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Chapter 329: SS1 06: Wheels Go Round and Round

"And what? Gift it to me?"

Ambryan looked at her funny. "It's for me, of course."

Eve gaped at his shameless admission. She pulled her hand back and smacked his arm. "You should be satisfied. You have a photobook, pictures in your phone and a giant portrait of me in your office. Can't you get rid of it?"

"I have grown to like it." He shrugged, picking up his knife and fork. 

"How?"

"It's a great conversation starter."

"..."

Her deadpan expression amused him. He hid his smile with the back of his hand. "I am serious though because I get to talk about you. Their reactions give me hints if the negotiation will go well or not. It's a lot more beneficial than you think."

"Oh, no" Eve groaned. She buried her face in her hands. "I can't even begin to imagine what you have been telling people. What happened to being private about your life? Have you thrown that away?"

"But I'm proud of you. Any chance to boast about you is a pleasure to me."

"You sound like an Asian parent."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Okay!" Eve clapped her hands together and jerked up in her seat. "Let's change the subject. Is there anything you had always wanted to do? Even as a kid but have never gotten the chance to do it? I think we should do it today."

Ambryan wiped the corner of his mouth with the table napkin. "A quiet afternoon in the penthouse is more than fine. There's no need to do big things on birthdays."

"We can do that tomorrow so today has to be something different."

Knitting his eyebrows, Ambryan considered the idea. The question had triggered his curiosity. Life had changed since he left Cornelia Town for Hathaway Manor. Because he disliked being there when he first moved, he kept his interests secret except for books.

It was an act of rebellion.

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He planned to keep those secrets to his grave.

"I think there might be something we can do," Ambryan shared. Looking back now, his thought process sounded ridiculous. There was no need to hold back anymore. 

Eve lit up immediately. "What is it?"

An hour later, the sound of wheels on gravel pierced her ears. Indistinct chatter bounced off the walls. Ambryan looked around with a small smile on his face. This should be able to satisfy Eve. More than that, he looked forward to see her attempt

"Skateboarding?" Eve blinked, gulping down her fears. They had gone to an indoor skate park in a nearby city. Teenagers crowded the place, either sitting on the edge or skating through the park. A few noticed them and speculated if they were parents of someone.

She bluntly ignored them and turned to Ambryan. "Did you really want to skateboard? Or is this some revenge for making you roller skate?" 

He thought about his response. "Can't it be both?"

"Ambee"

"I did." He chuckled at her helpless face. "It fascinated me. There's obvious science involved in this activity. I was curious to know how it worked. Roller skating makes you use two feet and two sets of wheels. This? And just the board? It had me studying books about it in the library."

Eve puffed out her cheeks. When he put it like that, it sounded real enough. "Then, why have you never tried it? I mean, did Aunt Avery forbid you?"

Ambryan found a small shop in the park. He headed towards it, pulling Eve along. "Let's just say that I was very stubborn."

"I don't think that has changed."

An old man managed the shop. He stood behind the counter and polished an orange skateboard. His products were displayed according to category: the skateboards, the helmets and the miscellaneous items like knee pads.

He looked up when the wind chime sounded from the door.

"Well, you don't see this everyday," he commented upon seeing the couple. Walking around the counter, he clasped his hands. "How may I help you?"

"We'd like to purchase two of your best skateboards," Ambryan started.

Eve nudged his side, whispering, "And protective gear."

He smiled at the seller. "And two sets of protective gear."

"Whose skating? Your kids?"

"We are."

"Oh" the old man blinked. Then, it started to make sense. "High school sweethearts, are ya? Reliving memories? I remember my first girlfriend. She thought I was really cool and watched me skate. I'll make sure you get nothing but the best. It would be almost like old times."

Ambryan thanked him and began browsing the skateboards. They all came in different shapes and materials. He remembered each by name and picked up a longboard. It was good for city usenot that he was about to use it for transportation any time soon.

Eve stayed back by the door. She prayed to the heavens that there weren't going to be injuries. Maybe she shouldn't have agreed to this. Cale would have her head if something happened. She peeked out the window. 

There should be a place for beginners, right?

The answer to her question came soon enough.

The skate park was bigger than Eve thought. They moved to another area where the park had smaller hills. She sighed in relief, observing while she waited for Ambryan. She had changed out of her clothes for a t-shirt and a pair of jeansas well as geared up for the activity.

"Don't be nervous," Ambryan said. He wore a similar outfit. Thanks to the heater, they could prance around his simple clothing. The cotton shirt fit him like a glove and hinted at his muscles. "I didn't just read about this but I also played it in a video game."

Eve snorted. "Well, that's reassuring."

Ambryan locked his helmet in place. Then, took his first step on his skateboard. The wheels rolled from the sudden weight. He put it back in place and pushed with his other foot. He cruised over the flat surface until the board lost speed.

He glanced over his shoulder. "Why don't you try it?"

"Fine." Eve took a deep breath. She placed her skateboard on the ground and mimicked what Ambryan did. One foot on the board, she lifted herself up and the board rolled under her as far as her leg could stretch. 

It caused her to almost slip before her other foot slammed on the ground.

Ambrya rolled back to her. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Good, good."

"Maybe we should forget about this?"

"What? No!" Eve protested. "Don't hold back on my account. I can practice by that railing. It should be able to help me work on my balance"

Eve shifted her weight too close to the tail. The board moved like a seesaw with the head rising up. When she lifted her foot off it, Ambryan caught her by the waist. What seemed like a fun idea now seemed inappropriate.

"Sorry!" She apologized. "I really need to get to that railing."

"You don't need that railing. You have me."

Ambryan pushed his skateboard away and tugged hers back with his foot. He held her hand constantly. "Let's try this again. You need to get used to lifting your back foot. Just put your front foot on the board. Then, try moving your back foot from the floor onto the board and vice versa."

He felt her gripping his hand tight. It showed how nervous she felt but she was still trying. Following his instructions, her board did move forward with each step but Ambryan's hold on her helped it not to slip too far.

Eve became more familiar with the motion as time went on.

"You think you can try on your own? I'll be close by and catch you."

She finally met his eyes since they had started her impromptu lesson. "I don't know why you're so patient with me. I'm clearly holding you back from making the best out of this trip."

"I wouldn't say so. I get to flex what little skills I have. Now, try it."

And she did. Her back foot hopped onto the board on her first pushbut it hadn't taken long before she lost balance. True to his word, Ambryan caught her as her back foot landed back on the ground. 

Eve let her head hit his chest. "Are you sure I have to do this?"

"I never knew you gave up so easily."

"I don't but this is beyond my skill set."

"Won't you be bored just by watching me?"

"I see it as my own chance at revenge. If anyone asks about you, I can tell them all the juicy details of your childhood." She beamed and fluttered her eyelashes. "Then, I can tell them about your fear of tomatoes."

"..."

Eve relaxed her grin. "I'm kidding. Go have fun. I'll be here sitting like a proud fiancee."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

Ambryan attempted his first hill. The steps were vivid in his mind. The important factor was to lean forward as the board slid down. Otherwise, he would fall. The others in the park moved out of his way out of respect. Eve sat near the edge with her legs crossed and leaned her back on the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"You can do it, Ambee!" She yelled, cackling at herself as heads turned in their direction.

He didn't share the same sentiment. 

"I believe in you! You're always going to be the best guy for me."