“Really? You want to learn how to bake?” I blink and cock my head to the side. I didn’t know whether I was supposed to be surprised, but I was. I was surprised that he wanted to learn how to bake. He had never hinted his interest in it before, so his just suddenly wanting to learn by eleven p.m. was very shocking. “Yes.” Dante nodded. “Why?” I squinted my eyes at him. “Because I want to. Why are you suddenly suspicious?” He frowned, mimicking my facial expression, and the corner of my lips tipped to a small smile. “Nothing. I’m just surprised, but sure, I’ll teach you.” I stood up from the couch and stretched my body. “Thank you.” His frown turned to a small smile, and I didn’t miss the happiness in his face. ‘Wow, he must really be excited about learning how to bake, which seems so strange.’ “But I’m curious; I never thought you were interested in cooking stuff. So why the sudden want to learn?” I asked him as we walked out of the library. “I have always had an interest, but

“I said I find you attractive, ok!” I blurted out, tired of our little games. “I find you really, really attractive. Heck, attractive can’t even cut it. You’re fricken gorgeous. A fine piece of male specimen So yes, I was staring at you because you were magnetising my attention no matter how hard I tried because you’re too good-looking for your own darn good, so please put on your shirt so I can get rid of all these dirty pictures in my mind.” ‘Geez Olly. You were just supposed to tell him he was attractive, not blurt out a whole epistle about him.’ I scolded myself, not knowing if I wanted to face palm myself for saying too much or hide my face in chronic embarrassment. ‘I can’t believe I said all that. A piece of male specimen, really Olly?’ And the look on his face didn’t make me feel better. I wasn’t surprised to see satisfaction and pride radiating from him. “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Dante winked, giving me a cheeky grin, and I want to claw at his eyes. “Have I told

Love.That was the only thing that could explain all the jumbled and wild yet fluttery and beautiful things I was feeling.I was in love with Dante Romero.When Laura had asked if I had ever been so crazy about someone that it seemed my world revolved around them. That my soul constantly called out to them. My answer was no. But now, some months later, I understood what she was saying because I had fallen for Dante. The man who I swore to myself that I would avoid like a plague on the first day I arrived at his mansion—the man I was sure was heartless and cruel— I had fallen in love with him.A part of me told me to fight it. To rebel against this new found feeling I had for the man, but no. I wasn’t going to. I was going to embrace it instead. Even though I know it may forever be unrequited love, I was still going to enjoy every second of it.“Because you what?” Dante asked, curiosity burning in his eyes.“Because I…” My voice waned.There was no way I would ever confess my feelings

‘Did I hear him well, or did my brain knock from his kisses, causing me to hallucinate?’ I blinked, gawking at him. ‘It’s the latter, definitely the latter. I’m hallucinating. My head is still light and loopy from our little heated activity, plus my tiredness is making me hear stuff. There’s no way he’s asking me to be his date.’ “Your date?! You’re asking me to be your date?!” “Yes. I want you to be my date.” Dante said, his voice was louder and clearer this time. ‘Sheep! He said it again. I wasn’t hallucinating. He’s actually asking me.’ “Wait, you’re seriously asking me to be your date? Me. Olivia. To be your date?!” I said, picking each word slowly so he would understand what he was saying, because maybe he didn’t. Maybe he mis-said what he said and actually wanted to say something else. Like, do I like dates? The fruit dates. That’s what he probably wanted to say. “Is there anything wrong with that?” He frowned. “N-no I-I’m not saying it’s bad. I’m just… surprised. Yeah… su

“Can’t we go out with you, Mama?” Michael whined as I set a plate of ham and cheese breakfast casserole before him, besides him glass of strawberry milk. I had told him and his brothers that I was going out, and like always, he and Nathan had asked if they could go with me. I don’t think there was ever a time I wanted to go out that they didn’t want to tag along. But nope, not today. I was going to treat and pamper myself like Dante had persuaded me to three days ago because I deserved it. And yes, I loved them, but there was no way I was going to drag three four-years-olds along. “Sorry, baby, but it’s girls’ day out, not Mama and kids’ day out.” I replied, dropping the last plate before Nathan. Yup, girls’ day out with me and my bestie and hours of shopping and pampering ourselves. No kids allowed. She had taken a day off, and we had already made plans on how we were going to make the best use of today. “Why can’t it be Mama and kids time?” Nathan whined like his brother and pout