The next day, Oliver and Nexus began their day bright and early. Nexus had planted a brilliant idea in Oliver’s mind, he dressed in a sharp dark blue suit and prepared himself for the day. He was unsure if he would be on time, as this was a spontaneous decision after waking up. Nevertheless, he made his way to Amy's apartment and approached her front door. After waiting for a moment with no sign of her, Oliver decided to drive slowly along the path to the office, hoping to spot her. And just a few moments later, there she was, walking. Oliver slowed down, pulled over next to her, and rolled down the window.
“Hey beautiful, need a ride?” A playful grin beamed across his face.
With a jump at the sound of his voice, Amy turned her head to hide her blush. Curious about his unexpected presence, she asked, "What are you doing here, Oliver?" She tried to will her cheeks back to their normal color.
"I was in the neighborhood this morning and just happened to see you walking. Now, how about it? Want a ride?" Oliver replied, the smile still on his face.
Amy turned to him and smiled, saying, "Sure." She got into the car, buckled her seatbelt, and they set off.
As they drove, Amy couldn't help but ask, "You must not enjoy being at home, considering how early you come into the office."
Chuckling, he continued, "It's nice to start the day at a slow pace. Once 9:00 rolls around, I have to hit the ground running." He spoke matter-of-factly, enjoying the moment.
After a brief silence, Oliver's curiosity got the better of him. "So, if you could work for any game company, which one would you choose?"
Amy didn't hesitate with her answer, "Oh, that's an easy one. I'd choose an indie company, something like Ten Dice Games, New Lands Games, or Retrovison." Her response surprised Oliver, and he couldn't help but ask why she preferred an indie company.
She explained, "You have so much more freedom in an indie company. I have a few ideas I'd like to develop, and it would be easier to do so if I worked for an indie company."
Curious, Oliver suggested, "Why not try putting your ideas out on your own?"
Amy replied, "I'm great at game design, but I don't know much about the rest of the industry."
Arriving at the office, they walked through the front door together, attracting a few stares. Amy felt a bit embarrassed and apologized, but Oliver reassured her, "Screw them." Their eyes met, and Amy felt a special connection in that moment.
Oliver walked over to the counter and observed as Amy prepared for work. Instead of ordering right away, he waited until she was at the register to place his order. With his usual drink in hand, he found a table and used his book as a cover. Rather than reading, he watched Amy work, fascinated by her dedication. Despite the busy morning, she remained unaware of his gaze.
Eventually, it was time for Oliver to head to his office. He sat down, turned on his computer, and was immediately greeted by a flood of emails demanding his attention. Nexus’ attention shifted to Amy. The police had found her moped and requested her presence at the station for a statement. Nexus planted an idea in her mind, her boss sent her to break and she packed a sandwich and coffee before making her way to Oliver's office on the second floor.
Amy hesitated before knocking on his open door, worried about his availability. What if he was too busy or had someone in his office? However, she mustered up the courage and knocked. As Oliver looked up from his computer, his face softened into a grin upon seeing Amy.
With genuine happiness, he exclaimed, "Amy!" She entered the room and placed the coffee and sandwich on his desk, sheepishly playing with her hands.
“I uh...brought you some lunch to say thanks for the ride.” She said, her gaze avoiding his.
“Also…”she paused. Oliver looked at her encouragingly. “Yes?” He asked.
Taking a deep breath, Amy revealed, "The police called and said they found my moped. They asked me to come to the station to retrieve it and give a statement. Would you be able to drive me there after you get off? It's just that it's such a long walk..." Her nervousness made her play with her hair, but Oliver's excitement was evident as he took the sandwich out.
“Sure I can do that!” He exclaimed a bit too excitedly, she didn’t notice.
Grateful for his agreement, Oliver’s smile caused a momentary tremble in her knees. Laughing it off, she replied, "Thanks, I'll see you later," and was about to leave the office. However, Oliver stopped her before she reached the doorway.
"Amy," he said, holding the sandwich, "thanks for lunch!" His bright grin warmed her heart, and she replied, "You're welcome," before leaving the room.
As the day progressed, Oliver couldn't help but watch the clock, feeling a growing impatience for 5:00 pm to arrive. When the moment finally came, he quickly made his way downstairs, leaving an email he had started open on his computer to be finished the next day. Suppressing his bubbling excitement, Oliver descended the stairs, eagerly searching for Amy. And there she was, patiently waiting outside, seated on a charming garden bench.
Approaching her with a warm smile, Oliver asked, "Have you been waiting long?"
Amy looked up at Oliver as he approached her, a smile spreading across her face. "Not long," she replied, her voice filled with a hint of anticipation. Oliver motioned for her to follow him, and they walked towards his SUV. As they climbed into the car, an unexpected surge of nerves washed over Oliver. They sat motionless in the car, eyes straight ahead. Summoning his courage, he turned to Amy and asked, "Can I have your number?" A smile danced on her lips as she extended her hand, allowing Oliver to input her phone number. He quickly sent her a text, making sure to include his name so she would have his number as well. Grinning with satisfaction, he started the car and headed towards the police station.
