Chereads / Illusive Eden - He Pretends He's the Hero / Chapter 17 - Burning in love

Chapter 17 - Burning in love

(Later in the Night)

Neva and Rhett were napping, cozied up under the heat of a kotatsu table, fighting against the cold fall.

November in capital of Erriador had always been wintry, despite autumn still persistent.

Rhett's deeply asleep, his face snuggled up on his folded arms, resting on the surface of the table.

Bearing sleepy eyes, Neva looks around through thin slitted lids, her glance landing on his glowering features.

'He's dreaming,' Neva giggles.

Laying down on her folded arm, she sighs, smiling sweet at him. She couldn't fathom how her life changed beyond belief. Within a span of a couple months, she observed as though her whole world differed. She has an altercation within herself, even going as far to perceive, perhaps she had a twist of fate. Fortuitously stuck in an alternate universe.

The passed late september, she decided to leave aunt May behind, to be back in her paternal country 'Erriador', where she was born and raised.

She couldn't even have imagined, her life would come to light this way.

After she got into an accident and suffered amnesia, her father's only sister and her husband took her in.

From then on, she was homeschooled for the rest of her life. Neva was shut off from the world. She wouldn't be in contact with humans outside her abode. Aunt May loved her and protected her.

Neva had no idea why May was persistent in keeping her hidden, and disapproved of her being so visible to the outside world.

May initially disagreed Neva returning to her hometown, and only assented if she changed her name.

Neva Evara Noe swapped to Neva Mae.

She didn't interrogate further; trusting her.

Neva smiles, feeling blessed. She made a fair resolve, leaving her past behind to start pristine.

Regardless of not making a huge circle of friends, she feels gratified for the few people she connected with.

Especially, for the man dozing off close by her.

She studies the time on her phone, indicating 11 of night.

She opts to awake him, worrying he would wake up with sore muscles.

"Rhett wake up, go sleep on your bed."

Neva utters in a whispery voice. Rhett doesn't budge a bit. She clicks her tongue.

"Rhett, wake up," she shakes his body, but he refuses to move a muscle still.

"Rhett?" She calls, a little scared, he's like a dead log.

"Mmm~ be mine~" The guy grins mad, eyes closed. Neva grits her teeth, agitated.

'Whom is he hallucinating? Such a Playboy! He flirts with everyone doesn't he?!'

"Rhett! Leave My Apartment!!" Neva yells, exasperated, shaking him hard.

Alas, he wakes up dizzy. "Huh! Angel?" He stupidly scans the surroundings. "Why are we here..." He trails off, glancing at her stunned. "Weren't we stargazing?"

'Oh... He was dreaming of me?'

Neva realises she felt frustrated because she was jealous? Hah!! As if, she panicks, and hurriedly dismisses the thoughts.

She inhales and exhales, "Go to your bed, don't sleep here."

"Was I napping here?" Rhett scratches his head, grieving he stargazed with Neva in his fantasy.

Neva hums in response. She assumes he probably dreamed about stars, since they previously talked about her course in Space science—she currently studies.

And the fact; she confessed her wish to stargaze with fireflies adorning a flowery field.

Chuckling at his cuteness, she pats his head. Rhett blinks at her—her soft touches melting him.

The dream furthermore intensified his compassionate and devoted love; stimulating his adamant longing for her.

His being, desiring affection from her.

Neva sits their stiff. Suddenly, taken aback by Rhett embracing her. Rhett nestles his face, between Neva's neck and shoulders.

"Neva, I'm insanely in love with you." He confesses, startling her.

Time moves suspiciously obtuse. Rhett pulls away, Neva did not hint any reaction. He stares at her beautiful face, bearing a vacant expression. He feels a pang in his heart.

Could Neva, ever, feel anything for him?

He smiles, enduring an acidic taste in his mouth. Looking down at his hands deafeatedly—placed on his lap. Moments advancing...

And, out of nowhere, two pairs of slim arms wraps around his brittled frame, leaving him perflexed.

Neva secures him; finally taking Rhett home.

"You know... Love is patient and kind, love doesn't envy or boast, love isn't arrogant or rude." She smiles, snuggling up to him.

"Are you willing to abide by those virtuous principles?" Neva queries softly.

"I am, I love you immeasurably Neva.

This love know no bounds!" Rhett pulled out of his trance, senses his heart pounding insanely inside his ribs.

"Never betray me Rhett," Neva breathes nervously. "I could never Neva. I'd rather die." Rhett assures hastily.

Neva chuckles, "Tsk, don't you wish to live with me? Read the air Mr. Rhett Lei!"

Neva sighs, muffling her speech, "I can't believe my lover's sense of humour's soo bad," Rhett pulls away from Neva, feeling an electrocution of striking amount within the neurons of his brain.

Neva laughs at his reddening, bewildered features and bulging eyes.

She pokes his nose with her index finger.

"I'm still fantasizing ain't I?" Rhett complains. "You are fully conscious." Neva adjusts, and curls beneath her kotatsu's warm futon. Rhett almost sobs in delight.

"Are we lovers now, not only neighbours?"

He's barely able to twitch his mouth. Neva hides inside the futon, shy and in amusement by his dramatic self. "Mnmm~"

Rhett swiftly switches to seriousness. "You can't ever get away from me now!! You are stuck with me 24/7 okey??"

"Heh? That's too cruel!!" Neva huffs. Rhett gasps in shock.

"How dare you say that to your husband??"

Neva's eyes widens in surprise. "Hus-husband?" She sits there stiff, how did he trade from lover to husband within two seconds? Rhett nods in reply, "Mm-hmm~"

"You are so stupid Rhett!!" Neva covers her face with the duvet. Rhett laughs, throwing himself on Neva crushing her under. Not being able to handle his weight, she falls on her back.

Having giggled to their hearts content. Rhett embraces her softly, cuddling up to her. Duvet the only thing that's separating them.

"What do I do? I'm so.... happy Neva. It frightens me." Rhett exclaims, his blood hurling. His bones crashing with unworded and unwavering sensations.

They were able to make out each of their heartbeats. Comparing the way they were so close, hearing how blaring and messily brisk it was thumping.

Neva's heartbeat synchronising with Rhett's own. Rhett raises his head to gaze at his woman.

She indeed has a beauty, that seems heavenly. Surface so fair and soft. Her cheeks pulsing blood red.

Starry enchanting eyes, cherry water coloured lips that unveils him a glimpse of blooming sakuras.

Dusky, lean eyebrows. Long, fluttering butterfly lashes. Her perfect nose.

He never knew he was so favoured by the divine being named God, capable of feeling a whirlwind amount of emotions.

He is found in Love,

He has never been this Alive.

"Can I, kiss you?" Rhett asks, nervous.

'He asked for a permission this time?' The girl under him, didn't expect him to say that.

She gulps timidly. "You don't have to ask."

With that...

Without wasting a second Rhett captures her lips meekly.

Tasting her brims so gently and passionately.

Treating her like a fragile flower; fearing she might wither had he applied a meagre force.

Neva's breath stops. She is the prey.

Rhett being the trespasser stealing her breath.

She feels tides colliding wildfires, feverish and warm.

The tingling sensations, numbing her whole.

Embarking on a journey of romance and bliss.

 They were both,

 Burning in Love.