It was another best night.
The golden rays of dawn filtered through the hotel curtains, painting the room in soft hues of amber and gold. I blinked, my vision clearing as the ache from last night's... activities reminded me of the intensity. My arms tightened instinctively around the warm body beside me.
Nyssa stirred, her orange hair an unruly halo against the pillow. Even in its chaotic state, it managed to look perfect on her.
"Morning," she murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep as she curled closer, her breath tickling my chest.
"Morning," I replied softly, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. Her skin was warm against mine, and the way she fit in my arms felt like the world had finally aligned.
Her green eyes fluttered open, meeting mine with a sleepy smile. "We need to pack," she said, her tone light but firm.
I groaned, resting my chin atop her head. "Five more minutes?"
She laughed softly, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on my chest. "You said that last night, and look where it got us."
"Worth it," I muttered, earning an amused shake of her head.
Her hand stilled, and she pushed herself up slightly, her hair falling over her shoulder like a fiery waterfall. The sheet she wrapped around herself barely stayed in place, teasing more than it covered.
"You're impossible," she said, her voice carrying a mix of fondness and exasperation.
"I thought I was irresistible," I teased, running a hand up her back.
"You're that too," she admitted, her cheeks turning a faint pink.
I took advantage of the moment, leaning forward to brush my lips against her neck. She gasped softly, her fingers curling against my skin.
"Henry," she warned, but her tone lacked conviction.
"Hmm?" I mumbled, trailing kisses down her collarbone.
She shivered, her hand moving to my shoulder as I continued, my lips brushing the curve of her chest. Her breathing quickened, and for a moment, I thought she might let me continue.
Then she gently pushed against my shoulder. "We really need to pack," she said, though her voice was shaky.
I sighed dramatically, looking up at her with a mock pout. "You're no fun."
Her lips quirked into a smile, and she leaned down to press a quick kiss to my forehead. "Plenty of fun later. Right now, we have things to do."
She slid out of bed, her movements fluid as she adjusted the sheet around her. The sunlight caught the curve of her silhouette, and I couldn't help but stare.
She caught my gaze and arched an eyebrow. "If you keep looking at me like that, we'll never leave."
"Maybe that's the plan," I said with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes but laughed, heading toward the bathroom. "Behave yourself, Novar. I'm taking a shower."
As the sound of running water filled the room, I let out a breath, already counting down the minutes until I could pull her back into my arms.
As we packed the remnants of our stay, most of our luggage was sent directly to the Novar residence. Nyssa insisted on keeping her essentials with her, though, meticulously sorting through her things while I haphazardly tossed mine into a bag.
"Do you always pack like a hurricane passed through?" she teased, watching me shove clothes into a duffel.
"It's efficient," I said defensively, zipping the bag with a triumphant grin.
She rolled her eyes but smiled, her green eyes softening. "Ready?"
"Always," I replied, stealing a quick kiss before we checked out.
The Novar estate stood as imposing as ever, its grandeur greeting us as the chauffeur pulled up to the circular driveway. The ride had been quiet, a welcome reprieve after our exhausting night and morning preparations.
"Welcome back!" My mom's voice rang out the moment Nyssa and I stepped through the grand double doors. She and my dad stood waiting in the foyer, grinning like they'd just pulled off the surprise of the century.
I froze mid-step, the hairs on the back of my neck tingling with a mix of suspicion and dread. "Why do I feel like there's a trap waiting for me?" I muttered under my breath.
The corridor leading to this spectacle felt endless, the glossy marble floors stretching ahead like a silent warning. I cast a sideways glance at Nyssa, her hand warm in mine, as a quiet laugh escaped her lips.
"It can't be that bad," she said, her voice teasing.
I arched a brow. "Famous last words."
Ahead of us, my father, an otherwise composed and dignified man, was practically skipping. "Come, come!" he urged, his enthusiasm unnervingly uncharacteristic as he led us down the hallway.
Nyssa leaned in, her voice a whisper, "They seem... eager."
