Michaels in Love (English)(BoysLove)

Chapter 15 - Season 1: Enchanted By You

I excused myself for a moment, whispering to Mike that I’d be right back, and headed to the restroom. My heart was still fluttering from his earlier words, a warmth spreading through my chest that I couldn’t quite shake. When I returned, however, the sight that greeted me stopped me in my tracks.

The table was empty. The plates were gone, the chair where Mike had been sitting pushed neatly back. He was nowhere to be seen. Confusion prickled at the edges of my mind. Did he leave? Where could he have gone?

Then, as if on cue, his voice broke through the hum of the room, clear and confident over the speakers.

“This is for the person I love with all my heart,” he said, his tone steady but charged with emotion. The air shifted, and the bar erupted into cheers and teasing whistles. Heads turned, faces lit up in anticipation.

And then the music began. The unmistakable opening chords of When You Love Someone filled the room, and my breath hitched in my throat.

Every conversation in the bar seemed to fade as Mike’s voice poured through the microphone. It wasn’t just singing—it was raw, powerful, and utterly captivating, a voice that carried the weight of every unspoken word between us. It was a voice that could rival Bryan Adams himself, rich and full of emotion.

(Mike singing...)

When you love someone

You’ll do anything

You’ll do all the crazy things that you can’t explain…

The room dissolved. The clinking of glasses, the murmurs of conversation, the bursts of laughter—they all faded into a distant haze. My world narrowed to one person: Mike. He stood there on the small stage, bathed in the soft glow of the lights, his gaze searching and then finding mine.

It was as if no one else existed. His voice, deep and soulful, wrapped around me like an embrace. Each note, each lyric, seemed to speak directly to me, unraveling emotions I didn’t even know I had. My knees felt weak, and my chest tightened with an ache so profound it felt almost too much to bear.

I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe. I was utterly mesmerized, held captive by the sheer power of his voice and the love that radiated from him with every word.

(Mike singing...)

When you love someone

You feel it deep inside

And nothing else could ever change your mind…

Tears blurred my vision as I stood there, unable to look away. My heart swelled with so much love it was overwhelming, almost painful. I felt exposed, as if he had reached inside me and touched the very core of who I was.

Lord, is this real? I thought, barely able to process the emotions surging through me. This couldn’t be real—it was too perfect, too beautiful.

(Mike singing...)

When you love someone

You’ll sacrifice

You’d give it everything you’ve got…

By the time the final note faded into silence, the room erupted in applause. Cheers and whistles rang out, but I barely registered any of it. To me, the applause didn’t matter. The crowd didn’t matter. Nothing mattered except him.

Mike handed the microphone to the next singer and stepped off the stage, his eyes never leaving mine. His movements were deliberate, confident, but his expression betrayed the vulnerability of a man who had just bared his soul.

With each step he took toward me, my heart pounded louder, the sound drowning out everything else. My chest felt tight, and tears welled up again, threatening to spill.

“Mike…” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding in my ears.

And then, he was in front of me. His eyes—those beautiful, soulful eyes—held mine, and in them, I saw everything I’d ever wanted. I saw love, deep and unwavering. I saw safety, warmth, and a future I hadn’t dared to dream of until now.

In that moment, I understood something profound: Mike hadn’t just been singing about love.

He was love. My love. My everything.

The entire room seemed to hold its breath as he reached out, his fingers gently wrapping around my hand. Slowly, he pulled me to my feet, and without a word, we walked out of Lilia’s Place together. Our fingers were intertwined, fitting perfectly like puzzle pieces, and the touch felt like a silent vow. A promise.

Outside, the night air was cool, a stark contrast to the warmth blooming in my chest. Mike led me to his car, releasing my hand only to open the passenger door for me. His movements were effortless, but each one was laced with a tenderness that made my heart swell.

“Get in, my baby,” he said softly, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to my cheek. My skin burned where his lips had been as he walked around to the driver’s side and slid in beside me.

