390 I love you

[BONUS]

Ever since they got into Ren's car, neither of them talked, but after a few minutes, Ren broke the silence.

"There are available units in Diamond Palace. Leonel and I are staying there, so maybe you should also consider moving in."

Evie looked outside the car window as she fiddled with her fingers resting on top of her knee, wanting to escape the uncomfortable tension between them.

"It's too expensive," she told him.

"I'll pay for it. Choose any unit you want."

Evie grumbled though her face remained stoic. "I can pay for it . . . it's just not worth it. There are less expensive options."

"You're right. But Diamond Palace offers one-of-a-kind security to their tenants. Their rooms are equipped with a real-time sensor, so anyone who isn't registered in their system wouldn't be able to open its doors. After what happened, we can't risk your safety anymore.

". . ."

"Either that or . . ."

Ren purposely hung his sentence, making Evie look over out of curiosity, only to be met with a concerning lazy grin on his face.

"Or . . . ?" she questioned.

"You can just live with me." He shrugged before shifting his eyes back to the road. Unlike before, he was taking the longer route and drove slower than before. Much slower.

Evie's face reddened, amusing Ren. He found it cute when she was flustered.

The lady opened her mouth but decided to close it again when she realized that she couldn't think of anything to say.

In the first place, what were they anyway? She was too embarrassed to ask and too confused about their status that she couldn't form the right words.

"I-Is that your way of confessing?" she asked in a soft voice.

"Sort of." Ren repressed a smile. "Or do you want the traditional way of doing things? Like flowers and such?"

Evie frowned. "You're only going to start courting me after kissing me?"

Ren laughed, sounding like music to Evie's ears.

"It's not my intention. I was just caught in the moment. Sorry about that. If it will make you feel better, it doesn't count because it happened inside a game. It was our avatar that kissed."

He paused for a moment before looking back at Evie. "The truth is, I wasn't planning on crossing that line since World Conqueror is just starting, but you just had to ask me that question about liking you or not."

"So it's my fault?"

It kind of was. Evie admitted it to herself, but she would never say it in front of Ren.

She was the one who pushed him, after all — the one who made things awkward between them in the first place.

"Not really . . ." Ren continued after a short silence. "I think I would court you anyway after everything settled. Besides, it was obvious. I tried to hide it so no one knew, but I guess it shows when I see you. My eyes are always on you, and I can't even stop it."

". . ." Evie's face looked like a tomato about to burst.

It was funny because her expression remained paralyzed.

----

Eventually, they reached Ren's home. The moment Helen and Troy saw that Ren had taken a girl back home, both of them were so shocked they froze.

"Mom, dad. This is Evie. Evie, these are my parents."

"H-hello." Evie nodded in greeting while Helen and Troy still couldn't react to the sudden surprise.

It was the first time that Ren had brought in a girl — a very beautiful one at that.

"Evie will be staying with us," announced Ren.

"Temporarily," Evie immediately added, which made Ren throw a side glance at her.

"I'll help her with her things first."

Ren then guided Evie to one of the guest rooms of his unit, carrying her baggage and leaving his parents to process what was happening first.

The room was an all-white color with gold accents, completed with glass and gold-colored furnishes.

"Is that alright? Leaving your parents like that?" Evie asked the moment that they were alone in the room.

"Don't worry about them, and let's finally talk about us," Ren said seriously.

". . ."

Evie looked away. But she knew that she couldn't run away forever.

Ren was being honest with her, and it would be unfair if she wasn't.

Evie looked up at Ren and saw him staring intently at her. He had a handsome face, but his eyes were filled with uncertainty.

"There's something I want to tell you first," she said. "I don't want to hurt you. I just . . . I don't know how to feel about this. It's too sudden. I'm not even sure if I should be happy or sad. I don't even know why I'm feeling this way.

"When I first met you, I thought you were cold. But now . . . I don't know what to think anymore. You've only been in my life for a short time, yet I can't seem to get rid of you.

"You don't even know me. What if . . . in the end, we aren't really meant to be . . . It's best if we end whatever this is now while we're ahead."

"So . . . you're saying that. . . you like me?" Ren asked with a sly grin.

"Y- you . . . After everything I said–!"

"I don't care what's hidden in your history or where you're from," said Ren seriously. "As long as you like me, then that's all I needed to hear."

Evie's heart skipped a beat. Her eyes widened when she heard what he said. Her face turned red, and she looked away.

A long pause came next before Evie exhaled in exasperation, "You're so . . . insufferable."

Ren felt his heart flutter at her words. "Does that mean yes?"

The cheeky grin on his face was contagious, and Evie's stoic face broke into a smile before timidly nodding.

Ren stared at Evie for a moment before taking her hand. His eyes were tender, and his voice was gentle as he spoke.

"How you got me blinded is still a mystery, and I can't get you out of my mind," he said. His voice was barely above a whisper. "I love you, Evie." I've always loved you.

Evie reciprocated his gaze, eyes shaking before she rapidly blinked the tears away.

"I love you too," she whispered.