Naughty Rose

"How are you feeling?"

Rose noticed the slight change in Ryan as they walked. He was much more cheerful and jumped around in full smiles as if he was fully recovered. It was naturally the sight she wanted to see so she didn't complain.

"I honestly feel so good right now," Ryan admitted. "I am no longer tired and my energy is back to do whatever we want."

His hand-squeeze signaled the double meaning but she only responded by showing her tongue, knowing exactly what he talked about. From the moment their relationship stepped up on another level, they have been kissing and hugging a lot but with Ryan's condition, that was to be expected.

Rose was actually surprised she managed to stay relatively reserved with him, holding them back. It wasn't just Ryan who wanted to try everything new. Deep down, she also wanted to be the naughty one for once.

"You are indeed more energetic," Rose confirmed and added casually, "It's all because of my blood~"

"Sure, let's believe it for now. You will find out later how wrong you were," Ryan replied confidently, ceasing the argument. "I can be your handsome vampire for the time being. You need to watch out. Vampires bite a lot."

As if to demonstrate, he lifted her hand and gave it a kiss, biting it playfully. To retaliate, she tilted his hand and did the same for him, placing a real bite on the side of his palm.

"Try me," Rose challenged, showing her teeth which made Ryan laugh.

Sometimes they forgot they were still in public when they were together, getting too comfortable with each other but they were quickly reminded this time as a mature couple went past them.

"Young couples, so bold nowadays…"

The comment drew out her old shy self as she pulled their hands down. "It's all your fault… You are making me more naughty with each day…" Rose complained after the couple walked away, blaming it on him but Ryan only laughed.

He embraced her waist, pulling her closer and suggested, "What if it's not me but rather your natural self that finally awakened? You have always been an exemplary student but the truth is, you were only pretending, trying to reach other people's expectations.

Rose was about to deny it but Ryan continued, "Life is too short. We shouldn't care what other people think about us. We are not living for our parents or teachers but for ourselves. Do what makes you happy."

"Are you saying this because you want more kisses?" Rose asked, thinking she saw right through him but Ryan shook his head.

"No. I'm saying this because I want to date the real Rose. I don't want you to hold back. Do and say whatever you want. Be true to yourself," Ryan replied with an honest smile and finished with a kiss on the cheek, continuing to walk hand in hand.

"True to myself…" Rose repeated quietly, wondering about the meaning of those words.

'What exactly do I want…?'

She glanced at his face, trying to figure it out and an instant scene appeared in her mind. Naked Ryan was hugging her tightly in bed, leaving numerous kisses on her body and she begged for more, squeezing on his head.

She tried to get rid of this thought but it kept coming back. The whole scene repeated on loop in her mind, displaying everything he did to her in detail. She seemed so happy, twisting on the bed with a blissful smile.

"I hate you," Rose muttered in the end and hugged into his arm while leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Okay, what did I do this time?" Ryan questioned confused.

"You made me imagine weird things…" Rose explained without going into details and changed the topic. "Let's go to the arcade club. You made me skip classes so let's make the best use of this time."

"As you wish my queen," Ryan agreed without question, leading her through the streets.

She couldn't tell him the truth just yet. The more she thought about it, the more certain she was.

Staying in his embrace made her happy.

'I'm sorry, Ryan. If we did exactly what I want, we wouldn't be leaving my bedroom… I guess I was the naughty one from the start…'

———

Rose was sure that even if they were simply laying down on the grass in the park, they could keep themselves entertained. She had so much fun, playing various games, teasing and bantering that she didn't even once look at the time. They were in the middle of ordering dishes in the restaurant when she heard her phone buzz.

"One second please," Rose excused herself and reached inside her bag in search of the phone.

'You have (52) unread messages and (12) unanswered phone calls.'

Oof…

She gasped when she saw the notifications. Before they entered the arcade, she put the phone on silent mode so they wouldn't be disturbed. She completely forgot that her University could call to her parents in case she was absent.

Ryan stopped ordering, looking at her with a questioning gaze so she explained, "My father tried to contact me many times. I need to call him back."

"Alright," Ryan nodded and passed the menu card to the waiter. "Please add a red wine from the top of the menu and that will be all for us. Thank you."

"Just a glass or a whole bottle?" the waiter questioned and Ryan quickly chose the latter.

"You can call him back, don't worry," Ryan assured her after the waiter left. "If they are angry you skipped classes, you can blame it on me. I can talk to them too."

Rose didn't hesitate and dialed her dad as she explained, "I think they just want to know where I am right now. My University probably called them when I disappeared from classes."

She was a bit anxious but having Ryan by her side squeezing her hand, she calmed down.

When her father picked up, he instantly called out, "Rose? Are you okay? Where are you?"

"I'm on a date with Ryan. I told you guys about it," Rose replied calmly, giving Ryan a smile. "We are currently eating dinner."

"So you left classes to spend time with your boyfriend. Did I understand it right?" Her father questioned seriously to which she confirmed shamelessly, "Yes. I'm having a great time right now. You don't need to prepare dinner for me. I will be back home in the evening."

She actually tried to listen to Ryan's advice and do what she wants. She never felt better, finally saying what she really thought. She wanted to spend time with Ryan and that's exactly what she will do.

"…"

Her father turned silent for a moment, probably not expecting such an answer before finally responding, "Give me Ryan to the phone."

Rose passed the phone without saying anything as Ryan naturally listened to the call.

"Hello Sir," Ryan answered cheerfully only to hear an order. "Bring my daughter home safely by eight."

"Yes, Sir." He agreed without problems, knowing they still had plenty of time.

Beep, beep.

"He ended the call," Ryan reported, finding it weird but he didn't complain. "It seems you are mine till eight."

"I won't be yours after eight?" Rose pointed out, looking at him sweetly. "I thought we will be together forever."

She enjoyed teasing him the most but Ryan was good with comebacks.

"We will but later I won't be able to do this—" Ryan replied as he leaned over to her neck and left a gentle kiss on her tightened skin.

She knew what would happen if they picked a table hidden from other people's view yet she still went with it. She even purposely bent her neck backward, giving him more space and pressed her hand at the back of his head, showing she wanted more without saying anything.

She was the naughty one this whole time…