THE INVITATION
Alexander sat in his office, the dim glow of his desk lamp casting long shadows. He spun his phone between his fingers before finally dialing Rose's number.
The call connected.
"Hello?" Rose's voice came through, soft yet curious.
"Dinner. Tonight. Candlelight," he stated with his usual smooth confidence.
There was a pause, followed by a small chuckle. "You sure know how to ask a girl out, don't you?"
"I don't ask, Rose. I decide."
She sighed but there was amusement in her tone. "Fine. Pick me up at eight."
Alexander smirked. "Wear something breathtaking."
THE ARRIVAL
Dressed in a sleek gray suit, Alexander pulled up to Rose's house in his car, the engine humming in the cool night air. The headlights bathed the front of her house in silver light.
Then the door opened.
And she stepped out.
Alexander's sapphire-blue eyes widened slightly.
Rose wore a golden wrap dress, slightly translucent, draping elegantly over her body. It shimmered under the streetlights, casting soft glows across her skin. Her messy bun, though effortless, had strands framing her face perfectly. Around her neck, the pendant he had gifted her rested delicately, and on her wrist, the bracelet sparkled in the faint light.
For the first time in a long while…
Alexander just stared.
His sharp, unshaken demeanor wavered for a second.
Then, he stepped out of the car.
Walking towards her with slow, deliberate steps, he stopped inches from her, his intense gaze locked onto hers.
Then, in a voice as deep as the night and smooth as silk, he leaned in slightly, his lips brushing just near her ear as he whispered:
"If you keep looking this breathtaking, Rose… don't blame me if I forget all about dinner and just devour you instead."
Rose's breath hitched.
A violent blush spread across her cheeks, down her neck, her body frozen.
Her hands clutched the edge of her dress. "A-Alexander—!" she stammered.
Alexander only smirked. "That reaction is exactly why I enjoy teasing you."
Still flustered, Rose looked away, her cheeks burning.
He chuckled, then in one smooth motion, placed his hand gently on the small of her back, pulling her just a little closer before leading her to the car.
THE RESTAURANT
The restaurant was intimate, bathed in the soft glow of candlelight. A slow, romantic melody played in the background, blending with the quiet hum of conversation around them.
As they sat at their private table, Rose finally regained some of her composure.
She twirled a strand of her hair and asked, "I wonder…"
Alexander took a sip of his wine before raising an eyebrow. "What?"
She hesitated, then asked, "What if you were… a warmer person? More open, more gentle?"
Alexander leaned forward slightly, his sapphire-blue eyes gleaming in the candlelight.
"I am." He reached out, gently tracing a finger along the back of her hand. "When I'm with you."
Rose's cheeks flushed deep red. She looked away, pressing her lips together, flustered.
Alexander chuckled softly. "You blush too easily."
She sighed. "It's not fair when you say things like that so casually."
He smirked. "Then should I say it more dangerously?"
Rose gasped softly as he suddenly took her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed the back of her fingers slowly.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"A-Alexander…" she whispered.
His voice was smooth, teasing. "See? I can be warm when I want to be."
She covered her face, completely flustered.
They talked—about life, about the future, about things they had never spoken about before.
At some point, Rose smiled softly and said, "You know… I have the best boyfriend in the world."
Alexander, without hesitation, replied, "And I have the best girlfriend."
For a moment, there was no danger, no chaos.
Just them.