Finding Stardust

He only knew that Goose was a woman because the hacker had told him so, but he wasn't sure of her age and what she looked like. He also had no idea that Goose actually lived in Europe or was visiting Paris. This was a very pleasant coincidence.

He asked for his laptop from Emma's lap and wrote a reply message.

[Thank you for the kind advice, Goose. It was nice seeing you today. I hope we can meet properly next time. I really want to buy you a drink.]

Goose no longer replied.

\"Maybe she is busy,\" Haoran told Emma. \"Later, after we get back to Singapore, I will ask her if she is willing to give insights for you to learn about hacking.\"

\"Thank you,\" Emma replied. \"Do you still have a headache? Why didn't you rest? Didn't you say you were going to lie down?\"

Haoran nodded. \"You're right. I sometimes get migraines when I overthink.\"

\"What are you overthinking about?\" asked Emma, ​​not understanding.

Haoran looked at her with a pair of astonished eyes.

Emma was really insensitive, he thought in amusement.

His lips smiled faintly as he shrugged. \"Certainly, thinking about you and how we can find your parents.\"

Emma was stunned to hear that. She stared back at Haoran without blinking. Her topaz eyes seemed to pierce Haoran's head, trying to read his mind. Unfortunately, Emma still couldn't read his thoughts.

\"You ... are thinking about my problem until you got a migraine?\" asked the girl in a tone of disbelief. \"Why?\"

It was Haoran's turn to look puzzled. 'Why' she asked me? Of course, it's because...

\"Because you are my friend,\" he answered in a firm but gentle tone.

For some reason, at that time, Emma felt like she heard her father's tone of voice. Kaoshin Stardust always talked in a firm but gentle tone.

She really missed her father ... She really missed her mother.

And here ... she could survive and even started to live well while searching for them because of this young man beside her.

Without Haoran in her life, over the past few months, Emma's life at school will remain quiet and sad like before. She would not be able to finance her study trip to Paris. Emma also would not be friends with Alex and the other boys.

She would still struggle alone, stay reclusive, and try hard not to attract attention while searching for answers about her parents. Today, she felt very grateful to have met Haoran.

\"Just a friend?\" Emma asked suddenly.

Haoran's lips curved up when he heard Emma's blunt question. Somehow his headache subsided, and his face turned slightly red.

\"Also, I like you. So...\"

Before the young man finished speaking, Emma had taken the laptop on Haoran's lap and moved it to the table. In the next second, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Her eyes naturally closed as she brought her face close to Haoran's, and finally, her lips touched his.

Haoran was only surprised for a split second. A moment later, he responded to Emma's kiss and placed his hands around her waist. His eyes closed when his lips claimed hers.

--Emma, I really like you--

Emma gasped. She realized that it was impossible for Haoran to say anything because they were kissing. But she clearly heard Haoran's voice.