CHAPTER 90: FIRST DATE, FIRST KISS

Sylvia’s eyes reflected disbelief. She couldn’t believe that someone like Rome would ever be interested in her.

"Y-you... you’re joking, just joking, right?"

However, Rome remained serious.

"I’m not one to joke when it comes to my feelings."

Sylvia’s cheeks immediately flushed crimson. She averted her gaze, unable to hold the intensity of Rome’s stare any longer.

"Pfftt—are you joking, Rome? It’s f-funny, hahaha! You can laugh now, bro!" Marco interjected.

Rome immediately shot Marco a dark glare for interfering. Already losing his temper over Marco ruining his moment with Sylvia, he grabbed Marco’s collar and whispered a threat into his ear.

"We’re not close enough for you to call me bro, and I’m definitely not joking. If you ever bully Sylvia again, you’ll be in serious trouble with me. She’s mine, so don’t even think about touching her again."

Rome shoved him away, then quickly regained his composure before turning back to Sylvia as if nothing had happened.

Sylvia stared at him in shock. She was surprised to see him act that way toward Marco. As much as he desired her affection, he didn’t want Sylvia to witness his darker side.

However, Marco had been pushing his limits. Now that he had issued a warning, he was certain that Marco wouldn’t repeat it again. And if he did, Rome wouldn’t hesitate to use his influence to have him expelled from school.

That’s how he intended to use his influence to put him in his place, if necessary.

"Let’s go."

Rome said softly before extending his hand to Sylvia.

She hesitated, looking up at him, unsure whether to accept his hand.

Sensing her uncertainty, he gently took her hand, holding it firmly as he led her away.

He noticed the incredulous stares of the students as they walked side by side, his hand clasped around hers. He paid them no mind. His feelings for Sylvia were far more important than the opinions of others.

Once they had left the school grounds and reached the parking lot, he finally turned to look at her.

Sylvia just stayed quiet, shyly avoiding his gaze.

Rome couldn’t help but smile. Now that Sylvia had confessed her feelings first, he no longer had to hide his own.

It felt like only yesterday he had been secretly watching her, quietly following her wherever she went. But now, she was within his reach.

He no longer had to steal glances from afar or fend off those who tried to bully her.

"Get in."

Sylvia looked up at him, startled.

"H-huh? W-where are we g-going?" she stammered, her cheeks flushing a bright crimson.

Rome fought the urge to pinch her cheeks or playfully nibble at them, but he restrained himself. This wasn’t the right moment for that. Now now.

"To our first date."

"H-huh?"

Her blush deepened, spreading across her face.

Cute...Rome thought to himself, smiling inwardly at how flustered she looked.

"I said we’re going on our first date. Now that you’ve admitted that you like me, it’s only natural that I take you out, to celebrate our first official date as a couple."

Shock registered even more clearly on her face.

"D-date as a c-couple? A-are you serious?"

"Yes. Do I look like I’m joking?"

Rome’s eyes flicked briefly to her lips, and he couldn’t deny how tempted he was. Soon, she would be his, and he couldn’t wait to experience the softness of those red, inviting lips.

"B-but I’m just a nobody... how can you like me?" she murmured, lowering her gaze.

Gently, Rome lifted her chin with his hand, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"What nobody are you talking about? I don’t care if you think you’re nothing, or poor, or whatever. I like you, and that’s all that matters. So get in... before I do something about it right here."

Her eyes widened immediately, darting nervously around them.

"What are you going to do with me?"

Her hand pressed lightly against his chest as she stepped back. Her voice trembled, and the slight quiver of her lips made Rome’s chest tighten.

Rome couldn’t help but smirk at her reaction. If only he had known she would act this adorable, he would have confessed to her a long time ago.

Fear of rejection had always held him back, keeping him from approaching her.

If only he had known she liked him too, he would have approached her much earlier and gotten to see this charming, shy side of her. Seeing her flush and fidget like this, he realized just how much he had missed out on.

"You’re curious about what I’m going to do with you?" he murmured, biting his lip in a way that made his gaze all the more intense.

He watched her swallow nervously and step back slightly.

He couldn’t help but feel a spark of amusement mixed with desire. He gently pulled her closer before she could retreat any further.

At the car, he opened the driver’s side door for her, guiding her inside with a soft push and closing it behind her. Then he took his place in the driver’s seat, facing her fully.

He could feel that she was nervous, which made him want to tease her even more.

"You’re curious to see what I’m going to do with you?"

He saw Sylvia flinch, her fingers rising to block his face.

"W-wait... what are you going to do? Is this how you treat everyone you go on a date with?" she stammered, eyes wide, her cheeks burning a vivid shade of red.

Rome couldn’t resist.

Leaning forward, he pressed a soft kiss to her hand, the one that had tried to shield her face. He watched her body stiffen, her entire face deepening in color as she froze completely, her eyes widening with shock.

Damn.

Her flustered expression intoxicated him, making him lose all control. Every instinct screamed to bridge the gap between them.

Without thinking, he leaned closer, closing the space until their faces were just inches apart.

Then, slowly, he pressed his lips against hers.

Sylvia’s eyes widened further in shock, her body tensing, and for a moment, she couldn’t move.

Rome held her gently, savoring the softness of her lips, the faint warmth, and the rapid beat of her heart beneath his hand.

When he finally pulled back, he rested a hand lightly on her shoulder, searching her face.

She remained frozen, chest rising and falling quickly, still trying to process the kiss.

"What... what just happened?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Rome couldn’t help but chuckle. Did she freeze because of the kiss?

He bit his lip, resisting the urge to kiss her again.

He didn’t want Sylvia to be overwhelmed by how quickly everything was happening. He didn’t want her to think he was rushing, even though he was still struggling to hold back.

She looked at him completely shocked, as if she hadn’t expected him to kiss her at all.

Damn, what had he just done?

He had let himself become far too vulnerable around her, and in an instant, all his composure had vanished.

He was weak when it came to Sylvia.

He had been overwhelmed by his own feelings.

He had expected to be the one taking control, but then Sylvia surprised him entirely.

She suddenly lifted her trembling hands, cupped his face, leaned forward, and pressed her lips against his.

In that moment, he froze completely. Did Sylvia just... kiss him?

Her lips were warm, soft, and the faint taste of her sweet, innocent, and entirely hers, made his knees feel weak. He had imagined this countless times in his mind, but nothing had prepared him for the reality of it.

Sylvia, who seemed to have only just realized what she had done, immediately felt her cheeks heat up, her eyes widening as she stared at him.

Rome couldn’t help but smirk, a low, pleased smile tugging at his lips.

Damn...

It seemed he wasn’t the only one who couldn’t control himself.

Even Sylvia appeared to be feeling the same intense pull between them. Her startled reaction, the quickening of her breath, and the warmth radiating from her, everything screamed the same desire he felt.

Their eyes met, locking onto each other’s gaze, and a shared, nervous smile spread across both of their faces.

Damn... what were they doing?

This was supposed to be just their first date, their first real moment after confessing their feelings to each other.

Was this really how things happened on the very first day they both admitted their feelings?

Somehow, everything had escalated far faster than either of them had anticipated.

But none of that mattered now. The feelings between them were too strong.

It was as if they had been perfectly made for each other, their emotions mirroring one another in that electrifying, almost intoxicating moment.

Without a word, they closed the distance between them again. This time, there were no hesitations.

Their lips met once again, lingering together as they savored the intimacy of the moment, each second heavy with the emotions they had both been holding back for so long.