Y/N's POV
Emma and I were arguing over the dress in her room.
Emma: "Y/N, you look absolutely gorgeous in that gown!" she beamed.
She had picked out a stunning blue gown for me, one that hugged my body perfectly. It was elegant, but there was a slit on the right leg that made me hesitate. Every time I walked, my leg would be exposed, and honestly, I wasn't comfortable with that.
"But don't you think it's a bit too much for a first date?" I frowned, crossing my arms. 'Not that I'm even interested in this date,' I thought to myself.
Emma rolled her eyes dramatically. "Are you kidding me, Y/N? If he sees you in this, he's going to kiss you for sure!" she teased, winking at me.
I gasped and shook my head quickly. "Umm… then I'm definitely not wearing this!" I blurted, feeling my cheeks heat up.
Emma sighed, clearly frustrated. "Y/N, just give him a chance. I mean—"
"Emma, I'm not going out with Kayden." I interrupted her, my voice firm.
Emma's jaw dropped. "WHAT?! Then… who?" she asked, her eyes wide with confusion.
I hesitated. "Umm… can I tell you tomorrow after I come back?" I muttered, avoiding her gaze.
"But why?" she asked, still looking shocked.
I sighed. "I know you're confused, and I promise I'll explain everything tomorrow. But for now, just know that I'm not excited about this date, okay?"
She looked at me carefully, trying to figure out what was going on.
"Y/N… are you alright? Is there a problem?" she asked softly, concern in her voice.
I shook my head quickly. "No, Emma. I'm fine. It's just—"
Before I could finish, she pulled me into a warm hug. "Don't worry. It's fine. I'll wait for your explanation," she said gently.
I smiled, feeling a little relieved, and hugged her back. After that, we had dinner together, and thankfully, she didn't force me to wear the gown. So, I decided to go with something casual for tomorrow.
---
The Next Morning
The loud ringing of my alarm jolted me awake. Groaning, I turned it off and glanced at the time. 7:00 AM.
"Ugh… mornings are so boring." I yawned, stretching my arms before getting out of bed.
After a refreshing shower, I dressed in black jeans, a blue shirt, and white sneakers. I kept my makeup simple and natural. When I checked my phone, it was 9:00 AM. Still an hour left.
Since I had some time, I decided to step outside to check if someone had come to pick me up, like Mr. Annoying had said.
But instead of a driver, I saw Kay stepping out of his car.
Before I could move, his eyes locked onto mine.
Kay: "Hey, Miss Y/N!" he called out, waving his hand.
I waved back awkwardly. "Hey…" I said with a small smile.
He walked toward me, grinning. "My aunt lives here too," he explained.
I nodded. "Oh… I see."
Kay looked at me curiously. "Are you going somewhere?"
I hesitated. "Umm… actually, I have a meeting with someone," I said, scratching the back of my neck.
For a split second, his smile faltered, but he quickly covered it up.
"Oh, no problem! I mean, we can meet anytime here, right?" he said cheerfully.
I smiled and nodded. Just then, my phone buzzed.
Mr. Annoying.
I sighed and excused myself before answering the call.
"H-Hello?" I said hesitantly.
Mr. Annoying: "Ah, I love it when you stutter, babe," he chuckled.
I clenched my jaw, wanting to yell at him, but I could feel Kay watching me, so I forced myself to stay calm.
"Oh… okay," I muttered dryly.
Mr. Annoying: "'Oh, okay'—that's all I get? Anyway, my driver is there. If you're ready, just get in. He'll recognize you."
I sighed again. "Okay," I repeated and quickly ended the call.
Turning back to Kay, I gave him a small smile. "Umm… I have to go now."
Kay's expression softened. "Ah, don't worry. Go ahead… see you around!" he said with a warm smile.
"Yeah… bye!" I waved before quickly walking away, feeling Kay's gaze on my back the entire time.
Outside, I spotted a black car parked near the entrance. A man standing beside it waved at me.
???: "Ma'am, are you ready to go?" he asked politely.
I nodded, and he opened the door for me. Once inside, I looked at him through the rearview mirror.
"Umm… where exactly are we going?" I asked, feeling slightly uneasy.
The driver cleared his throat. "Ma'am, sir said it's a surprise for you."
I sighed. 'He's being dramatic again.'
---
At the Cottage
After a long drive, we arrived in a peaceful small village. The air smelled fresh, mixed with the scent of soil and flowers.
The driver stopped the car in front of a large wooden cottage. It looked like something out of a fairy tale.
I stepped out, inhaling the fresh air. "Mmm… it's beautiful," I murmured, listening to the distant sound of a river.
???: "Ma'am, sir is inside," the driver informed me.
I nodded and took a deep breath. 'Why do I feel so nervous?' My heartbeat quickened as I walked toward the door.
The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by a breathtaking sight.
Rose petals were scattered beautifully across the wooden floor. The cottage smelled like fresh flowers and vanilla. A round table sat in the middle of the room, set up elegantly for dinner.
And there he was.
Mr. Annoying.
He was already seated at the table, staring at me with a smirk. The moment he saw me, he stood up and walked toward me.
Mr. Annoying: "Ah, I missed you so much, babe. You look beautiful… why were you so late?" he asked, tilting his head.
I rolled my eyes. "Can you not understand? I told you not to call me 'babe.'"
He sighed dramatically. "Okay, okay… take a seat."
Still annoyed, I sat down across from him. He leaned forward slightly.
"So… do you like it?" he asked, glancing around.
I had to admit, the setup was perfect for a date—romantic, intimate, and dreamy. But I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of knowing that.
I shrugged. "Hmm… it's nice," I said casually.
He sighed. "Y/N, I want you to feel special and happy. I know this is our last date, so can you please stop being so difficult?" he muttered.
I felt a small pang of guilt.
"Okay, Mr. Annoy—" I stopped when he held up a finger.
"First of all, don't call me 'Mr.'" he smirked.
My eyes widened. 'What?! But… I don't even remember his name!'
I swallowed nervously. "F-Fine, okay."
He smiled, and for a second, I was stunned. He looked way too handsome when he smiled.
'Y/N, don't fall for his charm. Stay focused.'
Mr. Annoying: "Let's eat first, then we can talk," he said.
I nodded and took a bite. It was Italian food, and it tasted amazing.
"Mmm… delicious," I murmured, closing my eyes in satisfaction.
When I opened my eyes, Mr. Annoying was staring at me, completely speechless.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I whispered.
He smirked. "I'm sorry… but you look gorgeous."