This was the second time James had tried to put his arm around a girl, and his nerves were on edge.
He couldn't help but think back to his first attempt, which had ended in awkwardness and left a lasting impression.
Back then, he had been infatuated with a girl for three long years. He had saved up for ages to buy her an expensive necklace, and her delight when wearing it had given him hope.
It was springtime, and they were walking through campus, surrounded by the fresh bloom of new leaves and blossomsâall signs of romance in the air.
James had mistaken the setting for an opportunity and had gathered the courage to put his arm around her.
The girl's look of distaste had cut him deeply.
Her severe reprimand, "You're disrespecting me; we agreed only after marriage!" echoed in his mind, haunting him every sleepless night since.
This episode left a lasting shadow over him, always afraid any girl would react the same way.
Hesitant, his hand hung there, touching yet not touching, ready to recoil.
Tailsa was silently wondering what the holdup was.
Through her peripheral vision, she had noticed James's hand moving, and her unhurried pace signaled her willingness.
A moment ago, when he had sneaked a peek, it hadn't bothered her muchâslipping a little perk was nothing.
She wasn't angry, just playing along as though she needed coaxing.
Pulling his hand away had been in response to a playful trick he'd pulled, a move that suggested he might not be the simple, straightforward guy he'd initially seemed.
That level of cunning made Tailsa a bit wary, leaving her wondering if his dopey demeanor had been an act all along.
Yet, surely he'd have made his move by now?
She sent him a sideways glance, seeing him lost in a distant memory, a hint of unease etched on his faceâwhat could possibly be so terrifying about putting his arm around a girl?
Was this some elaborate act of "play hard to get"?
Feigning indifference, painting a picture of rejection for her to pity him, lulling her closer into his embrace?
Right, she thought. This guy must've read too many romance novels.
Rolling her eyes slightly, she couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated by the quirks of wealthy men.
She sighed silently.
What else could she do?
She was committed to the game. The grand show must go on.
Composing her expression into a soft, inviting smile, she slowed her pace.
She leaned back gently, cheekily catching his arm in her embrace.
The instant their bodies connected, James felt a ripple of shock course through him.
Tailsa saw him tremble and fought the urge to roll her eyes. What a performance!
She nestled closer into his embrace and asked softly,
"What were you thinking about, big brother?"
James's hand found its way to her smooth, delicate shoulder, filling his mind with a rush of panic.
Lost in thought, the transition into her embrace had gone unnoticed. Her question caught him off guard.
"Uh... I wasn't thinking about anything, really."
Tailsa's smile never wavered.
"Hmm, you seemed so tense. Am I really the first pretty girl you've hugged?"
Her words, so close to the truth, left him flustered and speechless.
Seeing his discomfort, Tailsa mistook it for an act of innocence.
Her eyes flickered with a playful mischief as she placed her hand over his.
Startled, James feared she was about to push his hand away, and he scrambled for words to apologize.
Before he could respond, Tailsa gently guided his hand lower, moving from her shoulder, down along her ribs, finally resting it around her waist.
This new position threw James entirely off balance.
Tailsa's delightful smile remained as her teasing words followed.
"Big brother, it's a bit odd to rest your arm on a girl's shoulder, you know?"
James, taken aback by her unexpected transparency, blankly asked,
"What's odd about it?"
Tailsa shot him a sideways glance.
"Only you boys do that to each other. Do you want me to be your bro?"
The playful, flirtatious tone sparkled in her voice, drawing James in with its sweet allure.
Her mesmerizing eyes, shielded with long lashes, held a teasing invitation that was impossible to ignore.
In that singular moment, as James felt Tailsa draw him in with captivating sincerity, emotions swept through him more fiercely than any he'd felt before.
Reflecting on his past, he chided himself for ever falling for that past girlâa manipulative person who offered him nothing but toil and loss.
He certainly didn't want to be a "simp" anymore; he'd rather live boldly, take risks, and fight back.
Spurred on by Tailsa's bold move, James found his confidence. He gently pulled her closer.
"Why don't you become my girlfriend?" he declared openly.
Tailsa wasn't surprised by the sudden confession. She dipped her head shyly, replying slowly,
"But back in college, we barely exchanged five sentences. Isn't this all happening a bit quickly?"
James responded earnestly,
"I think a little speed can be a good thing."
With a slight look of difficulty, Tailsa remarked,
"But I barely know anything about you, not even where you live."
Her words were a probing test, aimed at gauging James's reactions.
Although a gradual, calculated development was preferable, the allure of a whirlwind romance with someone who acted so boldly was quite tempting.
Between James's wealth, kind demeanor, and decent looks that outshone the bald tycoons she'd met, he was near the top of her list.
As long as his home and assets matched an eight-figure range, she could envision a future with him.
The mention of a house jolted James back to reality.
He still lived in a cramped rental, shy of 40 square metersârevealing such a living situation might make Tailsa reconsider any interest she had.
Reading between her words, James sensed she wished to evaluate his capabilities.
But what could he possibly show?
Aside from the system's wealth, his worldly possessions were lacking.
The temptation to impulsively invest the money for an impressive display was true, yet he understood the risks. If things fell through, he'd be left with only fleeting affection and mockery.
He reminded himself that deeper emotions took time, springing from mutual growth rather than instant success.
They hadn't even known each other a full dayâtrue affections took longer, he reasoned.
Adopting a different line of conversation, he said,
"You'll learn more about me in time. Where to next?"
Tailsa noticed his hesitance, recognizing that something held him back from candidness. Confusion threaded through her thoughtsâsurely, a man as generous as he wouldn't live poorly?
But without confirmation, endless speculation wouldn't serve. Tasting uncertainty, she let the line of inquiry drop.
Catching a glimpse at her phone, she noted,
"It's almost five o'clock. Big brother, are you hungry?"
Their day of wandering about had kept James absorbed, with Tailsa's vibrant energy keeping fatigue at bay.
But now that she'd brought it up, his stomach growled in hearty agreement.
"Starving. I could devour an entire cow right now!" he admitted.
Finding his honest confession adorably earnest, Tailsa lightly chided herself for keeping him so focused on shopping.
As an apology, she offered to treat him to dinner.
James refused immediately, jesting that between them, his expenses could absorb their dinner costs.
So instead, James escorted Tailsa to an upscale seafood restaurant, placing an extravagant order: king crab, geoduck, an immense unfamiliar conch, Australian lobster, sea urchin omelet...
He had long admired seafood feasts but never dared indulge alone, sampling only briefly at others' wedding spreads.
Today, though, he could finally enjoy them to his heart's content.
Including the WhatsApp transfers earlier, James had spent a total of $250,000 just that afternoon.
Tailsa's affection points had shot upward rapidly, reaching a stable 42 (familiar).