Chapter 21

The next day, I eagerly awaited Terence's arrival at the front of my house. Moments later, a sleek, luxurious car pulled up, and Terence stepped out to greet me. 
When he laid eyes on me, his jaw nearly dropped. I was dressed in a beautiful, expensive-looking floral dress that flattered my figure.
"Wow," he breathed, his voice filled with awe. "You look stunning. That dress suits you so well."
My mom, watching our exchange from the sidelines, couldn't help but chime in with a playful teasing tone.
"She spent all night trying on dresses," my mom chimed in, a hint of amusement in her voice. "She finally settled on this one just this morning."
I blushed slightly, feeling a tad embarrassed by my mother's revelation, but Terence chuckled appreciatively.
Terence, still admiring the sight of me in the dress couldn't take his eyes off me. Turning to my mom, he sought her approval with a polite smile.
"You look absolutely stunning in that dress," he complimented, his voice sincere. Then, addressing my mom directly, he continued, "May I take Luna to the amusement park today, lady?"
"You can take her anywhere," My mom chuckled softly, a protective, motherly tone in her voice, her eyes shifting between Terence and me. "Just make sure you take good care of her, young man."
"I promise you," Terence assured my mom, his voice firm and unwavering. "I'll take great care of her. No matter what it takes, I can afford it, even if it costs me my life."
With my mom's smile of approval and a show of trust in Terence, we bid her farewell and headed off to the amusement park. 
As we walked arm in arm, the excitement of the day ahead hummed between us. The amusement park was bustling with activity, the sounds and sights of laughter and excitement filling the air.
Terence, his eyes scanning the plethora of rides before us, turned to me with a smile.
"Alright," he said, his voice filled with excitement. "What ride do you want to try first?"
Terence looked at me with a grin, his eyes following the direction of my pointed finger.
"Ah, the swan-shaped boat ride," he observed, nodding in understanding. "Sounds like a nice, relaxing start."
Terence casually guided me over to the lake gate, his hand encircling mine. As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the unusual membership card he pulled out to purchase our ride tickets.
"VVIP membership card?" I inquired, a mix of curiosity and surprise in my voice. "Impressive."
Terence shot me a grin, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.
"Well, I do happen to know a few tricks," he replied, a touch of humor in his voice. "Being a VVIP has its perks, like skipping the lines and enjoying some special privileges."
I couldn't help but agree with Terence's words, impressed by his status.
"That's really cool," I replied, a note of genuine admiration in my voice. "You certainly know how to make the most of your VVIP privileges."
"There's our ride," Terence chuckled softly and gestured towards the swan-shaped boat floating gracefully on the lake. "Lets hop in and get this date started."
Terence and I boarded the swan-shaped boat, gracefully settling into our seats. As we took our positions and began peddling the boat's machine, a sense of excitement mixed with anticipation filled the air. The gentle movement of the boat gliding across the water added to the magical atmosphere.
Terence, as we continued pedaling the boat together, suddenly shifted the conversation.
"By the way," he began, a hint of seriousness in his tone, "Jay and Jake sent me a screenshot of Giselle's group chat earlier today."
I nodded in agreement, acknowledging that Terence had received the screenshot.
"I'm glad you got it," I responded, before curiosity got the better of me. "What exactly does the group chat say?"
Terence's expression hinted at a reluctance to share the details of the group chat yet.
"They... they're still compressing the file," he replied, his voice faltering slightly. "The screenshot was kinda big and Judith is still working on compressing it, apparently."
I couldn't help but express my disbelief with a muttered remark.
"It looks like there's a lot of false rumors about me they want to share," I grumbled. "I wonder what kind of lies and gossip they're spreading behind my back this time..."
"You know, you're really cute when you get angry like that," Terence chuckled at my frustrated mumbling, his eyes gleaming with affection. "Your feisty side is quite endearing."
"At least I'm a decent omega who doesn’t go around spreading false rumors about others," I crossed my arms defiantly, a hint of defiance in my voice. "I believe in being honest and standing up for myself when necessary."
