Episode: 12

I couldn't fall asleep. Full of his thoughts and the way he was with me makes me go crazy about him. His passionate romance making me crave for his next moves. After a lot of struggle, I managed to fall asleep. But tomorrow is going to be a fresh day. I am excited what he will do to me tomorrow. I keep on smiling at myself with shyness.

I woke up early with an extreme bright smile. I really wanted to go to college as early as possible.

The sun poured into my bedroom, bathing the walls in a warm, golden light. I blinked, trying to adjust to the brightness as memories of the night before rushed back. My cheeks flushed at the thought of Robert's words, his touch, and the intensity of our time together.

Sitting up in bed, I ran a hand through my hair, attempting to shake off the lingering warmth in my body. The package he had given me rested on my desk, a quiet reminder of everything that had happened. My fingers itched to touch it again, to feel the smooth fabric that had already made a mark on my mind.

"He's crazy," I murmured to myself, though a smile crept onto my lips despite my efforts to dismiss him. I shook my head, trying to push him from my thoughts, but it was a losing battle.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and padded to the bathroom, deciding a shower might help clear my head. The cool water cascaded over me, but it did little to calm the turmoil inside.

As I got ready for college, my gaze kept drifting back to the package. Should I wear it? His voice echoed in my mind, firm yet playful: "Wear it tomorrow. I want to see you in it."

I bit my lip, torn. Part of me wanted to rebel, to show him he couldn't dictate my choices. But another part craved his approval, his attention, his praise.

"Alright," I said to myself, reaching for the package. I slipped on the bra, the silky fabric hugging my skin perfectly. It felt luxurious, almost too personal. I couldn't resist glancing at myself in the mirror, admiring how it enhanced my figure.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled on a fitted top, hoping it wouldn't make the change too obvious. Yet, even as I tried to focus on getting ready, my thoughts kept drifting back to him.

When I arrived at college, the air buzzed with the familiar chatter of students. My heart raced as I scanned the crowd, searching for him. But he was nowhere in sight.

I made my way to my first class, my thoughts a tangled mix of excitement and anxiety.

Every time someone called my name, I found myself turning, half-expecting to see Robert standing there with that infuriating smirk of his.

By lunchtime, I was feeling restless. I sat in the canteen, absentmindedly stirring my drink, when my phone buzzed. My heart raced as I saw his name light up the screen.

Robert: "Looking for me, Amy?"

I glanced around, searching for him, but he was nowhere to be found.

Me: "No. Why would I?"

His reply came almost immediately.

Robert: "Because I'm looking at you."

My breath caught in my throat. I scanned the room again, trying to find him. My phone buzzed again.

Robert: "Turn around."

I turned, and there he was, leaning casually against a pillar, his eyes locked onto mine. My pulse quickened as he walked over, his presence filling the space around him.

"You're late," I said, attempting to sound indifferent.

"Was I?" he replied, amusement lacing his tone. "Or were you just too early, eager to see me?"

I rolled my eyes, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response.

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You wore it, didn't you?"

My cheeks flushed. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He smirked, his gaze flicking briefly to my chest before returning to my face. "Liar," he murmured, his voice so low it sent shivers down my spine.

Before I could reply, he straightened and extended his hand. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" I asked, noticing the shift in his mood.

"You'll find out soon enough."

He guided me to the basketball court, which was deserted at this time of day. The sun cast long shadows on the ground, and the air was filled with the faint aroma of freshly cut grass.

"Why did you bring me here?" I asked, crossing my arms defensively.

He faced me, his expression serious. "I wanted to see you in your element."

I blinked, surprised. "What do you mean by that?"

"You're amazing on the court," he replied simply. "I want to see that passion again."

His words took me by surprise, and for a moment, I was at a loss for words. Then he handed me a basketball, a playful challenge in his smile.

"Show me what you can do, play with me" he urged.

I hesitated, but the spark in his eyes was too tempting to resist. With a resigned sigh, I took the ball and stepped onto the court.

As I began to play, I felt the familiar rush of adrenaline, my body moving instinctively, each step and shot a result of years of practice. All the while, I was acutely aware of his gaze, the intensity of his focus sending shivers down my spine.

He was trying to take the ball from me, came closer, touched my body with his body. I raised the ball above and thrown in the basket.

When I finally stopped, breathless and exhilarated, he approached me, his expression unreadable.

"You're incredible," he said softly, genuine admiration in his voice.

"Thanks," I replied, feeling my cheeks heat up.

He reached out, gently brushing a stray hair from my face. "And beautiful," he added, his tone almost reverent.

My breath caught as he leaned in, his lips close to my ear. "I'm glad you wore it," he whispered.

