Chapter 64: Chapter 64

Looking outside the lifting cubicle, Slyvester was in a foul mood.

“Look! People are getting smaller! Wow!” the boy gasped while looking down.

Slyvester stared at the boy. ‘If not because of this boy, it should be Ryan and me together.’

He felt so bad that the romantic ride on the Ferris Wheel turned out to be babysitting a boy he doesn’t even know.

“Can I ask something?” the boy mumbled while looking through the glass window.

“What?” Slyvester answered with a flat voice.

“Are you and that lady’s boyfriend?”

Slyvester suddenly thought that this boy was cute.

“Do we look like a couple?” smiling, he responded.

“No. You don’t look good together.”

‘Nope. He’s not cute at all,’ Slyvester changed his mind.

“That was so adorable, kiddo,” Slyvester said while pinching his cheek.

“Ahh! That hurts!” The kid complained, holding his reddened cheeks.

‘Terban isn’t here, but I could see his soul through this boy,’ Slyvester thought while faking a smile.

“That’s not cool, bro. You kept on convincing me that you’re not enough for that lady,” he said.

“If not I, then who?”

“Me!” the boy said.

“You? You’re still a kid. What are you saying?”

“I am not a kid!”

“Coming from someone who crashed my date and rode this thing with me because you need an adult to accompany you. And then you’re saying, you’re not a kid? Very funny.”

Irritated, the kid glared at Slyvester while biting his lips. This is also how Terban looks when he’s annoyed!

“You are so childish. Once I grow up, I’ll steal your girl.”

“Do you think it will be that easy? You have too many competitors, kiddos.”

“I knew it. She’s so lovely that many would like to date her.”

Slyvester laughed at the kid’s reaction. “Are you sure you’re a kid?”

“I TOLD YOU, I AM NOT A KID!”

“Fine, fine. Suit yourself. As long as you know how lovely Ryan is, I have nothing to complain about.”

For the first time, Slyvester smiled genuinely at the boy.

The kid watched his expression and crinkled his eyes.

“Even if I hate you,” he said, “I had to admit that she likes you.”

Slyvester frowned and asked, “Who?”

“Sister Ryan. Her name is Ryan, right? I could tell that sister Ryan likes you.”

Surprised at the kid’s assessment, Slyvester asked more, “How can you tell?”

“She looked so sad that the two of you can’t ride in the same cubicle. I felt a bit guilty.”

When Ryan got jealous of Giselle, Slyvester took the hint that maybe, Ryan likes Slyvester too. This date was Slyvester’s other way to prove if he was wrong or if he was reading out of line.

“Poor Ryan. She might end up with a fool. If you and her won’t end up together, I will introduce her to my brother. He’s handsome and kind.”

Slyvester glared at the kid. He would have strangled his neck if he was not a kid.

The ride ended and they both exited the cubicle.

As soon as Slyvester stepped out of the cubicle, he looked at Ryan.

‘How can I prove it during this date?’

Slyvester started to think about this seriously. No more playing, he thought.

***

Tired and dizzy, Ryan and Slyvester sat in the corner to take a rest. The amusement park was about to close. Before going on a long ride back home, they decided to sit down and relax.

Both have no extra batteries left in their bodies.

Sipping on her iced tea, Ryan looked at the people leaving the amusement park. Some groups were taking the last minute to take pictures. Everything today looks so perfect, and Ryan had to admit that she particularly enjoyed this date.

“There are only a few hours left,” Slyvester, who was sitting next to her, said.

“For what? For the amusement park?”

“No. I mean our deal. I am pretending as your boyfriend, remember?”

Ryan could not answer. She kept her head away from Slyvester and then sip on her tea.

“I enjoyed this date. How about you?” Slyvester inquired.

Once again, she did not talk.

Ryan always felt happy with Slyvester even without their deal. The reason? Yes, she’s starting to like Slyvester as a man.

If that is so, then why can’t she admit her feelings? Was it because of her Pride? What else does she need to make sure she’s 100% in love with Slyvester?

“Me too. I enjoyed it,” Ryan answered in a low voice.

The green sign is on. Slyvester looked at her. Ryan could see him using her peripheral vision, but she pretended she did not. She was scared she would drown in the heat in his eyes.

“Ryan,” he called her name, so slow as if he was savoring each letter of that single word.

“Hmmm?”

“I wasn’t usually like this.”

“Like what?”

“Childish. Funny.”

“You must be kidding. Everyone on the campus called you the ‘Everyone’s best friend.’”

“That sounds like I am some kind of puppy.”

“You do look like a puppy.”

“Stop teasing me.”

They laughed together. And when the laughter subsided, Slyvester talked again.

“It wasn’t genuine. I always showed my happy character in front of everyone. But at the end of the day, it was… so fake. Sometimes, I don’t know who I am anymore.”

Ryan took her idle time before turning her head to his side.

The wind blew.

Oh, that damn wind that always blows at times like this.

Ryan tucked her hair behind her ears and waited for his words.

“But I felt so true to myself when I was with you. You bring the childish version of me.”

