After the meal, Thalia tidied up and they were about to leave to their rooms. Vicious lingered behind, his dark eyes watching her every move.
"Thalia," he called softly.
She turned. "Yes, sir?"
"I'm not sleepy yet. Could you… invite me to your room? Just to chat. Even if it's a little."
Thalia hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Sure. Come in."
They walked to her room together. Thalia closed the door gently behind them and they both sat on the edge of her bed.
"How was your day?" Vicious asked.
"Fine," she replied. "And yours? I assume it was stressful."
He nodded. "A little. Thank you for the wonderful meal." Then he leaned over and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "I love you," he murmured.
Thalia's breath caught. "…Thank you," she whispered, her gaze fixed on the floor.
Vicious studied her. "Were you angry with me earlier?"
"No, I wasn't. And… I'm sorry if it looked that way."
"It's okay, baby."
Thalia snapped her gaze to him. "Thalia. It's Thalia, sir. Not baby."
A slow smile curved his lips. "And I know you like it."
"No, I don't," she said quickly.
"If you say so." His tone was teasing, warm.
After a moment, he asked quietly, "You mentioned Samaria earlier. Did something happen?"
"No, nothing happened," Thalia said. Then she drew in a breath. "But can I ask you a question?"
"Anything."
"Is this how you treat all the girls you want?"
His expression softened. "No, Thalia. With you… it's different. I swear it. I like you because of the kind of woman you are. Kind. Compassionate. You see people. You listen. I love you for who you are inside and out. But it's a shame you refuse to see that. I just want a chance with you."
Thalia swallowed. "We should go to bed. Especially you. You had a stressful day."
He raised a brow. "Oh? So, you're not going to invite me to spend the night?"
Thalia froze. Silence.
Vicious smirked. "I'll take that as a yes." He climbed onto her bed immediately.
"No, no, no!" Thalia protested, grabbing a pillow. "I was thinking of the right words to decline—"
"Too late," he said, laughing.
She hit him with the pillow. He dodged. She chased him around the small space. He caught her wrist, she tugged away, and they both stumbled—falling onto the bed together.
Thalia landed on top of him hands braced on his chest. Vicious hands wrapped instinctively around her waist.
"Okay… let go now," she whispered.
He released her at once.
"Wow. You actually obeyed me. I'm surprised."
"I'm being good," he said, hands raised in surrender. "So… can I stay here?"
She sighed. "…Alright. But you have to behave."
"No promises," he murmured under his breath.
"What?"
"Nothing." He smirked. "Thalia, why don't you move into my room instead?"
"No, sir. Thank you. Are you sleeping or not?"
They finally lay down space between them. For a long moment, neither spoke. Eventually, Thalia drifted to sleep. And the moment she softened into slumber, Vicious gently moved closer, careful not to touch too much just enough to feel her warmth.
"Nice one," he whispered to himself with a soft exhale. "Another step closer…"
The next morning, Mario, Martinez, and Fernandez were on their way to Vicious's room when the door opened and Vicious stepped out at the same time
They all stopped.
"Boss," Mario greeted. "We just came to check on you."
Vicious nodded, casual. "I'm fine."
He turned to leave, but Thalia called after him. "Sir!"
He paused. Thalia walked up to him, holding a small bag. "Here," she said, handing it to him. "Your lunch. I wouldn't want you coming home very hungry. So, you don't die on me this time around
His lips twitched. "Thank you."
She waved him off casually, turning back toward the hallway. As Vicious left with his friends, Mario leaned over to the others. "She seems cool."