Chapter 37&38
🖤PHOENIX🖤
I know it was wrong that my eyes went directly there, but they did, nonetheless.
“What the f-__-k??” Rome exclaimed, making me quickly flee from his room.
I felt so hot and flushed at the same time. I couldn’t believe what I had just seen.
“Breathe, breathe,” I murmured to myself. Why did I even go in there?
Oh lord, why me?
I couldn’t shake the images from my brain; they were still vivid in my mind. But d@mn! That was big!
I breathed out in relief when I finally reached my room. I made sure the door was locked because seeing Rome right now would be the most awkward thing ever.
Imagine him seeing me naked. I would pray the ground would swallow me whole after that.
But how was I going to tell him that I was going to be his date for his business thingy?
Heaven wasn’t really on my side right now.
Maybe I’d wait until tomorrow; I was just too embarrassed to bring it up today.
Sneaking into the kitchen, I found that the maid had already prepared dinner. I decided to grab a plate and take it back to my room to eat. Of course, I had to be extra careful not to run into Rome.
With the food laid out before me, I quietly served myself, keeping an ear out for any approaching footsteps.
Successfully dishing up my meal, I grabbed some water and juice to go with it. Slowly, I tiptoed back towards my room, making sure the coast was clear.
Remember when I said things weren’t going my way? Well, that was an understatement. I ended up bumping into the last person I wanted to see.
“Oh lord,” I muttered under my breath, trying to slip past him with the tray of food in my hands.
“I should help you with that; it might not be good for the baby,” he offered, taking the tray from me despite my protests.
“Why did you come to my room?” he asked as we made our way down the hall. I hesitated for a moment before answering.
“About the whole business date thing,” I finally managed to say.
“Yeah? What’s your answer?” he inquired.
“Hmm, well, yes, I’d go with you,” I replied, and he nodded. Opening my door, he stepped inside, and I followed.
” Saturday, 6pm” he said.
I watched as he set the plate down, then turned his attention back to me.
“You really shouldn’t run like that; it’s not safe,” he scolded gently, and I nodded, feeling a bit sheepish.
“And next time, just wait to see me. My room isn’t a place you should be dropping by,” he added, his tone firm but not unkind.
“Goodnight,” he said, heading back out into the hallway.
I let out a sigh of relief. That went better than I’d feared, but I still couldn’t shake off the nerves. Thank Goodness he didn’t act like a Ďïčk.
Oh crap!! I just remembered his!!
~~
The following day, I phoned Camilla to help me get dressed. I mentioned I had some gossip to share, which piqued her interest.
I refrained from mentioning her mother, unsure if Camilla confides everything in her. Although she doesn’t strike me as someone who does, I didn’t want to take any chances.
“Why is she here?” Rome questioned upon spotting his sister with me.
“Can’t you be happy to see me? Besides, I heard that pest is living with you,” Camilla quipped, eliciting a hidden chuckle from me.
“It’s not by choice, though,” Rome replied.
“Why did you bring her here?” Rome pressed further.
“Isn’t she getting clothes for the party?” Camilla interjected, thankfully steering the conversation.
“A designer is coming today to take her measurements,” he stated before leaving the room.
“He loves to show off his wealth,” Camilla commented, prompting shared laughter between us.
Once in my room, I filled her in on everything, including the awkward encounter of me stumbling upon Rome naked.
“d@mn, but eww,” Camilla exclaimed, and we shared another laugh.
“Yeah, definitely eww,” I agreed.
“Why eww? He’s not your brother. Tell me you didn’t feel all hot and bothered,” she teased, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. I did feel flustered, but admitting it was out of the question.
“No… Rome? Definitely not,” I insisted.
“Then you must be a lesbian,” she joked, and we both burst into laughter.
“If I keep laughing like this, I might end up hurting the baby,” I joked, trying to reign in the laughter.
“Okay, okay, I’ll be careful not to trigger your hormones,” she said, and we chuckled again.
“But you can’t deny, you don’t find my brother attractive at all?” she probed.
Well…
“It’s not that he’s ugly, he’s just not my type,” I replied cautiously.
