Page 57 of Lost Paradise

“Are you a nymph?” I blurt out before I can stop myself, immediately regretting the question.

“Haven’t you had enough of the insults?” she snaps, her frustration boiling over. “Maybe you should join team Astro. He must be feeling lonely on his own inasshole world.”

Despite my predicament, her retort earns a chuckle from me, and I can't help but admire her fiery spirit.

“Why are you attracted to me?” I ask, with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.

"Well," Eve begins, her gaze softening as she considers her response. “Initially, I found your geekiness cute. The whole thick-framed glasses thing works for you because, behind them, I imagine a very attractive man. Those gorgeous blue eyes against your pale skin and dark hair—they’re striking. I’ve never seen an Asian man with blue eyes before, so I found that uniqueness to be an extra bonus.”

Without wanting to, I can feel a faint blush creeping onto my cheeks as I listen, my gaze dropping slightly.

“I’m just surprised you never realized people were staring at you,” Eve continues, her tone gentle. “I caught myself doing it a lot.

I shift uncomfortably, a mixture of embarrassment and curiosity swirling within me.

“But at first, when we met, I thought you were a little arrogant and angry, and it was kind of a turn-off,” Eve admits, her honesty cutting through the air. "Especially seeing how Emily snubbed you. I thought she knew something about you that wasn’t pleasant.”

My jaw clenches slightly at the mention of my cousin, but I remain silent, allowing Eve to continue.

“But now I know your story, and I can understand you better,” Eve continues, her voice softening with empathy. “You’re angry because you don’t get the acknowledgment you deserve. You worked hard, and while I may not be as bright as you, I can understand when the frustration of being overlooked by those who matter most. It’s a massive struggle to be accepted, but trust me, Byron, if you have tostruggle to get someone to love you, sometimes it's better to look in a different direction.”

My eyes meet Eve's, with a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability shining within me.

“Love and affection shouldn’t be something hard to achieve,” Eve concludes, her words carrying weight. “Walking away from someone is the hardest, especially when all you wanted was just a piece of them.”

“And if I can’t reciprocate those feelings to you?” My voice wavering slightly, and uncertainty lacing my words.

Eve's gaze flickers with understanding as she contemplates her response. A touch of sadness etches across her features, softening the lines of her face.

“Then I’d ask you to give me a chance to prove I’m a good person,” Eve replies, her voice steady despite the vulnerability in her eyes. “I can’t convince you to be attracted to me, but I’d like the opportunity to show you I’m not the conceited person you think I am. I have feelings, Byron, and I hurt.”

Her words hang in the air, a plea for understanding and acceptance, as I absorb the weight of her sincerity.

Breaking the uncomfortable silence between us, she reaches up to touch my face with a tenderness I’m not accustomed to. Her touch feels foreign and unfamiliar, and a surge of discomfort ripples through me. Instinctively, I jerk back, my body tensing with surprise as my eyes open wide with anxiety coursing through me.

I can sense Eve's surprise at my reaction, her hand freezing mid-air before slowly retracting. Guilt washes over me as I realize I might have hurt her feelings, but I can't shake the unease that lingers within me.

I have never been hugged or experienced any form of warm affection before. My upbringing was devoid of such gestures, leaving me ill-prepared for moments like this. The idea of physical closeness is foreign, almost intimidating.

Eve's gaze softens, and I can see a flicker of understanding in her eyes. She must have realized that my reaction wasn't a rejection of her but rather a reflex born from unfamiliarity.

"I'm sorry," I mumble, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just not used to... that."

Her expression softens even further, and she offers me a small, reassuring smile. "It's okay, Byron," she says gently. "Take your time. There's no rush."

But what if I want it?

The question lingers in my head, echoing the tumultuous thoughts swirling within me. Deep inside, there’s an undeniable itch, a primal urge urging me to seize what Eve is offering. Here is this beautiful woman with skin as pale as freshly fallen snow, her features softened by the gentle curve of her lips, like petals kissed by the morning dew. And her hair, a cascade of bright, light blonde waves that shimmers in the sun with every movement like strands of spun gold.

She desires me. I have no doubt. Her sincerity shines through in every glance and gesture.

Yet, despite the pull, I find myself hesitating. It isn't a lack of desire but rather a reluctance to abandon myself to the moment, to surrender to the unknown without first meticulously analyzing the potential outcomes in my head.

That’s who I am.

And I hate it.

My movements are sudden yet deliberate as I lean in towards Eve, my heart pounding in my chest with nerves. With a mixture of longing and uncertainty, I close the distance between us, my lips gently meeting hers in a hesitant kiss.

---