Chapter 29~THE NIGHT I BECAME HIS

Chapter 29~THE NIGHT I BECAME HIS
~Cherry’s POV

After Nathan’s confession, we sat together on the bench near my place. I couldn’t stop smiling, giggling softly, while my heart beat like it was trying to escape my chest. Nathan kept staring at me, his fingers laced with mine, like he couldn’t believe I was really there.

“People might see us,” I whispered, blushing, but I couldn’t hide my smile.

“I don’t care about people,” he said, eyes burning into me. “I only care about you.” Then he leaned in and stole another kiss.

“You’re crazy!” I pushed him playfully, my cheeks burning.

“Yes,” he whispered, hugging me tighter. “Crazy about you.”

That warmth, his arms, his scent, his whole damn presence, made butterflies riot in my stomach. It was impossible to believe this wasn’t some dream I’d wake up from.

“Mmh… that smells good,” he said, still clinging to me.

My phone buzzed. Mom. Crap! I’d almost forgotten she was waiting for me.

“Yes, Mom. I’m coming,” I said quickly, hanging up.

“Don’t go,” Nathan whispered, gripping my hands tighter.

“I have to… Mom’s waiting,” I sighed.

“I don’t want to let you go. I’ll miss you like crazy.” He cupped my face, and I couldn’t help but smile at the tenderness in his eyes.

“Me too. But listen, I forgot to tell you… I’m moving in with Mom.”

His eyes widened. “What? But you hate living there!”

“It just… happened this way,” I said, avoiding his gaze. I couldn’t tell him about the debt, the mess, the weight on my shoulders. Not yet.

“Will you be okay?” His voice turned serious.

“I’ll be fine,” I lied with a fake smile.

“If Tasha gives you a hard time, tell me. Promise me,” he said, his tone sharp, protective.

“Okay,” I nodded, standing. But he tugged me back down, eyes narrowed.

“You’re leaving like this?”

“Yes,” I muttered.

“Didn’t you forget something?” His gaze dropped to my lips.

Heat rushed to my face. I kissed him shyly, pulling back quickly, but Nathan lifted my chin and pressed his lips against mine! Tender and passionate. The kind of kiss that makes you forget who you are, where you are, everything but him.

When he finally pulled away, both of us were panting softly. “Your mom is waiting, right?” he teased with a breathless smile.

I laughed nervously. “Yeah… I should go.”

“But I don’t want you to.” He held my hand until the very last second.

“Nathan,” I whispered, smiling.

He hugged me tightly. “Goodnight. I’ll call you! Make sure you pick up.”

I nodded and left, feeling his gaze burn into me until I disappeared from sight.

At home, Mom was waiting. “What happened?” she asked sharply.

“Nothing much…” I lied, but the way she was staring at me felt like she could see straight through my soul.

She softened, messing my hair. “Okay, then let’s pack your important things.”

After we packed, we headed to my new ‘home.’ It was late, so thankfully Tasha was locked in her room. Only Mr. Hyde greeted me, and his warmth gave me some relief. Mom showed me to my room, and my jaw nearly hit the floor.

This wasn’t just a room! It was a dream. A princess’s dream. Pink everywhere, soft lights, walls decorated beautifully. I stood frozen, unable to believe it was mine.

Mom smiled at me with tears in her eyes. “It’s yours, Cherry. I’ve been dreaming of decorating your room. Thank you, for giving me this second chance. I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Mom,” I whispered, hugging her tightly before throwing myself onto the soft, cloud-like bed.

When I grabbed my phone, I saw Nathan had called multiple times, sent voice messages, and videos. Smiling, I called him back.

“Cherry!” He answered instantly, his voice bursting with excitement.

“Nathan.”

“Did you arrive safely? Are you in bed already? Wait! Can I video call you?”

I didn’t answer. I just video-called him, and his face lit up on my screen.

“I missed you so, so much,” he said with a grin.

“Me too.”

