Noelle turned to him, one brow arching. "After that dinner? You must have a death wish."
He tried to look innocent, though the teasing glint in his eyes gave him away. "I'm just saying, it's been a long day. Emotional support might be necessary."
She gave him a look. "We barely survived your mom's interrogation, Ren. I think we've used up our luck for one night."
Ren laughed softly, running a hand through his hair. "Fair point." He leaned over, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. "Still… thanks for coming. You made them happy. And me."
Noelle smiled, her tone softening. "You owe me a proper date for that. Preferably one without edible plants that bite back."
Ren grinned. "Deal."
He watched her go until she disappeared into the lift lobby, the small smile still lingering on his face.
The next morning, Noelle woke up to a flurry of notifications on her phone. Blinking sleepily, she reached for it and saw a message from Ren.
Ren: Morning, sleepyhead. ☀️
Ren: Survived Mom's cross-examination thanks to you. She even asked if you eat breakfastproperly. I think that's her version of love.
Ren: Also… I owe you that date I promised. No hairy vegetables this time. 😏
Noelle smiled at her screen, the corners of her lips lifting despite herself.
Noelle: Good. Because I'm still traumatised by those furry peas.
Ren: Edamame. Cultural experience, thank you very much.
Noelle: Traumatic experience, thank you very much.
Many afternoons later, as they sprawled across Noelle's couch, textbooks open but long forgotten, Ren roused Noelle from her nap. Noelle was half-dozing against Ren's shoulder, her notes slipping from her fingers when he murmured, "Hey."
She blinked, looking up. "Hm?"
Ren glanced down at her, his tone casual but there was a glint of something in his eyes.
"After exams," he began slowly, "I'm taking you out."
That got her attention. "Out?" she repeated suspiciously. "Like… grocery shopping out?"
He laughed. "Not unless you consider truffles and caviar grocery shopping."
Noelle frowned, clearly unconvinced. "You? Planning a fancy date? Since when?"
"Since I realised we've been living off caffeine, stress, and stolen kisses," he said, grinning. "I figured we deserve a proper evening. To celebrate completing our education for the year."
She raised an eyebrow, amused. "Sounds suspiciously romantic."
"That's the point."
Her lips quirked, though her tone stayed teasing. "You sure you can afford to take a break?
You're usually the one who starts panicking first."
Ren smirked. "Exactly why I'm planning ahead. Motivation. You can't say no to that."
She tilted her head thoughtfully, playing along. "Hmm. And where would this mysterious date be?"
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper near her ear. "You'll see. Just promise me you'll say yes."
Noelle smiled despite herself, heart giving an involuntary flutter. "After exams," she said softly. "If we survive them."
Ren grinned, brushing a quick kiss against her temple. "Deal. And when we do, I'm making sure it's a night you'll never forget."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the warmth in her smile. "I'm sure. You, the troublemaker."
The exams finally ended on a Friday that felt like freedom. Noelle could barely remember what day it was when she stumbled out of the last paper, hair a mess, eyes tired but the weight lifting from her chest was unmistakable. She was halfway through complaining about how she'd never touch physics again when her phone buzzed.
Ren: Be ready by seven.
Noelle: For what?
Ren: Your reward.
Noelle: I thought you were joking.
Ren: Do I ever joke about you?
Her pulse skipped.
When the clock struck seven, Ren's car pulled up outside her apartment, not the usual one but a sleek black sedan she hadn't seen before. The logo on the hood gleamed under the streetlights, two bold "M"s, one mounted above the other, forming a striking, symmetrical design that almost resembled a modern architectural structure. The sharp lines and sleek edges gave it the appearance of a minimalist tower, rising up like a symbol of power and precision. At first glance, Noelle thought it was a Mercedes with its elegant lines and luxurious presence gave off that familiar vibe. But as her eyes lingered on the emblem, she realised something was different. This wasn't the familiar three-pointed star but something more refined, more exclusive.
He stepped out in a crisp charcoal shirt, sleeves rolled just enough to look effortless. Noelle stepped out of her house, the door clicking shut behind her. As she walked down the porch steps, Ren was waiting by his car, his eyes already locked on her. And then she appeared.
She wore a soft pink silk dress that seemed to float with every step. The material caught the light, shimmering ever so slightly and the colour was a delicate blush that made her skin look even more radiant. The scoop neck of the dress was modest, softening the lines of her collarbones and giving the look an understated elegance. It was a perfect mix of grace and simplicity, the kind of dress that didn't try too hard but still managed to make anyone who wore it feel special.
Ren's gaze followed her, his breath catching as he took in every movement. The dress hugged her figure just enough to hint at her shape but it was the way the silk cascaded with every step that made her seem almost ethereal. It wasn't flashy or revealing, yet there was something quietly alluring in the way the fabric draped so perfectly over her body.
When she reached the car, Noelle bent slightly to slide into the passenger seat, and that was when Ren's pulse skipped a beat. From the angle, the movement of her dress, he saw everything.
Underneath the silk, Noelle wore no slip, no extra layers. The soft fabric revealed that she wasn't wearing anything more than the dress itself. Ren's eyes locked on the graceful curve of her back and the line of her legs as she shifted and he couldn't help but let his gaze linger. A rush of heat flooded his chest as he fought to stay composed.
Noelle climbed into the car and sat beside him in the backseat, the private space amplifying the tension between them. Ren's heart was racing, and it took all of his willpower not to lean over and kiss her immediately. But when she looked at him, the playful smile on her lips made it clear that she felt the same; the air was thick with that magnetic pull.
Unable to resist any longer, Ren closed the small gap between them. He cupped her face gently, his lips finding hers in a soft, tentative kiss at first. But the moment her lips parted, he deepened it, his hands sliding to her waist as she kissed him back with the same hunger. The silk of her dress was soft against his hands as he pulled her closer, their bodies aligning naturally, instinctively.
Noelle's fingers threaded into his hair, tugging him closer but it wasn't long before she pulled away, breathless and laughing softly.
"Ren…" she muttered, her voice a little breathless and teasing. She touched her lips with one hand and then, more pointedly, wiped at the edge of her lipstick. "You really had to ruin my makeup, huh?"
Ren pulled back, grinning sheepishly. "I didn't mean to, I swear. It's just you're…" He paused, shaking his head. "You're too irresistible in that dress."
"Ren," she whispered, her voice low and teasing, "You know… I wasn't wearing anything under this dress."
Ren froze for a beat, his breath catching in his chest. He blinked, trying to process her words but the teasing glint in her eyes made it clear she was dead serious.
"You're not…?" he asked, his voice trailing off, though he had a feeling he knew the answer.
Noelle leaned in closer, brushing her lips over his ear, her breath warm against his skin. "Nope," she whispered. "Literally nothing. Just the dress."