Saving the Villain

"But I'm still glad to achieve this first with the both of you. It's really fun. Let's do this again."

Maxen and Luke kept their eyes on her, and they didn't feel sorry for her story. After all, Cosette spoke about it in a much lighter tone, and she clearly indicated she had resolved her own issue. Hence, they only focused on the good instead of dwelling on the bad.

"Of course, we will," Luke smirked and cast Maxen a look. "Right, Max?"

"Of course." Maxen rocked his head. "We will definitely do this again."

The corner of Luke's lips stretched from ear to ear until his even teeth were showing. His reason might be why he never went to an amusement park before might be completely different from Cosette's. But one way or another, it was also similar.

It wasn't that they couldn't go to such a place or they couldn't afford it. It was just that, Luke and Cosette simply wanted to go to this place with the special people they wanted to bond with. And apparently, Asher and Maynard were too busy making money, and Luke was just as terrified to get rejected as always.

Still, this experience was worth remembering. Luke had fun just as much as Maxen and Cosette, and he was grateful to have spent this day with them.

"Ah!" Luke suddenly clapped as he remembered something. His abrupt action startled Cosette, while Maxen looked back at him with raised brows.

"Ugh — the camera!" Luke yelled, pointing at Maxen's pocket. "We didn't take pictures!"

"Oh!" Cosette gasped.

In the midst of their busy hopping from rides to rides, Maxen bought a digital camera to capture each moment. They had been taking pictures here and there. Some were good while others were just chaotic. But that wasn't the point. Before going up to the Ferris wheel, they said they would take pictures once they were at the peak. Obviously, they were already going down, and even if they ride again, the sun would have set.

"Oh no…" Cosette frowned. "... it was so beautiful and it's a shame we didn't take a picture of it."

Maxen turned on the camera and saw it was nearly low in battery. They would have to buy another set of batteries for it to work.

"Well." Maxen lifted his eyes at the two who were already frowning. "It's not like today is the last day the sun will rise and set. The camera is already dying, but we can take a few more."

He raised the camera and smiled. "Should we take a picture together instead?" he proposed.

Luke and Cosette looked at each other. When they looked back at him, they nodded in agreement. With that being said, Maxen extended his arm while they leaned closer together. Since Cosette was just sitting right beside Maxen, she only needed to plant her hands on his shoulder. She perked up until her chin was resting on his shoulder.

Meanwhile, Luke bent over since he was sitting across from them. He raised two fingers up, smiling charmingly while staring at the camera.

"Say, cheese!" Cosette said, and the camera flashed at them, capturing a simple picture the three of them would cherish for a lifetime.

******

Maxen dropped Luke off at his place. They idled in the amusement park, playing some games before they left. The two were tired and fell asleep on their way back. Hence, Luke barely said goodbye as he dragged his feet to his place to continue his sleep.

So Cosette switched places and occupied the front passenger seat. Maxen and Cosette stayed silent for minutes until they were on the highway.

"You should sleep some more," said Maxen, casting her a side eye after her third yawn.

"I'm okay." Cosette leaned back comfortably, twisting her body so she was facing the driver's seat where he was. "Sorry, Max."

"Hm?" His brows rose, looking at her for a moment before facing the road again. "Sorry for? Because you forgot about my birthday?"

"Mhm…" Cosette let out a shallow breath, hugging herself with the blanket they won in one of the games Luke won. Luke was quite good at arcade games, and he gave all the prizes to Maxen as his gift. He only gave her this blanket just so she wouldn't be upset.

"I really want to surprise you today," she continued in a quiet tone. "I know this may sound like an excuse, but I got a little busy with you know — everything. You said it was fine, but it's not for me. Even Luke managed to make up to you, but I…"

Cosette trailed off as Maxen stopped at the red light, and then faced her.

"I really feel bad." She let out a deep exhale.

"Don't be," replied Maxen as he reached for her hand, rubbing her knuckles with his thumb. "Coming into my life is the greatest blessing I had received. You changed my life, Cosette. If you didn't come that day and chased those guys away… if you didn't take me to the hospital and watched over me, a stranger that night, and if you didn't transfer school and patiently spend time with me even when I was a jerk, I… can imagine how this day would turn out differently than it did."

Maxen smiled warmly at her, squeezing her hand mildly. "Don't feel sorry. I'm just happy that we got to spend it together."

"You're just trying to make me feel better," she mumbled, pouting. "Tell me. What present should I give you?"

"Mhmm…" Maxen hummed and glanced at the red timer above. Seeing there was still enough time, he faced her once again. His lips stretched before he bent over to her, planting a quick kiss on her soft lips. "This is fine."

But her frown deepened. "But we kiss every single day," she complained. "It is not special anymore."

"Every kiss…" he paused as he slipped his fingers through the gaps of her fingers. "... and every touch is special for me. It feels like every day is my birthday."

"Max…" Cosette let out a shallow breath, smiling warmly at him. "Fine. You win. I'll just kiss you ten — twenty times a day."

"That sounds better." He chuckled, retrieving his hand from her as the green light turned on.

Little did they know that even though Cosette planned nothing, everyone in the Blac mansion, including Conrad, wouldn't let this day pass without celebrating this special day. When Maxen and Cosette arrived home, confetti poppers welcomed them with everyone — except Conrad — yelling, "happy birthday!"