As they walked away from the cafe, Isabella turned to Eve with a curious expression. "Okay, spill. What just happened back there? You've never yelled like that before."
Eve shrugged, trying to downplay the incident. "I just got overwhelmed, that's all. Too much caffeine, maybe."
Isabella raised an eyebrow. "Caffeine doesn't make you yell someone's name like that. Who's Roman, Eve?"
Eve's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't meant to reveal Roman's name, and now she wasn't sure how to explain. "No one," she said quickly. "Just...a character from a book I'm reading."
Isabella's eyes narrowed. "A book character who makes you blush and yell their name in a crowded cafe? I'm not buying it, Eve. There's something you're not telling me."
Eve sighed, feeling cornered. She wasn't sure how much she could reveal to Isabella without freaking her out. "Izzy, trust me, it's nothing. Let's just drop it, okay?"
Isabella's expression softened, but Eve could tell she wasn't giving up. "Fine, for now. But I'm watching you, Eve. I want to know what's going on."
Roman fell into step beside them, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, that was entertaining," he said, chuckling. "I've never seen you lose your cool like that before, Desire."
Eve's face still burned with embarrassment, and Roman's teasing only made it worse. "Shut up, Roman," she muttered, not looking at him.
Roman laughed. "Oh, come on, Desire. Don't be like that. You're adorable when you're flustered."
Eve shot him a look, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "I'm not flustered. I'm just...embarrassed. Thanks to you."
Roman grinned. "Anytime, my dear. Anytime."
Isabella, oblivious to Roman's presence, continued to walk beside Eve, chatting about her plans for the week. Eve tried to focus on the conversation, but Roman's teasing had left her feeling frazzled and self-conscious.
As they walked, Roman kept up a steady stream of whispered comments and teasing remarks, each one making Eve's face grow warmer. She knew she had to get a grip on her reactions, but it was hard to ignore Roman's playful jabs.
After dropping Isabella off at her hotel, Eve headed back to her house, feeling relieved to be alone. As she walked in the door, Roman followed her, still chuckling about her outburst in the cafe.
Eve flopped down on the couch, covering her face with a pillow. "I'm mortified," she said, her voice muffled.
Roman sat down beside her, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You were pretty cute, though."
Eve glared at him, tossing the pillow aside. "You're not helping."
As the teasing continued, Eve's thoughts began to wander. Why did Roman's presence affect her so much? Why did she feel like she couldn't control her reactions around him?
As she sat there, Eve realized that her feelings for Roman went beyond mere annoyance. She felt drawn to him, intrigued by his mysterious nature and playful teasing.
Eve's heart skipped a beat as she acknowledged her feelings. She had been trying to ignore them, but she couldn't deny the connection she felt with Roman.
Roman's gaze met hers, and for a moment, Eve thought she saw something there, something that looked almost like...recognition.
Eve's face grew warm again, but this time, it wasn't just embarrassment. It was something more.
Eve's curiosity got the better of her, and she asked Roman, "What's your life like? I mean, what's it like being...you?"
Roman's expression turned thoughtful, and he leaned back in his chair. "It's...complicated", he said, his voice measured.
Eve sensed that Roman was holding back, so she tried a different approach. "Tell me something about your family, then. Do you have any siblings?"
Roman's eyes softened, and he smiled. "I have a mom who's always on my case about something. She's always calling me, making sure I'm eating well and taking care of myself."
Eve's eyes lit up. "That sounds lovely. I'm sure you love her for it."
Roman's smile grew wider. "Yeah, I do. She's always been there for me, even when I'm being stubborn and refusing to eat my veggies. She'll call me and say, 'Roman, you need to eat more fruits and vegetables. You're going to waste away to nothing!'"
Eve laughed. "That sounds hilarious. I'm sure you roll your eyes at her, but deep down, you appreciate it."
Roman chuckled. "Yeah, something like that. I miss her when we're apart, and I feel like she misses me too. But she's always looking out for me, even from afar."
Eve's heart warmed at the thought of Roman's close relationship with his mom. "That's beautiful," she said. "I'm sure she's a wonderful person."
As they talked, Eve felt like she was getting to know Roman in a way she never had before. She saw a more vulnerable side of him, a side that was endearing and relatable.