All of a sudden, it all came to her that the man was extra nice earlier and it could only be a cover of his true nature. She was getting ready to run away from him when Sanver laughed loudly that his voice echoed in the empty courtyard.

“I was just joking,” he said and turned around to open the blue car that was behind them.

“You’re mean,” her voice was low as she said those words because her heart was still beating so fast because of fear. “How could you tease me like that?”

“Because you are way too serious for your age. Learn to relax a little, Kate. Don’t worry, you’re safe with me.” He assured her and the woman smiled. “Common, let’s go.”

“Is this yours?” She asked before getting inside the vehicle, but honestly, she was still scared to go with him. Like what the hell was happening with them? It was their first time to meet in person, and it wouldn’t be wise to believe everything he said. No, she wouldn't get inside the car of a stranger! Well, the man was still a stranger to her!

Sanver sighed as Catherine hesitated to get inside his car. “If you’re worried, you can list down my plate number and send it to someone whom you can trust.”

Catherine thought that it was a good idea and she was glad that Sanver suggested it. “But I don’t have a phone,” she replied.

Sanver took out the phone from his jean’s pocket and gave it to her. “Here, you can use this.”

When he gave her his phone to use, she was convinced that he was a good man but still she took the phone and dialed Niko’s number. When her friend answered, she didn’t bother with honorifics and said, “I’ll send you something, and if something happens to me, make sure to trace this plate number.” Then, she hung up the phone.

“You’re scary, Kate. What if your friend will tell the police about it tonight?”

“Maybe. Shall we?” She got inside the car and Sanver shook his head in disbelief. He was about to turn the engine on when he received a text message that says ‘okay’. It was from the number she called earlier and Catherine’s friend must have assumed that she was just kidding.

Sanver drove to the South Road Properties, the latest project of the current mayor. Developing the SRP has just started and they’re done with the roads. He parked the car on the side, and their view was exquisite especially because of the moonlight that was shining above them. The sky was clear and the stars were sparkling like crystals in the night. The wind was cold and the place was so silent and Sanver could tell that there only a few like them who were probably dating under the stars. “We’re here,” he said and opened the window so she could take a better look at the scenery outside.

“It’s majestic!” She didn’t know that a place as exquisite as this existed in the city and she loved it! Catherine was tired of the noise and she wanted to take a break but she didn’t know where to go.

“Next time, we should bring some snacks.” He murmured.

“Are you already hungry?” She asked him because she was still full of their dinner, and she couldn’t think about food when she’s not hungry.

“Hungry for you,” he dropped a cheesy line, and he hoped that the woman could fall for it.

“I have poison,” she smiled.

Catherine was smart and witty and he loved it! He was not bored when he’s with her, unlike his other online friends who were just too superficial. Sanver realized that he’s into brainy women than beautiful ones. “All right, so I won’t eat you then."

For an hour, they stayed stargazing in SRP and Catherine wished she didn’t have to hurry back home. “I’m enjoying this, thank you. However, I must go home now.” She told him.

“Yeah, I understand. There’s still next time, Kate.” He said and powered down the window and drove away. “So, where in Lahug do you live?”

Catherine was impressed that Sanver didn’t forget about some details about her. “It was a residential area, and you don’t have to go there. Just dropped me at the Ecotech center if you’re kind enough.” She said.

Sanver nodded his head and while they were traveling to Lahug, there was never a dull moment inside the car. They talked about random things, from her studies up to his job. “You’re a smart woman, Kate and I hope you will become successful in the future.”

“I hope so too because I can’t become a failure, Mcred.” Mcred was Sanver’s username in MIRC chatroom and she was used to calling him that and it was more comfortable than to call him with his first name.

“That’s my girl. How would I know if you’ll get home safely?”He wanted to take her into their doorstep but that would be overstepping their boundaries when they just meet for the first time.

“My aunt has a telephone so I will just give you a miscall later,” she promised.

“Deal,” he replied.

When his car right turned at the last corner before Ecotech, she thanked him for being a gentleman and for not taking advantage. “Thank you very much for tonight,” she said.

“The pleasure was mine, Kate. Hmm, can I kiss you goodbye?” He asked as he stopped his car a few meters from the Ecotech Center.

A kiss? She was never been kissed before so the idea was overwhelming to her, but before she could say no to his request, hip lips already touched her cheek and she felt embarrassed. She turned around to ask, but Sanver grabbed her head and kissed her on the lips. Her eyes became huge in disbelief that she finally got her first kiss...from him! She didn’t know what to do, and how to respond, but somehow, she didn’t want him to stop immediately. She loved the feeling of his mouth on her and then she saw her three cousins coming towards the Ecotech! She pushed him away and said, “They’re here!”

“Who?” His brain was still hazy from the kiss and it was not functioning well.

“My cousins. They must be worried why I’m not home yet,” she replied. “I have to go now, bye.” Catherine got out from Sanver’s car carefully in order not to call their attention and before she closed his car’s door she warned him. “Don’t go yet until we’re gone,” or they would be suspicious. She bent down her head and walked towards the back of the car, and made it appear that she just arrived in that area. “Pssst!” she called for Sanjie, Jun and Dindin and they looked at her with gladness.

“Hey, why are you very late tonight? My parents were worried about you,” Sanjie said.

“I’m sorry. I had to finish my article in the school’s publication,” she lied but her cousins believed her. She turned around and see that Sanver’s car was still there.

That night, she couldn’t sleep properly and Catherine kept on tossing in bed that her roommate woke up. “Sorry,” she apologized to Christine.

“It’s okay, I understand why you are like that. Did you get your first kiss?”

Even in the dark, she knew that her face turned red from embarrassment but how did Christine found out about her kissing scene with Sanver? “What do you mean?” She asked coyly.

“Forget it, I was just kidding. Go to sleep now,” Christine said.

She was still widely awake but her movement was limited as she didn’t want to wake her roommate again. Was that how it’s supposed to feel? She had no other experience to compare, and Sanver was the first to do it to her! The butterflies in her stomach when they kissed was still there and it was one of the reasons why she couldn’t sleep at all. Her blood was alive and her imagination went wild!