Chapter 100 - THE FIRST TOUCH

[Music Recommendation: "Scenery" by Kim Taehyung (BTS - V) available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

[PS. HAPPY 100TH CHAPTER!!! OMG! I can't believe we already reached this stage in just a month and two weeks. Because of that, enjoy this special chapter for today! And thank you for all the support! Love you lots Pumpkins!]

The week passed by quickly with me writing my book and researching about dating. As I researched, I stumbled on a LOT of mature stuff I wasn't brave enough to handle, so I scrapped them off and went to another page.

There was a time that Hora caught me searching about things couples do and she teased me non-stop. I had to drag her out of my room so I could continue on my research. So far, I managed to gather lots of dos and don'ts in a relationship. Not that we're having a real relationship—it's gonna be a fake one—but we had to be convincing, right?

Once done with my research, I hurriedly went to Kaiden's room to discuss things with him. It was Saturday again and for some reason, I felt so excited doing the grand charade. It's wrong to lie to everyone, but it felt more like pranking to me than lying. Weird. Was it because of the fact that I truly had feelings with Kaiden?

Hmm… Yes. It's probably that. Basically, I wasn't lying with my emotions. It's the relationship that wasn't real. But since Kaiden didn't include it in the contract that we're not supposed to fall in love with each other, that meant I could seduce him all I want, right? He-he-he-he.

When I reached Kaiden's room—with the help of a maid of course, or else, I'd get lost—I didn't bother knocking and just opened it. It was rude but due to my excitement, I forgot to knock. And so, I pranced inside, holding a piece of paper on my hands that contained the dating tips.

What I didn't know was that Kaiden just finished bathing, and he was changing his clothes!

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaa!" I screamed the moment I saw his half naked body.

'T-t-those a-abs! OMG OMG OMG! I think I'm dying! B-bare chest… so smooth and white and… KYAAAAAAA!!!'

Yup. I accidentally saw his naked upper body. He was putting on a shirt at that moment. Good thing he had his pants on or I would have died that instant. RIP me.

'Senara, this is the reason why you should NOT forget to knock on people's doors.'

Oh my goodness! Why couldn't there be a system here that warns me if something along my path would be too hot to handle?!

Badump! Badump! Badump!

In my shock, I dropped the paper I was holding which Kaiden took notice so he picked it up for me.

"Are you okay? Why did you scream?" he asked nonchalantly as if it was totally fine for me to see his naked upper body. I repeat. His NAKED upper body!

'My goodness! I think I won't be able to sleep tonight. Ugh. Nasty thoughts, begone!'

"Y-yeah. I'm fine," I tried to keep my cool. "I—ah, I screamed because I didn't know you were changing clothes. I'm sorry, I should have knocked."

Kaiden smirked. "It's fine. Did you enjoy the view?"

I gulped at his question and pursed my lips, trying to hide my smile.

"Y-Yes. N-nice body!" I agreed, trying to act cool about it but my face was probably giving me away. I bet I looked like a tomato again. "N-nice abs. You still workout with Callan?"

"From time to time, yes," he shrugged. Then, going on to the topic, he asked "Why did you come? Is it because of this?" He gave me the piece of paper I dropped a moment ago.

"Ahh, yes. I did a little research and I wanted to show it to you."

"Alright. We can discuss it over snacks. What do you want?"

'Ahm… Honestly, after what I saw, I think I'm not hungry anymore.'

Oh my goodness. My photographic memory was working so well to the point I could imagine his body vividly in front of me even if he was already clothed.

'Come on, Senara! Stop it! KYAAAAAAA! But great job there photographic memory! Go keep that image buried in your mind deep so you're free to imagine anytime. He-he-he. Oh my goodness. My impure thoughts are kicking again.'

"Senara?" Kaiden called me again. It seemed I dazed out for a moment there.

"Oh! I'm so sorry. Ahm… I'll have some—thing cold. Ice cream? Chocolate flavour this time."

Then, Kaiden ordered the maids to get us ice cream and water. While we waited, we discussed the thing I came for. He probably did better research than I did but he still listened to me. By the time the ice cream arrived, we were already done discussing so we just ate peacefully.

While eating, a sudden idea came to mind.

"Kaiden," I called him. He was sitting in front of me at that time, so I stood up and changed my seat to his side.

'Go on, Senara! Be brave!'

"What is it?" he asked, turning his head and body towards me.

"Do you want to try it? Touching?" I bravely asked. "I just thought it would be more convincing if we can touch a bit, right? As long as you're okay with it, of course. Nothing too complex. Just here, on the hand?"

Kaiden tensed up. He flinched and a few sweat formed on his forehead. But he toughened himself and faced me. Looking determined, he nodded.

"A-alright. Let's try it," he said, though his lips trembled.

I gave him a sweet and reassuring smile.

"Relax. It's just me. And besides, it's going to be simple."

I raised my left hand and demonstrated it to him.

"First, this is my palm, and all you have to do is try to touch it with your forefinger. Like this."

Then, I used the forefinger of my right hand and touched my left palm with it.

"See? Just that. If you're feeling a bit brave, then try writing the first letter of your name—K. Try stroking 3 times to form a K."

"I see," he gulped. "Okay. I'll give it a try."

And so, I held out my left palm, not moving it even an inch, to make sure he approached me on his own. Kaiden raised his right hand's forefinger and pointed at my palm. Breathing heavily, he moved it closer and closer to my palm.

Until…

His forefinger landed on the center of my palm…

Badump! Badump! Badump!

It was just something simple like that but… it felt warm and somehow, my heart wouldn't stop beating loudly in my chest.