Even from inside the car, I could feel the eyes of the people we’d left behind, their gazes lingering, probably in disbelief. I chuckled under my breath. They were likely shocked, their jaws hanging open at the sight of us leaving together. But honestly, Mike and I didn’t care. In our world, only we existed.

As the car hummed to life and we began to move, I found myself stealing glances at him. The way the dashboard lights played against his face, highlighting his strong jawline and the slight curve of his lips, left me mesmerized. He caught me staring and smirked, a playful glint in his eye.

“Baby, is there something on my face?” he teased, slipping off his sunglasses and handing me a bottle of orange juice.

I took the bottle but forgot to drink. My gaze was locked on his—those slightly almond-shaped eyes that held a depth I wanted to dive into. How could someone like him, someone so perfect, be mine?

Finally, I whispered, my voice barely audible, “I love you, Mike.”

He turned to glance at me, his expression softening. Reaching over, he took my hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it with a reverence that made my chest tighten.

“I love you more, my baby,” he said, his voice rich with emotion, like a melody that lingered in the air.

I sipped my orange juice, my curiosity bubbling up. “Mike, where are we going?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though my excitement was impossible to hide.

He smiled that infuriatingly charming smile of his—the one that made me want to kiss him and shake him at the same time. “It’s a surprise,” he said simply.

Minutes passed, and my questions turned into pleas. “Mike, just tell me! Where are we headed?” I pressed, half-annoyed, though I couldn’t stop laughing at his playful deflections.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he glanced at me and chuckled. “Baby, stop being so curious. You’ll find out soon enough. Trust me.”

I sighed dramatically, crossing my arms but unable to hide my grin. “Fine. I love you.”

“I love you too, baby,” he replied, puckering his lips and sending me an exaggerated flying kiss. “Mwah!” The gesture was so over-the-top it sent me into a fit of giggles, like a teenager experiencing her first crush.

Moments later, the answer revealed itself. Towering rides and dazzling lights appeared in the distance, their colors painting the night sky. My eyes widened as realization dawned.

“Mike, are we really going to Enchanted Kingdom?” I asked, my voice tinged with disbelief and excitement.

“Of course. Don’t you want to go?” he asked, feigning innocence, though the smile on his face told me he already knew my answer.

I tried to play it cool, but my beaming smile gave me away. “It’s fine, I guess,” I teased, though my heart was already racing with anticipation.

He chuckled knowingly. “Hmm... let’s go, my baby.”

The moment we stepped inside the park, it was like walking into another world. Lights twinkled above us like stars, and the faint sound of laughter filled the air. Overwhelmed by the magic of it all, I couldn’t stop myself from wrapping my arms around Mike in a tight hug.

We wandered the park hand in hand, sharing a massive cotton candy that seemed to symbolize the sweetness of this perfect day. We played game after game, from shooting targets to rolling dice, and each one felt like a new adventure. Every laugh we shared, every fleeting touch, deepened the love I already felt for him.

As the sun began to set, casting the park in a golden glow, I looked at him, my heart swelling to the point of bursting. This wasn’t just a date; it was a memory. A moment that would stay with me forever.

And in that moment, as the world around us sparkled with joy and laughter, I realized something: Love wasn’t just a feeling. It was him. Mike was my love, my happiness, my forever.

We spent the day jumping from one thrilling ride to the next—Dodgem, the EKstreme Drop Tower, Anchors Away—but nothing could have prepared me for the Space Shuttle. The thought of it alone sent a shiver down my spine. Standing at the foot of the massive roller coaster, its tracks looping into impossible twists, I turned to Mike and pleaded, “Maybe we should skip this one. I mean… do we really need to do this?”

But Mike, being Mike, just grinned that boyish, mischievous grin of his—the one that always made me weak. “Come on, baby,” he coaxed, his voice teasing but full of warmth.

And then he said it, the words that completely melted my heart and obliterated any resistance I had left.

“Baby, don’t be scared. I’m right here beside you. I’ll hold your hand, and I’ll never let you go.”