“Are you sure? I can play matchmaker,” she offered, making me scoff playfully.
“I think you should focus on your own love life instead,” I teased back, and we dissolved into another fit of laughter.
This was fun to hell. Just two girls, laughing over every little thing.
☠ROME☠
“Wouldn’t you go to jail for that?” Rome asked, eyeing Neo, who was sporting a grin.
“Why?” Neo responded, rolling his eyes.
“Well, you’re kissing a minor,” Rome pointed out.
“She’s 18 now, and besides, she pecked me,” Neo defended.
“Um… 10 years?” Rome raised an eyebrow.
“What’s wrong with 10 years? Remember, your mom is 49 and your dad is 59,” Neo retorted, earning a nod of acknowledgment from Rome as he sipped his drink.
“That’s a good point,” Rome admitted.
“I know,” Neo said, his smile widening.
“Wait, has that been your motivation?” Rome inquired.
“Yeah, kinda,” Neo admitted with a chuckle.
“How do you think Phoenix would react when she finds out you’re pursuing her sister that is still a child ?” Rome probed.
“You’re tough to crack,” Neo joked.
“What? I can’t see myself dating someone ten years younger, especially when she’s just 18. That’s borderline abusive,” Rome stated firmly.
“Well, I haven’t even made a move on Beatrix yet. We’re not even a thing,” Neo confessed.
“The way I see it, you two could become a couple any moment now,” Rome remarked.
“Amen to that,” Neo replied.
“You couldn’t even muster the courage to kiss her. She’s pretty bold; she might end up being the one leading in this relationship,” Rome teased.
“Well, I’m still better than you,” Neo chuckled.
“Mine’s pretty straightforward: I’m just not interested in a relationship,” Rome shrugged.
“What about Phoenix?” Neo prodded, causing Rome to furrow his brows.
“What about her?” Rome countered.
“I thought you two had something going on,” Neo teased.
“I know what you’re doing, but please, just stop,” Rome sighed.
“What? I’m just curious. Nothing’s happened between you two?” Neo persisted.
“Well, yesterday she walked in on me in my room, and…” Rome hesitated.
“Come on, spill it,” Neo encouraged, grinning.
“I’m not scared,” Rome rolled his eyes. “She saw me naked,” he finally blurted out.
“Wow, did you two end up… you know?” Neo raised an eyebrow.
“Eww, no,” Rome pushed away the idea of him and Phoenix being intimate.
“It wouldn’t be so bad; she’s hot,” Neo commented casually.
“You probably shouldn’t say things like that,” Rome advised.
“Look who’s getting jealous,” Neo teased.
“I’m not jealous,” Rome denied, perhaps a bit too vehemently.
~~
“Hey,” Neo said, his grin stretching from ear to ear as Beatrix welcomed him at the door with a radiant smile.
“What’s on your mind?” Neo inquired, noticing the sparkle in her eyes.
“About yesterday… I know I crossed a line by kissing you without asking, and I understand if you’re feeling uncomfortable or upset. It was impulsive, and I don’t want you to think I’m just some reckless teenager with no regard for your feelings,” Beatrix confessed, her words tinged with sincerity.
Before she could continue, Neo gently placed a finger on her lips, silencing her with a tender gesture. Leaning in, he kissed her softly, pouring his genuine emotions into the embrace. This kiss lingered longer than the last, allowing Beatrix to feel the depth of his affection through the warmth of his lips.
Pulling away slightly, Neo looked deeply into her eyes, his expression earnest and heartfelt.
“I like you more than I can put into words,” he confessed, his voice soft but unwavering.
Beatrix’s cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and delight, her heart fluttering at his sincerity. Unable to contain her joy, she grinned from ear to ear, her eyes shining with affection.
“I like you too, Neo,” she admitted, her words tinged with shyness and slightly bending her head.
Neo smiled, silently thanking wh@ťěver higher power might be listening that Beatrix returned his feelings.
Gently lifting her chin, he gazed into her beautiful eyes, losing himself in their depths before tenderly pressing his lips to hers.
TBC