CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

OLIVER

When Dallas said the amusement park was one of her favorite places, she wasn’t joking. Her face lit up as soon as we approached the gates. I didn’t understand the reason behind her excitement, but I didn’t question her. I followed her just like I said I would. I made sure to book the entire park so we wouldn’t have to deal with people, and she didn’t have a problem with that.

I was relieved to see her happy and enjoying herself. But this won’t last long. I needed something that would distract her more so she wouldn’t want to return to New York.

I’d keep her here forever if I had to. But that probably wouldn’t be possible. She’d definitely figure out something was off if the distractions were getting too much. I just needed to stall for a little more time. Maybe for a week or two. Just till I confirm my suspicions.

I tried so hard not to imagine the hurt on her face when she finally knew the truth, but I shook the thoughts away. I didn’t even know why it bothered me so much. It was what she asked for. So why do I care whether it hurt her or not?

“Oh my God, this is so amazing. I forgot how cool this place is.” She said ecstatically.

My eyebrows shot up as I stared at her.

“There are hundreds of amusement parks in New York,” I said with disinterest. I didn’t get what the fuss was about. It’s just a place with a bunch of toys.

“Hello, they’re not Diamond Park. This place is amazing. Lisa and I used to come here every weekend when we were in high school. The first time I went on the roller coaster during freshmen year, I threw up all over the place. It was so embarrassing, but I quickly got used to it.” she giggled and moved to the merry-go-round.

“What was your first roller coaster ride like?” she asked.

I almost laughed at her question. Me? On a roller coaster? Hell no!

But I managed to refrain my laughter when I saw how serious she was.

“I’ve never been on a roller coaster. It’s overrated.” I said plainly, sounding bored.

“What? Overrated? Okay, that’s blasphemous. You should try them before concluding on that.” she frowned.

“Pass.” I said.

“Come on, what’s a trip to the park without having fun? Just one ride?” she stared at me expectantly.

I wanted to refuse her. I can’t even imagine a younger me on a roller coaster. I had too many trust issues to put myself in such danger. I don’t understand why people willingly put their lives on the line just for a few minutes of thrill.

But if I withdraw, Dallas will get bored really fast, and then we’ll have to go home sooner than I planned, which will be disastrous. So I decided to do what she said.

Besides, it was only a roller-coaster ride. How bad could it be? I’ve engaged in more adrenaline-rushing activities than this, maybe not as life-threatening though.

“One ride,” I said, and headed towards the machine.
I held her yelp behind me before she followed hurriedly.

We got on the damn machine, and it started to roll. I kept my composure at first, but I soon lost it. The wind came into my face so hard that water gathered at the corner of my eyes. My screams were mixed with Dallas’s laughter, I couldn’t even recognize my voice.

“Wow, that was…”

“Amazing?” she cut in.

“I was going to say terrific, but that goes too.” I said, panting heavily.

She giggled.
“I told you, didn’t I?”

“I shouldn’t have doubted you, my apologies.” I gave her a small smile.

“Apologies accepted.” she grinned.

We stayed in the park for a few hours, before it started getting late.

“That was amazing.” Dallas said as we approached the car.
“It was the best time of my life.”

“I thought the best time of your life was when you were coming on my finger.” I cocked an eyebrow and leaned on the car.

A few days ago, I would never have said those words loudly. Not because I was shy, but I just don’t understand why people would voice their carnal desires. But staring at her now, I enjoyed how her face turned different shades of red.

My cock hardened as I thought of the images that might be swirling around her head right now. I was determined to make them all come true.

But before I could do anything, she cleared her throat and tilted her chin.

“That was one of my best times.” she said with confidence, but her eyes said something else.

I tore my gaze away from her before I did something completely outrageous. Like pin her against the car and fuck her till she can barely breathe.

We haven’t had sex properly yet. It’s not the right time. But my restraint was slowly slipping away with each passing second with her. Everything she does turns me on in some way. I was losing it.

“Do you want to grab a bite before we head back?” I asked, changing the subject.

A hint of disappointment flashed through her eyes before she answered,
“Sure.”

“Do you have anything in mind?”

A broad grin appeared on her face and I suddenly regretted asking her that question.

“I have just the right place in mind.”

I had a feeling that I wouldn’t like the place she had in mind, but I didn’t complain. All these is just to distract her, it doesn’t matter whether I like the place or not. So far, she hasn’t suggested we go to a very crowded place, so it’s fine by me.
.
.
.
Remember when I said I was going to regret asking Dallas that question?

Yeah, I regret it a lot.

“Instant noodles?” I said in horror, as I stared at the bowl in front me.

Dallas simply nodded and handed me a chopstick.

“You brought me here to eat noodles for dinner?” I asked again.

When she started giving me directions to this place and I saw it was a local area, I expected the meal to be Dallas-like. Reckless, completely unhealthy, maybe a bit wild. I mentally went through all the street food in the city that fit the description. I never for once imagined noodles would even be one of them.

“First, it’s called ramyeon, it’s insulting to call it ‘instant noodles’.” she air-quoted the last word.

“Second, there is no way you’ll come to Korea without tasting this. It’s absolute blasphemy.”

“If you wanted noodles, we could have ordered room service in the hotel.” I said with a calmness that I didn’t feel.

I’m about to shove the primary element that causes cancer down my throat, so I don’t feel a bit calm.

“Nah, this place is better.” she said, darting her gaze around.

We were sitting on the rooftop of a local restaurant with bowls of ‘ramyeon’ in front of us. It wasn’t a five star restaurant, but the view was beautiful, if we ignored the bunch of cancerous elements on the table. The atmosphere was good too.

Dallas dipped her chopsticks into the bowl and slurped the noodles. The slurping sound was annoying when the people surrounding us did it, but I find it really endearing when Dallas did it.

“Have a taste.” she urged when she saw I wasn’t eating.

I gave her a ‘no way in hell’ look. She shrugged and turned her attention back to the food. My stomach growled, betraying my expression.

Dallas cocked an eyebrow and smirked.

“Okay fine, but only because I’m hungry,” I said.

I dipped the chopstick into the bowl. Dallas poured the red stuff in the second bowl on the table into my noodles.

“Ramyeon is always better with kimchi.” she said.

I shrugged and slurped the noodles.

“Careful, it’s hot.” she warned but I didn’t care. The suicide food surprisingly tastes good.

I took another one, and another, till I finished the entire noodles.

I was about to ask for another bowl when I noticed Dallas stared at me with a smirk.

“You love it.” she said.

“I was hungry.”

She burst into laughter and I got lost in the sound of it. This is how she should be always. Happy and blooming with laughter. This is what she deserves. Not the news that’s currently weighing in my mind.

She can never know that her life is in danger. Because I will do anything to protect and keep her from it.