CHAPTER 5

After our intense moment together, he leaned in and gently kissed my forehead.

“Rest for a while… then we’ll go, princess,” he murmured, still catching his breath.

He handed me a bunch of tissues and a small bottle of alcohol that made me raised an eyebrow. “Wait… did you see this coming? Is that why you already had these?” I said that made him simply shrugged, a smug smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Maybe,” he said casually, brushing his chin like he was proud of himself.

I shook my head, letting out a small, disbelieving laugh. I didn’t know how to react. He was infuriating… and obsessed. And somehow, that combination left me speechless. “You’re unbelievable.”

He smiled, running a hand through his hair. “And yet… you’re still here.”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or throw a pillow at him. “That’s the problem.”

“Here,” he said, handing me my clothes. Good thing they didn’t get dirty, or Camille would’ve been suspicious and interrogated me non stop. I quickly got dressed and grateful for that small mercy.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the message and smiled...one of those small, unreadable smiles and turned to me. “I have a meeting later… but I was hoping we could eat first. Together.”

I hesitated, trying to read his tone. “You don’t have to stay for me.”

“I want to,” he said. “If you’ll let me.”

Before I could answer, he pulled out a chair and gestured to it. “Sit.

I blinked. “What exactly are we going to eat? The food’s gone.”

“Just wait. It’s coming,” he said with that same irritating confidence.

A knock at the door interrupted us.

“Sir—” The waitress stepped in, but her voice faltered when she saw the mess, the plates, and food scattered on the floor.

“I, uh… accidentally tripped and pulled the table mat down with me,” he lied.

“Oh… I see,” she said, hesitating.

She quickly placed a new set of dishes on the table, six in total. Six. For just the two of us.

Once she left, he scratched his head sheepishly. “I hope you don’t mind the missing table mat.”

I gave him a look. “It’s my fault anyway,” he muttered with a half-smile. “Let’s eat.”

And without another word, he nodded and dug in like nothing had happened.

Before he even got his own food, he served mine first. He moved so carefully while placing the food on my plate. I just watched him quietly. And somehow, I found myself admiring him. He’s really different from what I thought. I didn’t even notice that I was already smiling like a fool while looking at his handsome face. Everything about him looked perfect.........at least to me.

“Is it good?” he asked, which brought me back to reality. Maybe he noticed I was staring.

“H-huh?” I said, surprised and a little nervous.

He smiled. “Don’t look at me like that, Princess. You know I’ll melt, right?”

He chuckled. I couldn’t believe it. This guy could really smile, laugh, and even act sweet.

“I-I didn’t mean to…” I looked down, feeling shy.

“Hey, relax,” he said. “You’re blushing so much right now.”

“And it’s stupid,” I mumbled.

“Stupidly cute,” he said. “And I love it. I love that I can make you blush instead of being mad at me.”

He smiled wider and I smiled back without meaning to. I couldn’t help it.

“Here,” he said, handing me the plate of steak, already cut into small pieces. Then he sat down and took a sip of wine.

“You’re not going to eat?” I asked, curious.

He raised his glass. “Wine first.”

I frowned. “You shouldn’t drink wine without food. That’s bad for you.”

He laughed. “Relax, Princess. It’s non-alcoholic.”

“But still, you should eat something,” I said, scolding him like a mother.

“Are you… worried about me?” he asked, surprised.

“Of course. Isn’t it obvious?” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Roll your eyes one more time and I’ll make them roll again....but in a way you won’t forget,” he said, smirking while sipping his wine.

I nearly spit out my food. “Hey!!!” I said, half shocked, half laughing.

He just laughed again. “Okay, okay. I’ll eat. I promise,” he said, raising both hands like he was giving up.

“I lose,” he added with a little shrug, like a kid caught doing something silly.

This guy… really is something else.