Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Vicki kept getting pushed into Eddie by the sea of people.
“Sorry, Eddie, it’s just so crowded,” Vicki said, a little embarrassed..
By the third time she apologized, Eddie wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. “Feeling better?”
Vicki was momentarily stunned.
With the crowd still jostling them, Vicki ended up tumbling right into Eddie’s embrace.
Her sweet scent filled his arms, and he felt as if he were shocked. He stood there, dazed for a brief moment.
Once Vicki snapped out of it, her cheeks flushed uncontrollably, and she almost jumped
They were way too close, way too intimate… It wasn’t appropriate. of Eddie’s arms.
But with the crowd still pushing from behind, Vicki ended up pressed right up against Eddie. Even with their thick coats between them, she could still feel the heat radiating from him.
Her face instantly turned crimson.
Eddie snapped back to reality in no time. Even though having Vicki in his arms made his heart skip a beat, he knew she wasn’t really into this kind of closeness.
So, he politely spun her around and let her lean against the wall. He then stretched out his arms to form a little protective bubble, heeving the pushy crowd from getting too close.
Only then did Vicki straighten herself up.
She looked at Eddie gratefully. “Thanks, Eddie.”
For the first time, she started to doubt what Baron had told her. ‘Eddie is so considerate. Could he really be a scumbag?’ she wondered.
Eddie shook his head. “It’s fine. We’ll be out of this street soon.”
Vicki pushed her thoughts aside and nodded.
Eddie shielded her from the crowd all the way until they finally made it out of the packed street. Once they reached the wide open road, both of them let out a sigh of relief.
Eddie purposely kept a bit of space between them.
“Hot cocoa!” Vicki exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she spotted a stall. She dashed over.
Eddie hurried after her and picked up the tab.
“Thanks,” Vicki said with a smile. “Eddie, would you like a cup?”
“Sure,” Eddie replied, grinning as he bought one for himself too.
“What a cute couple! You two are made for each other,” the vendor said sincerely, giving them a warm smile.
Eddie and Vicki both froze, but neither of them explained.
Maybe they just didn’t get the chance.
Soon, more customers showed up at the stall, and the vendor turned his attention to them.
Eddie and Vicki spent the whole day wandering around together.
Before they knew it, night had fallen.
“What do you want to eat tonight?” Eddie asked with a smile.
After snacking and shopping all day, Vicki was already full.
But for some reason, she just didn’t feel like going home yet.
Maybe Baron was still out on a date with Rachel, and if she went home, she’d be all alone again.
“Let’s have some pasta. Eddie, do you know where the best pasta is?” Vicki asked, looking up at him.
Eddie was tall, and when he glanced down, he caught the starlight twinkling in Vicki’s beautiful eyes. His heart skipped a beat, like someone had tossed a pebble into a calm lake, sending ripples everywhere.
Smiling, he said, “How about coming over to my place for dinner?”
Eddie knew his suggestion was a bit bold, but he had to make a move sooner or later.
Vicki was a bit shy, so he needed to lead her forward.
“Your place?” Vicki froze for a second, caught off guard.
Eddie looked straight into her beautiful eyes. “Yeah, my place.”
Vicki hesitated for a moment..
Eddie said, “There are too many people out here. We might have to wait in line for ages, and it’s getting pretty chilly tonight.”
“Are you sure there’s pasta in your kitchen storage?” Vicki hesitated for a few seconds, letting out a soft sigh before she finally asked.
Eddie nodded. “Yeah, and there are several different kinds, too.”
The part-time housekeeper he’d hired before was really thoughtful. Before she went home for the New Year holiday, she filled his storage with all kinds of food and pasta sauce.
Vicki pursed her lips. “Do you have pesto sauce?”
Eddie grinned, “Of course.”
Vicki fell silent for a long moment, then finally nodded, as if she’d just made a big decision. “Fine,” she said.
The two of them hopped in a cab and headed back to Eddie’s villa.
There weren’t many taxis out today, so they had to wait a while.
The night wind howled, and Vicki shivered from the cold.
Eddie casually stepped in front of her, shielding her from the wind.
Feeling much better, she looked up to see Eddie’s tall and upright figure.
Just one glance at him made her feel safe.
“The taxi’s here,” Eddie said, waving one down.
“Okay,” Vicki replied.
Seeing Eddie open the door, she quickly slid inside.
She scooted over to make room thinking Fddie would sit beside her. But to her surnrise he hopped into the front nassenger seat insteart
Vicki pressed her lips together and turned to gaze out at the beautiful night lights outside the window.
Eddie lifted his eyes, catching her reflection in the rearview mirror.
He wanted nothing more than to slide into the backseat with her, but he forced himself to give Vicki some space.
‘Don’t scare her off,’ he reminded himself.
It had been more than two years since he first met Vicki at Camilla’s wedding.
Over those two years, Eddie had repeatedly told himself to give up. He just wasn’t good enough for her,
Yet even after half a year or more without seeing her, the moment he laid eyes on Vicki, his long-silent heart would start pounding wildly all over again.
It felt like the old Eddie had already died.
The man who lived now was someone who belonged to Vicki, and only to her.
His feelings for her ran so deep that he found himself treading on eggshells, terrified of making even the smallest mistake.
The whole ride passed in silence, until the taxi finally stopped in front of Eddie’s villa.
Eddie got out first and politely opened the car door for Vicki.
“Thank you,” Vicki said with a nod.
Eddie pressed his thumb to the fingerprint scanner, and the villa’s front door clicked open. “Please,” he said, gesturing for her to go in first.
Vicki glanced over at her own villa; it was brightly lit.
But she didn’t hear any sound coming from inside.
Baron always liked it quiet. Even if he was home, she could barely hear a thing in the house.
