Police sirens were heard in the distance, promptly pulling into the restaurant parking lot. A crowd began to form at a distance as the police went through the motions of gathering statements and reviewing the camera footage taken at the scene. 

     Police saw Yvette getting dragged from her car and trying to get away. She was later seen running out of the wooded area back into the parking lot, where Cane came in to help her. Cane was then seen calling the police as he sat with Yvette. The couple's stories added up to what they saw on tape and to what they said separately. Lastly, Cane pointed towards where he last saw Julian flee, and a report was made. The police left, and the spectacle was over. Once again, the couple was alone in the parking lot.

     They sat next to each other on the curb. Yvette rested her head on Canes' shoulder, her head in the clouds. Cane tilted his head to meet hers, his hand reaching towards hers and instantly feeling her hand wrap around his. He held his breath as he turned to her, waiting for her to notice. 

     Yvette felt his gaze on her. She slowly tilted her head up, peering into his eyes. Then once again, they inched closer as their lips met with a tender kiss. 

     Cane stared as Yvette got into her car and left the parking lot. He felt his mind was in the clouds; his world was shifting, finally making sense. He almost skipped all the way to his car as he replayed what had just transpired. You could see the hearts float out of his head.

      He remembered walking with Yvette to her car, but caught wind of Julian following them. Cane wanted to see if Julian did something, so he feigned leaving Yvette's gift in his car. He stepped away and hit out of sight, and not even a minute went by as Julian grabbed and took Yvette away.

      Yvette was physically weak and vulnerable enough to be taken advantage of, which made Canes' heart ache watching her struggle. Cane kept watch as he saw Julian take Yvette into the forest. He made his way there, avoiding the cameras. 

     As he saw them get deep enough, he was able to locate them easily. He snuck behind them and pinned down Julian, took out his pocket knife, and gave a quick jab into the back of Julian's neck. Julian was so fixated on Yvette that he never saw him coming. But, since this was the first time he had ever stabbed someone, he felt the knife get stuck inside his neck. Cane placed his foot on Julian's head and pulled the knife out, blood squirting out onto his face. The feeling was indescribable as he saw Julian's twitching body. It was something that he could still feel at the tip of his fingers, something new, yet familiar. It emulated the sensation he felt while watching Vivian take her own life, but more intense. He felt warm while recounting the image

      He then remembered the flashlight on him. Yvette's crying face stared at him, her frightened expression softening. He was so entranced that he forgot about the dead body, only focusing on her. The taste of her lips still lingered on his.

     The entire memory sent shivers down his spine as he drove home. He never thought he could be this happy with a mere kiss. 

     On his way home, Cane stopped by a dumping ground known for having a giant hole deep enough to hide a body. So, that is where he went to dump and hide a body. 

     He felt it was easier than expected. He paid a worker to lead him and a little extra to keep his mouth shut. Then from there, he went back to his car and left with a souvenir, a leg. Cane slept soundly that day, more so than he ever did.

     Morning came, and after the mundane chores and adult responsibilities, Yvette invited Cane to her apartment so she could cook him a meal. As soon as Cane walked in, she jumped into his arms, and he graciously spun her around as they laughed. Yvette jumped down and saw Cane had something in his hand. Cane brought a giant hunk of meat for the dish she was preparing and some white roses. She happily took the meat and the roses and made her way into the kitchen.

      "What should I help you with? I don't feel comfortable just waiting around", Cane said as he put on an apron. She began to take out a bowl that had a thick red paste that smelled of spices. " Could you please cut the meat into chunks and slather the red paste on it?" She asked as she handed Cane a knife. 

     They both worked in unison as they prepared the dish. Birria y quesadillas. 

     

     As they reached the end of their cooking, Cane looked at Yvette as she was testing the meat for its softness. Yvette caught him staring, "Oh, did I get something on my face?" she said as she started to clean herself. 

     Cane only smiled, "No, it's just that... I feel like I've been waiting for you my entire life". 

     Yvette turned her head, her heart fluttering as he continued staring. She inched closer and embraced him, her head resting on his chest. Cane rested his head on hers as he heard her whisper, " Then maybe I was meant for you". 

     The dish was finally ready, yet Yvette looked disappointed. "I'm sorry if the meat is a little chewy. This dish is usually prepared for around five hours, not three, to soften the meat. But, I'm sure it's still good", she explained. However, her sad expression quickly dissipated the moment she saw Cane hungrily eat. 

     The spices, the cheese, the corn tortillas, the textures all melting in his mouth. Who could have guessed that Julian would taste so good? Cane stopped as he felt Yvette stare at him. Yvette burst into laughter as she began to wipe the edges of his mouth. "Should I assume you like it?", Yvette asked.  

     Cane just nodded as he continued eating. "Then, I'm glad". Yvette sat and joined in, the first taste being hesitant, but as soon as it hit her tongue, she gave in. The meat was not as tender as she wanted, but it was still good. They both devoured their meal as if yesterday's events had never happened. It was as if they were both confirming something with only their actions speaking for them.

     As Cane saw Yvette eat and laugh, he felt he could never imagine a life without her again. Yvette, as well, could never feel at ease anymore if Cane disappeared. Both felt at ear for the first time in a lomg time, pulling down a veil they each held on. However, there was still so much they didnt know about each other, still hesitant they decided to take it slow. There was no need to rush, they had all the time in the world.

     Months had passed since the incident at the restaurant. Yvette's hand was almost healed, and Cane was preparing for their date. He was going to take Yvette to a painting class he always wanted to attend, and since she was able to hold a brush now, he felt it was time to take her. He always loved painting; it was one of the few things that brought him joy since childhood, and to share it with the person he loved was like a dream come true.      He made it to Yvette's apartment and saw she was already by the curb. She entered his car, and they were on their way. Their hands immediately found each other, and didnt let go until they arrived the the class.

     In the painting class, everyone was paired up. The assignment was to paint your partner with only one color and use white as a highlight. Cane went to work immediately as he already had an image in mind. He used purple and began to depict her as a floating head. Her veins came out from the bottom, the darker hues signifying blood. Her eyes semi-closed to elude a sleepy feeling. She was covered in flowers outlined by white lines, cages as the flower vines entrapping her head. 

     Yvette used the same hues of purple at Cane's request; she painted what could be assumed to be a body, but no head, their arms crossed against their body. Surrounded by chaotic swirls, it seemed like a body floating in an almost dream-like scene, resting. She then began to draw flowers out the neck and floating alongside the body.

     As the class presented their paintings, everyone began to stare at the couple who drew themselves headless and bodiless. It was off-putting to see next to the family-oriented portraits. 

     People gawked at the couple and back at the paintings, you could see pure joy in how they depicted each other. The man's painting looked as if the head was about to roll out of the canvas and open its eyes. It was so detailed and thought out, it was as if he had imagined her like this for a long time. The woman's painting was less detailed but just as creepy. It was like seeing a decapitated body float down the river as the flowers stuck out of the neck. 

     The couple left with their painting in hand and decided to get something to eat within walking distance. "It's your turn, Yvette, what do you want to do?", Cane asked enthusiastically. Yvette thought long and hard, and a simple idea came to mind, "Cooking classes with desserts sound good", she smirked. He smiled, "Sounds good to me".