– Maybe you can sing too?! Try composing something to this music. You won't be long before you become a star, – Rose genuinely admired Roman's musical talent, which he undoubtedly possessed.
– I don't want to be a star. Music is very personal to me. I couldn't write songs for everyone… You're the first one in whose presence I've ever picked up a guitar.
Romantic, courageous, reliable, gentle, affectionate, sincere, cheerful, handsome… Rose could have gone on with this list forever, risking someday losing herself, dissolving into the endless depths of those dark eyes.
What amazed her most was Roman's overly modest behavior. The entire school gossiped about his many hobbies and the beautiful girls he discarded – girls who bored him almost the day after meeting, once he had gotten what he wanted.
At every new date, Rose cautiously expected Roman to behave boldly or even lewdly, yet he either rode her on his motorcycle, played the guitar for her, or walked with her under the moon, casually hugging her at the waist.
The Roman everyone knew – the notorious heartbreaker – seemed like a completely different person. On her birthday, he simply drove her home, asked for her phone number, and left, not even attempting a kiss, let alone anything more.
Rose initially thought he had befriended her just to cheat on an important exam, and that the fairy tale would end before it even began. But the next day at school, Roman greeted Rose warmly and constantly started conversations, always addressing her.
When, after the exam – which he did not cheat off her – he said he would come by that evening, her friends couldn't hide their envy. Of course, Rose felt a pleasant thrill from their jealousy, but she didn't want to discuss her relationship with anyone.
She feared shattering the delicate, vulnerable little world she had built in her mind. She promised herself she wouldn't let anyone gossip, wouldn't share any details with friends, at least until she was sure that what was happening was real, and not a dream.
A knock at the door brought Rose back from her daydreams. She took one last look in the mirror, satisfied that she looked as good as possible, and hurried to meet her guest.
– Hi!
There stood the best guy in the world, here to spend the evening with her alone. Even though since her birthday they had practically never been apart, Rose still could not believe her luck.
– Are you ready? – he asked, giving her a true, appraising manly look, and before she could answer, added – I see you are. Let's go.
Outside, a brand-new Porsche gleamed in the rays of the setting sun, its black polished metal shining. They got into the car and slowly moved off.
– Ready for some surprises? – Roman winked.
– Depends on what kind, – she replied.
– Pleasant ones, – how he loved double meanings.
Rose felt shivers run over her skin, as always when she was with him. They had spent a lot of time together, yet he had never done more than lightly hug her or hold her hand. Roman's restraint both delighted and frustrated Rose, keeping her alert.
She was almost certain that he liked her as a girl, so she couldn't understand why he still hadn't tried to even kiss her. Rose longed for that moment, and for what might come after, but she was equally afraid that the fairy tale would end with the first rays of the sun, when Roman, having received his reward, would move on to new conquests.
Roman's fame as a heartbreaker, effortlessly breaking girls' hearts, preceded him. Rose knew he had never fallen in love with the girls he conquered, using and discarding them as soon as he got what he wanted.
But he didn't even need to try hard. Girls clung to him, fiercely competing for the honor. Roman quickly grew bored of easily obtainable girls, whom he called Barbies or empty-headed. Beyond expensive cars, branded clothes, trinkets, and other trivial things, nothing interested them. They judged people by money and served merely as a vivid picture.
At least, that's how Roman thought. He dreamed of finding true love. A girl who would love him forever, wherever he was, whatever happened, whether riding a fancy car or a bus, dining in luxurious restaurants or frying eggs together at home.
Of course, some of his worldviews were slightly distorted, since he didn't truly know how people could live without always getting what they wanted. Sometimes Roman felt bored with his sweet, carefree life. He craved unusual experiences, adventures, storms of emotion, something he had never felt before. Yet deep down, he understood he could hardly give up what he had by choice – his title as the best guy at school and his father's money that had earned him that title.
Rose became a sort of extreme thrill for him, something he tried for the first time, as the sensations of being near her were unlike anything he had felt. This time, the extreme was the warmth he felt from Rose, and which he sincerely wanted to return.
Rose fully lived up to her name, given in honor of her grandmother. She could be compared to a delicate white rose growing among proud, noble orchids, so striking against the other girls Roman was used to spending time with.
Of course, Rose attracted him physically, but even more, it was the unexpected emotional bond that drew him to her. How he loved simply talking with Rose, discussing common interests not in a fancy restaurant but on a park bench, enjoying a pleasant conversation without thinking of conventions.
Roman understood Rose was not like other girls. He didn't want to scare or offend her with over-eagerness, so he took his time expressing his feelings. He even enjoyed the intriguing wait for something unknown and enticing.
He wasn't going to wait forever, but until graduation – when he had grand plans – he could afford to wait. He didn't want to think yet about what would happen after school, what unknown future awaited them, whether their relationship would continue, whether they could succeed at all. At that moment, he knew only one thing: he was happy, in a way he had never been before.
– Where are we going? Will you tell me the secret? – Rose asked cautiously, a note he immediately caught.
– Don't worry, not to my home, – Roman answered. Seeing her blush, he added – I suggest we spend some time outdoors. My dad bought a new motorboat. I want to try it out. Don't worry, it's perfectly safe. So… are you in?
