Reputation's Bloom

Chapter 43. Silvano

Chapter 43

Theo and Daphne

At the bustling ski lodge nestled high in the snow-covered mountains, Theo and Daphne stood near the equipment racks, surrounded by skiers gearing up for a day on the slopes. Daphne, bundled in a sleek, navy-blue ski suit that complemented her pale skin and dark eyes, frowned down at the unfamiliar skis. Her cheeks were already flushed from the cold air and frustration, a wisp of breath fogging up in front of her as she pouted.

Theo, towering beside her in his black ski jacket, crouched down to help her with the bindings. His hands, strong and steady, adjusted the clasps on her boots. "You just need to slide your foot in and—"

"I am sliding it in!" Daphne interrupted, her voice tinged with exasperation. "It's not supposed to be this complicated. Why can't I just... float down like in those winter movies?"

Theo glanced up, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. "Because this isn't a movie, princess. And floating doesn't count as skiing."

She shot him a glare, her lips twitching into an almost-smile. "Easy for you to say. This is like... torture boots on slippery planks."

With a soft chuckle, Theo stood up. He brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch gentle against the biting wind. "You'll get the hang of it. Trust me."

Daphne's shoulders relaxed slightly as she looked into his eyes, a reluctant grin breaking through her annoyance. "Fine. But if I fall, you're carrying me back down."

Theo smirked, leaning in close. "Deal." His breath was warm against her ear and his kiss even warmer. "But don't think I won't make fun of you for it."

Daphne rolled her eyes, finally slipping her foot securely into the ski.

Theo smiled as he guided Daphne to her feet, steadying her with a firm grip. His eyes sparkled with a teasing warmth that softened the sharp angles of his usual stoic expression. "Ready, baby?" he asked, the words laced with both encouragement and challenge.

Daphne shot him a look, her eyes narrowing slightly. "No, not really," she muttered, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. Then, with a deep breath and a determined set to her jaw, she added, "But what the hell, let's go."

As they made their way toward the lift, the snowy path crunching under their boots, Daphne's grip on his arm tightened. Each step felt like a leap of faith, and Theo could feel the tension in her fingers, a silent plea for reassurance. His heart swelled with a surge of protectiveness, the corners of his mouth lifting in an unguarded smile. She wasn't the type to admit fear, but she also wasn't one to back down from a challenge—and that's what he loved about her the most.

"Hey," he said softly, pausing to look into her eyes. "One trip down, and then we'll head to the sky lounge. I'll keep you toasty and warm, promise."

Daphne's lips twitched into a reluctant smile. "Bribing me with hot chocolate and a warm fire? Clever."

Theo leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "Anything to keep you happy." His eyes searched hers, an unspoken depth behind the words.

Daphne swallowed, her cheeks turning pink—not just from the cold. She exhaled a small, shaky laugh. "You better not let me fall, Silvano."

He grinned, a rare, genuine softness breaking through his usual intensity. "Never."

As the lift approached, Daphne's grip on his arm didn't loosen. If anything, it grew stronger. And Theo welcomed it, knowing he wasn't letting go of her anytime soon.

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Mason and Wendy

At the base of the ski lift, the hum of chattering skiers and the distant swoosh of skis on snow filled the crisp mountain air. Wendy adjusted her goggles, glancing toward Mason, who stood a few feet away. His gaze was fixed on the ground, arms crossed over his chest, clearly uninterested in whatever small talk she might offer.