The Playboy’s Downfall novel Chapter 2

I know this feeling may grow more than I thought and all I need to do is to ready myself not to get hurt—can I?

What if… one day, I got the urge to confess—I shook my head. Damn, it. Stop overthinking, self, I thought.

“Anything wrong?” His breath lingers into my ears as he whispered those words and equaled my pace.

I shook my head. “It’s nothing,” I answered and looked at him, lifting my head to meet his alluring eyes.

His forehead creased. “Seems like something is bothering you,” he told me.

I fake a laugh and encircled my arm into his, which I was about to withdraw when he slide his hand into mine, intertwining our fingers.

Surprised, I stared at our hands before looking into his eyes. “I don’t want other men, looking at you,” he replied and we continue to walk until a waiter approaches us.

I don’t know what to feel at that moment, embarrassed? Thrilled? Lucky? Or not? These are just Zero friendly gestures, right?

But why does my heart thump like this when I can overhear it?

“I have a reservation.” My sense came back when Zero spoke.

CAN SOMEONE, who’s bound with a no-string-attached, will treat you to candlelight dinner, acoustic music lingering the atmosphere with the harmonious wave of the violins being played on?

If yes… then should I call myself: lucky? Or should I say, I am just a dreamer? Is this just a dream? Because I am here, sitting in a chair, food served in front of us and a glass of champagne on my side. Zero’s eyes met mine and I can finally see an emotion. It’s glee.

“Did you like it?”

I was caught off guard at first and gasped. “W-What?”

Zero flashed a smile—not a devilish one but a genuine one. “This.” He roamed his eyes around and they stopped in mine.

I don’t know what to say. I can’t find the right words. I’m afraid that I may say something unseemly. However, Zero’s facial expression urges that he’s waiting for my answer.

I smiled, faintly. “I don’t know what to say. Is this ours or the restaurant has a special occasion tonight?”

Zero laughed softly as if it was a kind of music that blends with the harmony of the violin. “No, it’s not. I thought a lady like you should be treated in this way… I didn’t give any gift on that special day—you knew I don’t know any sweet—”

“God, Zero, it’s fine,” I let out a laugh. “I’m not wishing for it—”

“Come on, let us savor the moment. This is a gift—” I put my hand into his palm and gently grasped it.

He flashed a smile at me as we walked into the center. I put my arms around his nape and he put his hands on my waist. After a few moments, I found myself swaying as he leads me. I don’t want to lift my face as I am afraid to meet his eyes. I don’t want him to read the emotion that lingers in mine. I don’t want either to have false hope if I see what’s in those perfect pair of eyes.

“How was the food?” Zero asked, and I knew he just want to break the silence between us.

“It’s appetizing,” I replied, my eyes landed on the musicians on our left.

Suddenly, Zero’s hand moved into my jaw and lifted my face—making me, meet his eyes.

“I’m glad,” he answers.

After that, silence lingers between us again, and the music changes as we enter the last part earlier, now, the *You’re The Reason* acoustic version was played.

Suddenly, Zero’s right hand reached for my left while his other hand is on my waist. His left went up for a while and let me lean into his chest. “Let us stay like this,” he whispered.

Now, we’re dancing, grasping hands while he let me hear the beating of his heart.