Chapter 279: fencing tournament II

Chapter 279: Chapter 279: fencing tournament II

Christopher stopped in front of her.

"Hi."

Vivienne smiled.

"Hi."

And suddenly, despite having spent the past several weeks texting him and talking to him on the phone, she couldn’t think of anything else to say.

Her mind went completely blank.

Christopher seemed amused by her silence, though not unkindly.

"How have you been?"

"Good."

She nodded quickly.

"Very good. How about you?"

"Good."

He smiled.

"Busy."

"I can imagine."

There was a small pause.

Vivienne tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Congratulations, by the way."

"Thank you."

"You were really good."

"Really?"

Vivienne nodded.

"Yes."

Then she hesitated.

"I mean, I actually understood most of it this time."

Christopher laughed.

"Most?"

"I studied."

"You studied fencing?"

Vivienne’s cheeks warmed.

"A little."

"For me?"

The question came so casually that she nearly choked.

"What? No."

Christopher smiled.

"Of course."

She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Eleanor is competing."

"I know."

"So I came to watch her."

"Of course."

There was something about the way he said it that made Vivienne certain he didn’t believe her for a second.

But he didn’t tease her further.

Instead, he glanced toward the pistes.

"She’ll be competing later, isn’t she?"

"Yes."

"I think I saw her name on the schedule."

Vivienne nodded.

"She’ll be fencing soon."

They fell into an easier silence.

After the initial awkwardness, talking to him began to feel familiar again.

It was strange.

They had spoken so much through messages and calls that she already knew how his voice sounded when he laughed, how he teased her, how he paused before answering certain questions.

But having him standing right in front of her was different.

Much more difficult.

And much more exciting.

"What are you doing after this?" Christopher asked.

Vivienne blinked.

"After this?"

"Yes."

"I took a break from the equestrian event."

Christopher’s eyebrow lifted slightly.

"A break?"

Vivienne smiled sheepishly.

"I need to go back in a while."

"I see."

There was a hint of amusement in his voice.

They both knew what her "break" had really meant.

She had left the equestrian grounds to come here.

To watch him.

Vivienne looked away, trying not to blush.

Fortunately, Christopher didn’t call her out on it.

Instead, he continued.

"I have another fencing round later."

"Oh."

"And some Student Council work."

"Of course."

He glanced at the time.

"I should probably get back soon."

Vivienne nodded.

"Right."

She looked at him.

Then at the equipment bag hanging from his shoulder.

Then back at him.

Her heart began beating faster.

He had another fencing round.

He had Student Council work.

But after that...

What was he doing tonight?

The thought appeared before she could stop it.

She hesitated.

Then hesitated again.

Christopher noticed.

"Is there something you wanted to ask?"

Vivienne’s heart jumped.

"No."

Then she immediately shook her head.

"I mean—yes."

Christopher waited patiently.

She took a breath.

"Are you free tonight?"

His expression softened.

"I think so. Why?"

Her heart began pounding.

"Would you..."

She paused.

Then forced herself to finish.

"Would you like to have dinner with me?"

Christopher paused.

"Dinner?"

Vivienne nodded quickly.

"Yes."

She felt her cheeks warming.

"I mean... you should probably eat properly."

For a moment, Christopher simply looked at her.

Then he chuckled.

"You really haven’t forgotten that, have you?"

Vivienne smiled sheepishly.

"Someone has to make sure you eat."

Christopher shook his head, amused.

Then he gave her a small nod.

"All right. I’ll make time."

Vivienne’s face brightened.

"Really?"

"Really."

She smiled.

"Okay."

Someone called Christopher’s name from across the gymnasium.

He glanced over his shoulder.

"One of my teammates."

Vivienne nodded.

"You should go."

"I probably should."

He looked back at her.

"I’ll message you later?"

"Yes."

"Then I’ll see you tonight."

Vivienne smiled.

"Tonight."

Christopher turned and headed back toward the fencing area.

Vivienne watched him go.

Only when he disappeared into the crowd did she finally let out the breath she’d been holding.

She had actually done it.

She had asked Christopher to dinner.

And he had said yes.

Her cheeks warmed all over again.

She pressed her lips together, trying very hard not to smile like an idiot.

It didn’t work.

Vivienne turned toward the exit.

The moment she stepped outside the gymnasium, she spotted Claire and Amelia waiting nearby.

Both girls looked at her expectantly.

Claire folded her arms.

"Well?"

Vivienne tried to look innocent.

"Well what?"

Amelia stared at her.

"Don’t even."

Claire stepped closer.

"Did he talk to you?"

"Yes."

"And?"

Vivienne couldn’t stop the smile from appearing.

"We’re having dinner later."

There was a beat of silence.

Then both girls squealed.

"What?!"

Vivienne immediately looked around.

"Keep your voices down!"

Claire grabbed her arm.

"You’re having dinner with Christopher?"

Vivienne nodded.

"Yes."

Amelia stared at her.

"Wait. You asked him?"

Vivienne’s cheeks warmed.

"I did."

"And he said yes?"

"He did."

Claire grabbed Amelia’s arm.

"She actually did it."

Amelia laughed.

"Girl!"

Vivienne laughed too.

"Oh, come on."

"You’re going to need to change."

"Of course."

The answer came immediately.

Both girls paused.

Vivienne gave them a look.

"I’m not going to dinner looking like this."

Claire burst out laughing.

"Exactly."

Amelia nodded enthusiastically.

"And we’re helping."

Vivienne smiled.

"Obviously."

They started walking together across the campus.

The afternoon had become considerably busier now, with students moving between the different sporting venues and others gathering around the various competitions.

Their conversation naturally returned to the dinner.

Where they might go.

What Vivienne might wear.

How much time she had to get ready.

And, inevitably, how ridiculous she was being about a man she’d already admitted she liked far too much.

Vivienne didn’t care.

She was already thinking through what she could wear.

By the time they reached the equestrian grounds, it was close to three.

The competitions were still underway, and the stands remained occupied by students watching the riders.

Vivienne approached the attendance table and signed her name on the checkout sheet.

Once she had finished, she stepped back toward Claire and Amelia.

"All right."

Claire looked at her.

"Done?"

"Done."

Vivienne glanced toward the field.

Then toward the university beyond it.

For a brief moment, something seemed to cross her mind.

"Wait."

Amelia looked at her.

"What?"

Vivienne frowned slightly.

"I feel like I’m forgetting something."

Claire raised an eyebrow.

"Your dinner?"

"No."

Vivienne thought for another second.

Something about the afternoon schedule.

Something she had meant to remember.

Then she shook her head.

"Never mind."

She smiled.

"Come on. Let’s go."

Amelia laughed.

"You’re really that excited?"

"Yes."

Vivienne linked her arm through hers.

"I have to get ready."

Claire laughed.

"For dinner that’s still hours away?"

"Exactly."

She was already mentally going through her wardrobe.

There was no reason to wait until the last minute.

She wanted to look good.

No.

She wanted to look really good.

She was having dinner with Christopher.

That was reason enough.

The three girls left the equestrian grounds together.

Meanwhile, just on the other side, a polo match was just about to begin.

Vivienne had completely forgotten about it.

And, more importantly—

She had completely forgotten about Damian.

For now, there was only one thing occupying her thoughts.

Dinner.

With Christopher.

--

Tbc