Chuckling, Ryan commented, “So, does it mean I am a good clown?”

He narrowed his eyes and responded, “Give me a joke. I’ll decide whether you’re a good clown.”

“Okay. Ahem.” She forged a cough. “So, what do you call an odd pizza?”

“Odd pizza? Pizza with pineapple!”

“Wrong! I love Pizza with pineapple.”

“Really? Everyone hates that.”

“Nope. The social media made everyone hates it. It’s good~”

“Okay. Okay. So, what’s the answer?”

Ryan leaned closer and whispered, “A weir-dough.”

Slyvester blinked. Soon, he shook his head. “It’s not funny.”

“It was! When my friend told me that joke, I laughed so hard.”

“Who? Emily?”

“No. It was Terb…”

Ryan ceased her words before she could say his name. She quickly looked at Slyvester, wondering what his expression would be.

Slyvester was still smiling. But this time, it wasn’t sincere.

“So, it’s Terban. Stop learning from him. It’s not funny,” Slyvester commented.

“T-Terban told me that when we were kids. Right now, he’s less funny.”

“Right. He’s boring and… grumpy.” Slyvester frowned as he continued, “Can we stop talking about him?”

“S-Sure.”

“Thanks. And also…”

“What?”

Ryan was startled when Slyvester suddenly removed the bandaid on her cheek.

“What are you doing?! Give it back! H…!”

Slyvester grabbed her chin and looked closely at her face.

As he cut the distance between them, Ryan froze. Her eyes widened while looking at Slyvester’s face.

“A pimple. You’re hiding a pimple? That’s cute.”

“D-Don’t tease me.” She tried to push his hand away, but Slyvester held her chin even more.

Once again, their eyes met.

“You’re hiding your pimple because you’re conscious about me.”

“…”

Ryan could only shut her lips while breathing heavily.

“Why?” he asked. “Why are you hiding a simple thing like this? We saw a lot of each other while living under the same roof. A pimple like that shouldn’t be a big deal.”

Ryan gulped. She clenched her fist while avoiding his eyes.

“B-Because I am a lady. Women tend to get conscious of their bodies.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course! I am… sure.”

Slyvester let go of her chin.

Ryan thought she had nothing to worry about and sighed in relief. But…

“I need to check it,” he said before he cupped her cheeks with both of his hands.

She was forced to look straight into his eyes.

“Watchu doing? (what are you doing?)” she asked, blinking.

“We made a deal before. Today, I will pretend as your boyfriend. The day isn’t over yet,” he said.

“So?”

Slyvester suddenly leaned closer and pecked on her lips.

“…!”

Bewildered, Ryan looked at Slyvester as if her soul left her body! What was that?!

It was too quick, but she really felt his soft lips brushing on hers!

Then she gawked at those sensual eyes which kept on pulling her closer and closer.

She had to push him away. Ryan might fall into a pit if she stayed still. Slyvester tilted his head, deliberately bumping his nose onto her nose.

With her half-closed eyes, she could see the smile playing on his sweet lips.

“W-What is this about?” she whispered in a very small voice as if she was drunk.

“Something a boyfriend would do to check if his girlfriend is lying.”

He pecked her forehead.

A bolt of electricity spread through her body. Wordless, she stayed, waiting for the next time he’d cut the distance between them.

After kissing her forehead, he pecked her cheek, pulled back, and stared at her face for seconds.

The emotions swirling inside Ryan were too much for her to handle. She just closed her eyes and let him do what he wanted on the pretext that he was pretending to be her boyfriend, which technically doesn’t make sense.

And with her eyes closed, Ryan felt a soft lump nibbling her lips.

That was her first kiss.

But Ryan didn't kiss back or open her mouth in response. Perhaps, she didn’t know what to do in this situation.

How to kiss back?

She only learned that through watching movies or reading books.

Therefore, her lips stayed pursed while Slyvester was nibbling her lower lip.

Sensing her nervousness, Slyvester saw that he should take the lead. He continued biting on her lower lip, nibbling it very slowly as if he were fondling a marshmallow.

His hands held her cheeks as he deepened his lips on hers. When he started to lick the seam of her mouth, Ryan’s lips parted a little.

A chance came.

Slyvester shoved his tongue inside her mouth, knocking, asking for permission. And Ryan granted him access. She opened her mouth, stealing Sylvester’s rationality. He snatched her tongue as his burning hands reached her waist, drawing her closer.

“Hmmm,” Ryan moaned, as she had her eyes half opened, sneaking a guilty peek at him every time he came back for air, just to make sure this wasn’t a product of her imagination.

His tongue touched her tongue, quick, electric, and delicious, then firmer, more determined, more curious about the heat that lay within, seeking to chase down that elusive liquid lightning that reached through them.

Tilting their heads, seeking each corner that wasn’t wet yet, they shared breaths. The rustle of clothes rubbing each other and the sensual sounds of their saliva filling the hot air.

At this moment, all complicated thoughts left their minds. Only the sweet feelings remained, devouring their hearts and souls.

They dated, held each other’s hands, and even kissed.

The question: What will happen after they get back home?