Is this destiny?

Masika hopped around Zack happily one full circle before settling on his left side. She hooked her arm around Zack's. "How did you know it's my birthday? Did someone from home tell you? And you even got me flowers. You are always so thoughtful. Thank you."

Zack chuckled. Masika's proximity makes everything better. "Masika, you said 'thank you' many times already. And you are very welcome. Based on your behavior, I can conclude that you forgot."

Masika didn't get it. "What did I forget?"

Zack exhaled while wondering if she really forgot their chat from the Christmas party two years ago, of if she is pretending. At that time, Zack told her that when she turns eighteen years old, he will pursue her. And she is eighteen now. Zack remembers that after that evening, Masika was awkward for some time, but after that, she reverted to her usual carefree behavior. Did she really forget? Regardless if Masika remembers or not, she didn't go on any date or show interest in any other guy so… he has a chance. Right?

Zack's only concern is if during the last two years he got stuck in the dreaded abyss called the friendzone. However, Masika's reaction when she saw the flowers was not the one a girl gives to a friend. Yes. Zack is confident that Masika likes him because she gets clumsy and slightly awkward when they are too close. The only thing she forgot was that starting today, he will pursue her. And that's it.

"Let's see if I can jog your memory." Zack announced with a sly smile.

Masika was confused, but then she thought of something… "Is this a game you came up with for my birthday? You know I love games. And puzzles. Just don't make it scary or creepy and I'm in."

Zack shook his head helplessly. This will be harder than he thought. But she is holding onto his arm, and she accepted the flowers, and they are going for lunch… just the two of them. Ah, he is nervous!

…

"Wow!" Masika exclaimed when the staff member guided her and Zack to a private room with an amazing view of Los Angeles. "You did this for me? Because of my birthday?"

Zack smiled and pulled a chair for Masika. "For you."

The food was delicious. Zack ordered in advance a five-course meal which is the restaurant's signature offer. The only thing Masika needed to pick was the dessert. She could not decide between two, so they ordered both.

During lunch, Masika was telling him about her courses and future plans.

Masika still has more than two years' worth of courses until graduation, and Zack impressed her with how quickly he completed his. 

"I knew that you are tall and strong and that you can throw knives, but I didn't know that you are so smart..." Masika said with admiration.

Zack was not sure how to respond to this. It's a compliment, but... does that mean she thought of him as stupid? In the next moment, Masika was scolding him: "School is co easy for you, why did you drop it after high school? Look at you, finishing one year of courses in half the time even though you are busy with the army..."

And Masika was correct. Zack is almost done with his requirements for graduation, and he is taking all of his courses online. It's more convenient because he is working closely with Noah at the Army of Chaos. In terms of ranks, Zack is just below Noah.

Other than regular duties, Zack is also included in planning and strategizing. He accompanied Masika to one strategizing workshop which Sophia organized, and they discovered that Zack is a natural. He became indispensable at the Army of Chaos and Sophia mentioned more than once how in her absence Zack can take over, and they will do just fine.

When he started college, Zack selected a schedule filled with math and physics courses, like Masika. Mostly so that they can study together. But in time, his interest shifted more toward management and business strategy development.

In the Army of Chaos, Zack became one of the core members for strategizing, and because of that, he attends frequent meetings with the generals (Masika included).

Zack likes that he gets to spend his time with Masika, but lately… it's not enough. He saw her grow from a girl to a beautiful young lady, and he wants to claim her as his. He is standing by her side and observing her for three years and his patience is running thin because they finally reached the deadline which he set for himself: her eighteenth birthday. The truth is that even Zack is not sure how he managed to wait this long.

Masika was happily working on her dessert when soft music filled the space.

"Can I have a dance with the birthday girl?" Zack asked when he stood up and offered her his hand.

Masika took a sip of water, to wash the sweetness down, and placed her hand in Zack's.

Over the last two and a half years, she and Zack danced on several occasions, so it's not awkward. Actually, many things with Zack are not awkward. The two of them do missions together, she goes to the basecamp at least once a week, and he comes to the Cliffside Villa. Sometimes, he comes in the morning and they train side-by-side. She is used to his presence and she does not mind it, not even a little bit.

"You have grown." Zack said when they started moving at the beat of the music.

"You can tell that I'm taller since we danced last time?"

Zack hummed in confirmation and pointed at his chest. "You were this tall…" He moved his hand higher. "Now you are here."

Masika giggled and moved his hand up to his chin. "I am at least up to here…"

She paused. Why does this feel like a déjà vu?

She looked up to Zack and met his smile. Her eyes locked on his and Masika became aware that they are close. Very close. He is holding her, and for some reason, they stopped moving even though the music is still playing.

"Did you remember?" Zack asked in a half-whisper.

"Remember, what?"

"Christmas, two years ago. Fireworks. You asked me if I like you." Zack didn't want to say that he is counting the days since that Christmas, and that the counter finally reached zero.

Masika held her breath. Did she really ask him such a bold question? At that moment, images from the last three years with Zack flashed in front of her eyes, and with every passing moment, her heart was beating wilder. Zack's smile… his gentle gaze… his concerned expression while he carried her to the medic when she lost her balance, despite her telling him that she is fine… how they studied together… how she held onto him when she was scared in the haunted house… her stitching his gunshot wound… the two of them dancing at the Christmas party… Zack protecting her from lecherous policemen in Turkey… the star-shaped pendant which is around her neck right now… and she remembered. "You never answered."

Zack's eyes peered into her soul and he slowly lowered his head.

Masika was not aware at what point she closed her eyes, but she knows that when his lips brushed against hers, she felt as if she lost control over her body.

"I like you, Masika…" Zack whispered into her lips, and then he kissed her again.

This second kiss was more demanding.

Masika felt as if inside Zack is something strong, something primal, something she can't escape from. And then Zack gathered her against him.

Masika forgot to breathe while fisting Zack's shirt and responding to his kiss eagerly.

Zack inched a fraction and smiled at the sight of Masika who was in his arms, slightly dazed. He was elated that she is holding onto him and that she didn't reject him. He was sure that this can't get any better, but then he heard her say: "I like you too…"

Of course, he knew that she likes him. Or to be more accurate, he had about 90% confidence that she likes him. But guessing and hearing her say it are two totally different things.

Zack's hand landed at the back of Masika's head and he kissed her again… and again… and again… and it was not enough because he counted days while imagining how it will feel, Masika's lips against his. And it's divine, yet it was not enough.

Masika whimpered when Zack deepened the kiss, and her legs became jelly as their flavors mixed. She was not sure if the sweetness is from the dessert or if that is Zack, but she was confident that this is the best birthday. Ever.

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