The next day,

Val was checking himself out in front of the mirror for the tenth time in the past one minute and pondering, 'Oh My! How did it end up like this?'

He adjusted his tie again and wore the coat, thinking, 'Shit! Now I'm the talk of the town!'

Yesterday, the news about him having a date with Storm had spread within the school like wildfire, as expected.

Not only were the rumors and gossip flying among the students but the other professors and employees heard about this surprising news too and were astonished by this sudden turn of events.

It shocked them because they had never heard Starlance even remotely 'close' to a female. There wasn't any news about his dating life whatsoever. They believed that Starlance was either asexual or was married.

However, never did anybody think of this unexpected situation of him having a date with a younger colleague, a gorgeous young, beautiful colleague, to boot!

Thus, they were shocked to hear about Val going on a date with Storm.

This was such a rare and hot news. And every single one wanted to get their hands on such gossip.

Even the news channels caught wind of it and sent reporters from their studios to obtain an interview. They also competed fiercely against the newspapers to be the first and the most informed.

Hence, since yesterday night, the topic of him and Storm dating had made its way onto the wider public, and now, everybody, and that meant EVERYBODY was discussing his and Storm's new dating life.

All of this also affected Val somewhat.

Ever since last night, he couldn't sleep. He had been receiving calls and messages asking whether it was true and about his relationship status with Storm. Even though he was already used to these things due to his past life as a world-renowned scientist, he couldn't help but feel slightly nervous since this was his first date after decades of being single.

But he also felt excited.

A bright smile crept on his face as he glanced at himself in the mirror. His black hair was styled back, while the strands of his beard were carefully and neatly trimmed to his usual clean-shaven self. He buttoned the collar of his white shirt and tightened his golden-lined black coat. He wore a pair of glasses to look elegant and suave. He picked up a small packet of perfume from the dresser beside him and sprayed it a few times, spreading the delightful fragrance throughout the room.

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Satisfied with the reflection staring back at him, he turned around and walked towards the exit of his room with a huge smile.

* * *

* WHOOSH *

Val landed on the ground before the doors of the Flamingo restaurant. Ignoring the stares he received upon his landing, he looked at his watch and smiled, 'Nice! It's 7:40! I arrived 20 minutes earlier, but better early than late. This is fine.'

He raised his head and was about to take a step further when...

"Starlance?"

A familiar voice came from behind him, which made him stop. He turned around and saw Storm slowly walking toward him.

"Umm... Uhh..." He gulped and struggled to form a reply as he looked at her from top to bottom and couldn't help but be amazed at how beautiful she looked.

Storm wore a short, deep red strapless dress with her silky white hair hanging loosely on her shoulder. A golden bracelet could be seen around her dainty and tender wrists. The dress covered a significant portion of her smooth legs, up to her mid-thigh. A matching black handbag hung over her shoulder while her blue eyes glimmered underneath the rays of moonlight.

The cherry red lipstick she had put on accentuated her luscious lips beautifully, and as she came close to him, he noticed her strong flowery perfume, which was mixed with her unique fragrance, tantalizing him.

She looked so beautiful that even the men around him kept staring at her without blinking.

'HOLY SHIT! She's fucking beautiful! Even more than what I saw of her in the movies! There's no comparison!!' Val thought in admiration.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting." Her voice snapped him out of his stupor.

He fixed his coat and replied to her with a confident voice, "I arrived just now. You don't need to worry."

Storm shyly looked up at him through her long white eyelashes and gave him a sweet smile that made his heart beat.

"Right..." She tucked a strand of white hair behind her ear and bashfully said, "By the way...you look so handsome."

"Me?!" Val chuckled and replied, "It's you who looks great! Very beautiful...in fact!"

A rosy blush appeared on her cheeks as a shy smile surfaced on her lips upon receiving his praise, "Thanks!"

"Well then..." He offered his right hand and said, "Let's head inside!"

She nodded, intertwined her left arm with his outstretched hand, and happily said, "Yes."

They walked side by side, entered the restaurant, and walked to their reserved table.

Val pulled the seat from under the table and smiled, gesturing for Storm to sit.

"Thank you!" She said and sat on the chair, thinking, 'What a gentleman!'

"Well... What should we order?" Val sat on his chair opposite her, keeping a menu on the side for reference.

"Hmm.." Storm hummed and glanced at the menu.

They seemed to be picking out their order. However, they both had a single thought: ' The real deal starts now...'