Chapter 47 - Forest Cherry Hill Park

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Leon: I'll see u there. Can't wait!

"Someone looks happy," Evan teased. "Who is it?"

"You know her."

"Ariel?"

Leon nodded.

"That's great! I've always rooted for both of you. What did she say?"

"She asked me out on a date."

"Wow!"

"She's giving me a chance. Hope I don't screw it up this time."

-----

Ariel rubbed her eyes at the WhatsApp text message from Leon.

Leon: Can't wait to see u at Forrest Cherry Hill Park tonight

What was he talking about? They never made any arrangement. It would be nice to catch up and bring Andy along but she would have to be careful. Avoiding Leon after he moved in nearby was not easy, especially after the big boss warned against her being seen with him. Since then, Ariel was anxious at the prospect of bumping into him and worried if he thought she was cold and unfriendly. But his surprise message did not seem to convey anything negative towards her.

Today was her half-day at work so it was good timing if he wanted to see her in the evening. But she would need to disguise herself and sneak out. Even she was finding the rules placed by her bosses to be unreasonable, especially since it interfered with her son's wish to remain friends with Leon.

Ariel: Where in the park & what time?

Leon: Where? What time? 8pm at the observatory, rmbr? It's your idea!

Ariel: My idea??

Leon: YES CherryBerryKiss!

Ariel knitted her eyebrows together. His messages were not making any sense!

Leon: Anyway I'm always thinking about u

Ariel blushed. Really? He still cared for her?

It would be so good to meet up and have a friend to lean on, now that she really needed an outlet and a listening ear to reveal her struggles.

----

Clad in his sunglasses and in ordinary casual wear, with a cap on and a checkered scarf wrapped around the lower part of his face, Leon couldn't believe what a breeze it was that no one noticed when he drove a Honda he rented and parked it at the open carpark at the foot of the hill.

It felt breathtaking to ride in the funicular up the hill towards Forest Cherry Hill Park for the first time in years. The park was located at the top of a hill that was situated near the city right by a beach, and accessible via a funicular where the open-air observatory was situated. Light pollution was not too bad at that altitude, but the skies could never be as clear as skies above his parents' mansion where the stars were more visible to the naked eye.

When Leon reached the top, it brought back memories of his teenage life, where he used to hang out here during the weekends and bask with his guitar and entertain passers-by strolling along the park. Young Leon would relish the view of the sea and the city skyline, so when he got rich and famous, he bought the penthouse and visits to Forest Cherry Hill Park was no more.

Now, without the penthouse, Leon felt like being back to square one. He breathed out a bittersweet sigh at the panoramic sight and the cool breeze in his face - how he missed these sensory experiences even more now that he no longer lived in the penthouse. He continued on his journey up the flight of steps that lead to the observatory. It was not crowded at this time.

Leon swallowed hard when he spotted Ariel looking through the telescope, her back facing him.

That light hazelnut, tousled hair, that red scarf flowing gently in the breeze and that yellow floral dress - the same dress she wore during her competition and in his dreams. Oh, how surreal and dream-like she looked even from the back! Leon pinched himself to make sure it was not a dream.

Beaming with excitement, Leon walked towards her and put his hand on her right shoulder.

She turned around and smiled, "Hello Leon, it's been a long time."

Leon's smile faded, his feet froze on the spot.

She was not Ariel, but the sight of her left him flabbergasted. She may have aged somewhat after all these years with more freckles on her face, but those sparkling brown eyes, that cheery smile and those alluring dimples were as familiar as yesterday.

A floodgate of unspoken emotions surged within Leon that his lips could only stutter one word, "E-Emily."

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