"That's what worries me," I muttered, scanning the polished corridor as if something might leap out at any moment. My parents' theatrics knew no bounds, but even this felt excessive.
At the end of the hallway stood a scene so over-the-top it could have belonged in a parody of some extravagant drama. A massive red ribbon stretched across a grand double doorway, flanked by velvet curtains cascading to the floor in all their dramatic glory. At the center of it all, resting on a crimson cushion, was the pièce de résistance: an absurdly oversized pair of golden scissors.
I stopped dead, dragging a hand down my face as I let out a groan. "No. Absolutely not."
Nyssa bit her lip, clearly suppressing laughter as she followed my mother's beckoning to pick up the ludicrous scissors. Their weight made her wobble slightly as she adjusted her grip, and even then, she somehow managed to look graceful.
"Is this really necessary?" I gestured to the production, my tone pleading for sanity.
"Yes!" my parents declared in unison, their gleeful tones erasing any chance of negotiation.
With a helpless laugh, Nyssa shrugged and snipped the ribbon.
"Ta-da!" my dad proclaimed, yanking a velvet cord.
The curtains parted with a flourish, revealing... a small golden key resting atop yet another cushion.
Nyssa tilted her head, curious. "A key?"
My brows knit together. "What's it for?"
"Follow the red carpet to find out!" my dad said, gesturing grandly.
My eyes followed his gesture, and sure enough, there was a plush red carpet that stretched further down the hall. I blinked. "There's a red carpet?"
Nyssa and I exchanged skeptical glances before cautiously following it, the key clutched in her hands like it might grow teeth.
The path led to yet another curtain-draped wall, this one in a part of the estate I barely recognized.
"What's this?" I asked, gesturing at the ornate setup, my wariness growing.
"Pull the cord and see!" my mother chirped, practically bouncing with excitement.
Nyssa, ever the good sport, tugged the cord. The velvet drapes fell away to reveal... a door.
I frowned. "A door?"
With a flourish, my dad opened it to unveil an elegant, beautifully furnished room that exuded warmth and comfort.
"This," my mother announced with pride, "is your room, Nyssa!"
Nyssa gasped softly as she stepped inside, her fingers brushing the edge of a plush throw draped over the couch. Her eyes sparkled as she took in the thoughtful decor, from the soft amber lighting to the delicate arrangements of her favorite flowers. "It's beautiful," she said sincerely, her voice thick with emotion.
"Glad you like it!" my dad said smugly.
"And there's more!" my mother added, pointing to another door.
A sinking feeling crept into my chest. "What's behind there?"
Nyssa opened it to reveal... my room.
"They're connected?" she asked, glancing back at my mother, whose grin stretched ear to ear.
My father's smirk deepened. "We thought it'd be convenient."
"For what?" I demanded, my voice rising slightly.
"For family bonding," he replied, feigning innocence. Then, with a not-so-subtle wink, he added, "Oh, and the walls are soundproof. You know, for privacy."
Heat surged to my face as Nyssa stifled a laugh, clearly reveling in my mortification.
"Isn't it perfect?" my mom asked, her eyes gleaming with maternal pride.
I opened my mouth, then closed it again, utterly speechless.
Nyssa turned to me with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Looks like we'll be neighbors," she teased, her tone laced with playful implications.
"Yeah, uh, neighbors," I muttered, scratching the back of my neck as I avoided her gaze.
"Oh, and these are for you!" my mom added, handing Nyssa two ornate gift boxes.
Panic set in immediately. "Wait!" I yelped, lunging to intercept them, but Nyssa was already opening the first one.
Inside was a framed marriage certificate, complete with fake signatures.
The second box? A neatly arranged set of condoms.
I groaned, burying my face in my hands as my parents grinned like they'd just won the matchmaking Olympics.
Nyssa, her cheeks tinged pink, held up the certificate with one hand, biting back laughter. "I don't even know what to say."
"And there's more!" my dad added triumphantly, pulling out a third envelope.
Nyssa opened it cautiously, revealing two VIP amusement park tickets. The accompanying note read:
"You've worked hard for your midterms, so enjoy a well-deserved break. Have fun! Love, Mom and Dad."
