"I'll be right back, Sofia" Cedric uttered as he opened the door for him to leave
"Can I come with you?" Sofia chimed in, like a puppy wanting to be held
"I'm literally just gonna go gather flowers in the garden" he scratched his head
"I know… and I wanna come with you" she looked at him with her puppy eyes
"Hah, don't you have a potion to make?" Cedric looks at the table she was working on for Amber's birthday party just a few days from now
Defeated, Sofia fell back to her chair "You're right…" Her eyes glancing over the couple of flasks and bottles on the table
"I'll be back immediately, I promise. Give me at least ten minutes… or five" He was counting his fingers
Sofia turned to him with a very adorable smile "Okay, I'll be right here waiting~" she then leaned on her hands as she looked at him "Don't take too long!"
"I Love You~"
"Okay, see you later" Cedric turned the knob of the door upon uttering this. But as he was about to leave…
"I SAID I love you." Her voice was louder this time and Cedric turned to her. Her smile was now replaced by an unamused frown
"Yeah… I heard. I'll be right back, like I said" he quickly bubbled
Dissatisfied, Sofia stood up from her chair and approached him "I. Said. I. Love. You" she emphasized slowly to him
"Yes, I heard you, Sofia" Cedric responded
"Why won't you say it back…" A pout forms on her lips saying this "Don't you love me anymore.."
"I do. But I really have to go now" Cedric scooted away from her to the door to open it "I'll say it when I get back."
And just like that, the door was slammed by the princess herself with the same adorable pout on her face "Well, I'd like you to say it right now~"
"What.."
"Cedric!" She was now whining as she immediately stood on the way to the door, making sure Cedric wasn't going anywhere "Tell me that you love me.."
"Sofia, I'm literally just going to the garden downstairs.."
"Who knows what might happen to you on the way.." she bit her lip as the thought reached her "What if this is the last time you'll ever see me and you didn't say how much you love me?"
"Woah woah… what are you talking about.."
In a quick swift movement, Sofia grabbed his arm and held it tight close to her – refusing to let go whatsoever. Bewildered, Cedric couldn't believe how Sofia is behaving
"You're acting very childish right now… you know that right" Cedric puzzled in annoyance
She raised her head to look up at him with her beautiful sky blue eyes "I know… and you love that about me~"
"Maybe I do" Cedric smiled on the side as he slowly moves Sofia to make away now that she's distracted
But it didn't work…
"Cedric!" she whined more loudly this time as her hold on her hand tightens even more "Tell me you love me!"
"Sofia, I'll say it later!"
"I want to hear you say it right now" She now held Cedric into a tight embrace that he couldn't move at all "I wanna hear how much you love and appreciate your adorable and sweet girlfriend…"
Knowing there's no other way out of this, Cedric pondered he might as well say it. He was never the affectionate type, but for Sofia, he willing to do anything
"I… uhh.."
Sofia closed her eyes and leaned closer to Cedric… awaiting for the following words. She always loved his warmth and his scent, it makes her feel comfortable and sleepy
Cedric however, gathered up all his courage into the following series of words he was gonna utter "I.. uh.."
In that moment, Cedric pinched her cheeks which made Sofia open her eyes for him. Sofia pouted, now she looked more like a chipmunk with her cheeks pinched
"Cedric, why can't you just say that you lo–"
In that moment, she was silenced when her lips felt a soft and tender sensation all of a sudden. Upon realizing it, a blush danced on her cheeks as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment.
But before she could do so, Cedric pulled away to look at her
"I love you, Sofia" he breathed slowly as he looked her straight in the eyes "I love you to the stars… to the moon… to the universe and back"
"I love you more than… magic.. or pancakes.. or ribbons" Sofia felt butterflies in her stomach hearing this. It was like she's on top of the world
The genuine look had no hint of deception whatsoever. It was real… and it came from the heart. This was enough for Sofia's to start pounding and her legs weak. A pink flush invaded her cheeks as she looked at him
Her lips finally parted, and she was absolutely dazed "I… I love you too, Cedric~" She stuttered, as she felt her heart beat faster and faster the more he looked into her eyes. He had such an effect on her ever since they first met
With this, Cedric smiled at her as she lets go of his hold of her which she immediately craved more of. "I hope you're satisfied of that, My Love.." As he was about to leave, he softly kisses her on the forehead before walking out the door
As the doors closes, Sofia could only stand there, frozen and speechless, as she held her pink flushed cheeks to herself. He barely shows affection, and when he does, it always leaves her wanting more like this.
Cedric is her first and only love, she knew from the moment she laid her eyes on him that day thirteen years ago. And despite their fifteen year age difference, despite their societal status and everything else hindering their love for each other
With every passing day… when he goes out of his way and does special things like this for her…
.
.
.
She can't help but fall in love with him all over again~