Always, Lily

??Twenty four

"I only want to see you." He mumbled, not even three seconds later and I held back a giggle.

"I feel so anxious, knowing that I'm this far from you. I wish I could teleport right now."

I laughed at the last part as I said, "At least you get to see me."

"Yeah, but I actually meant meeting physically." He leaned closer to the screen.

"That's almost impossible now. You're almost at your parent's home, right?"

He had told me last night that he was going to head home for a gathering with his extended family.

He avoided my eyes while rubbing the back of his neck. I knew he was hiding something.

"It can't be helped, you're busy." I tried to reassure him that it was fine but he interjected.

"Not too busy to celebrate your achievement." I smiled at his caring nature, though a bit puzzled by his words.

"Where are you right now?" I noticed how he was quick to look away.

"I'm coming back," I heard the hooting of a car on what seemed like an highway.

"B-But your family is waiting." I tried to reason out but it was a futile attempt, when he'd already made up his mind.

"I'll see them another time." He paused before adding, "There will be more opportunities in the future but your success has to be celebrated today."

"Celebrated?" My eyes widened at that and he just smiled.

"I'm picking you up in two hours. Everything else remains to be a surprise."

I smiled at the secrecy in his words, excited that he was coming to see me.

"Bye!" I ended the call after that, but not before Enzo blew me a virtual kiss.

Eager to see him, I rushed towards my assigned driver, a elder man whose daughter worked as a nurse.

He kept me engaged on our way back as he told me stories about his hometown, which happened to be my maternal home.

We arrived about one and half hour later due to traffic and I quickly went to the administrative offices to deliver feedback from my trip.

It was just an hospital procedure, some forms I had to fill in and sign them for verification.

I was done, just as Enzo called, informing me that he was waiting at the entrance.

That was quick. I thought to myself while rushing out to meet him.

"Enzo!" I ran after seeing him getting out of his car, at the out patient parking slot.

His head turned at my voice and he jogged over to meet me, lifting me up by my thighs as I wrapped my hands around his neck.

"My little butterfly," he kissed the left side of my face, briefly pecking my lips before he went for the right side.

I giggled at his affection, reciprocating the gesture after he was done with me.

"I guess we missed each other that much," I said, adjusting the collar of his white t-shirt.

"More than that," he leaned in for my lips again but I quickly placed my hands on his chest, remembering where we were.

I didn't want work gossip.

Lorenzo understood what I meant without a word and still in his arms, he placed me on the passenger seat.

"How did you get back so fast?" I turned to his side after he'd settled in.