All that matters to me is Spencer and I are together. The one week distance surely was like hell but truthfully, it had its perks. For instance, we've grown closer and he has been spoiling me with his tireless moves of showing his affection. On top of that, we had an explosive night after he showed up at my doorstep and took me back to his place.

Life is perfect once more.

I've been busy preparing for the exams, starting next week. The mathematicians have dropped in their opinion and so far, no one seems to be able to find any faults in the solution.

I stack my textbooks in one long pile before stretching my hands over my head and getting to my feet.

Treading to the kitchen, I can't help but regret last night mentioning to Spencer that today is my birthday.

He has been missing for the past four hours and it's about to get dark and I hate to be a baby but being in an all-black house alone at night is slightly scary.

Mom called a few hours ago, for my birthday, I took the opportunity to make her promise not to tell Spencer anything about the little discussion we had. Needless to say, she was not pleased and told me I have to find a way to tell him the truth before they give out the prize money. If I don't by then, she'll tell him the truth herself.

I hated the deal, but I agreed to it. Now, I just have to find a way to change her mind, but at least for now, the truth is hidden and till then, I'll come up with a plan. I have to.

I rummage around the refrigerator, hoping to find something to eat until he comes when the clinking of keys gives me a pause, and not a moment later the door opens.

"I was about to call you," I straighten and shut the fridge's door.

"Are you hungry?" he asks as he walks to the kitchen island, dropping his keys on the top.

"A little," I mumble and walk to him wrapping my arms around him.

Spencer kisses the top of my head, running his hand through my hair before saying, "Get ready, we're going out."

I pull away and frown at him. "Now?"

"Yeah, hurry, it's a long drive."

"But I wanted to spend today with you, alone." I pout and he flashes me a bright smile and bends down.

That's when I notice there's a shopping bag on the floor next to his feet. "I'm waiting," he says and hands me the bag, pressing a light kiss to my forehead.

"Thanks," I mumble, peeking inside the bag.

He nudges me a little and I roll my eyes but make my way to his bedroom.

Once inside, I pull out the black dress while I bite my lip as my lips spread into a smile.

Without wasting any time, I jump inside the bathroom and prepare myself, freshening up, putting on the dress, and adding makeup.

The dress is feminine yet sporty. It hugs my curves perfectly and it's comfortable. I gaze at my reflection, trying to see myself through his eyes, wondering what exactly made him pick out this particular dress... maybe it's the deep V neckline, the dress itself it's not that long either, barely reaching my knees, but at least it's long-sleeved. It's easy to remove too.

Heat rushes to my cheeks with that final thought and I shake my head and buckle its belt around my waist.

I walk out of the bathroom and look around for the pair of boots I've left behind in his place, just in case.

After fully ready, I saunter out of the room. Spencer is leaning to the kitchen island and his eyes light up once I come into his view. He has changed into dark grey trousers and a navy blue shirt, the sleeves are rolled up to his elbows.

He holds out his hand for me and I grab it, nearing him and craning my neck to meet his gaze.

"You look exquisite, birthday girl," he murmurs against my lips and kisses me softly.

A wide grin spreads across my lips. "Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself." I lock my arm with his as he chuckles and we head out.

The drive turns out to be much longer than I expected, especially with the weekend traffic, even though he had warned beforehand. No matter how many times during the ride I picked and prodded him, he wouldn't even hint where we're headed to.

He drives out of the city, to one of the hills nearby and stops the car near a tree and turns off the ignition.

I glance at him and he nods as he opens his door and climbs out. With a frown, I get out of the car before he reaches the door and intertwine my fingers with his.

In silence, we walk up the hill. The weather is surprisingly warm for an early April night, and the night sky is almost clear, with small clouds dotting here and there.

It's just us and I can't be happier about it. As we climb up, the fairy lights hanging from the trees lightly illuminates the area, and a small smile tugs at my lips. Higher up, the picnic blanket along with a basket is laid on the ground, near the edge. The entire city is visible, with the twinkling lights of the building and highways and cars. And if I look closely, despite the light pollution, I might be able to spot a few stars up in the sky too. It's a perfectly private spot.

"I thought it'd be best to not go around in public since you haven't graduated yet," he mumbles hesitantly, his eyes scanning my face.

I grin and look up at him. "It's perfect."

He relaxes, and the corners of his lips lift upward.

We settle down and he carefully uncorks a bottle of champagne, and pours in two glasses, handing one to me.

"So you were preparing this the entire day?" I ask before taking a small sip from my drink.

"Kind of... had to call in for a few favors but it doesn't matter, those are the details, tonight's only about you," he replies, a slow charming smile arching his lips.

We drink, we eat and we talk about everything and anything. We start with sharing our stories and then we move on to sharing our fantasies, the dreams we have, and the future we wish to see.

Spencer and I both talk about the near future where we won't have to keep things hidden and be secretive. Where we can openly hold hands and kiss anywhere we want, without fearing being spotted by someone who knows us.

Although, we stick to the good parts only, not treading beyond summer, where I'll be deciding which university to go to for continuing my studies, either in maths or in MBA, the only two majors I applied for. The chance that I might have to move to another city is already drawing closer to us at a rapid speed, but we don't discuss it. No, tonight is only about good things. Bright dreams and a radiant future.

Hours into the night, somewhere in between Spencer draped a blanket over us so I wouldn't get cold and wrapped his arm around me, keeping me pressed against himself as we watch the nightlife from afar, in our own happy bubble.

