Chapter 198: Movie Night
Ethan was genuinely stunned by Monica's train of thought.
Though, if he was being honest...
A part of him actually shipped the pairing.
For one thing, Monica's max-level caretaker instincts would absolutely keep Sheldon organized down to the smallest detail.
In a way, she'd probably evolve into...
A more disciplined, even more organized version of Sheldon's mother.
The image was so vivid it was almost frightening.
---
Inside the theater, the lights dimmed as the massive screen flickered to life.
Ethan and Phoebe had already settled into their seats.
Each held a bucket of popcorn, comfortably assuming their "movie-watching posture" as they prepared to enjoy the film.
Phoebe had chosen the movie.
Ethan had bought the tickets.
In the darkness, Ethan leaned over slightly.
"So... what's this movie about?"
Phoebe thought seriously for a moment.
"Well..."
"It's about a man and a woman who go through a lot together before realizing something important."
Ethan nodded thoughtfully.
"To buy insurance?"
Phoebe slowly turned to stare at him.
"...Buy insurance?"
"It's a disaster movie," Ethan replied matter-of-factly.
"Wasn't it supposed to be a romance?" Phoebe asked, looking confused.
"...Did you buy the wrong tickets? I pointed at Love Beneath the Stars."
"Oh!"
Realization finally hit Ethan.
"...I bought tickets for Shark Revenge 3."
On the giant screen, an enormous shark gracefully whipped its tail before biting a luxury yacht clean in half.
Ethan nodded calmly.
"It's fine."
"Love can be pretty savage too."
Phoebe watched the screen without the slightest hint of disappointment.
"Okay."
"I trust the universe's plan."
---
Normally...
When a man and a woman go to the movies together—
A romantic film gradually warms the atmosphere, bringing them closer together.
A horror movie usually ends with the girl getting scared and hiding in the guy's arms.
Of course...
Sometimes the opposite happens—
The guy gets frightened and dives into the girl's arms instead.
But Ethan and Phoebe...
Were neither of those.
Halfway through the movie, the tension reached its peak.
The shark lurked silently beneath the water.
The soundtrack dropped into a deep, ominous rumble.
Suddenly, Phoebe grabbed the hand beside her.
Ethan froze.
She's scared?
Gently, he patted her shoulder and pulled her a little closer.
"It's okay," he whispered.
"Don't be afraid."
Then he looked down—
Only to find a face overflowing with excitement.
Barely containing herself, Phoebe whispered enthusiastically,
"Go! Go!"
"Bite them!"
"Don't hesitate!"
Ethan blinked.
"...?"
Phoebe patted Ethan's hand.
"This shark is such a great actor!"
Another scream echoed from the screen.
Phoebe's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Ethan fell silent for three seconds.
"So... you're rooting for the shark?"
"Of course," Phoebe replied as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "The title says Shark Revenge. The shark's the main character, and the main character can't be wrong."
"What about the people on the yacht?"
"They're the villains. It's called Revenge, isn't it?"
---
As the movie entered its second half, explosions had become too numerous to count.
The shark had leaped out of the ocean so many times that Ethan had lost track.
Both the splashing water and the shark's visual effects looked exactly like the old computer screensavers he remembered from decades ago.
Staring at the screen, Ethan slowly felt his head droop...
And before long...
He fell asleep.
Phoebe was enthusiastically cheering for the shark when she suddenly felt something rest against her shoulder.
She turned her head.
Ethan was leaning against her, breathing steadily, completely asleep.
On the giant screen, the shark was fighting its climactic final battle.
Meanwhile, the doctor beside her had already surrendered to sleep.
Phoebe watched him quietly for a moment.
Then she gently shifted her posture so he could rest more comfortably on her shoulder...
Before turning her full attention back to supporting the shark.
---
Ethan slept through the rest of the movie.
He had absolutely no idea whether the shark succeeded in getting its revenge.
By the time the credits rolled, night had completely fallen.
New York never truly slept.
Neon lights illuminated the streets, the corner pizza shop was still open, and the distant rumble of the subway occasionally echoed through the city.
Ethan and Phoebe walked out of the theater side by side.
They were standing a little closer than when they'd entered—
Though not quite close enough for Joey to whistle at them.
Throughout the entire movie, they'd only held hands, shared a brief embrace...
And Ethan had taken a nap.
"So," Phoebe said, swinging their joined hands as they walked, "you were a perfect gentleman today."
"Oh?" Ethan glanced at her. Somehow, that didn't sound entirely like a compliment.
Phoebe nodded seriously.
"During the emotional scene at the end, the couple sitting next to us started kissing."
"Should I feel sorry that I missed it?" Ethan asked.
"Maybe." Phoebe shrugged. "The guy even slipped his hand inside the girl's shirt."
Ethan smiled.
"Did she slap him?"
"No."
Phoebe shook her head.
"In that kind of atmosphere, she probably wasn't going to refuse."
She paused before adding,
"Doctor... you skipped a very important step today."
"Did I?" Ethan looked genuinely puzzled.
"But... I didn't even know that girl."
Phoebe's mouth slowly fell open.
For a moment, she didn't know how to respond.
"Hahaha!"
Ethan finally burst into laughter.
"Sorry... I just couldn't resist."
He laughed so hard he had to bend over.
Phoebe simply folded her arms and watched him with perfect composure.
Eventually, his laughter faded.
"Doctor."
She wore an unusually serious expression.
"Hm?"
Ethan scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"When exactly were you planning to kiss me?"
Silence hung between them for a second.
"Uh..."
Ethan couldn't help laughing again.
"So that's what you were waiting for?"
"Of course."
Phoebe nodded frankly.
"I'm not the kind of woman who waits until the third date to discover the guy is gay."
Ethan stepped closer.
He gently cupped the side of her face.
He lowered his head...
Paused...
Made sure she wasn't pulling away.
Then he kissed her.
It was gentle, warm, and unmistakably real.
Slowly, Phoebe slipped her arms around his neck.
When they finally separated, she let out a soft breath.
"Oh..."
"Oh?" Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"I get it now."
She looked at him earnestly.
"Now I understand why you weren't in a hurry."
"Because you're really good at this."
She glanced behind herself.
Without either of them noticing, Ethan's hand had gradually slid lower along her back—
Stopping at precisely the edge of propriety.
"My arm got a little tired," Ethan explained with a perfectly straight face. "It just... slipped."
"Okay."
The night breeze lifted her hair.
Without warning, Phoebe leaned in again.
This kiss lasted much longer.
It was slower, more deliberate, and far more intimate than the first.
When they finally pulled apart, Ethan found himself momentarily dazed.
"That was really nice."
Phoebe smiled with satisfaction before looping her arm through his.
They walked together in comfortable silence for a while.
Eventually, they stopped at a street corner.
"I head home from here," she said.
"Want me to walk you back?"
"Not tonight."
"Huh?" Ethan hurried to explain. "I wasn't trying to—"
"I know."
She smiled knowingly.
"But I was."
She gave him a little wave.
"Good night, Doctor."
"Good night, Phoebe."
She walked a few steps away...
Then suddenly turned back.
"Ethan."
"Yeah?"
She hurried back to him, rose onto her tiptoes, and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"That's the bonus scene."
Then she turned and walked away.
This time, she didn't look back.
Ethan remained where he was, watching until she disappeared around the corner.
The cool night breeze brushed past him.
He touched his cheek.
Then slowly let out a quiet breath.
Love wasn't always fierce.
But it certainly had a way of sinking its teeth into you when you least expected it.