Thanks for the cheer-up! It means a lot to me :)

Please note that "JK" and "Sonny" have been interchangeably used. Both mean the same person.

First-person narration is in Will's voice.

Enjoy reading and please share your thoughts!

Year 2005

Salem

Will's POV

"P. G. Wodehouse? I too love his books!" my eyes go round and I slightly jump from my chair out of enthusiasm.

"Get out! Till now I was thinking that I'm the odd 18-year-old who enjoys such humor even in these times. I totally didn't expect to hear that from you…but I'm impressed" Sonny's face beams as he does his trademark ear-to-ear grin.

I coyly smile and start rolling the page of the open book in front of me.

Keeping his gaze fixed on me, Sonny extends his hand and grazes my fingers resting on the table.

This simple warm touch induces goose bumps to my skin.

It's been a month. The library and its cafeteria are the only places Sonny and I hang out. Neither of us is complaining, because we don't want anything other than sitting next to each other closely, reading great books and sharing our views in low whispers…admiring each other.

One day, out of the blue, he takes me to his eldest brother's modest house, which is nearby the library. Though I have heard about his family's palatial house, the Kiriakis Mansion, I intend to see it someday… when our relationship gets stronger and of course, after I come out officially.

Sonny's brother and his girlfriend are away on vacation. So, the house is all ours now.

Sonny makes lemonade. We sit cozily on the couch eating pizza and watching one of our favorites by the Grimm Brothers, Snow White.

Once the movie is over, we turn to smile at each other and link our fingers.

"You know what, Will, I have been living with my other two elder brothers in Dubai all these years. I used to come down to Salem to see my parents and relatives only during Christmas holidays. Having completed high school, I thought I would spend some months here and relax before joining college in Berkeley…" Sonny says.

I pull my hand from his hold and look at him with shock and disappointment.

Sonny gets it, and then he puts up a huge smile "But now, I changed my plan. I'm going to enrol at Salem U. And, you know why I'm doing this?"

My expression immediately changes to a very happy one and even though I know, "No. Why?" I once again fit my fingers with his.

"It's because of you… I like you so much, Will!" Sonny kisses the back of my palm.

"I love you, Sonny!" I smile nervously staring at his doe eyes. And, all of a sudden I become bold. I lean forward and peck his lips firmly.

My first kiss. With my first love.

Sonny is both happy and astonished. He doesn't say anything. Instead, he captures my mouth and slowly pushes me to lie down on the couch.

As we engage in a slow passionate kiss, Sonny's hand snakes inside my shirt. I slightly tremble by the new silky feeling that his smooth fingers are providing. Low moans escape through our increased breath, as Sonny's mouth travels along my chin and down my neck. My hands roam from his dense hair toward his slim waist. Sonny slowly unbuttons my shirt. My body's all tingly and ticklish, and my moans are quite loud now. But, surprisingly, Sonny doesn't go past my navel. His kisses trace back to my lips. Sonny lifts his head a little, "God, I've never seen eyes this blue and beautiful!" and kisses my eyelids.

"Will, you like this…us getting intimate?" Sonny's voice is so sexy that I lean forward to kiss the corner of his lips.

"hmmm yeah…I love it. I want to do the same thing to you" I blush.

Sonny cutely obliges.

As we caress each other's shirtless upper body, "Will, this is new to us…I mean it's definitely new to me…" Sonny looks at me questioningly.

"Yes, Sonny. This is my first ever…you know" I work my finger over his eyebrow.

"I think we shouldn't rush…like I want it to be special for both of us" Sonny smiles with a little doubt of how I'm gonna take this.

I grin widely "You are right, Sonny. I would like to wait for our special moment… But, we should make out more often" I wiggle my eyebrows.

"Sure" Sonny eyes sparkle and he gives me a hot wet kiss, before I put my shirt on and leave.

8 years later…

Philadelphia

"And, I'm still waiting…" I sigh as I look at the wetness in front of my boxers.