"Gracie," he softly calls, drawing my attention away from the skyline and the city lights to himself.

I lift my head from his shoulder to meet his eyes. He shifts a little and holds his other hand out for me, revealing a red box taking up his entire palm.

My eyes widen.

With the familiar gold intricates around the edges of the box, how can I not recognize the Cartier boxing in a heartbeat. I've shopped from there more than I can possibly count while I still could afford these extravagant things.

"I'm not sure if you'd like it..." he slowly says handing the rectangular box to me.

"Spencer, I-" I start objecting but he interrupts me.

"Please, and it's your birthday, I can't not give you a gift." He offers a small smile.

I open my mouth again, but he quickly adds, "It's nothing really, just something to remind you of us... of me, I insist." He plasters his most persuasive expression, with wide pleading eyes and drawn eyebrows.

I want to tell him I don't need reminders when he's all that's on my mind but I don't.

Instead, with a sigh, I give in and a bright smile curls his full lips. He holds it in front of me while leaning down and behind me, planting his other hand on the ground next to my hip.

His warm breath tingles the nape of my neck as I pick the box and carefully open the lid.

"Happy birthday, love," he murmurs and gently kisses the crook of my neck.

My breath hitches, not from the electrifying contact of his lips with my skin or the beautiful necklace in the box, but rather with the nickname.

Love. That's a first. My heart races and heat rushes to my cheeks. For a long moment, I can't think about anything but how wonderful that word sounds coming from him.

"You don't like it?" his voice is worried and I realize I have been so distracted I haven't seen the necklace yet.

I shake my head. "I love it." It's a beautiful piece. A rose gold necklace with two intertwined rings in its middle, one of them is decorated with diamonds while the other one is plain gold.

"I hope you don't have it already," he lightly says but the anxiousness is visible in his tone clear as a day.

I giggle. "I don't. It's beautiful." I run my finger over the one ring with no diamonds and notice it's engraved. I delicately pull out the necklace from the box and inspect it closely.

'G & S'

My eyes well up. Gracie and Spencer. "It's perfect, I love it. Thank you." I turn to face him, smiling brightly.

Tonight my heart might explode from the overload of adoration and something much deeper. Perhaps love.

"May I?" he takes the necklace from me and I nod, moving aside my hair for him.

He fastens it around my neck. It's cold against my skin, causing goosebumps but I couldn't care less about it as I lay my hand on it.

He kisses my cheek, wrapping both arms around me and pulling me to himself, pressing my back to his chest. "You're the best thing that has ever happened to me Gracie," he whispers next to my ear. "Like a streak of color in a black and white world." His arms tighten around me, nuzzling in my hair.

My heart pounds in my chest and I hold on to his arms, anchoring to reality, reminding myself this isn't a dream.

"Thank you for entering my life, for showing me a life much more beautiful than I could have ever imagined of existing."

I turn around slightly and splaying my fingers on his cheek, tugging him down to me, capturing his lips in a soft kiss, hoping my lips will be able to convey how I truly feel.

Spencer deepens the kiss, enfolding me in his arms.

I relish the feeling, savor every sense.

Soon, we pack everything up and head back to the car. He drives to his apartment; the ride turns out to be much shorter than the coming route.

Once in his bedroom, with the lights dimmed and everything feeling over euphoric for me, we close the distance between us.

He clearly didn't say it lightly when he told me tonight is only about me.

From the way he kisses me, leading me to his bed, to the way he undresses me, trailing his fingers and lips across my body. Not a moment goes by where he doesn't make me feel cherished and adored.

Even when he embraces and enters me, eliminating the small gap between us, making us one. Making me whole. Showing me affection, whispering all the sweet words of appreciation.

Skin against skin. Our ragged breaths mingle together, we breathe in and out as one. The world is nothing. Every moment before and after this doesn't matter.

I'm the one in his arms. Spencer looks at me like there's no one and nothing beyond me.

The world starts and ends with us.

And when we both reach our peaks, burst into the blissful sensual pleasure like the stars exploding after enduring years of pressure, he doesn't let go, and neither do I.

With his forehead on mine and his body molding over me, in a hoarse voice he starts, "I l-" but halts abruptly and instead says, "I can't imagine a future and a life without you, Gracie." With that, Spencer kisses me deeply.

When my heart calms down and sleep begins evading my senses while I'm curled up into him, his hand caresses my hair, cuddling me closer to himself.

On the final moments of clinging to the last strings of being awake, although not alert, I feel his soft warm lips pressing to my forehead. His hot breath fans over my skin.

"I love you, Gracie."

I hear him, but his voice is so distant it's hard to tell if it's real or my mind playing tricks.

Not a heartbeat later, sleep cocoons me.

∞ ∞ ∞

The L bomb! You really didn't think I'll be ending this story without the L word being mentioned at least once, now did you? lol

Hmm... I could have ended the story here and it'd be a lie if I say I didn't consider it while I was writing this chapter, but I'm a good and caring author and I know my readers deserve a much better, climactic ending. Now if the story would have ended here, it wouldn't have been satisfying for you guys, I know! You're welcome! That's why, we have 4 chapters left to give you the dramatic, climactic ending you guys deserve. *rubs hands and smiles mischievously*

I know, I love you all too ==))))))))))))

In fact, I'm writing the last chap rn and I cannot wait for you guys to read the ending aahhhh xD I can't believe it! It's so close to being finished.

Thank you so much for reading *.*

Stay safe, lots of love, happy reading <3