I fixed Anthony with a penetrating stare, my suspicion burning like a wildfire in the dark.

"What's the play here, Anthony?" I challenged, my voice crackling with intensity.

"Just wanted to check up on you after you blocked me. What's the deal?" Anthony's tone held a hint of sincerity, but I wasn't about to let him off easy.

"Don't try to play me," I retorted, my frustration smoldering beneath the surface. "I know Deanesh sent you to snoop around."

Confusion clouded Anthony's expression. "Wait, what? What are you talking about?"

"Don't act innocent," I snapped, my impatience bubbling over. "I've seen her all over your socials."

Recognition flickered in Anthony's eyes. "Hold up. You've got it twisted. Deanesh? She's my cousin, from my mom's side."

I scoffed, my disbelief seeping into my words. "Sure, play that card. I'm done with these mind games."

But Anthony wasn't backing down. "You're blowing this out of proportion. She's family. Want proof?"

I hesitated, my skepticism warring with the possibility of truth. Anthony wasted no time in thrusting his phone toward me, urging me to take a look.

As I examined the evidence, embarrassment crept over me. "I... I'm sorry," I mumbled, feeling the weight of my baseless accusation.

Anthony's smile was a flicker of understanding. "It's cool. I get it."

Relief washed over me as Anthony forgave my lapse in judgment. Before we could delve further, I invited him inside. As we crossed the threshold, my mother appeared, eyeing us with a mix of curiosity and concern.

My mom's eyes narrowed, a skeptical look crossing her face as she sized up Anthony and me. It was like she could sense the tension between us, her gaze flickering back and forth as she silently assessed the situation.

"Who's this?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion, her words slicing through the air like a knife.

I shot Anthony a quick glance, silently urging him to play along. "Mom, this is Anthony," I began, my words coming out in a rush. "He's Deanesh's cousin from her mom's side."

Anthony nodded in agreement, offering a polite smile. "Hey, nice to meet you," he said, his tone calm and collected despite the awkwardness of the situation.

My mom's expression softened slightly, but the skepticism still lingered in her eyes. "And what's he doing here?" she pressed, her tone laced with a hint of warning.

I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks as I struggled to find the right words. "Mom, he's cool, I promise," I insisted, hoping to ease her concerns.

My mom's gaze softened at my words, but she couldn't resist a parting shot. "Just don't go causing any trouble, alright?" she cautioned, her words echoing in the air like a warning bell.

With a sense of relief, I led Anthony upstairs to my room, eager to escape the awkwardness of the moment. As we settled in, I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation that coursed through me, the tension between us palpable.

Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Anthony's presence was a welcome distraction, his easygoing demeanor helping to ease my nerves. And as our eyes met, a surge of electricity crackled between us, igniting a spark that I couldn't ignore.

In that moment, it was like the world faded away, leaving only the two of us locked in a silent exchange. And as the seconds ticked by, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us.

Anthony's gaze met mine, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "What's caught your eye?" he teased.

"You, of course," I replied, unable to suppress a smile.

He chuckled. "Looks like you've got some game."

I shrugged, a coy grin playing on my lips. "Oh, I've got game alright."

As he bit his lip, a mischievous glint sparked in his eyes. "Well, I'm a pro. How about we hit the town tonight and have some fun?"

"That sounds cool," I said, considering the idea, "but I'm not sure if my mom would go for it."

"Come on, live a little. You owe me this," he urged.

"Alright," I relented, "but we'll have to sneak out while my mom's asleep."

"You got it," he agreed, his excitement evident.

In that moment, I couldn't believe he was asking me out and suggesting we sneak out. He was the quintessential bad boy, and I found myself drawn to his adventurous spirit. With a plan in place, we waited for my mom to fall asleep before quietly slipping out of the house.

Anthony retrieved his car from his place, and soon we were on our way. Destination? The club. I was equal parts shocked and intrigued by his choice, but I decided to go along with it. Somehow, he managed to get us past the club's entrance with ease.

As we hit the dance floor, the music pulsated around us, and I found myself swept up in the rhythm. Anthony pulled me close, and together we moved in sync. Lost in the moment, his gaze locked with mine, and I felt an undeniable connection. Then, without hesitation, he leaned in and kissed me.

It was electric, a whirlwind of sensation as we danced and kissed, lost in each other's embrace. And despite the excitement of the night, not a drop of alcohol passed our lips.

As we left the club, our hearts still racing from the excitement of the night, we decided to grab a bite to eat together, just the two of us. Anthony drove me home, the warmth of his presence beside me comforting.

"Tonight was amazing," I said, breaking the comfortable silence.

"No, you were amazing," Anthony replied, his voice soft and sincere.

I couldn't help but laugh at his smoothness. "God, you're so smooth. Deanesh won't be happy about this."

Anthony shook his head, dismissing any concern. "Don't worry about her. Besides, it's really none of her business. Just relax, okay?"

His words reassured me, and I nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "You're right. Okay."

Before saying goodbye, I leaned in to kiss him one last time for the night. The connection between us felt electric, undeniable. As we parted, I bit my lip, savoring the moment. With a quick farewell, I hurried inside, the memory of our kiss still lingering on my lips.

Alone in my room, I couldn't stop thinking about the night and about him. The way he made me feel was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. In that moment, I realized just how deeply I was falling for him.