Roman got out of the room, feeling disoriented and unsure of his surroundings. "Damn, I should have followed her," he cursed himself, realizing he had no idea where he was or how to find the garden. But luck was on his side, and he stumbled upon the garden quickly. From inside, he could see the beautiful outdoor space through the glass window, and he made his way outside.
As he walked towards the figure in the red gown, he couldn't help but admire the beauty of the garden and the stars above. Sophia turned to him, and he put his arm around her waist, pulling her close. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" Roman said, gazing up at the stars, but his eyes quickly met Sophia's, and he knew she was about to say something serious.
"Yeah, it is," Roman replied, his eyes locked on hers. Sophia took a deep breath, and her expression turned emotional. "Roman... you know, I... when I approached you, I didn't do it because I would do it with anyone." She paused, her voice trembling. "I want to be with you, Roman, but..."
Roman cut her off, his mind racing with possibilities. "But what? Our age? What people would say? I say fuck them; age is just a number." Sophia smirked, and Roman chuckled, "Okay, maybe age isn't just a number, but you get what I'm saying. But I want to know you..."
Roman's thoughts were interrupted by his own inner conflict. He couldn't be with one woman, not with his plans and ambitions. He didn't want to lie to Sophia, but he knew no woman would want to share a man. He didn't know how to bring it up, how to tell her that he wanted her but couldn't have her exclusively.
Sophia's eyes searched his, and Roman knew she was waiting for a response, a promise, a commitment. He took a deep breath, his mind racing with excuses and justifications. But as he looked into her eyes, he knew he couldn't give her what she wanted. Not yet, not now, maybe not ever.
Roman hesitated, his mind racing with the complexities of his situation. He didn't want to hurt Sophia, but he couldn't deny his desires and goals. He took a deep breath and decided to be honest, to suggest something that might shock her, but could also potentially work.
"Sophia, I want to be with you, but I need to be honest with you. I can't offer you exclusivity, not right now. My goals, my ambitions, they require me to keep my options open. But I care about you, and I want to explore this connection we have. Would you be open to... a polygamous relationship?"
Sophia's expression changed from emotional to surprised, and she took a step back, her eyes wide. "Polygamous? You mean, you want to be with multiple women at once?"
Roman nodded, his heart racing. "Yes, Sophia. I know it's not conventional, but I believe it could work. We could explore this together, and see where it takes us."
Sophia looked stunned, but also curious. "I... I don't know, Roman. I need time to think about this."
Roman nodded, relieved that she hadn't outright rejected the idea. "Take all the time you need, Sophia. I understand this is a lot to take in. But know that my interest in you is genuine, and I hope you'll consider my proposal."
The two stood there, the tension between them palpable, as they both wondered what the future might hold.
As they walked into the grand ballroom, Roman and Sophia immediately caught the attention of everyone in the room. The sudden silence was palpable, and all eyes were fixed on the unlikely couple. Sophia, with her striking red gown and confident demeanor, stood out in a sea of younger women, and Roman, with his charming smile and dashing good looks, seemed to be the center of attention.
But it wasn't just their physical appearance that drew people's gaze. The significant age gap between Sophia and Roman was a topic of whispers and raised eyebrows. Sophia, being older than Roman, was a stark contrast to the typical power dynamics of their social circle, where younger women were often seen with older, more established men.
As they made their way through the crowds, Roman could feel the weight of people's judgments and assumptions. Some seemed shocked, others disapproving, and a few even looked amused. But Roman didn't let it faze him.
Sophia, on the other hand, seemed to be taking it all in stride. She walked with her head held high, her eyes scanning the room with a hint of defiance, as if daring anyone to question her choices. And yet, Roman could sense a hint of vulnerability beneath her confident exterior, a sense that she was aware of the whispers and the judgments, but was determined to ignore them.
As they reached the bar, Roman ordered them both a drink, and they stood there, sipping their glasses, surrounded by the quiet hum of conversation and the occasional glance from curious onlookers.
As they stood at the bar, a woman who appeared to be in her 40s or 50s approached them. She had a sleek, silver bob and a face that looked like it had been carefully preserved through the wonders of modern plastic surgery. Her jawline was sharp, her cheekbones high, and her eyes had a faintly predatory gleam to them. She was dressed in a designer gown that hugged her curves in all the right places, and her jewelry sparkled like diamonds in the light.
She looked like a Chad with those cheekbones and jawline.
"Ah, Sophia, darling," she said, her voice husky and confident. "I see you're still dating down. How...amusing."
Sophia rolled her eyes and took a sip of her drink. "Hello, Victoria. Always a pleasure to see you."
Victoria's gaze turned to Roman, and she gave him a once-over that made him feel like a piece of prime beef. "And who is this lovely young man? Your new toy, I presume?"
Roman felt a surge of annoyance at her condescending tone, but he kept his cool and smiled charmingly. "Roman, at your service. And you are...?"
Victoria's eyes narrowed slightly, as if she wasn't used to being asked for her name. "I am Victoria, a close friend of Sophia's. Or at least, I was, before she started dating children."
Sophia let out a sharp laugh. "Victoria, you're always so dramatic. Roman is a grown man, and I'm sure he can handle himself."
Victoria's gaze lingered on Roman for a moment longer, before she turned back to Sophia. "I'm sure he can, darling. But really, Sophia, you should aim higher. Someone with a bit more...maturity, perhaps."
Roman could feel the tension between the two women, and he knew that Victoria was trying to get under Sophia's skin. He decided to intervene, his voice smooth and charming. "I think Sophia has excellent taste, Victoria. And I'm flattered to be her choice."
Victoria's eyes flashed with annoyance, but she quickly masked it with a fake smile. "Well, I'm sure you two are just adorable together. Do enjoy the party, darlings."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Roman and Sophia to breathe a sigh of relief. "Well, that was pleasant," Sophia said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Roman chuckled and took her hand. "Don't mind her, Sophia. She's just jealous of your youthful energy."
Sophia laughed and leaned in close. "You're always so charming, Roman. But let's get out of here before Victoria decides to make another scene."