– Sounds interesting, – Rose said uncertainly. – I hope we won't have to swim?! I can't. I don't want to drown.
– If it were necessary, I'd save you.
Roman's car moved slowly through the traffic, leaving the noisy city behind. His father's luxurious villa was located in an elite suburban neighborhood. Half an hour later, the car turned onto a highway, leaving the city far behind. Soon, a stunning sight unfolded before them.
A magnificent two-story mansion, hidden behind a high fence, looked like an impenetrable fortress. The house stood right on the shore of a beautiful lake, surrounded by lush greenery. Rose noticed a small pier, where a two-person motorboat was moored, which seemed very expensive, even exclusive, and she was right.
– Let's go to the yard. I want to show you something, – Roman said. Leaving the car on the driveway, he confidently took Rose by the hand and led her forward.
At the gate, a serious adult guard, like someone straight out of a Hollywood film, awaited them.
– Good afternoon! – he greeted politely, and without asking unnecessary questions, let the young couple in, closing the massive iron gate behind them.
– Hi, Victor! – Roman said in passing, not paying the guard any attention, as his beloved pets – the two wonderful huskies, black-and-white with blue eyes – rushed toward him.
Seeing Rose's astonishment, Roman hurried to reassure her:
– They don't bite. These cheerful, active dogs are lousy guards, but I love them for being happy and playful.
The dogs jumped up, ran to their master, and obediently sat at his feet in anticipation of affection. Rose was amazed by the love with which Roman looked at his pets, how tenderly and carefully he petted them.
– I didn't know you liked animals.
– I do, because animals can love sincerely; they don't betray or act cruelly like humans. Sweet, aren't they?
– Yes. What are their names?
– Donald and Richie. I try to come here at least once a week, otherwise they miss me terribly. These dogs are very smart. Don't laugh, but I often talk to them, – Roman said, noticing Rose's mischievous smile, and addressed his pets – Alright, guys, my girlfriend has been waiting for me. She's beautiful, right?
The dogs barked loudly, as if agreeing. Rose was pleasantly surprised that Roman called her his girlfriend. Being near him, she felt like a fairy-tale heroine generously rewarded by a kind fairy. "If only this fairy tale would never end," she thought, returning from dreamland to reality, where everything was happening far too perfectly to be true.
– Are you ready for our little adventure?
– Almost. I already warned you I'm a poor swimmer.
She felt that if Roman stayed in her life, she would have to experience many more thrills, so she firmly convinced herself that fear should be hidden deep in the farthest corners of her soul, along with any other feelings that might reveal her weakness. Indeed, Roman couldn't imagine life without adrenaline. Any girl he could love would have no choice but to ride motorcycles with him or even go skydiving.
Though he usually mingled only with spoiled, haughty girls, because that was what everyone around him was like, that type of girl never truly attracted him.
Rose, however, was completely different – far from what she appeared from the outside. Each day Roman discovered her more, constantly surprised. She was astonishingly genuine and open. If she laughed, it was because she found something funny; if she asked something, it was because she was interested in his life. Rose had none of the haughty pretense common to most girls from high society, which he was so tired of.
Despite her genuine charm, Roman still did not yet understand how strongly he liked Rose, enough to try building a serious relationship. Frivolity was normal for boys his age, so he didn't think deeply about potentially hurting Rose in the future, though in his heart he did not want that.
They arrived at a small wooden pier, where the new luxury motorboat floated gently on the calm waves.
– Soon this doll will go out to sea. But first, we'll try her out here.
The boat glided gracefully across the lake as soon as they started, cutting through the water with confidence. After a short ride and satisfied that the purchase had been successful, Roman turned off the engine. Taking champagne from the cooler, prepared for this special occasion, he couldn't help but admire Rose.
The wind gently played with her hair, reflecting golden sunbeams caressing her velvety skin. In her mesmerizing green-tinted eyes, it seemed the whole world was reflected, and he even saw himself in them when Rose, fluttering her thick lashes, modestly looked his way.
– Dom Perignon? – she exclaimed in amazement.
– My favorite champagne. Have you tried it?
– No. I wouldn't even dream of spending so much on alcohol.
– Perhaps you're right. Next time I'll buy some beers, – Roman laughed.
At that moment his face suddenly became serious and focused. Extending a glass of champagne to Rose, he said:
– Let's drink to us. I'm so happy to be here with you.
– Me too…
– Just trust me, Rose. Don't listen to those who say bad things. There are all sorts of rumors about me. Sometimes it's my fault, sometimes not. But just know, I'll never hurt you, and always remember that.
– The main thing is that you never forget what you just told me.
– I promise, – Roman whispered softly.
For the first time, Rose was not embarrassed, feeling his intense gaze upon her. She sank into the bottomless abyss of his dark eyes, not even trying to escape. She felt the warmth of his body, the intoxicating scent of expensive cologne, capable of making one dizzy. It seemed an eternity passed before he gently ran his hand through her hair, softly touched her cheek, and modestly pressed his lips to hers.
Rose had never experienced anything like this before. She could not imagine that an ordinary kiss could be so sweet and magical. Everything that had happened up to that moment vanished from her memory, erased against the backdrop of the fairy tale her life was beginning to turn into.
– Rose, will you go to the prom with me?
– Do you really think I could refuse?!