Third Person's POV
"Nothing," Sunny finally said, deciding not to bring up the topic again.
When they arrived at the restaurant—the same private kitchen Leo had taken her to before—the owner greeted them warmly as usual. However, when she saw Sunny following behind Leo, she was visibly surprised.
"Didn't you two break up?" The owner, being straightforward, asked directly.
Sunny's face flushed, and she glanced shyly at Leo beside her.
Leo, however, replied lazily, "We're sweet and happy now."
The owner immediately burst into laughter. "I see!"
Sunny felt even more awkward. What exactly did she "see"?
Leo didn't elaborate further, simply asking the owner to quickly serve their favorite dishes.
They entered an elegant private dining room. Sunny took off her coat, enjoying the comfortable temperature from the air conditioning. Outside the window, the city lights stretched into a mesmerizing view.
Leo casually draped his coat over the back of his chair. Underneath, he wore a gray turtleneck sweater and a pair of stylish checkered pants. This combination would have been hard to pull off for most men, but on Leo, it looked perfect, highlighting his youthful and handsome charm.
Sunny couldn't remember how many times this man had left her in awe. Every time she saw him, she felt the same heart-fluttering sensation as if she were experiencing her first love all over again.
Leo's features were beautiful—almost ethereal. His eyes, in particular, were striking, with their deep black hue and naturally thick lashes. A single glance from him could captivate anyone.
Sunny was falling deeper and deeper.
Leo noticed her staring and raised an eyebrow, a hint of pride in his expression. "Sunny, what are you looking at?"
Sunny snapped out of her daze, realizing she had been caught staring again.
"I was wondering if this is another trap you've set to torment me," Sunny said with a bitter smile, half-jokingly.
Leo's dark eyes flickered slightly. "Do you think I got into a fight and got hurt for you just to play some kind of sympathy card?"
"No, to win me over, you don't need to resort to such tactics. All you need is to use your charm, and I'd fall for it every time," Sunny laughed, this time with genuine amusement.
"My charm?" Leo's face darkened, as if the term had insulted him.
Sunny quickly realized she might have touched a nerve and corrected herself. "I was just joking. Don't take it seriously."
Leo's expression softened, and he leaned back lazily. "Have you seen those ridiculous rumors online?"
Sunny blinked, confused. "What rumors?"
"Some people have been pairing me up with another male celebrity, and they've even cast me as the ‘bottom' in their fantasies," Leo said, clearly displeased.
Sunny's face froze. She had indeed seen such topics online, but she had never paid them much attention.
Had her earlier comment about his "charm" accidentally triggered some sensitive nerve in him?
"Uh, I didn't mean to. Are you mad?" Sunny knew for sure that Leo wasn't interested in men, so she apologized softly.
Leo took a step closer, his deep eyes locking onto hers. "I'm not mad. As long as you like me, that's all that matters."
"I… of course I like you," Sunny muttered under her breath.
Leo frowned slightly, a self-mocking smile on his lips. "Turns out, I'm the one who's been deceiving myself all along."
Sunny didn't understand what he meant. She looked up at him, puzzled.
"Blake was right. My feelings for you are… unusual," Leo said, as if he had just realized it himself. He spoke reluctantly, almost through gritted teeth.
Sunny's heart skipped a beat. Did this man find it unpleasant to admit he had feelings for her?
"If you think we're not a good match, I… I…" Sunny stammered, unable to bring herself to mention breaking up again. Once had been enough of a blow.
"You what?" Leo narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint in them.
If this woman dared to bring up breaking up again, he swore he'd throw her out the window.
"I don't know what to do," Sunny finally said, shrugging helplessly.
Leo let out a soft scoff. "Why won't you just beg me a little? If you asked me to love you, maybe I really would."
Sunny was taken aback. Then, she smiled bitterly. "Forced love isn't sweet, and a relationship built on coercion won't bring happiness."
[$]
'Well, that was undeniably true.'
The delicious dinner arrived, and they sat down. Both were starving, so they didn't bother with formalities. Sunny, in particular, ate as if she hadn't had a meal in centuries.
Leo, having grown up in a privileged environment, maintained his elegant demeanor even when hungry.
Just as the atmosphere between them grew warm and comfortable, a notification popped up on Leo's phone.
He glanced at it casually, but then he noticed Sunny's name in the headline.
He picked up the phone and read the message carefully. Then, he tossed it in front of Sunny. "What's this about? Are you changing managers?"