Terence couldn't help but laugh at my determination. “I totally get it. If Giselle or anyone else tries to cause trouble for you, I'll make sure to take action. I won't stand by and allow them to harm you."
As we continued to pedal the swan-shaped boat together, the soothing water surrounding us, we gradually made our way toward the end of the lake. The boat gently docked at the gate, signaling the end of our ride, and we stepped out onto the sturdy wooden dock.
Terence, a cheeky smile on his lips, gestured towards a nearby snack stand.
"Before we continue our fun ride, how about we have some snacks first and refuel a bit?" he suggested, his eyes sparkling with eagerness.
I nodded in agreement, my mouth already watering at the thought of the treats.
"I totally agree," I responded, my voice tinged with excitement. "A milkshake and creeper with banana sounds like just the right fuel for the rest of our fun. Let's grab them."
Terence, his eyes filled with adoration, chuckled at my choice.
"Of course, queen," he said, the romantic timbre in his voice sending pleasant shivers down my spine. He then gently held my hand tighter as we made our way towards the snack stand.
"Aren't you gonna have a chat with that lady?" I asked, aiming for nonchalance but hearing the edge in my own voice.
Terence turned back to me, a sly grin spreading across his face. 
"You jealous?" he teased, his eyebrow arching.
"Jealous?" I scoffed, forcing a laugh that sounded hollow even to my ears. "Why would I be jealous of your ex?"
The words left my mouth before I could stop them, and the effect was instantaneous. Terence's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a stony expression that sent a chill down my spine. His jaw clenched, muscles working beneath the skin as he ground his teeth.
"Ex?" he hissed, his voice low and dangerous. "That's Kelly. She's not my ex. She's the thief who nearly ruined everything."
"Oh, come on. You really need to ask? Kelly’s like a moth to a flame when it comes to the Gregory family. She’s typically a gold digger, you know?" leaning back casually, a smirk playing on his lips.
I crossing my arms. "So, what am I then? Do you think I’m just like Kelly? Just another gold digger looking for a way into the Gregory family?"
Terence shaking his head, chuckling, "You’re really something, you know that? Why are you so funny when you’re trying to hide your jealousy like that?"
"Jealousy? Me? I have no idea what you’re talking about." I raising an eyebrow, feigning innocence. 
Terence's eyes crinkled with warmth as he reached out, gently pinching my cheeks between his thumb and forefinger.
"You can't hide it, you know," he said softly, a hint of amusement in his voice. His hand lingered for a moment before dropping away. "That look in your eyes – it's genuine."
I felt a blush creeping up my neck, unsure how to respond.
"I want you to know something. I never once thought you were like Kelly – a gold digger, I mean. Not for a second." He paused, seeming to weigh his words carefully. "The way you care, the way you act – it's all real. I see that now, clearer than ever."
“Here you go!” he said, grinning as he handed me the drink. 
The milkshake was a beautiful shade of pastel pink, flecked with bits of real banana, and the sweet aroma wafted up to greet me like an old friend.
I took the milkshake from him, the cold glass sending a shiver up my arm. “This looks amazing!”
Terence chuckled, clearly pleased with my reaction. “I knew you’d love it! So, what ride should we try next?”
I looked around, the park alive with energy. 
"What about the new one? The ‘Screaming Serpent’?” I suggested, pointing toward the twisting tracks that seemed to defy gravity. “I heard it has the biggest drop!”
“Let’s do it!” he replied, his enthusiasm infectious. He took a quick sip of his own milkshake, the banana flavor mixing with the chocolate swirl, and his eyes lit up even more. “But first, let’s finish these before they melt!”
The line for the Screaming Serpent snaked through the vibrant carnival atmosphere, a mix of excited chatter and the distant clattering of roller coaster cars echoing above.
The scent of popcorn and cotton candy filled the air, but all I could focus on was the towering structure of the ride itself. 
It loomed like a giant serpent, twisting and curling against the sky, its metallic tracks glinting in the sunlight.
“This is going to be epic!” I shouted over the noise.