Her eyes lit up as she looked at the tickets, her earlier embarrassment melting away. "This is amazing!" she said with genuine enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, I was mentally plotting my escape route, praying for the ground to swallow me whole.
"Seriously?" I groaned, my head snapping up. "You're just going to give us tickets like this after... that?" I gestured to the certificate and condoms with exasperation.
My mom clasped her hands together, beaming. "We're just so proud of you both!"
"And we thought you deserved a little fun," my dad added smugly.
Nyssa glanced at me, holding up the tickets with a teasing grin. "Looks like your parents want us to take a vacation together."
I groaned again, already picturing how over-the-top the entire trip was going to be.
Before I could wallow further in impending doom, my mom perked up, her voice brimming with her usual enthusiasm. "You can move in anytime, sweetie!" she chirped, clearly eager to steer the conversation elsewhere.
My heart stuttered. Move in?
I turned to Nyssa, my mom's words hanging in the air like an anvil, only to find her gazing at me with a teasing glint in her eyes. "Maybe after finals," she said casually, her lips curving into that sly, knowing smile that always spelled trouble for me.
My brain short-circuited. Wait, what?!
I froze in place, staring at her like she'd just suggested we elope. "What?" The word tumbled out before I could stop it, my voice cracking slightly.
Her grin widened, clearly enjoying my reaction. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?" she teased, her tone laced with mock innocence.
My parents, of course, exchanged smug, knowing smiles, their faces glowing with the satisfaction of master puppeteers pulling the strings.
I, meanwhile, was spiraling. The mental image of Nyssa moving in, living under the same roof—my roof—filled my mind. It was a tantalizing thought, one I had no business entertaining. My face heated to a degree that felt thermonuclear, my mind racing to figure out how to salvage what little composure I had left.
I coughed, loudly, desperate to regain some control. "Uh, finals first," I said, my voice coming out a little too high-pitched as I flailed for an escape route. "Let's, uh, focus on finals first!"
Nyssa's eyes twinkled with amusement, but she didn't press further. "Of course," she said sweetly, her tone entirely too innocent to trust.
My mom gave a little clap, clearly thrilled. "It's settled, then! After finals, we'll start making arrangements!"
"What arrangements?!" I blurted out, my voice bordering on panic.
"Why, living arrangements, dear," my dad said smoothly, his smirk making it abundantly clear that he was enjoying my suffering.
I groaned, burying my face in my hands. I could already tell this wasn't the last time this topic would come up—and worse, I wasn't entirely sure I wanted it to be. That thought alone made my face burn hotter.
__
The drive to Nyssa's apartment was relatively quiet, though the anticipation for the amusement park lingered in the air. As we pulled up to her building, I glanced at the modest structure and felt a pang of disbelief.
"This is it?" I asked as we stepped inside.
Nyssa chuckled, rolling her eyes as she led me to her door. "Yes, Henry. Not everyone lives in a mansion."
The moment we walked in, I took in the small but undeniably cozy space. The furniture was simple, the decor practical, but there were little touches—like a neatly arranged bookshelf and a vase of fresh flowers—that screamed Nyssa's personality.
"You really lived here?" I asked again, still amazed.
"Why do you sound so surprised?" she teased, setting her bag down and pulling out a list of essentials to pack. "It's not like I was living under a bridge."
"It's just... different," I admitted, trailing off as I wandered around, taking everything in.
While she busied herself packing, I found myself drawn to her closet. On a whim, I grabbed one of her neatly folded shirts and brought it to my face. The faint scent of her perfume clung to the fabric, soft and floral, and I inhaled deeply, completely mesmerized.
"Henry."
Her voice made me jump, and I turned to see her standing behind me, her arms crossed and an amused smile tugging at her lips.
"Are you sniffing my clothes?" she asked, her green eyes sparkling with mischief.
Caught red-handed, I froze. "Uh... no?"
She raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening as she stepped closer. "If you like the smell so much, why don't you sniff the source?"
