First Date

Next Day.

The sound of the phone ringing wakes up Allynna from her beauty sleep. When she opened her eyes, suddenly, a bright light made her eyes feel hurt. She squinted to adjust the light that was blinding her eyes.

After a while...

Allynna immediately got out of bed and took her cell phone, which had been ringing for a long time. She was stunned when she saw 'Mysterious Man' appear on the phone screen. She picked up the call.

"Miss Allynna, good morning… I'm in front of your house. Would you mind opening the door for me?" Leon's voice was calm, but it sounded like a scold in her ear.

Allynna, who was still half asleep, instantly fully awake, heard Leon's voice on the other end.

"W-What? You have arrived? Wow…What time it…." She stopped asking questions and ran downstairs to open the door for him as soon as she saw the time on the clock.

"S-Sir Leon, I'm sorry. I woke up late. Please come in. I'll get ready shortly before we leave..." She said, then walking inside while ignoring Leon's strange look.

She felt terrible because she forgot to set the alarm that Leon would pick her up this morning at 9 AM. When she arrived at the living room, she turned to look at Leon behind her, "I'll be down soon, please wait here..." She ran to the second floor to prepare.

By the time Allynna entered the bathroom, her eyes had fully awake and widened when she saw herself in the mirror.

"My lord… who, who are you?" Allynna screamed when she saw herself in the mirror; her hair was messy, and she only wore a chiffon nightgown that was so thin and short. She gasped, could not believe such a shabby, sexy appearance was exposed to Leon.

Allynna slapped her cheeks with her hands, feeling embarrassed. Now, she didn't dare imagine what Leon had in mind when he saw her earlier.

Her face reddened with embarrassment. She didn't know if she could face him later. It would be awkward.

After a while, she finished taking a shower. Now, she stands frozen in front of her closet, confused about what to wear. Although Leon will only take her to the orphanage house today, in Allynna's mind, this is the first time they will go out together, their first date.

She stared intently at the rest of her clothes hanging in the closet. She had already packed some of her clothes to be brought to the capital. All that's left is a few dresses hanging in the closet. Instantly, all the dresses in the cabinet looked unattractive in her eyes.

So far, she has never paid attention to fashion. She only wears clothes that her mother bought and feels comfortable wearing them. Her favorites are jeans, simple shirts, t-shirts, hoodies, and short pants. Dresses? The type of clothing that she rarely wore. Because wearing a dress makes her unable to move freely, she only uses it for family events and if her mother forces her to wear it.

After a few minutes, standing in front of her not-so-big wardrobe for a while, she decided to wear high-rise short denim with a white sleeveless short shirt with a small floral print.

Allynna looked at herself in the mirror while tying her dark blonde hair. She finally took her backpack after ensuring her clothes matched the hot island weather.

When she came to the living room, she saw Leon standing by the glass window with his hands behind his back. His gaze looked towards the garden behind her house.

Allynna walked to him and stood beside him. Suddently, a wave of sadness filled her mind. Her eyes were blurry, just looking at the backyard.

In the past, the garden in the backyard was beautiful because her father cared for it. But now, it seems depressing and unkempt. All she could see were the weeds that were getting taller, falling leaves rotting on the ground, and flowers that slowly dried up because they were never watered.

For some unknown reason, when she saw this garden again, her heart trembled, and her eyes filled with tears—mixed feelings as the memories of her parents flashed before her eyes.

"This garden was so pretty when my parents were still alive..." She said in her low tone as if trying to remind herself.

But Sir Leon, standing beside her, was stunned when he heard the girl's voice shaking. He turned to look at her with a comforting look.

She continued her words, "Back then, I always spent my days in that place with my mom and dad. But when they leave me behind, I don't have the strength to go out there... After their sudden departure, I never wanted to go there anymore. A day, two days, and after a week passed, I didn't see the garden. Then, when I saw it again, the once beautiful and warm garden had now turned like this… very unkempt and felt gloomy—"

Allynna snapped out as she realized she was speaking too much. She immediately stopped talking and wiped her tears with her hand. After that, she looked at Sir Leon. To her surprise, Sir Leon was staring at her. As their eyes met, Allynna could feel the warmth and comfort in those eyes.

They stood in silence, looking at each other without moving. After a few minutes, Leon, who usually never spoke without being asked, finally moved his lips and said something.

"Miss Allynna, have you packed everything you will bring to the capital?"

Allynna nodded without turning her face elsewhere. She was still looking into him.

"Good. Now, you may bring your suitcase downstairs. We're going to my mansion, and you will stay there. You have my word that you will feel comfortable during our stay there. There will be people helping you prepare all your needs, so you can solely focus on your studies and take your exams in peace." Leon said.

Allynna was stunned to hear the long sentence uttered by him for the very first time. And when she realized his words' meaning, she was shocked and confused. 

'Stay at his house!?'