The Untamed: Game of Hearts
Chapter 281: A Good Time

Chapter 281: A Good Time

Boris could tell that something was wrong.

From the moment he arrived to pick Lyne up, a part of him already knew that she was acting even more aloof than she was at her worst. The Lyne he knew wouldn’t be this cold, especially after all the effort she put into entertaining his selfish requests.

"Are you alright?" he cautiously asked.

"I’m fine, Boris," Lyne coolly replied, her outward facade seemingly holding up despite what his gut was telling him. "I’m just feeling rather... off today."

’Off would be an understatement...’

Boris inwardly grimaced as he stared at his date. Their food hadn’t even come yet, and he was already faced with the insurmountable task of finding out just what exactly was wrong with Lyne. Try as she might, he could see the small beads of sweat running down her cheek, the slight trembling of her lips betraying her true feelings even as she kept up with her impassive front.

’How do I fix this...’

Knowing Lyne, she was probably so nervous right now that she was barely holding on from just bolting from their table and leaving him high and dry. It was only a testament to her sheer force of will that she was even entertaining him at this point, her own word being her anchor in keeping herself rooted down on her seat.

Or at least, that was what Boris thought was happening.

"Are you sick?" he asked with the best casual tone he could muster. "Maybe we should’ve called this date off."

"N-No, there’s no need for that," Lyne quickly denied, a faint blush forming on her cheeks. "I gave you my word, and I’ll see to it to the end."

"Even if it makes you uncomfortable?"

Before Boris could even check his own thoughts, his words had already escaped his lips. Inwardly, he cringed as he watched his date’s face flinch at the question, his callous words obviously taking effect as the blush on her cheeks deepened further.

Just when the hell was their food going to arrive? He was already stewing in his own awkwardness!

"Y-Yes," Lyne shakily nodded. "Even if it makes me uncomfortable, if I gave my word, then I’ll do my best to uphold them."

Boris couldn’t help but be impressed at the determination Lyne just showed him. He knew that she was still working hard on her own prejudices, but to think that she said yes to him despite knowing that she was more than likely to have a bad time? He didn’t even think that he’d do the same if he was in her shoes.

"Wow... That’s admirable, you know?"

"Oh?"

"That takes courage, facing your fears head on," Boris earnestly complimented. "Any other person would’ve probably just avoided their problems, while here you are actively subjecting yourself to facing your own phobias."

"Hey now, my own thoughts can’t really be classified as phobias," Lyne almost cracked a smile, the shaking in her hands stilling somewhat as she replied. "They’re called prejudices for a reason. It’s more on the lines of me being somewhat... racist."

"I see," Boris cautiously nodded, trying his best to navigate the minefield of a conversation without blowing himself up. "Still, that’s commendable."

"...Thanks..."

Giving Lyne a smile, another bout of silence descended upon them as their conversation stopped into another lull. Boris kept taking a glance at his watch, waiting impatiently for their food to arrive if only for the awkward tension between them to break.

"The food’s taking a while, isn’t it," Lyne casually commented.

"Yeah," Boris agreed. "I guess tonight’s a busy night."

True enough, waiters were practically flying across the restaurant floor, servicing as many guests as they could all while taking other people’s orders. Boris knew that the place was good when he picked it for their date, but he didn’t think it’d be this packed. Well, at least Lyne seemed to be starting to relax in his presence again.

"We can always go somewhere else if you want," Boris offered with a smile. "There are probably a few places open right now that aren’t this packed."

"No, we can wait," Lyne shook her head. "Besides, you picked this place for a reason. I at least want to see why."

Boris couldn’t help but smile as his date showed her appreciation. Even now, his prospective mate constantly made him fall even harder for her.

"Your orders, sir."

His ears perked up as he heard a waiter approach their table. Bringing them their respective meals, Boris nodded in appreciation as the server brought down their plates. Likewise, Lyne also nodded at the busy waiter, showing her appreciation in her own way before they returned to staring at each other. The tension was still there, but at least it wasn’t as oppressing as when they first arrived.

"Shall we eat then?" Boris offered.

"Of course, Boris," Lyne faintly smiled.

Grabbing their respective utensils, they both dug into their meals. As Boris expected, the food was amazing. He had been meticulous at choosing this place, and his decision to be validated was an amazing feeling.

"I can see why you chose this place now," Lyne chuckled. "This is delicious."

"Glad you liked it," Boris smiled.

The two settled into their dinner, a comfortable silence forming between them as they focused on their own food. Still, Boris smiled as he stole the occasional glance at Lyne enjoying her meal. She might’ve started out feeling cautious and defensive, but she eventually settled back into her old rhythm the more they talked to one another.

In Boris’s books, he could easily classify that as a win.

***

"That was amazing," Lyne sighed with a smile, her gaze firmly aimed at her side of the car’s window. "It was pleasant, and I think I learned something."

"Oh?"

Boris kept an ear open as he waited for Lyne to speak, his grip on his car’s steering wheel tightening as she spoke.

"I can be more tolerant if I put my mind to it," Lyne audibly smiled. "I don’t know if you noticed, but I was fighting my hardest not to run away earlier. Still, I toughed it out, and I somehow managed to survive."

"I see," Boris nervously chuckled, a mental sigh of relief almost making it out of his mouth. "I’m glad you didn’t then."

"Yeah," she chuckled. "I wouldn’t have had a good time if I did."