Vincenzo Ricasso

Placing the gun down on the counter, I took off the protective gears as I clicked on the button to check on the targets I shot. Most of them were mainly at the bullseye, with two shots slightly further away but would be a vital point anyways.

I sighed as I ripped the paper off from the holder and walked off towards the resting area. I was definitely not in the mood for training now because I had just learnt about Reine's decision on moving back to England to further her studies. Not that I was opposed to it, but I have yet to ask her out or anything. 

Burying my face into my hands, I groaned out in frustration. A sudden tap on my shoulder got me looking up, only to find Elijah looking down at me with a small smile etched on his face. 

"You guys are still not an item yet?" He teased, as I tilted my head lightly towards him and gawked at him in surprise.

"Wait, you knew?" I asked. 

He smirked a little, "Only a blind wouldn't be able to see how in love you both are. Though I'm not sure if Enzo falls under that category." I laughed at his words. 

I sighed again, as reality hits me once more in the face, "Reine's leaving soon, and I've yet to even ask her out or do shit." 

Elijah furrowed his eyebrows as he shot me a weird look, "Then ask her out now?" 

"It's easy for you to say, but I'm just worried. What if she wants to keep us this way because she's moving away soon?" I fidgeted with my fingers as the endless what ifs swarmed around my head.

Elijah sighed as he took a seat beside me. 

"And what makes you think you're going to fine just by sitting here and thinking about scenarios that might not even happen. Are you Reine herself?" He asked, as I shook my head to his question. 

"That's right, you aren't her, so you don't know what she's thinking about. Instead of fighting with your inner self the whole time, you might as well come up with suitable plans to ask her out. And let me just remind you that this is one of the very rare chance that I will encourage a guy to chase after my sister. So if you miss this chance, don't blame me for hindering your pursue in the future." He nudged me in the elbow, signalling for me to get going with my plans. 

He was right, I should not be wasting time here over imagining things. I stood up instantly, as I muttered a quick, "Thanks, bro." before heading towards the door.

Running into the house, I looked around frantically for Drea. I need her advice now. Mum walked out of the kitchen as she saw me looking around the house. 

"What are you looking for, Enzo?" She asked, as I replied, "Drea." 

"She's in school now, do you need anything? Perhaps I can search it for you." She offered. I bit the bottom of my lips as I debated, mum would probably be able to understand too.

As soon as I finished telling her about my worries about me and Reine, she gave me a slap on the back. 

"Everything's been over for so long and you're still here? Gosh, don't tell me you're waiting for Reine to suggest a step further in your relationship." She scrunched up her nose at me, something that she would do when she's feeling terribly annoyed. 

"Mum! I know I'm stupid, but I just need some advice now. Save the mocking for later." I mumbled, feeling the tip of my ears going hot. Mum shot a cheeky look at me but proceeded to taking out her laptop and showed me some of the amazing places where dad took her before. 

Closing her laptop, she reminded, "Son, don't be too nervous. And if you don't get me back my daughter-in-law, you can forget about coming home." She winked at me as I shook my head at her antics, she never failed to amaze me even though she's my mother. 

Sending a text to Reine, I asked, 'Are you free tonight?'

1 minute passed. 2 minutes passed. There was no response. 

Ding!

She replied, 'Yeah, why?'

Typing on the keyboard, 'I've got something to show you. Pick you up at 8pm?'

'Ok. See you :)' 

Tossing my phone aside, I begun rummaging through my cupboard for some decent clothes. I can't believe that my whole closet was filled with 98% black clothes and 2% of a mixture of white and grey clothes. Giving up, I decided to go in grey hoodie and black sweatpants. 

As the clock strikes 7.30pm, I set off from my home and drove to Reine's house. Thankfully, I managed to reach 10 minutes before 8pm. The door to their mansion was left open, so I walked in only to find Lorenzo and Elijah in the living room. 

Elijah turned his head over to me and said, "Reine's still in her room, wait for a while." I nodded at his words while Lorenzo peeled his eyes away from his phone. 

"Why is he looking for her?" His eyes narrowed a little at me as I straightened myself and my clothes. Elijah did not answer, signifying that I should be the one to answer his question. 

"I'm taking her out for the night." I answered, which only made his eyes narrowing further. Perhaps Elijah was right about him being ignorant. 

To both me and Elijah's surprise, Lorenzo muttered under his breath, "Take good care of her and don't let her get hurt." With that, he went back to the game on his phone without looking back at me again. 

"I will, don't worry." I assured, though Elijah was the only one who nodded and smiled at me. 

The next moment, Reine walked down the stairs in plain white crop on the inside followed by a cropped beige cardigan on the outside, paired with a black skinny jeans. Her eyes found me as she hastened her pace and walked towards me. 

"Sorry, I'm late." She breathed out. 

"No, I'm early. Shall we go?" I asked, as she shot a small smile at me and nodded. After strapping up in our seat belts, I stepped on the gas and headed for the amusement park. Yes, you saw that right, amusement park. It was a place where Reine had stopped visiting ever since the incidents back then, and I wanted to bring her to enjoy the atmosphere again. 

Parking at a spot, I noticed how she looked around the place in awe as she turned back to me and asked, "Amusement park?" I nodded at her question as the smile on her face grew bigger. She looked like a kid who was rewarded with a gigantic candy. I would do anything to keep that kind of smile engraved on her face at any time of the day.

As we got off the car, I took her hand gently as I guided her to the carousel, something which she had enjoyed riding since young. We then went on a few more other rides before we joined the queue for the ferris wheel. Mum had especially reminded me to keep this for the last ride of the day. 

I had originally intended to rent the whole park for the night, but mum insisted to keep it natural. 

After waiting for 15 minutes in line, it was finally our turn and we managed to get a space just for the both of us. The ride was slow and steady, as she looked at the night sky silently while I took a deep breath to prepare myself. 

"Reine." She tore her gaze away from the scenery and looked at me. 

"Would you be my girlfriend? I know you're going to leave by the end of this month, but I've just got to make-" I was cut off halfway as she leaned forward, and pulled me into a kiss before I know it.

It took me 3 seconds to snap back, before I took control over the kiss. It felt as though our lips were made to be moulded against each other's. She pulled away after a while as both of us took a breath. Smiling at me, she replied, "That's my answer. And you took the question out of my mouth, because I was going to ask you out too." 

Intertwining my hands in hers, I softly whispered, "You know, my mum said if any couple were to kiss the moment they reached the peak of the wheel, they are bound to last forever." She tilted her head at me and smiled, "We would've been forever regardless of that."

The both of us broke out into fits of laughter, realising how silly we looked during the whole time. But it was all worth it, if it is for her. 

updated! it's so fast seeing how January is coming to end when it felt as though yesterday was 2022 onfewdnoejdioejd praying for good health for everybody <3

planning to do a q&a for any of the questions that you guys have for this book, how does this sound? 

Happy reading! - 29/1/2023