him do that. I permitted his tongue to caress mine before I intensely returned the favor. I certainly loved the feeling, and while sharing these passionate kisses that made me feel breathless, I knew I really loved him. I already loved Liam, even if it was only two days after meeting him.

Encircling my arms on his neck while pulling him even more, I suddenly realized that there was no point that I would still make the situation hard for both of us. This time, I had to choose. There was no point that I would deny my feelings anymore. I would never reject him again. I wouldn’t just sit and wait for any other woman to take this place.

Now, I am ready. I am so ready to be his girlfriend.

Liam slowly interrupted the kiss as we did unbreakable eye contact. He held my hands while looking at me like I was a part of him that he couldn’t live without.

“I know everything was happening too fast, but I think… I already fell for you. I love you, Diane. I don’t know when. I don’t know how. I just love you, and if given the chance, I’ll do anything to make you happy,” Liam avowed while kissing my knuckles.

His words were full of promises that I couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of contentment. It was in his touch I could easily get lost. It was with his kisses I could always find my way home.

I suddenly bowed, making my forehead lean into him. “I—I love you too, Liam…” I responded. I was sure that my cheeks were all reddish again. “I have loved you ever since the night… I accidentally climbed inside your car,” I shyly confessed, making it hard for me to breathe.

His right index finger carefully touched my chin and lifted my face. After that, he lovingly stared at me. His dark-gray eyes were twinkling like it was suddenly full of glee and his gaze seemed to penetrate my whole body. His stares were to die for, and so his dimple. “So, does it mean—”

The rest of Liam’s question wasn’t pursued because I didn’t allow him to speak more. He was surprised when this time, I suddenly cupped his face and initiated the kiss.

I could no longer control this strong affection that I felt for him, so I nodded. At this point, I was already sure about my feelings for him. “Yes, Liam. I’m now giving you my sweetest ‘yes!’ Isn’t it what you want to hear? I’m now accepting you as my first boyfriend, so yes!” I chuckled.

Tired of holding back and denying my feelings for him, my tears of joy were just too stubborn to roll down my cheeks. God knew how much I was so scared last night, thinking about the negativities our relationship would cause to the people we cared about, but now? The fears and doubts were immediately gone.

Those were replaced by hope and eagerness about the positive things that would happen to us from now on, that we were officially together. This time, I would remain to be optimistic and refrain myself from thinking about what other people would say—even Leandro.

“Hey, don’t cry!” Liam wiped my tears before kissing my forehead.

“I’m just too happy I can’t control my tears from falling,” I told him.

“But is this really happening, huh?” Disbelief crossed his handsome face as he could not believe what I just told him. The sparks on his dilated eyes never left, and due to the degree of his astonishment, he also held my shoulders tightly.

Painting a gorgeous smile on my lips, I nodded again. “Yes! So, are you ready to become all mine, Liam Arthur Evangelista?” I teased him.

“Of course, I am so much willing to be yours! But I still can’t believe it if I am hearing things clearly. Hmm, can you help me check if my ears were not just fooling me? That you already gave your sweetest ‘yes’ to me? I will be hurt if this is just a dream.” Still, Liam couldn’t believe that today would be the official start of our relationship.

His cheeks even flushed as if he looked like a teenager who was talking to her crush. Oh, he’s so handsome!

“Why do I feel like you only want me to repeat my answer again and again? How many ‘yeses’ do you want to hear from me, or do you want me to take back what I previously said?” I threatened him while rolling my eyes in the process.

“Of course not. I just couldn’t believe it, Diane. You don’t know how much you’ve made me happy, and there’s no turning back. Yes!” Liam’s voice roared into the whole ground floor as he happily squealed before tenderly gripping me on the waist and kissing me on the forehead.

“I promise you, my queen… you will never regret your decision of accepting me right away. I will never hurt you, and I will never make you cry. I promise that I would still court you every single day of our lives. I love you, Dayanara Clariz Rivera. I love you so much!” Liam’s tears soon welled up in his eyes.

“I love you with all my heart, and thank you for loving me despite everything,” I whispered eagerly.

Then, Liam pulled me in a warm embrace and claimed my lips again. I was succumbing to the mint taste of his lips, which made me feel even more excited.

Now that we were officially together, I felt like it was already legal for the two of us to kiss. Our kisses became intimate again while our tongues never get tired of dancing with each other. I was submitting myself to him when his right hand started to roam against my soft skin. He was about to slide his fingers inside my blouse when all of a sudden…

“What’s going on here?” Someone’s voice interrupted us from what we were doing.