043 Little Red Riding Hood

"I'm sorry. My deepest apologies, I'm really sorry..." With an apologizing smile, Erebus stood in front of Kitty's room with his palms together, begging for her forgiveness.

"Hmph." Kitty stood there with her arms up in front of her chest, not answering.

"I got caught up with an emergency. I'm really sorry I kept you waiting." Erebus lowered his body to try to look Kitty in the eyes, "Pleaseee forgive me?"

"We said 'after breakfast'. I guess 6pm in the afternoon technically counts." Kitty said with a pretend angry tone, messing with Erebus.

"Well, I did want to let you know, but you see, you don't have a phone..." Erebus grinned knowing that Kitty wasn't really mad at him.

"You big bad wolf! Now this is MY fault?!" Kitty jumped at him and tried to bite him on the arm. Erebus didn't even dodge. He stood there with his arms in Kitty's mouth, laughing at the fact that she didn't even use much force on the biting.

"Well, please do accept this as my compensation?" He pulled out a new phone with his free hand.

"So you can stand me up again through the phone?" Kitty let go of Erebus's arm, which now has a faint line of teeth mark.

"Please?" Erebus put his hand in front of her with the phone on it. It was the same one like the last time, only without the box that came with, "Sorry about the box, I have to check its security."

"As if you didn't open the box last time. It already got your number in it." Kitty took the phone and hugged him.

"Sooo, can I take you to dinner tonight?" Ignoring Kitty's sarcasm, Erebus asked. Remembering Curtis was going to have a "date night", Erebus was worried.

"Sure!" Kitty accepted with no hesitation, "I want meat!"

"Haha, no problem." Erebus suddenly felt like the grim day got all lighter at Kitty's one sunny smile.

"So where have you been all day?" Kitty grabbed her coat and followed Erebus out of her room.

"Hmm..."

"Ohh, is it a 'need not to know' thing? It's okay." Kitty quickly added, seeing Erebus's hesitation.

"Not like that. I just don't want to worry you too much with no facts confirmed." Erebus sighed slightly with his hand on her head, "Tell me about Curtis?"

"Well, he is nice. Good at bartending. Has been to a lot of places obviously. What's up?" Kitty shrugged.

"Nothing, just curious." Erebus mimicked her shrugged and Kitty burst into laughter...

"THIS is where we are having dinner?!" Kitty exclaimed at the fancy restaurant Erebus took her to. It looked like something that would fall into the same catalogue with the hotel.

"What's wrong?" Erebus asked.

Kitty sighed and looked into Erebus's eyes: "I can't afford it--"

"But I--" Erebus tried to explain it was his treat but Kitty put a finger on his lips and stopped him:

"And I don't belong to places that I cannot afford. I don't want to be. I belong to the street. It's who I am, for now."

"You are right. I only wanted the best for you. I'm sorry." Erebus stepped down from the stairs, "But I want to be introduced to your world, is that okay?"

"We can try." Kitty gave him a big grin. It felt great to hear his sweet words, AND to be respected at the same time.

"Okay, I've got an idea!" Erebus took her hand and headed for the car.

They drove crossed the city and further, till the light of the crowded downtown was out of sight.

"Afraid?" Erebus glanced at Kitty as the sky turned dark and there was only few road lamps flickering in distance and darkness.

"I'm not Little Red Riding Hood." Kitty squinted her eyes at him, "And even if I was, I'd totally be eating the big bad wolf, instead of the other way around."

"Oh, really?" Erebus's lips curled, "And how are you gonna do that with no claw and no fang?"

"I'll take him for a tour, and looking for the hunter. Or a bigger bad wolf, like last time." Kitty grinned at Erebus.

"Hahaha!..." Erebus burst into laughter, "And now you are in the car with the bigger bad wolf, who can save you now?"

"I'll save myself, like I always do. I'm here now, aren't I?" Kitty shrugged.

"Yes, you do. You tough Little Red Riding Hood, but you might need to call in sick today, though." Erebus grinned at her, "I already let the owner know."

"You!... You evil wolf who don't care about money or any-- Wow!" Kitty started yelled at Erebus when she saw the beautiful ocean under the last shred of twilight.

"A blessed city, aren't it?" Erebus said in a soft voice seeing Kitty was totally immersed in the beautiful scene, "half surrounded by the ocean AND hugged by the great Mountain Range of Dux."

They left the car casually on the side of the road, along with their shoes and stuff, and ran towards the sea on bare feet.

"Oh, my, God! I love the sea so much!" Kitty yelled when she had enough fun treading waves by the shore and ran towards Erebus, who stood a bit back but not too far from her, watching her laughing and skipping on the beach with his hands in his pockets.

"It's as beautiful as your eyes." He opened his arms when she jumped at him and caught her by the waist, "Wanna grab something before you head back in?"

"Sure!" Kitty looked around and realized there was a small shop not far away from where they were.

"I've asked them to prepare some see food and French fries, hope that's street enough for you?" Erebus grinned as they walked towards the small shop to pick their orders.

"Haha, sorry for rejecting your fancy arrangements. I do appreciate it, really." Kitty closed her palm together and looked at Erebus with appealing eyes.

"I know, it's okay. My arrangements were to make you happy, and if you are happier with this, then this is what I want." Erebus laughed at her piteous look, "Don't worry about it."

"Thanks..." Kitty murmured and finished the few steps to the shop. The glittering light on him suddenly made her feel like as if he was glowing in her eyes. Since when did she start to trust this man so much that she could be so free and naughty and even unreasonable and still feeling safe and happy?

What was the feeling that seem to boom inside her?