“Epic or terrifying?” Terence shot back, a teasing smile on my face. 
The butterflies in my stomach danced wildly, but I couldn’t deny the thrill coursing through me.
The ride lurched forward, and I could feel my heart pounding in rhythm with the clanking of the chain lift. 
As we climbed higher, the ground fell away beneath us, and I could see the entire park sprawled out like a colorful tapestry. 
The thrill of the height sent a shiver down my spine, and I took a deep breath, bracing myself.
Then, without warning, we crested the peak and plunged down the first drop. The world tilted, and I felt weightless, the air rushing past me with a deafening roar. 
My scream mingled with Terence’s as we soared through loops and twists, the ride twisting and turning like a wild serpent.
I couldn’t help but laugh amidst the screams, the thrill consuming me. 
"This is insane!” I yelled, my voice barely making it over the wind.
“Right?!” Terence shouted back, his eyes wide with exhilaration. 
He threw his hands up in the air, embracing the wildness of the ride.
The sun hung high in the sky as Terence and I strolled away from the Screaming Serpent, still buzzing from the thrill of the ride. 
We were both a little breathless, laughter spilling out in waves as we recounted our favorite moments—the dizzying loops, the heart-stopping drops, and the sheer joy of screaming together. 
“Alright, I think it’s time for a proper meal,” I said, glancing at the array of food stalls that lined the park. “How about that café we passed earlier? The one with the outdoor seating?”
Terence nodded enthusiastically. “Great idea! I could go for a burger and some of those loaded fries!”
We made our way through the park, weaving between families and groups of friends, the cheerful chaos surrounding us. 
As we approached the café, I could see its charming facade—a mix of rustic wood and colorful flowers spilling from window boxes. 
The inviting aroma of grilled meats and fresh bread wafted through the air, making my mouth water.
The café had a cozy outdoor patio, shaded by large umbrellas, and we quickly found a table in the corner. 
As we settled in, a friendly waitress approached, her notepad at the ready. “What can I get for you two?”
Terence wasted no time. “I’ll have the classic cheeseburger with a side of those loaded fries, please!”
I glanced at the menu, my stomach rumbling in anticipation. “I’ll go for the grilled chicken sandwich with a side salad,” I said, handing the menu back. “And two iced teas, please!”
As we lingered over our meal, a woman emerged from the crowd, her neon-colored outfit radiating an otherworldly glow. She moved with a deliberate swagger, her eyes fixed intently on Terence. 
My gaze followed hers, and I felt a sudden jolt of unease as she approached our table.
Her lips curled into a saccharine smile as she leaned in to kiss Terence, her mouth lingering on his cheek. The gesture seemed calculated to provoke, and I could feel my hackles rising in response. 
Her gaze flicked to me, and her smile twisted into a cold, mirthless curve. I felt a shiver run down my spine as she seemed to take pleasure in my discomfort.
Terence's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger as he pushed her away. But she refused to be deterred, clinging to his arm with a desperate intensity. 
Her eyes welled up with tears, but they seemed more like a tactical maneuver than a genuine expression of emotion.
"Terence, darling," she cooed, her voice dripping with insincerity. "Why are you being so cruel to me?"
Terence's jaw clenched, his face a mask of fury. "What are you doing here, Madonna?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.
Her smile never wavered, but her eyes seemed to gleam with a malevolent light. 
"I just wanted to see you, Terence," she purred. "I've missed you so much."
I needed to put distance between myself and the scene I had just left behind, the image of Terence and that woman seared into my mind.
As I stepped outside, the sun hit my face, but it felt cold and unwelcoming. 
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but the knot in my stomach only tightened. I felt exposed, vulnerable, as if I had just stripped away a layer of my defenses. 
The laughter and excitement of the park seemed to mock me, amplifying my sense of isolation.
I wandered aimlessly, my thoughts swirling like the cotton candy being spun at a nearby stall. 
I could feel my heart racing, a mix of anger and hurt coursing through me. How could Terence let her come so close? Didn’t he see how it affected me?