Stella Orion couldn't contain her excitement. She clutched her phone, rolling on the bed with joy, feeling a bit embarrassed by her own enthusiasm.
But she couldn't help it.
Just seeing Leo Starr's name on her screen made her heart race, and as she unlocked her phone, her breath quickened. When she read his message, it felt like her heart was a piece of chocolate candy, the hard shell breaking to release an overwhelming sweetness.
Stella had never compared Leo to anyone else and had never realized that her expectations for him were different from those she had for others. With family and friends, she was always cautiously trusting, never demanding. But with Leo, it was different. She loved having him around, craved his attention, and was happy to let her heart beat in time with his.
Change happens quietly, and by the time you notice, it has already etched itself deep into your heart.
Stella quickly scanned her lecture notes and sent them to her classmates. While doing so, she received a private message from her friend, Samantha.
[SamanthaLovesFish: You seem to be in a good mood today?]
[RTT: How do you know?]
[SamanthaLovesFish: Because the class monitor said you replied to him with 'You're welcome' and even added a smiley face [Hehe]]
[RTT: [Facepalm]]
[RTT: So, I usually look very serious to everyone?]
[SamanthaLovesFish: Yes]
[RTT: [Fine]]
[RTT: I'm going to the movies with Leo tonight!]
[SamanthaLovesFish: [Smirk] No wonder]
[SamanthaLovesFish: So it's a date, huh]
A date? Well, yes, a movie date is still a date, right?
Stella's ears burned uncontrollably.
She and Leo were going on a date.
For reasons unknown, Stella took a shower, applied a face mask, and even put on makeup. She finally selected a dress from her wardrobe, something she rarely did.
The dress was a birthday gift from her three roommates. It had an off-shoulder design, was simple yet elegant, and had a flowy quality to it. The fine tailoring highlighted her figure, although the hemline was a bit short.
Stella paired it with knee-high boots and a cashmere coat. She checked herself in the mirror, making sure nothing was exposed, before heading out.
With the days getting shorter, it was already dark by six o'clock. Stella shivered as the cold wind hit her, and she quickly slipped into the open back seat of the car.
Leo instinctively reached out to warm her cold fingers in his hand, studying her face illuminated briefly by the car's interior light. "You look beautiful tonight, Stella."
Stella, who almost bit her lip but remembered her lipstick, managed a small smile, her dimples showing. "Thank you, Leo."
The scenery outside the window flew by, with occasional streetlights casting fleeting shadows over their laps. Stella had always enjoyed night rides, especially when she felt down, hoping for darker skies and longer roads where nothing needed to be concealed.
She leaned her head on Leo's shoulder in the dim light.
The next second, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, and a deep voice whispered in her ear, "Are you tired?"
"Not at all," Stella shook her head. She couldn't complain about being tired when she only had classes for half a day. "Are you tired, Leo?"
Surprisingly, Leo nodded. "Yes, I am."
"Ah?" Stella was at a loss, all her little emotions flying away. "Then, let's go home. We can watch the movie another time."
Leo shook his head and opened his arms, looking at her silently.
Stella hesitated, then tentatively hugged his waist. "Is this… okay?"
Leo pulled her closer, resting his chin on her head. "Much better."
Stella couldn't help but laugh, hugging him tighter.
When the car stopped at the Brazilian steakhouse, Stella was pleasantly surprised.
Steak was always a favorite, something she could never get enough of, and she had always wanted to have steak with Leo. This unexpected realization felt perfectly fitting.
As they stepped into the bustling steakhouse, the rich aroma of grilled meat greeted them. Enjoying the ambiance, Stella suddenly had a serious thought. "Leo, won't we get kicked out of the cinema if we go there smelling like steak?"
Leo reassured her, "It's fine. We have a private suite, so we won't bother anyone."
Stella nodded, relieved.
Because Leo preferred milder flavors, they ordered a mix of plain and spicy steaks. One side of the grill was filled with various cuts of beef sizzling with flavor, while the other side had a spicier kick. The bubbling meat juices and aroma were mouthwatering.
Stella Orion couldn't stop adding spicy ingredients to her sauce: chili oil, chopped green chilies, chili flakes, and spicy paste. She had nearly added a third spoonful of minced chilies when a large, elegant hand snatched her bowl away.