How could I possibly say no to that?

Moments later, we were strapped in, and as the roller coaster slowly began to climb, my heart pounded like a drum. My hand instinctively reached for his, and he took it, squeezing gently. It was as if his touch had the power to steady me, to remind me that I wasn’t alone.

Then came the first drop. The wind roared in my ears as we plummeted, and both of us screamed at the top of our lungs. It was exhilarating, terrifying, and utterly unforgettable.

As the ride picked up speed, flipping and spinning us through its wild loops, Mike’s voice suddenly cut through the chaos. Over the deafening wind and my own shrieks, I heard him shout with unrestrained joy:

“I love you, Michael Alexander Muraoka!!!”

His words jolted through me like an electric current, and without thinking, I shouted back with equal fervor:

“I love you so much, Michael Angelo Tan!!!”

When the ride finally slowed to a stop, we stumbled off, laughing uncontrollably. The adrenaline still coursed through my veins, but as my feet hit solid ground, a wave of dizziness washed over me. My knees buckled slightly, and before I could fall, Mike was there. His arms wrapped around me, steady and strong, pulling me close.

“Are you okay, baby?” he asked, his voice soft and filled with concern.

I nodded against his chest, my head resting on his shoulder. “I’m okay now,” I whispered, the warmth of his embrace grounding me.

Around us, people were staring, but Mike didn’t seem to care. His only focus was me. He held me there, his hand gently stroking my back until I felt steady enough to stand on my own.

He spotted a nearby vendor and, with his usual thoughtfulness, bought me a bottle of apple juice. We sat on a nearby bench, sharing a giant footlong hotdog as we laughed about the day’s adventures. At one point, as we leaned in to take a bite at the same time, our lips accidentally brushed. Startled, I pulled back, only for Mike to grin mischievously and playfully nibble at my bottom lip.

“Ow, Mike!” I protested, laughing despite myself.

“Tastes good,” he teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Before we left the park, Mike suggested one last ride: the Wheel of Fate. It was a towering Ferris wheel, rising 130 meters into the sky with its old-fashioned gondolas. We boarded gondola number 25, lucky to have it all to ourselves.

As the Ferris wheel began its slow ascent, I felt a flutter of vertigo. The view was breathtaking—the entire park stretched out below us, glowing in the golden light of dusk. The horizon was painted with hues of orange and pink, the sunset casting an almost magical glow over everything.

The wind was strong, cool against my skin, but the chill disappeared the moment Mike slipped his arm around my shoulders. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek.

“Michael,” he said quietly, his voice low and tender, “do you know how happy I am right now?”

I turned to him, smiling. “Tell me, Mike. Why are you so happy?”

“Because I’m with you,” he said simply, his eyes locking with mine. “No one else has ever made me feel this way. The happiness I feel right now… it’s all because of you. Michael, I wish I could spend forever with you.”

His words hit me like a wave, overwhelming in their sincerity. Tears blurred my vision, spilling over before I could stop them.

“Me too, Mike,” I whispered, my voice breaking with emotion.

Mike’s fingers brushed against my cheek, gently wiping away my tears. His touch was warm, tender, and so full of love it left me breathless. Slowly, he leaned closer, his eyes soft and searching as they met mine. I closed my eyes, surrendering to the moment as his lips finally met mine.

The kiss was soft at first, warm and full of meaning, but as the Ferris wheel climbed higher, it deepened. It was as if the world around us had disappeared, leaving only the two of us suspended in this perfect moment. The cool wind swept around us, but I felt only the heat of his embrace, the fire of his love.

At the very top of the Ferris wheel, with the entire park spread out below us and the sunset painting the sky, we kissed like the world had stopped just for us. Each touch, each kiss was a silent promise—a vow to love, to cherish, to hold on to this feeling forever.

Even as the Ferris wheel began its slow descent, we stayed locked in each other’s arms, the rest of the world fading into insignificance.

In that moment, nothing else mattered. Just us. Just this love.

To be continued...