“Wait… is that your new bedroom?” he asked, eyes wide.

“Yes,” I giggled, flipping my camera to show him the entire pink palace.

“Wow, that’s amazing!”

“I don’t know… it’ll take time to get used to it,” I sighed.

“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. You have me.”

“Okay,” I said softly, smiling.

He stared at me for so long that I blushed. “God… you’re so freaking beautiful.”

I hid my face with my hand, but he laughed. “Stop being cute or I’ll follow you there right now.”

“Nathan,” I giggled, “I want to sleep…”

“Good for you! How can you sleep when my heart’s about to explode?!”

“You can’t sleep?” I teased.

“No. Not with my heart beating like this. So go ahead and sleep. But don’t hang up. I’ll watch you all night if I have to.”

“Nathan—”

“Shh. Sleep already.”

The next morning, I woke up and found he had stayed on the call for two whole hours after I’d fallen asleep. He’d actually watched me sleep. This was crazy… and yet my heart melted.

His voice message blinked on my screen just as a knock came at my door. I opened it and found a maid bowing politely.

“Young miss, breakfast is ready.”

“No, please, you don’t have to bow!” I stammered nervously.

She smiled. “I’ll take you to the dining room. Oh! My name’s Suzy.”

I grinned. “Nice to meet you, Suzy. Call me Cherry.”

At breakfast, everyone was already seated. Tasha glared at me like I was filth.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” Mom said warmly, petting my back.

“Cherry,” Mr. Hyde added with a kind smile.

“Good morning,” I said awkwardly.

Tasha rolled her eyes. “Ugh, I just lost my appetite. I’m heading to campus, Dad!”

“Wait for Cherry,” Mr. Hyde said, but Tasha snapped back instantly.

“Do you expect me to take her in my car? I barely accepted her living here, and now you want me to parade her around with me?!”

“Tasha!” Mr. Hyde warned.

“Dear father, you really want this?” she smirked.

The air turned thick, awkward.

“I’ll take Cherry myself,” Mom cut in quickly.

“Perfect. And Cherry pretends we don’t know each other at school. Don’t you dare tell anyone you live here!” Tasha hissed before storming off.

I forced myself to eat, even though my stomach was knotted.

Back in my room, I found a pink dress laid out on the bed, with jewelry, heels, and an expensive handbag. And I knew it was my mom's doing, My jaw dropped! Too much for a regular day of classes. But Tasha wore things like this every day… so why shouldn’t I?

After a long, warm shower, I slipped into the dress. When I looked in the mirror, I almost didn’t recognize myself. I looked like… a princess.

Another maid tied my hair and gasped. “Young miss, you’re so beautiful!”

Blushing, I thanked her, when suddenly—buzz. Nathan’s video call. I grinned, answering.

His jaw dropped, hand flying to his mouth. He stared for so long that my cheeks burned.

“Cherry… what the hell? You’re blinding me. How can anyone look this beautiful?”

“Nathan,” I muttered shyly.

“You’re an angel. Too beautiful. And you’re going to campus looking like that? No way. I don’t want any guy seeing you like this I’ll kill them all.” He smiled, but jealousy burned in his tone.

“Stop,” I giggled, biting my lip.

“Seriously, you’re mine. Only mine.”

My heart fluttered. Then I noticed he was in a car. “Where are you going?”

“Airport. We have a performance. I’ll be back tomorrow… shame I can’t see you today.”

“Are the guys with you?”

“Yes.” He flipped the camera. Tom waved, and Jason forced a smile.

Jason’s eyes lingered on me. “You look… beautiful, Cherry.”

“Oh! Jason,” I said softly, unsure how to respond.

“I’ll see you after the performance. Will you give me

that chance?”

“Yeah—”

“HEY!” Nathan barked playfully. “Are you two flirting in front of me, using my own phone?!”

He grinned, eyes locked on me. “Cherry, don’t forget you’re mine!”