Heartthrob - COMPLETED

Chapter 31

"Sleeping beauty, wake up!" Irwin's voice pierced through my sleep as he playfully threw a pillow on my face and tugged at my bed sheet.

"You're so annoying, go away," I grumbled, yanking the bed sheet over me in an attempt to block out the intrusion. However, my efforts backfired as I pulled too hard, causing Irwin to lose his balance and fall onto the bed. Our lips touched once again, and we found ourselves in an unexpected kiss. His lips were soft against mine, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else.

"Get away from me!" I exclaimed, my eyes still closed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and confusion. "Woah, chill out, princess. I'm here for my towel," Irwin said, an amused frown on his face. "Wait, you're red again? Did you kiss me in your dreams?" he teased, a proud smirk playing on his lips.

"Shut up, none of your business," I retorted, feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I hastily ran away, shutting the door of the bathroom behind me, trying to escape the situation that was becoming increasingly obvious-I liked him, and these accidental kisses were making it harder to ignore.

I hurried downstairs as I heard Calantha's familiar voice. Their arrival was unexpectedly early by an hour. Today was planned for a casual visit, with the anticipation of exploring the local bubble festival featuring stalls selling locally made products. The festival was to be hosted by Aunt Babei, who I suspected might have some matchmaking intentions given the mention of her grandchildren coming from Atlanta. As I descended the stairs, my thoughts wandered to Gregoire and Gregoria, the twins and my childhood friends. It had been five years since I last saw them, and it turned out that we had ended up attending the same university. I pursued a double degree, majoring in Management, Finance, and Philosophy, while Gregoire opted for a pure Mathematics degree, earning him the label of the resident nerd, albeit a brilliant one.

Gregoria had become a famous model and photographer, her name echoing in the world of fashion and art. Her capuccino-brown curly hair framed a heart-shaped face, adorned with pink lips and hazel light eyes that spoke of both warmth and confidence. As a renowned figure in the industry, her presence was undoubtedly striking. On the other hand, Gregoire had delved into the tech world, establishing himself as a tech geek who opened a marketing agency. Merging his company with his father's, he earned the title of the "hottest tech guy." Despite the accolades, he managed to maintain a low profile, with no pictures of him circulating in the media. With his capuccino light brown curly hair, he accentuated his sharp jawlines. Even with glasses and braces, his handsome features were undeniable, exuding intelligence and charm.

As I anticipated the reunion with my childhood friends, I couldn't help but wonder about the transformations they had undergone over the years. As Romeo and Gregory headed off to the airport, I couldn't help but notice the exchanged looks between them before leaving. It left me feeling a bit puzzled, wondering if there was something going on that I wasn't aware of. However, with their departure, the focus shifted to the plans at hand. Calantha suggested going to see Azlert, and when she asked who was coming with her, I mentioned having some work with Aunt Babei. Irwin, ever the supportive friend, volunteered to stay with Aunt Babei in case someone needed something. It seemed like a casual decision, but the knowing looks exchanged between Romeo and Gregory lingered in the back of my mind.

After they all left, it was just Irwin and me. I turned to him, breaking the silence, and asked, "So, what are we doing today?" Irwin, with a shy smile, suggesting going on a ride. The idea appealed to me, and I agreed, noting that the weather looked beautiful. Irwin nodded in agreement, adding, "Yeah, the sun is radiant." As we prepared to leave, I caught Irwin looking at me with a thoughtful expression. Curious, I asked, "What?" He hesitated for a moment before replying, "Nothing, let's go?" Despite the slight mystery lingering in the air, we set off for our ride, ready to enjoy the day together.