Poison Rose of Avalon

Donovan extended his hand and offered her the box. "This is for you. Happy birthday. I ordered this specifically for you," he stated plainly.

Donovan felt he should at least do this so that she could express his gratitude for her patience and her efforts to adjust to his unconventional life. Being with him is not easy, and heis fully aware ofthat.He doesn't really desire to be in a relationship, but if he remains single, the women around him fail to recognize when to back off, even though he has clearly indicated a need for space. As a result, he's had many relationships, only to end them within two months, some in a matter of days, and a few just the following day. Rihana is the only one who respects his boundaries and gives him space, which he genuinely appreciates.

Her breath hitched. This was the first present she had ever gotten from Donovan. None of his previous partners had ever claimed to have received a gift from him. She gazed at the box, her thoughts bursting forth like fireworks. This was monumental.

"Thank you," sheexpressed her gratitudein a gentle toneandwith an authentic smile that remained on her face for being the first girlfriend to get a gift from Donovan.

She gently began unwrapping it with faint trembling fingers, her anticipation building like an electric current in her veins.

As she opened the plush, velvety box, a beautiful platinum bracelet came into view, beautifully highlighted with rose gold, gracefully engraved on its surface, featuring her name, Rihana.

"Oh! Donovan!" she gasped, her voice quivering with emotion. Without holdingherelfback, without a moment's hesitation, she leaned in and embraced him, her back arched and neck craned. This was their first hug. Rihana's heart was beating fast, thinking of receiving their first gift, their first hug, which would soon be followed by their first kiss.

Donovan stiffened momentarily, the unexpected embrace catching him off guard. He gently placed his hand around her waist, not applying much pressure.

From their seats, Kai and Logan shared amused, knowing grins, revelling in the live drama. Everyone anticipated the kiss. It was only a matter of time before Kai and Logan discovered if Rihana would be the one to breach Donovan's personal boundaries.

"I can't express how delighted I am," she murmured, withdrawing slightly, removing her hands around his neck to lock eyeswith him. Her pale grey eyes sparkled, filled with feelings. "Could you place it on me?" she asked, extending her wrist like a fragile offering.

"My pleasure," Donovan said, taking the bracelet from the velvety box and clasping it around her wrist that made her pulse race even more.

His fingers lingered for a brief second, then he looked up, his face so close to hers that she could feel his breath against her skin. He leaned in further, his dark eyes unwavering as they locked onto hers.

Rihana's breath caught in her throat, her mind spinning. 'This is it,' she thought, her heart pounding erratically. She closed her eyes in anticipation, her lips parting slightly.

Donovan's breath grazed her skin, creating a wave of shivers that spread across her body. Goosebumps appeared. Donovan's lips were inches away from her, only to brush against her cheek—soft, fleeting, and entirely unexpected, leaving her feeling bewildered rather than receiving the kiss she had envisioned on her tender lips.

He pulled back, his expression unreadable, and murmured, "Happy birthday once more."

The atmosphere surrounding them felt as if it were ice cold. Harper and Elena's hands were suspended in the air, holding their cocktail glasses, their lips grazing the rim, and the liquid barely touching their mouths, yet nothing was consumed. Instead, it felt as though everything had frozen. The kiss that everyone was eagerly waiting for turned out to be merely bubbles that popped.

Rihana's cheeks burned with embarrassment, her eyes snapping open as she tried to mask her disappointment. She put on a phoney smile that appeared authentic. Across the table, Logan and Kai's jaws practically hit the floor.

Rihana reminded herself not to feel let down. It was a small step, and she needed to be more patient; she had waited two years to be his girlfriend, and she wouldn't give up. Donovan belonged to her and only her, she affirmed to herself.

"Seriously?" Kai muttered under his breath, shaking his head in disbelief as he took a long sip of his drink.

Logan leaned back, smirking slightly. "He is still stuck in Elite School," he mused with a faint sigh, watching the dance floor like the anticlimactic moment hadn't just unfolded.

Donovan sensed the shift in his surroundings; he understood the thoughts of those around him and Rihana's emotions. However, she had chosen this path knowingly, accepting who he was. Therefore, she must endure until he is prepared. He holds no feelings for her, only a sense of sympathy to help her keep pace with him. Perhaps he will allow her to get closer one day, but that requires time.

He lifted his glass, swirled it, and drank it all at once. He signalled for another before he continued speaking.

"Let's spend the entire night out and have breakfast in the morning at Venture and Vittles," he said.

Venture and Vittles is a shopping district featuring both regular and branded stores, along with many dining options, located two kilometers from Valtham Palace.

Donovan turned to look at Rihana, saying, " I hope this brings you joy." He gazed into her eyes, and the sparkle in her gaze returned. What could be better for Rihana than Donovan himself asking to spend the night together, something that had never occurred before, Rihana thought.

"This calls for celebration!" Kai shouted as he summoned the waitress to request champagne for their table. Kai and Logan were familiar with Donovan. Kai and Logan often spent more time at Donovan's house in France than at their own homes. They thought he was trying, which wasn't a bad thing.

They stayed at the club all night until the morning came. Because of the alcohol in their systems, they were unable to ride or drive. Each couple called for a car to take them to Venture and Vittles, which would take about an hour or two to get to due to the traffic.

Meanwhile, Daran, Liora, and Rachel were heading to the same street Venture and Vittles. Vendors started opening their shops around 8:30 on weekends and at 10 AM during weekdays.