His words sent a thrill through me, and I pulled back slightly, my heart racing. "Robert…"

He grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Relax, Amy. I just wanted to see you smile."

And just like that, the tension melted away, replaced by a warmth that filled my chest.

As the day came to an end, I caught myself reflecting on him once more. His words, his actions, the way he made me feel both exposed and powerful all at once.

I wasn't sure where this was headed, but one thing was clear: Robert was different from anyone I had ever known, and he was gradually, unavoidably, becoming the focal point of my life.

As we left the basketball court, the late afternoon sun bathed the campus in a golden hue. The air had cooled, and a gentle breeze brushed against my skin. Robert walked beside me, his usual confidence replaced by a quiet contentment I hadn't noticed before.

"Hungry?" he asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

I glanced at him, a bit taken aback. "What?"

"Food," he clarified, a small smile forming on his lips. "You've been running around the court for ages. You must be starving."

I hesitated. I was indeed hungry, but the thought of spending more time with him was both thrilling and nerve-wracking.

"I guess," I finally admitted.

He beamed, a boyish charm lighting up his face. "Perfect. There's a place I want to take you."

Before I could voice any objections, he took my hand and led me toward the parking lot. His grip was warm and steady, and despite my mind urging me to pull away, my fingers instinctively intertwined with his.

"Robert, I really should—" I tried saying.

"No excuses," he interrupted, his tone a mix of firmness and playfulness. "Just trust me, okay?"

I sighed, allowing him to guide me into his car once more. As we drove, I couldn't help but steal glances at him. The way his hands held the steering wheel, the relaxed angle of his head, the slight movement of his lips as he hummed along to the soft music in the background—it was overwhelming and yet not enough at the same time.

Eventually, we arrived at a small diner tucked away on a quiet street. The neon sign flickered softly, and the cozy atmosphere inside was a welcome contrast to the bustling world outside.

"This is your go-to spot?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He shrugged. "Not exactly. But it feels right for today."

As we stepped inside, the aroma of fresh coffee and baked goods enveloped us. We found a booth by the window, and I slid into the seat across from him.

The waitress appeared moments later, her cheerful demeanor matching the warm vibe of the diner.

Robert ordered a couple of milkshakes and burgers without asking for my input, and while I wanted to be annoyed, I couldn't help but admire how effortlessly he took charge.

As we waited for our food, he leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed on me.

"You're quieter than usual," he said, a teasing tone in his voice.

"I'm just… processing," I replied, avoiding his eyes.

"Processing what?"

"Everything," I admitted. "Last night, today… you."

His expression softened, and for a moment, the playful spark in his eyes faded. "Do I confuse you that much?"

"Yes," I answered without hesitation. "You confuse me, infuriate me, and—"

"And what?" he asked, leaning forward, his elbows resting on the table.

"And…" I hesitated, biting my lip. "You make me feel things I'm not sure I'm ready to feel."

For a moment, he was silent. Then he reached across the table, his hand covering mine. His touch was gentle, almost tentative, sending a shiver down my spine.

"You don't have to be ready," he said softly. "I'll wait. As long as it takes."

The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard. I looked up, meeting his gaze, and for the first time, I saw something raw and unguarded in his eyes.

"Robert…" I started, but the waitress returned with our food, interrupting the moment.

We ate in relative silence, the occasional clink of silverware breaking the stillness. Yet, even without words, the connection between us felt tangible, as if the air itself buzzed with everything left unsaid.

After we finished, he paid the bill despite my protests and led me back to the car. The drive home was quiet, but it didn't feel uncomfortable. The city lights blurred past us, and I found myself leaning against the window, my thoughts swirling with emotions.

When we reached my house, he parked the car and turned to me. "Amy," he said, his voice softer than I'd ever heard it.

"Yes?"

"About what I said earlier… I meant it."

I nodded, unable to find the words to respond.

"And if you ever feel ready," he went on, "just know that I'll be here. No pressure, no expectations."

For a moment, I simply stared at him, my heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and something deeper, something I wasn't quite ready to acknowledge.

"Goodnight, Robert," I finally managed to say, my voice barely a whisper.

"Goodnight, Amy," he answered, a small, genuine smile spreading across his face.

I stepped out of the car and made my way to my door, my heart racing. As I reached for the handle, I glanced back, only to see him still watching me.

I lifted my hand in a small wave, and he mirrored the gesture before driving off into the night.

Once I closed the door behind me, I leaned against it, releasing a shaky breath. My emotions felt tangled, my mind swirling with confusion and anticipation.

But one thing was certain: whatever this was between us, it was just beginning. And I wasn't sure if I was ready for the journey ahead.