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Nobody expected Tao Xu to be so obsessed over such a mundane thing as saying I love you . Everyone was convinced the boy didn’t even think about it; that was until Elle Argent entered his life. It was nothing special, just a dinner out, much like all their date nights, but somehow they both knew it felt different.
Tao looks up at the girl in front of him, still not believing he is here at this exact moment. Many people don’t believe in soulmates. Tao Xu was not the exception; he thought soulmates weren’t something that could be found on a whim. It’s not something that can magically just appear out of thin air. Tao Xu believed in trust, in building a foundation of love, warmth, and comfort until finally, you decipher if it’s something worth risking for, and for a long time, Tao believed he would never find someone who would take the leap of faith with him.
The crisp air envelops them both. They chose an outside table since, according to Elle, it was a lovely night, and Tao was never one to disagree with her. He was never a fan of the city’s bustling noises, preferring to hear Elle’s inquiries, whether it may be about an art piece she was working on or even a random story in their office. Although tonight, Tao was quite thankful for the noises surrounding him, it gave him a lot to focus on besides Elle. Not because he didn’t want to focus on what he deemed the most beautiful girl in front of him, but because Tao made the apparent revelation that he was, in fact, in love with Elle Argent a few days ago. People never tell you how nerve-wracking it is to admit that you’re in love with someone, much more to say it out loud to the person you love the most.
The pair had been together for almost three months, although pining for each other for much longer. Only four months ago did Tao have the courage to profess his love. Charlie had been bugging him about it for so long, so one night, he thought fuck it. Needless to say, that was the best decision he had ever made. (He was a well-known music producer, so that was saying something.) “Tao?” The voice broke him out of his trance; only then did he realise that Elle had been trying to get his attention for a long time. “You alright, darling?” Oh, how Tao loved the endearments Elle used on him from time to time. He could only muster a nod, not trusting himself to speak coherent sentences in fear of accidentally blurting out the three words he was so desperately trying to keep inside of him. Elle was about to say before the waitress cut their conversation, giving the check to Tao, who happily paid for their meal despite Elle’s protests. “But it was my turn!” Elle lets out an exasperated sigh, slumping in her chair in defeat as the waitress walks away with Tao’s card.
“You’ll get to pay next time, plus! You’ve just finished your latest article, right? Let me spoil you tonight, love.” Tao reasons with her, which causes Elle to roll her eyes, knowing that next time Tao will insist on paying for her meal. “I recorded that, no takebacks, Tao Xu. I’m paying next time.” She said, raising her phone slightly, showing the video that was currently recording their conversation. “Ever the reporter,” Tao expressed to Elle, who only giggled, stopping the recording. She clicks her tongue slightly, leaning forward to give Tao a quick kiss before settling back in her chair. “It’s what I do best.” Tao almost protests that statement. Elle was so much more than just a reporter. To Tao, Elle was everything; she was a highly blinding light of talent that Tao could only hope he would achieve even half of. Elle was the comfort he always needed after long days of work. She was the person Tao would look for if all the women in the world were in one room. Elle Argent was her home, and he loved her with every fibre of his being.
After dinner, the two made their way to the parking lot, hand-in-hand as Elle went on to ramble on about whatever happened at work that Friday. Tao was hanging onto every word, creating mental notes he could bring up later if the situation called for it. When Elle finished, Tao commented on something which caused the girl to laugh, creating what Tao was sure to be the most angelic noise on this earth. He looked over behind Elle; seeing the park where they had their first date, he nudged her, smiling. “I kinda don’t want to go home yet. What do you say?” He said, pointing to the swings on the now empty playground. Elle laughed again, not saying anything before dragging Tao towards the swings; both sat beside each other, arms linked in-between the swing’s spaces. For the nth time that night, Tao looked over at his girlfriend. He notes how perfectly the moon and the street light lit up her features, she had her eyes closed, and Tao swears he fell in love again right then and there. His eyes softened as Elle let out a breath, her chest slowly rising and lowering as she lets out the air.
“You know I love you, right?”
Oh, he did it now. He definitely wasn’t supposed to say that now, but his mouth had a different plan. Elle looked at him with wide eyes; this wasn’t how Tao planned on telling her. Hell, he didn’t even know how to tell her in the first place. “You love me?” The question almost sounded like an insult to Tao. How could anyone not love Elle Argent? Elle Argent and her perfect hair that Tao couldn’t stop running his fingers through, Elle Argent and her perfect laugh that turned Tao’s world around that morning in form when he asked if she had a pen. How could anyone not love the Elle that always cared for him when he was sick, the Elle that never failed to look out for others, often forgetting about herself, the Elle that always preferred home-cooked meals? How could anyone not love the Elle that would spend hours on a painting only for it to hang around their flat, the one who never fails to support him in his producing, the person who he lets listen to songs first to ensure that even if no one liked it, Elle would’ve loved it?
“I think I always have.” He answers, looking down at the pieces of chipped wood that always hurt him when he fell off the park amenities as a kid. He acted like these wood chips were the most exciting thing in the world, only stopping when he saw the pair of worn white sneakers he had grown so fond of over the last four years of knowing Elle. Tao looked up, his eyes meeting Elle. He sees how she’s teared up from his words. It got him worried. Did he say something wrong? Did Elle not love him back? Tao bolts from the swing, cupping the girl’s face carefully. “Hey…Hey, are you alright?” He paused a little before continuing his ramble. “Look, you don’t have to say back. It’s alright, Elle. I know it was sudden, and I’m sorry I think I mistook the situation, but you looked so beautiful, and I just couldn’t resist anymore.” Tao was worried he had just ruined everything; it’s only been three months. It’s way too fast for such an intense feeling. Elle had tears streaming down her eyes, some landing on the frames of her circular glasses, and all Tao wants is to wipe them away.
“We can just go home. It’s alright, come on, love….” Tao tried not to express it, but he was a little disappointed in the outcome of his impulsive action, almost tearing up himself, but he refused to guilt trip Elle just because he loved her and she didn’t. Tao smiled softly, bringing his hand down, gripping Elle’s hand gently before looking where they were supposed to go. When he tried to start walking, Elle pulled him slightly toward her; the action shocked him, his chest now against Elle’s. His breath hitched when she closed the gap between them, slotting her lips against his. Tao melted into the kiss, his free hand finding its way to Elle’s now unkept hair, the humidity making her hair more puffy than usual. When they pulled away, Elle had their foreheads together, a slight chuckle escaping her lips.
“Of course I love you. I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
Elle whispered, and Tao could only close his eyes, letting out a breath he didn’t know he was holding in. Tao Xu doesn’t believe in soulmates. He never believed in romantic gestures. Tao Xu believed in trust, in building a foundation of love, warmth, and comfort until finally, you decipher if it’s something worth risking. But somehow, Elle Argent defied all of those odds because the moment she stepped into that classroom, that one Monday morning in mid-September... Tao Xu knew Elle Argent was his soulmate, and he knew she would stick around for a long, long time.