Miranda sat comfortably in a stool by the counter watching Mike working in his kitchen. A lot of flour was all over the floor. Clearly he was having a hard time with the beating and the mixing; his apron was very dusty, glasses were foggy and his lovely hair was in a sexy mess.

All Miranda can do was sit and watch him (because he insisted) and adore this clumsy man in front of her.

"Need help, Marple?" she grinned and crossed her arms.

He went to her, leaned his elbows on the counter and gave a very sweet smile. God, your gorgeous face. She thought. I could put you in a box. Miranda felt butterflies in her tummy and her cheeks went hot and blushing.

"Uhm. You sure you don't need help, Marple?"

"Nah. I'm fine, Quirky. I just need you to sit there and stay cute." And she gladly agreed. He rubbed his thumb to her cheeks and gave her nose a soft pinch. She smiled again and blushed for more.

Miranda looked around the corners of his flat seeing picture frames on the wall as she took another sip from her glass. Brought by curiosity, she stood up from her chair and took a closer look at them. Having freedom to wander around his flat like this rang Miranda's mind; she has a boyfriend – a fantastic one indeed, that they'd been seeing for months now and have been seeing more of him and that they might be spending more of their future together. No. This is right. This is easier. She thought. No might's, no maybe's. We will spend it together.

Everywhere she saw photos aging back from his childhood and few of his family. There were photos of him at school, in the playground and even of him in a play.

"Marple?"

Yes, Caller?"

"Oooh, someone's been learning. Uhm, I didn't know you could act."

"Well, in a very long time ago. Back at high school, at least." She heard him answer behind her.

She looked a round again and saw a very delightful one that made her giggle.

"Wow." She took the frame and brought it as she approached him. "Nice dress."

"What? Oh, no!" He quickly grabbed the picture from her when he realized it was a photo of him in drag. "Oh dear. Stop looking at it. Are you traumatize, Quirky? You didn't get brainwashed, did you now? HAHA!"

"Very sexy, Marple. Very sexy… I'm quite turned on." She laughed and mockingly fanned herself with her hand.

"Really, now?" Teasingly, he slowly pulled Miranda by her hips.

"Oooh, hello…" She raised an eyebrow flirtatiously. Mike move closer to her, his hands brushing up to the curve of her hips and slipped them until they touched her back.

Her heart was drumming rapidly. Miranda closed her eyes for a moment. He was still there.

Mike's kiss was backfired when she turned, leaving his lips to collide with the cheeks.

"Uhm. You got a bit of flour." Stupid excuse. Mike looked at her sadly but brushed the thought off quickly and continued working.

An hour or two passed and another bottle of wine was open. Finally the oven's timer rang.

Miranda was still standing at the corner, fashionably holding a glass of wine, and still looking at the frames on the wall. She looked as though she'll float any minute now. She was not drunk, not at all. Maybe a bit tipsy but still sober. But she has definitely lost her train of thoughts; or rather hers was going to different directions.

Mike was making more sound of clutter as he finished preparing the table.

"Quirky?" He called her sweetly and Miranda was brought back to reality. "You alright?"

"What? Of course! Why wouldn't I? Nothing says I'm not alright.." She blurted. "Let's have some of those muffins, now. I'm starving!"

It was so easy for them to talk things over during their meal. They were sitting across each other, telling random things that would bring them to full rounds of laughter. She told him about her and Stevie's new adventures in karaoke. He's been sharing stories about what happened during his stay in Africa and Miranda was sure her heart stopped when he told her that she's always on his mind, whenever and wherever he was.

"I hope you didn't regret leaving Africa and coming back." She said with a heart-warming smile.

He took her hand and filled its spaces with his fingers, holding it firmly yet kept it gentle.

"Never. Not at all." Behind his glasses, his eyes smiled with him. "And who would want to spend time with tigers, anyway, right?" He chuckled. "I rather spend my time with you."

"Or.. We'll go to Africa, be chased by tigers and spend the rest of our lives running away from them!" A loud laughter came out from her Marple. Miranda enjoys sharing silly jokes because she knows Mike loves them and would make him happy. And for Mike, it was the best thing about her. The effortlessness to just talk about the unpredictable future surprise Miranda. This is right. This is easier. She reminded herself again.

After their meal, Miranda decided to venture more rooms in his flat rather than helping Mike. Mike kept on tickling her in the hips, under her elbows, just basically everywhere and they'd made a bigger mess while cleaning the table.

