Agnes turned and reached for Tom’s waist as he toweled her hair. She tilted her head back to meet his gaze. “What if I tag along to the lab tomorrow?” he offered, his voice soft but steady. He didn’t want her stuck at home, waiting for him for days on end. Plus, he wanted her to feel secure, to let everyone know she was his. The idea lit her up. Her eyes gleamed as she asked, “Would that be okay?” She was eager but didn’t want to intrude.
“Yeah, it’s fine,” he assured her. The lab wasn’t exactly a family-friendly spot, but as a professor, he had some leeway. He wasn’t planning to have her running experiments, after all.
Once her hair was dry, Tom added, “I’ve only got one meeting tomorrow. The rest of the day, I can show you around.”
“Sounds perfect,” Agnes said, leaning into him with a grin. “Can’t wait.”
Tom couldn’t resist. He cupped her face and kissed her-soft at first, then deeper. In the quiet of the bathroom, the two of them lost themselves in each other. That’s how love works. When it’s real, you can’t help but crave closeness. Every moment together feels like it’s meant to be shared.
That night, they shared a bed without a hint of awkwardness. As soon as the covers settled, Agnes curled into his arms like she belonged there. Tom held her close, his eyes tracing her face. He brushed a thumb over her cheek and murmured, “Bubu, you love me now, but in ten years, I’ll be forty-five, and you’ll be thirty-three. Will you still feel the same?”
Love makes you overthink. Even the most confident people can’t help but wonder.
Agnes felt the weight of his words. She propped herself up just enough to kiss him, quick but firm, before settling back against his chest. “Mr. Kitten,” she whispered, her voice muffled against him, “I’ll always love you. Believe me?” It might’ve sounded childish, but she meant every word.
She wished time would freeze, letting her stay like this forever.
Tom was older, steadier, more experienced. He knew better than to believe in “forever.” Nothing lasts, not really. But in that moment, he loved her enough to want to try.
If they were going to make it, they’d both have to work at it. So, he decided to make changes-for her, for them. He’d step back from his career, spend more time with her, and do whatever it took to keep what they had.
“Bubu,” he said, his voice low but firm, “if I mess up, tell me. Don’t let it fester. We’ll figure it out together, okay? Happiness comes first.”
His arm cradled her head while his fingers toyed with a strand of her hair. “I want this to be serious. Marriage, growing old together-I know it’s not easy, but I’m in.”
Agnes felt the sincerity in his words. She was young, but she understood more about life and love than most her age. She valued what they had, and she wasn’t about to take it for granted. “If I mess up too,” she said, her voice steady, “call me out. We’ll fix it together. Deal?”
“Deal,” Tom said, his tone earnest. “I love you.”
Agnes looked up at him, her smile soft but sure. “I love you more.” Then she buried her face in his chest again.
That night was perfect.