Leo Starr frowned, "More? Are you trying to ruin your stomach?"
Stella confidently replied, "It's fine, I'm used to eating this way. Really!"
Leo asked, "And it doesn't hurt afterwards?"
"Leo," Stella said earnestly, "my life motto is 'live in the moment.'"
Leo, however, was unmoved. "My life motto is 'don't let Stella suffer.'"
With her life motto now included in Leo's, Stella fell silent, obediently scooping half a bowl of sesame sauce before retreating back to her seat. Leo, feeling somewhat lenient, placed the confiscated bowl back in front of her, "Only dip a little."
Stella, however, shook her head, her ears reddening. "Guarding your life motto is more important."
The restaurant was warm, and the spicy aroma was strong. A waiter came over with a cloth bag to seal the customers' coats. Leo had already handed over his outerwear. Stella, having just unbuttoned her coat, suddenly remembered the dress she wore underneath was off-the-shoulder. She hadn't considered needing to take off her coat when she left home; just unbuttoning it would suffice for a warm theater. But eating spicy food meant she couldn't keep her coat on.
Stella politely refused the waiter's offer to fold her coat and asked him to leave a cloth bag instead. Once he left, she turned to Leo, "Leo, can I borrow your jacket?"
Leo swiftly took off his jacket, though he appeared slightly puzzled. Stella rubbed her nose and explained softly, "My dress… is a bit revealing."
Leo paused for a moment, then silently watched her clutch his jacket and hurry to the restroom. Stella quickly changed and came out just as Leo was finishing the first plate of steak.
His jacket hung loose on her, the sleeves covering her hands, and the hem reaching past her thighs, pressing down on a small portion of her dress. Beneath the jacket, her delicate collarbones were exposed, making the inner dress look like a strapless piece.
Leo's Adam's apple bobbed noticeably.
Stella, feeling a bit self-conscious, offered to help with the food. "No need," Leo rolled up her sleeves, "You just focus on eating."
A table card provided the optimal cooking times for various meats, and Leo, ever meticulous, followed the times to the second. Fresh, tender cuts of beef, brisket slices, shrimp, and other delicacies were placed on Stella's plate, creating a towering pile.
"Enough, Leo, don't just worry about me, you should eat too," Stella said while helping serve him some vegetables.
"Alright, you enjoy your food, I'll handle mine."
Stella had never enjoyed a meal this much. She didn't have to worry about missing out on the best cuts or whether her food was overcooked. Everything was prepared perfectly for her.
She watched Leo's handsome figure as he paid the bill, feeling like she could spend forever with him.
"Leo, did you eat enough?" Stella asked on their way to the cinema.
"Yes, I'm full. What about you?"
"I'm really full," Stella took his hand and placed it on her stomach as if to prove her point, "I feel so happy eating with you!"
"Good, then we'll come again," Leo couldn't resist rubbing her slightly rounded belly, making him laugh.
Stella, not to be outdone, reached for his abdomen, finding it firm and chiseled.
Wow, real abs!
She got so engrossed in counting them through the thin fabric of his shirt that she lost track, "One, two, three, four, five… wait, did I count wrong? One, two, three…"
Before she could finish, Leo grabbed her hand, his breathing a bit ragged, "Six."
"Really?" Stella reached out with her other hand, her curiosity peaked, "But I only counted five."
Leo, gritting his teeth, let her fingers wander for a moment before he couldn't take it anymore, "Abs are symmetrical. Behave, and you can count them at the cinema."
Count them at the cinema?
Stella was about to ask when Leo silenced her with a long kiss. By the end, she was obediently nestled in his arms, not daring to move.
Once they got their 3D glasses and entered the VIP suite, Stella finally understood Leo's words. She stared in disbelief at the setup: a bed instead of chairs, rose petals, and aromatherapy.
Why is there a bed in the theater?
Why are there no chairs?
Isn't a suite supposed to be just fewer people? Why is it only us?
What's with the roses and aromatherapy?
Is this really a cinema?
Meanwhile, Leo had calmly removed his coat and climbed onto the bed. Starting from the collar, he unbuttoned his shirt one by one, looking at her. "Didn't you want to count?"
He patted the spot next to him, "Come here."