Leon laid back in his reclining chair and enjoyed the sight of his completed garden that was slowly bearing fruit from his hard work during a quiet Saturday afternoon. His mother would be so proud of him. He took a picture and sent it to her, and to Ron as well, his gardening therapist. Since moving into his new place, Leon had not been able to see Ariel once and she had not messaged him. What happened to the @CherryBerryKiss in her? He gathered that she was extremely busy and working overtime, especially after her restaurant won two Micheline stars.
"Tell me, Evan," he asked Evan who was sitting beside him. "How did you manage to woo Rita?"
"How did I woo her? Time," Evan replied.
"Time? What do you mean?" Leon gave a baffled look.
"Yes, time." Evan went on to explain. "I gave myself and Rita a lot of time to know each other, as friends first. I observed how she interacted with Imogen and me, ya know, know her as a person first. I wasn't sure about her until I realised we have good chemistry and we share so many similar values. When I finally revealed my feelings, she reciprocated the same. So, that was cool."
"Isn't that wasting time?"
"Love is patient, as my mum always drills in me. I find investing in the wrong women wastes more time than the right one, and I learned it the hard way. Rita's the kind who takes her time to understand people before judging, something I really love about her."
"I see," he found his advice similar to what Ron spoke of.
"And now that you're in the same neighbourhood as her, I get to see Rita often."
"Oh dear, I foresee you'll be distracted."
"Nah, not to worry!" Evan waved off with a chuckle. "Rita respects my working hours and is cool with it. That's what I love about her - independence. She's great with Imogen, considering she helped raised Andy before."
Leon pondered for a while, "Evan?"
"Yes?"
"Am I impatient?"
Evan rubbed his chin, "To be honest, you can be."
Leon grit his teeth, not too happy with the answer.
"But you're making a positive change, so don't give up," Evan encouraged.
"That's good to know. I hope she'll be happier with me now."
"Who will be happier with you? Is there someone special?" Evan asked cheekily.
"Absolutely!" Leon beamed.
Just then, an instagram pinged from Leon's phone.
@CherryBerryKiss: I've not heard from u since our last convo
Leon: Playing hard, like u do to me
@CherryBerryKiss: I miss u, sweetie
Really?? He smiled at the message with a quick pounding of the heart. Never before had he heard Ariel used such endearing words towards him.
@CherryBerryKiss: When can I see u again?
Leon: Tell me where you'd like to meet?
@CherryBerryKiss: At the observatory at Forest Cherry Hill Park, 8pm tmr Friday. I'll be there wearing a red scarf
Forest Cherry Hill Park! The last time Leon went there was many years ago when he was a teen. He had not visited it since he becoming famous and gradually forgot about the place. The open-air observatory was his favourite spot where he could observe the stars through a large, public telescope at the top of the hill. Since he introduced Ariel to his favourite stargazing moment at his parents' mansion, it was so sweet of her to remember his passion.
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."