Yes. I have unknowingly built a great barrier around me that never allowed anyone to get closer to me. The guilt, the longing, the ache…of losing Sonny…have made me completely inaccessible. The word 'romance' vanished from my life's dictionary long time ago.

All these years, my friends and relatives unsuccessfully tried to hook me up with some guy or the other. My own psychiatrist grandmother, Marlena, who got to know about Sonny later, was not able to cure me of this strange disease.

And, fate has it that I had to travel all the way from the UK to meet my ever-haunting first love.

Yesterday, after that one-to-one talk with Sonny, I made an abrupt decision that I'm quitting Green Sea Publications for good. But as time passed… I don't know… I felt a strong urge to stay there and be close to Sonny.

I can see myself getting lashed by him once he recognizes me, for I very much deserve it. But, I'm not running away like a coward. Well, if he feels really bad seeing me around, I will disappear from his eyes once for all.

I'm travelling in my office elevator. I acknowledge two of my colleagues present. Today, I'm in a good mood…for obvious reason.

As I walk closer to my cabin, I can see a guy in a lavender shirt with a sexy back slightly leaning on the desk and chatting with Sarah and two other men.

Paul, the proof-reader, smiles and waves at me.

The lavender guy turns. God, it's Sonny, with a wide grin.

"Morning, everybody!" my eyes travel from the three people to Sonny.

Now I have to be very cautious of not slipping the word 'Sonny' out of my mouth.

"So, Will? Are they helping you out?" JK throws a mischievous smile at his subordinates.

"Oh yes. A lot" I nod sincerely.

"No. We were only whining about the breakup between Bob and Dylan on the soap opera Love and Betrayal" Sarah gives a wry smile.

Even though I have no idea about that show, my stomach churns a bit hearing the title.

JK laughs and then becomes sober. "Will, I'm so glad to have a very dedicated team. I don't know what I would have done without you guys during the last crisis" JK thankfully looks at them.

They go "awww" and Sarah squeals like a teenager when Sonny promises a treat of Valrhona chocolates for all.

"Will, I want you to go through the previous storyboards. We both will have a discussion on that later tonight" JK says with folded hands and wishes us a good day before meeting the other teams.

Oh my god, as much as I want to stare at him, I feel nervous about being alone with him.

It's 7 p.m. I'm sitting in my cabin, tapping my fingers on my desk.

"Sorry for being late" JK sheepishly smiles and pulls a chair closer to me.

Gone case.

"No problem. I, ah, went through these…" without looking at JK, I place a stack of papers with markings in front of him.

"You see, Will, the moment you draw out a checklist of these errors, without hesitation you make it clear to the author that their storyboard is very boring and ask them to redo it. Because we don't do half-assed work" JK says with a straight face.

For about an hour, we have been seriously discussing about the loopholes in the plot synapses. JK patiently clarifies all my doubts, though I seldom make eye-contact with him.

After winding everything up, "So, how will you be going?" JK runs his fingers through his hair.

"I, um, will take a cab to the hotel I'm staying in. The Minerva" I smile at him while packing my stuff.

"Oh. Haven't found a house yet?"

"I have. I was just waiting for the weekend. I will be shifting tomorrow to my new apartment" I nod.

"Ok, good. Will, if you don't mind, shall I drop you? I usually drive past that hotel" the way JK is looking at me, I can't say no to him.

Fifteen minutes of driving, in total silence. Then, he makes a stop at a small restaurant to get pita wraps, for he is damn hungry. When he offers one, I politely decline because I can still taste the big burger I had at the office cafeteria.

Staring at my lap, I listen to the music played inside the car, as JK eats his food.

I can feel JK glancing at me a couple of times, as he drinks water from the plastic bottle. The atmosphere is quite tense, at least for me.

"Will?" I turn my head to look at him.

JK looks so calm and composed.

"You don't really remember me, Will? Sonny K?" JK points a finger to his chest and smiles gently.

Looking at those merciful brown eyes, my body jerks, my throat aches, and tears start streaming down my face.

(to be continued...)