Before I could respond, she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a hug. Her scent surrounded me, warm and intoxicating, and I couldn't help but bury my face in her shoulder.
"Better?" she asked, her tone teasing but affectionate.
"Much," I admitted, tightening my hold on her.
For a moment, we just stood there, wrapped in each other's embrace. Then Nyssa gently pushed me away, her cheeks slightly pink as she turned back to her packing.
"I need to finish this, or we'll be late," she said, her voice softer than usual.
I watched her for a moment, my chest tightening with an inexplicable warmth. "Need help?"
"Nope. Just stay out of trouble," she replied, throwing me a grin over her shoulder.
Once everything was packed and ready to go, she paused by the bathroom door. "Wait here," she said, disappearing inside.
When she returned, my jaw nearly hit the floor.
Standing in the doorway, Nyssa twirled slightly, showing off a sleek, flattering swimsuit that hugged her curves perfectly. The deep green fabric complimented her hair and eyes, making her look like she'd just stepped out of a magazine.
"Well?" she asked, her tone teasing as she caught my stunned expression.
"You're going to kill me," I muttered, running a hand through my hair.
She laughed, a soft, melodic sound that only made her more irresistible. "Save that energy for the amusement park."
Easier said than done. My thoughts were already spiraling, but I managed to pull myself together as we grabbed our bags and headed out to the car.
As we settled into the backseat, Nyssa glanced at me with a sly smile. "So, what do you think of my apartment?"
"It's nice," I replied, leaning closer. "But I prefer the view in here."
Her blush was worth every teasing remark.
__
The indoor swimming pool in our lounge gleamed under the soft golden lights, its shimmering surface promising luxurious privacy and utter relaxation. Before I could even take a proper step inside, Nyssa's voice rang out, pulling my focus from the pool to her.
"Henry!" she called, practically bouncing on her feet. "Can we just stay here all day? Please?"
I couldn't help the grin that tugged at my lips. She was absolutely glowing with excitement, a sight I could've stared at forever. Of course, I wasn't going to let the moment pass without teasing her.
I held up the box of condoms my parents had oh-so-generously packed, giving it a waggle that was equal parts mischievous and suggestive. "We'll enjoy it later tonight," I drawled, keeping my tone as infuriatingly playful as I could manage.
Her cheeks flared red as she crossed her arms, glaring at me. "You're impossible."
"And yet, you're still here," I shot back with a grin, pivoting toward my suitcase before she could come up with a retort.
As I rummaged through the bag, I caught Nyssa's curious gaze on me from the corner of my eye. Perfect. I grabbed my secret weapon and turned around in full dramatic flair.
Her reaction was priceless. Nyssa froze, her eyes widening in absolute shock, one hand flying up to her mouth.
"Henry," she choked out, barely holding back laughter. "What are you wearing?"
I adjusted the floppy bunny ears perched on my head and struck what I imagined was a regal pose. The obnoxiously bright yellow hoodie, complete with the park's grinning bunny mascot, was admittedly a far cry from my usual style. The sunglasses I was proudly sporting indoors.
She was clearly trying not to lose it, which made the whole thing even better. "Alright," I announced, holding up the park brochure as though it were the Holy Grail. "Here's the plan for today!"
Nyssa's eyes darted to the brochure, her amusement bubbling beneath the surface.
"First," I said, jabbing at the map, "we hit the roller coaster—front row, obviously. Then the teacups. After that, we try the shooting games, and we absolutely have to hit the DDR machine. I hear it's the most challenging one in the country."
Nyssa just stared at me, slack-jawed, like she was trying to reconcile this version of me with the one from last night—the confident man who'd led her through an entirely different kind of adventure.
"Henry..." she finally said, her voice laden with disbelief.
"Yes?" I replied, feigning innocence while practically vibrating with excitement.
"You're ridiculous."
I smirked, unfazed. "Ridiculously prepared," I corrected, giving her a wink.
She burst into laughter, the sound warm and genuine, and I couldn't stop the stupid grin on my face. So, maybe I looked absurd, but if it meant seeing her this happy, it was worth every second.