Venture and Vittles is well-known among visitors. It resembles a setting from 500 AD, yet the shop vendors maintain a tidy appearance and adhere to the same traditional clothing styles, along with hairstyles and makeup, including the dining experience and the method of food preparation, while also offering a modern menu reminiscent of how royal families were served.

In the car, Harper leaned against Kai, her fingers curling around his as she tried to mask her curiosity. She contemplated Donovan and his way of handling relationships, trying to understand it all. He was unlike the others, she realized. Indeed, among the trio, Donovan garnered more interest than either Kai or Logan, even though she had chosen to be with the latter.

Kai was playful, sly, and wickedly charming—the kind of man who kept her entertained. Yet, Donovan? He was different.

"Do you believe Donovan and Rihana have a future together?" Harper inquired, tilting her head to study Kai's face.

Kai didn't even bother to look at her. His eyelids remained shut, his body relaxed, but his tone? It carried a weight that made her sit up straighter. "What's your reason for asking? Need gossip for your next girls' night?"

"No," Harper lied smoothly, though her cheeks warmed. "I'm simply curious."

One corner of Kai's lips curved into a faint smirk, almost imperceptible. He knew her better than she thought. If they weren't well-matched in bed, he would have parted ways with her ages ago due to her inability to stay silent at times. Nonetheless, if she was looking for something to discuss, he'd provide her with just the right amount to chew on.

"Rihana follows simple rules," Kai said lazily, his voice revealing his lack of interest. "That's the reason they could potentially succeed."

It was a lie, of course. Kai had no doubt that Donovan and Rihana were meant for nothing more than a deadline. At most, three months—unless Donovan decided to call it quits earlier. Kai could already envision the cracks forming. Donovan was making an effort, but stretching himself for Rihana was draining, and it wouldn't last.

"What rules?" Harper's interest sharpened, her eyes lighting up as though she'd been handed the secret to life itself.

Kai cracked one eye open, his smirk widening just enough to hint at mockery. "The rule of knowing when to shut up," he drawled, then shut his eye again, leaving her to stew in her indignation.

Harper's lips parted in protest, but she quickly snapped them shut. She bit down on the inside of her cheek, letting his words simmer. She hated how Kai could twist her curiosity back on her, but she also hated how he always seemed to be right.

"Is that all there is? I assumed it was rules rather than a rule. " Harper inquired, maintaining a neutral tone.

She isn't as foolish as Kai believed.

"She has natural blond," Kai began "and never dies her hair brown like many of his former girlfriends had done in attempts to have a different look." Sleepiness iin Harper eyes flew out of the window.

"Secondly, her choice of perfume was carefully calculated. She avoided the typical floral fragrances that Donovan detested, opting instead for distinctly different scents that were more appealing to his senses." Kai opened his eyes to observe Harper's expression. Her eyes were wide, resembling a shimmering pool of curiosity.

"Third, Donovan preferred any figure to an hourglass figure. She had a slender, model-like physique that intrigued him. Above all, she adhered to the most important rule: never to call him "baby" or use the term in his presence. This boundary was not to be crossed, as it held strangely significant meaning in Donovan's world."

Kai's insight was spot on; this strategic move ensured that Rihana never fell into the trap that had led to the downfall of many of Donovan's previous relationships.

What Donovan truly sought was for nothing to remind him of Liora. Kai and Logan, in their infinite wisdom, never once made the mistake of teasing him about his strict rules.

They understood the gravity of the situation perfectly. After all, why agitate the bear (or, in this case, the lion) when it was possible to simply admire it from a safe and wholly intact distance?

Kai shut his eyes to tell Harper, "If you don't mind, I would like to get some beauty sleep." Harper agreed and chose not to ask any further questions. She had plenty of information already to share as gossip.

It took almost two hours to reach fashion street, they all took a short nap in the car before stepping out to walk in the streets of Venture and Vittles.

They settled into the terrace at the Pancake Bliss on the first floor, enjoying the comfort and ambience of the classy place. With sunglasses shielding their eyes from the bright sunlight, they leaned back, fully relaxed, while their three female partners sat sophisticatedly.

Donovan switched into a sky blue half T-shirt that hugged his physique. Kai and Logan also opted for comfortable T-shirts that complemented their well-defined muscles. Meanwhile, their female partners were in their club dresses.

Outside on the terrace, they had a view of the fountain, where people strolled by, pausing to snap selfies. It was a bustling weekend, and the place was teeming with visitors.

Dressed in a sharp black-and-white uniform, the waiter approached their table with measured poise. His posture was straight, his demeanour devoid of any emotion yet respectful—trained to blend into the background while catering to every need.

Donovan placed his order with minimal words, his tone curt but polite. The others followed, though the stark difference lay in the girls' choices. They avoided sugar and carbs like the plague, and their orders were filled with substitutions and modifications. Yet, due to the trio's shared craving for pancakes, they'd all ended up here, indulging in a rare moment of sweet indulgence.

After giving their order, Harper launched into the latest gossip, her voice animated and relentless, Donovan's attention drifted. His gaze wandered past her to the streets outside. Harper's words melted into background noise, muffled and inconsequential.

It was then his eyes fell on a familiar figure.

'Daran.'

Strolling along the sidewalk, his easy laugh carried on the breeze even through the distance.