Chapter 857: Stargazing Date I
The wrought-iron gates groaned open, their hinges protesting with a rusty sigh as Theo’s black car glided onto the manicured lawn. Seven PM. The clock tower’s chime, faint but distinct, marked the moment. He didn’t need to flash ID; the guards merely nodded, a silent acknowledgment of the relationship between the imposing manor and the expensive car.
He cut the engine, the sudden silence broken only by the chirping of unseen crickets. The headlights illuminated the polished granite steps leading to the imposing oak door. He stepped out, the cool night air a sharp contrast to the heated leather of his seats. The scent of jasmine, heavy and sweet, hung in the air. He straightened his clothes, a small, almost imperceptible gesture, but a gesture that showed his nervousness for the upcoming date.
He could almost hear Ayia’s voice before the door even opened; the soft melody of her laughter drifting toward him, carried on the night breeze. As the door swung inward, revealing Ayia framed in the warm glow of interior light, he smiled. "Babe," he murmured, his voice a low rumble, "You look breathtaking."
And indeed, Ayia looked absolutely breathtaking.
"Thank you, babe!" Ayia gave a brilliant smile before hugging and sharing a kiss, "You look as handsome as always." She said with shining eyes as she admired her boyfriend’s handsomeness.
Theo laughed, "Sure. Ready for our date?" He asked.
"Of course!" She exclaimed, "Shizu-chan, I’m leaving!" She shouted before closing the house door.
Just like that, Theo, as a perfect gentleman, opened the door for the lady before entering the car as well.
"Where are we going tonight?" Ayia asked in curiosity as Theo drove the car out of the manor.
"It’s a surprise," Theo said with a mischievous smile.
"Come on, babe!" Ayia protested, "Tell me? Pretty please?" She gave away her best puppy eyes.
And with her stunning golden eyes, such a puppy-eyed look was fatal!
"I’m driving, so you can’t use your puppy eyes superpower on me!" Theo laughed.
"Damn it!" Ayia exclaimed in frustration.
"Don’t worry, babe!" Theo smiled, "In half an hour, we will arrive at the date’s location."
"Half an hour?" Ayia asked, "So, it’s kind of far away from here. And from the path we are taking, I can assume we are leaving the city... What are we doing out of town?" She asked before ruminating for a while.
Theo wasn’t surprised that she guessed that they were going out of town, after all, Ayia was a genius.
"Hmm, I wonder what we are doing out of town?" Theo asked, "But you can try to guess, babe." Theo said with a smile.
As they left the city limits, the twinkling lights of the metropolis faded into the distance, and Ayia’s curiosity grew.
"Hmm, a mystery date outside the city... Are we going camping? No, you wouldn’t make me rough it without my glam squad." She laughed, a light, musical sound that filled the car. "Are we meeting someone? Oh, I know! We’re going stargazing, aren’t we? Just the two of us, snuggled up under the night sky." She gave him a sidelong glance, her golden eyes sparkling with mischief.
Theo feigned surprise. "Stargazing? Why, whatever gave you that idea, Ms. Detective?" He teased, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "But yes, you’re right. We’re going to a special spot I know, away from the city lights, where the stars shine like diamonds. I’ve brought everything we need: a cozy blanket, some delicious snacks, and even a projector so we can watch a movie under the stars."
"Ooh, a movie night under the stars!" Ayia clapped her hands excitedly. "This is so romantic, Theo. I can’t wait. But now I’m curious... What movie did you bring? Please tell me it’s not something boring ." She wrinkled her nose playfully. "If we are going to watch a movie under the stars, we have to choose the perfect movie."
"Don’t worry, babe." Theo laughed, "I brought several options that you can choose from."
Just like that, the car continued on its way out of Elffire City as the two of them talked about the most random things.
Theo, behind the wheel of his slightly-too-small hatchback, hummed along to a cheesy 80s song. He glanced at Ayia, her laughter echoing the playful melody. Internally, he thought, ’This is perfect. Stargazing, Ayia, and minimal chance of encountering a rogue badger.’
His earlier anxieties about the date, mostly centered around the possibility of accidentally setting his hair on fire with the portable grill he’d packed, vanished completely. "And then, get this," Ayia said, her eyes sparkling, "Max tried to explain how to clean a fish to Lauren’s Aunt’s cat. Lauren says Mr. Fluffernutter just stared at him blankly, then promptly threw up a hairball."
Theo burst out laughing, a sound that rivaled the 80s synth-pop. He said, "Mr. Fluffernutter, the true intellectual of the group." He laughed, "That’s poetic, in a horrifyingly feline way."
The car bumped slightly as they navigated a particularly uneven patch of road.
"Ops, sorry." Theo said, "I’m no rally driver like yourself."
Ayia reached out and playfully punched Theo’s arm. "Don’t even start. You know I’m the better driver."
Theo chuckled, "Only because your gas pedal is always three-quarters down."
He knew it was a tease, a well-worn joke between them. That’s because Ayia was indeed a semi-professional car rally racer. Theo had seen a video of her driving a rally car at high speeds, so he knew she was a better driver than he was. But he always liked to tease her about it.
"Speaking of drama," Ayia continued, "Did you hear about Chloe and Mark? Apparently, their ’romantic getaway’ involved a screaming match over a misplaced spatula."
"Chloe and Mark, from the restaurant staff?" Theo asked.
"Yeah." "And a spatula?" Theo exclaimed, his mind conjuring a hilarious image of a spatula-wielding Mark. "Did it involve interpretive dance as well?" he wondered internally. "Apparently, it was *the* spatula," Ayia emphasized, "The one they got as a wedding gift from their aunt. It’s become a family heirloom, or so Chloe claims." They continued their gossip-filled journey, their conversation a lighthearted blend of fabricated drama and genuine affection. Theo reflected that even discussing their friends’ misadventures felt more fun with Ayia by his side.
He knew, without a shadow of a doubt, this date was going swimmingly. The landscape outside gradually transitioned from suburban sprawl to open fields, then finally, to a dark, star-studded expanse.
Theo pulled the car to a stop beside a quiet, secluded spot. He turned off the engine, the silence suddenly heavy with anticipation.
"We made it," he said softly, gazing at the breathtaking view of the night sky, sprinkled with a million twinkling lights. Ayia leaned her head on his shoulder, and a comfortable silence descended upon them, a silence filled with the unspoken understanding that this was more than just a date; it was a perfectly imperfect moment shared between two people who genuinely enjoyed each other’s company.