Chapter 5

Isla's POV

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence and every pair of eyes was now fixed on Donovan and me.

I could practically hear my heartbeat pounding against my ribs.

“Bloody hell.. “ I whispered 

Amber was the first to recover as she let out a small giggle.

"Wow..."

Her gaze traveled from me to Donovan before settling back on me.

"You've been gone for one week, and somehow you managed to bag the hottest transfer student?"

She laughed softly.

"I mean... unless you're lying."

She shrugged, as her smile widened.

"I guess there's an easy way to prove it…. To prove to all of us that you are not lying.” She said, folding her arms across her chest.

"Kiss him." She muttered 

A chorus of murmurs spread through the room.

"She's right."

"If they're really dating..."

"They should kiss."

Heat rushed to my face, because obviously, this wasn't part of the plan.

I tightened my grip on Donovan's hand and leaned in ever so slightly.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, barely moving my lips. "I didn't think she'd ask for that."

For a moment, he didn't respond and I didn't dare look up at him. I was too afraid of what I'd see, maybe regret, anger or even worse REJECTION.

"I'm sorry," I whispered again. "You don't have to do this… We can just walk out on them—"

His thumb suddenly brushed lightly across the back of my hand and then, without a word, he slipped two fingers beneath my chin.

And my breath caught.

He tilted my face slowly upward till his eyes met mine.His expression was calm and unreadable.

"So..." he murmured, his voice low enough for only me to hear.

"This is what you meant by playing along?"

I gave the smallest nod before swallowing hard.

"I'll explain everything."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"I hope you do."

Before I could ask what he meant...

He leaned down and my eyes widened.

The entire room seemed to stop breathing, ever murmur came through every corner.

“Oh my gosh”

“They are really doing it!”

His lips met mine in a jiffy, it felt soft and gentle altogether. 

It was slow and unhurried nor was it forced or rushed.

For a brief moment, the music, the crowd, the whispers... everything disappeared.

Leaving only him in my memory. 

Then he slowly pulled away.

A loud gasp echoed across the room.

"No way..."

"They actually kissed!"

"I thought she was lying!"

I didn't have the courage to look at Mason or Amber.

Not until Donovan's arm settled naturally around my waist.

Only then did I glance in their direction.

Mason's smirk had completely vanished.His jaw was clenched so tightly I thought his teeth might crack. Amber also looked equally stunned and for the first time since I'd known her...

She literally had nothing to say.

Donovan's gaze swept over the room before settling on Mason.

"My girlfriend," he said calmly, "doesn't owe anyone an explanation."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Then he turned to me.

"Ready?"

"W-What?" I blinked.

He gave my hand a gentle squeeze, before smiling at me.

"I asked if you're ready."

Before I could answer, he intertwined our fingers and my heart skipped a beat.

Without another glance at anyone in the room, Donovan began leading me toward the front door.

The crowd instinctively moved aside, creating a path for us. We literally left them dumbfounded and no one tried to stop us

The only sound left was the music still blasting through the speakers.I could feel dozens of eyes burning into my back.

And I clearly knew Mason was watching and so was Amber.

But for once...I didn't care.

We both stepped out of the mansion together as 

the cool night air greeted us.

For the first time that night, I could finally breathe.

"Thank you..." I said, turning to face him, my voice was barely above a whisper."For everything." I continued 

He opened his mouth, as though he wanted to say something but I didn't let him.

"I should go." I said, offering him a small, grateful smile before turning around and hurrying toward the black SUV waiting a few metres away.

James was already standing outside, holding the back door open for me.

Just as I reached the car...

"Hey!"

I paused and glanced over my shoulder.

Donovan stood where I'd left him, one hand tucked into the pocket of his jeans with a small smile played on his lips.

"See you on Monday!"

I stared at him for a second before James cleared his throat.

"Miss Isla?"

I blinked and quickly slipped into the back seat.

As the SUV pulled away from the mansion, I leaned my head against the window.

Only then did it finally hit me.

I had just had my first kiss with….A Complete stranger!!!