When she went to his bedroom, by the corner she saw a grand piano. Though it looked majestic, it was quite abandoned for it stood solely in the darkness; not a single vase nor a frame, not even a music sheet. She approached it closer, drumming her fingers on its top until she felt the keys of the piano. She once looked at it absently and then brushed her fingers above the blacks and whites of the keyboard. Mike found her walking around it and caressing the sides of the piano. Their gaze met then she leaned her body on its edge and she saw him doing the same by the door giving her his widest, sweetest, warmest smile.

"For a man living on his own, you have a very big place."

"Maybe I'm just waiting for somebody to live here with me and share some company."

She froze for a good minute still locked into their gaze.

"Come on now-" finally she broke the silence. "-let's see those piano skills you've been hiding under those reporter sleeves." She gestured as to invite him in.

"But, Quirky, it's been such a long time." Mike said between his chuckles.

"It'll be like riding a bicycle. Please? Can you really say no to a vulnerable, irresistible, drop-dear gorgeous damsel who might be talking about me?" She giggled and gave him puppy brown eyes.

"Well, alright. You got me. Just don't laugh and don't tell anyone."

Both of them sat closely side by side in front of the keyboard, giving each other a nudge on the shoulder.

"Okay.. Uhm. Alright." He made a full stretch of his arm. Miranda watched his hands shaking a bit and making a heavy sigh. When they finally calmed down, he placed his fingers on the keys and started playing sweet music. He even sang together with his dancing fingers.

Someday, when I'm awfully low

When the world is cold

I will feel it glow just thinking of you

And the way you look tonight

Mike's voice was calm, far from his usual firm reporter kind of tone. It was gentle and soothing, something that warms Miranda's mind and body and soul, giving her a good amount of chills to her bones and to her heart.

And that laugh that wrinkles your nose

It touches my foolish hear

He nudges Miranda's shoulder again and gave her sweet glances between the words he sang. Miranda's fluttering heart, trembling hands and a tummy full of crazy butterflies reminds her that he was singing for her, to her.

Lovely, never ever change

Keep that breathless charms

Won't you please arrange it

Cause I love you, just the way you look tonight

"So?" He said, placing his hands away from the keys.

"Not to shabby." She jokingly said but really, she was deeply touched.

"You know, Quirky, I was right about you."

"About what? That I have fantastic gymnastic skills? Thankyousomuchthankyousotoyo u. HAHA!" She straightened herself like some royalty that made Mike chuckle.

"I was right that you light up my boring life. I've completely forgotten how I loved to sing and play the piano and here you are, with me reminding me about my fond memories and making me happy. It's like I've lost something that I never knew before and now I finally found it."

For a minute, the world around them stopped. Miranda could see herself in Mike's eyes.

"Getting a bit melodramatic, are we?" She broke the building moment and made a fake laugh.

"I'll sing you another song."

"Oh, cheeky. HAHA."

He placed his fingers to where it was before and started playing again.

Wise men say only fools rush in

But I can't help falling in love with you..

Mike's voice became dramatically full, firmer yet stayed sweet. The words were sung more passionately than it was with the first song. With each line, each note, Miranda realized that he was not just simply singing for her but rather he was making a point and telling her something.

So won't you please take my hand,

And take my whole life too.

'Cause I can't help falling in love with you

I keep falling in love, falling in love with you..

Mike sustained the last note until it slowly faded. Miranda felt warmth above her hand and saw him holding her closely and never letting go. No escape, no excuse can be made now. Mike cupped her face with his free hand and kissed her deeply. Far from normally, Miranda was only able to close half of her eyes for she knew what would happen.

Breaking the kiss, he spoke to her ear. "I'll make you some tea." And Miranda was left alone in the room.

A lot of things run through Miranda's mind. All her decisions about this, all the things she said to him flashbacked and played like a movie inside her head. In the darkness, flittering streetlights flashed slowly in the room. Miranda was still sitting, shoulders dropped and looking and playing with the engagement ring that Mike had placed on her finger on the afternoon he proposed to her. Its diamonds sparkled under the darkness. This is right. She reminded herself again and again. But her heart was doing the same drumming it did earlier. Bravely she closed her eyes tightly. He was there again. Gary was still in her mind and heart. And she struggled to hold back the tears.

Silence has never been more deafening to her ears.