It was a beautiful, bright day in the Swiss Alps. Delicate snow flurries began drifting down, adding more to the mountains' natural beauty. Fortunately, it wasn't too windy so the temperature was bearable with the proper winter attire.
Iris and Jin Liwei's date consisted of walking around downtown, appreciating nature, and taking photos together in such a breathtaking place. However, they didn't stay outdoors for too long because Iris needed to protect her throat and vocal chords from the cold.
They headed inside the mall to warm up. They didn't do any shopping but just continued walking around while holding hands. Iris was very distracted because she kept thinking about how she was going to confess to Jin Liwei. She didn't know why she felt so nervous.
'Just say 'I love you'. What's so hard about it?' she challenged herself, but she still couldn't stop herself from feeling jittery.
"What's wrong, baby?" Jin Liwei asked, noticing her restlessness.
She shook her head and asked him instead, "Are you warm now? I want to bring you somewhere else."
"I always feel warm with you. Hot, actually," he said with a sexy smile.
Her eyes darkened with desire. Unlike when they just first met, she could now understand some sexual innuendos. She grabbed his head for a hard kiss in the middle of the mall. The people just glanced at them in amusement before returning to mind their own business.
When the kiss ended, they were both panting.
"How about now? Do you feel hotter?" she whispered.
She giggled and then pulled his arm. "The flurries have stopped. Let's go before it starts snowing again."
"Okay, baby. Lead the way."
They rode another shuttle bus to their next destination. It was a natural park just outside the downtown area.
When the two disembarked, there was a roaring sound from a distance. It was also colder in this place. There were other people besides the two of them, mostly hikers. Some of them would probably climb all the way up to the glacial region of the mountains.
Iris dragged Jin Liwei, almost bouncing in her nervous excitement. The roaring sound grew louder as they followed a footpath deeper into the woods. Finally, they reached a clearing and a stunning multi-tiered waterfall appeared before them.
The rushing glacier waters sparkled under the bright sunlight like pristine liquid crystals. It wasn't a large waterfall but was enough to impress people with its beauty, emphasized by its unspoiled surroundings.
"It's beautiful," Jin Liwei breathed, but she still heard him despite the roaring waters.
She smiled, pleased that he liked the place.
Then he looked at her. "But you're more beautiful."
"Liwei…"
"Yes, baby?"
"Come closer. I need to tell you something."
He leaned to her.
"Closer," she urged.
Bending his head, he leaned closer until his face was only inches from hers.
She used her hands to gently turn his head to the side so that his ear was directly in front of her mouth.
Then she whispered, "I love you, Jin Liwei."
He froze. His head snapped to look at her, his eyes widening in shock. He couldn't tell anymore if the roaring in his head was from the waterfall or from his own jumbled thoughts.
"L-let's go… It's getting cold," she said, forcing a smile. She felt disappointed by his reaction, or lack thereof. Her chest hurt.
She turned and began to walk away, leaving him frozen on the spot. She only walked five steps before a tight embrace stopped her from behind.
"Say it again." His tone was urgent.
Her uncertainty disappeared, replaced by a warm feeling. A soft smile tugged the corner of her lips. She turned around in his embrace until she was facing him. Framing his face with her gloved hands, she repeated her confession.
"Jin Liwei, I love you."
His eyes shook as a myriad of emotions flashed within them.
"Again."
"I love you."
"Again."
It was freezing cold, especially near the waterfall, but their bodies felt burning hot. They devoured each other, barely breathing in their passionate hunger. When their mouths separated, they were dazed for a few moments.
Jin Liwei kissed her a few more times, gazing at her in-between kisses. He couldn't believe that she just told him that she loved him. His heart felt like it was going to burst from love and happiness.
"I love you too, baby. So much," he said, stroking her now red cheeks with his gloved hands. "Thank you for loving me, too. I'm so happy. I feel like I'm dreaming."
"You're not dreaming. I love you, Liwei." Then she added, "You're mine."
"I'm yours, always." His expression turned serious. "And you're mine."
"Yes, I'm yours."
Surprisingly, Iris wasn't so against this kind of claiming unlike before. Now she understood what it felt like to desire someone so much to make a claim on that person. It wasn't a matter of possession or ownership, like so many others were complaining about. Not at all. They weren't slaves or masters of each other. Rather, they were lovers.
Claiming was a declaration of their feelings and desire to belong with one another. They were a man and a woman equal in love. This claiming was a promise and a commitment to each other and to not allow an outsider to come between them. It was as simple as that.
Jin Liwei threw his head back in delight when he heard her words. He had been waiting for this day. Finally.
A sweet smile blossomed on her face, making her even more beautiful. Then a warning glint flashed in her eyes. "It better be with me or else you'll be in trouble."
He chuckled, loving this new side of her.
"Of course, baby. There's only you in here," he said, grabbing her hand and pressing it on his chest.
Snow flurries began falling down again. It was as if the heavens were showering blessings on the two of them. It made the moment more memorable, forever imprinting it in their memories.