During the drive, Oliver couldn't contain his excitement and curiosity. Suddenly, he blurted out, "Do you have any plans tonight?" Amy turned to face him, her eyes filled with curiosity. "I don't think so," she replied, her voice tinged with anticipation. Oliver's face lit up as he shared his idea, "They're playing a movie in the park tonight. Would you like to go see it with me?" Amy bit her lip, unable to form words but nodded her head in agreement. The rest of the car ride was marked by a comfortable yet slightly awkward silence, both of them lost in their own thoughts. Finally, they arrived at the police station, and Oliver dropped Amy off with a promise to send her the details soon.
As Oliver drove home, his mind buzzed with excitement. He surprised himself by mustering the courage to ask Amy out, and he couldn't help but feel pleased with himself. Nexus observed Oliver's actions with amusement. There were some days He found great joy in witnessing the early stages of love, relishing in the nervousness and excitement that blossomed between new couples. However on other days, he couldn't help but ponder his own loneliness despite his role in uniting countless couples throughout history. These conflicting emotions lingered in the depths of Nexus's mind, occasionally causing a pang of longing as he witnessed others' happiness.
Back at home, Oliver nervously prepared for the evening, changing outfits multiple times before settling on a casual yet stylish ensemble. He opted for a green button-down shirt worn open over a white undershirt, paired with slightly ripped jeans and high-top shoes. Satisfied with his choice, he glanced at himself in the mirror and nodded approvingly. He packed a few things in a bag and grabbed a couple folding chairs and went on his way. He sent a text to Amy, informing her that he was on his way but not to rush because he would arrive early.
True to his word, Oliver reached Amy's apartment earlier than planned. He texted her, letting her know of his arrival. "I'm here. Come out whenever you're ready." Amy responded with a smiley face, and Oliver anxiously waited, passing the time by playing on his phone and listening to music. Finally, he noticed someone emerging from the apartment lobby door, and his attention was immediately captivated. Amy had let her long red hair flow loosely, styled with effortless waves. She wore a flowing yellow sundress that gracefully swayed with the wind as she walked towards him. A wide grin spread across Oliver's face as she opened the door. "Hi," she greeted nervously. Despite having caught a glimpse of her earlier, Oliver's eyes couldn't help but roam over her figure, taking in the sight before him. "Wow," he breathed softly. "You look great." He locked eyes with her, reveling in the blush that adorned her cheeks.
Upon arriving at the park, Oliver noticed that only a few parking spots remained. He quickly found one and parked the car, gesturing towards the large white screen in the distance. "I brought some stuff for us. Let's go find a spot over there," he suggested. Exiting the car, Oliver retrieved a couple of chairs and a bag from the backseat. They made their way towards the screen, searching for the perfect spot to set up. Oliver intentionally placed their chairs next to each other, ensuring they would be as close as possible. The area in front of the screen was becoming increasingly crowded, adding to the buzz of anticipation in the air.
As the movie began, Oliver couldn't help but steal glances at Amy beside him. Her nervousness was evident as she fiddled with a tag on the armrest of her chair. The storyline of the romcom playing on the screen barely registered in Oliver's mind, his attention solely focused on the woman next to him.
A gentle breeze swept through the park, causing Amy's vibrant red locks to dance around her face and her dress to flutter in the wind. Without hesitation, Oliver reached into the bag he had brought and retrieved a blanket. He offered it to Amy, who gratefully accepted and unfolded it over both of them, creating a cozy cocoon in the cool evening air.
In that moment, Nexus whispered courage into Oliver's heart. Encouraged by this divine intervention, Oliver mustered the bravery to make a move. Slowly and smoothly, he reached for Amy's hand, delicately intertwining his fingers with hers. Amy kept her gaze fixed on the screen, but it was evident that her attention had shifted away from the movie entirely. Oliver could sense her nervousness, her hand twitching as if she was tempted to pull away. However, he held on firmly, unwilling to let go.
As they sat hand in hand, Oliver's thumb began to gently caress the top of Amy's hand. He watched out of the corner of his eye as her fair skin blushed, illuminated by the soft glow of the movie playing before them. The simple act of his touch seemed to ease her nerves, as her tense posture gradually relaxed. The connection between them grew stronger with each passing moment, their shared intimacy transcending the romantic ambiance of the park.
Throughout the movie, Oliver and Amy remained engrossed in their own world, their focus centered on the bond they were building. The storyline of the film became background noise, insignificant compared to the unspoken emotions swirling between them. It was as if time stood still, allowing them to savor this newfound connection in the midst of the bustling park.
As the movie drew to a close, the crowd around them erupted into applause, signaling the end of the cinematic experience. Oliver and Amy sat motionless for a moment before Oliver reluctantly let go of her hand. Amy stood up and folded the blanket and placed it back in the bag and Oliver grabbed the chairs. They silently walked back to the car and Oliver placed the things in the back, Amy stood next to him.
Not wanting the night to end, Oliver quickly formed a plan. He turned to her, his gaze met her.
Time froze, and as their gaze met, Nexus snapped his fingers. A red string materialized from the air, and circled around them. He placed one end on Amy’s ring finger, and the other on Oliver's. The thread circled around them, with an orange glow. Time resumed and Oliver asked Amy to accompany him to dinner, and Nexus turned to walk away, as the budding love ignited behind him.
