My Boyfriend Forces Me to Diet — Story of the Day

Matilda starves herself, not because of a lack of money but because her boyfriend thinks she's too fat. Matilda believes she's the one with the problem until she meets a personal trainer who shows her that she's fine and her real problem is Harry.

Matilda stood alone in an uncrowded restaurant, her eyes darting nervously at the tables around her.

A warm shiver ran down her spine, a feeling of anxiety clinging to her every movement as her eyes scanned the room.

The silent whispers of the few people around could be heard, along with the sounds of their spoons and forks, as they slowly ate the food they ordered.

Instead of acting like everyone else, Matilda, on the other hand, seemed scared to move closer to the counter as she chose to stand in her chosen spot, rubbing her belly.

Her dress looked expensive, and even the heels she wore on her feet didn't look cheap. No one there would assume she was starving because of a lack of money.

Matilda continued looking around until her gaze landed on the untouched table adorned with an alluring display of food – fries, a hefty hamburger, and a small, beckoning bowl of ketchup.

The scene felt almost surreal, the unease in her stomach growing at the temptation of the already well-arranged feast on the table.

It's not yours. Don't even dare, Matilda thought, looking away only to look right back a few seconds later.

Compelled by fear and hunger, she suddenly found herself dashing towards it.

Refusing the lure to order the food was easy. But watching an already prepared plate of tantalizing food in front of her?

The temptation was magnetic as the aroma of the food intensified with each step.

Finally, Matilda could no longer resist as she dove toward the unattended feast, driven by hunger and desperation.

All the distant sounds around dulled a little as she picked up the massive hamburger on the table and took a huge bite.

Gone was the ladylike demeanor she carried with her as she waited; in its place was nothing but a woman who had gone without food for far too long.

Bent over the table, Matilda munched and crunched as quickly as she could, focusing more on how much she could stuff in her mouth than the elegance of its taste.

Matilda was still distracted by the food in her mouth when she heard a voice from behind her that scared her well enough for her to drop the fries she had parked with her hands, ready to devour.

"Ehm, sorry to bother you," said a deep voice from behind her, jolting her to her senses as she began wiping the food stains smeared on her lips.

Harry, a young man, stood beside her with a look of curiosity and concern etched on his face.

"Why are you stealing my food?" Harry asked, his question hanging in the air for a few seconds as Matilda, still mid-bite, struggled to swallow the last bite in her mouth before speaking.

With a face full of guilt and unspoken apologies, Matilda finally managed to utter the words she desperately wanted to say.

"Arghh-I'm sorry," she apologized, the initial fear that gripped her now blended with embarrassment.

Her cheeks flushed a deep red as she felt Harry observe her with an intense look in his eyes.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, surprised to watch her shake her head.

For Matilda, the reality of her impulsive actions set in as she struggled to respond.

"No, please. Please be quiet," she pleaded, focusing mainly on cleaning her face and removing any evidence of her shameful actions.

Undeterred, Harry persisted with a friendly smile on his face.

"Don't be shy. I'd love to buy a pretty girl lunch," he reassured her, the smile on his face widening a little more at Matilda's reaction.

"Do you mean me?" Matilda asked, looking behind her, unable to fathom why such an offer would be directed towards her. He scanned the surroundings with a stunned expression, half expecting to see someone else behind her.

"The desserts here are amazing. You should try some," Harry added, trying to convince her to accept his offer, one he could tell she was interested in.

Harry was still considering what else to say when he heard a deep, hoarse voice speak rudely from behind.

He was surprised to see a slightly chubby man wearing dark, expensive clothes behind him.

"Hey, waiter! We're not interested in any desserts," he barked at Harry, making it clear that he had overheard their conversation as he moved closer to Matilda.

Almost instinctively, Matilda bent her head, avoiding eye contact and focusing more on frantically wiping her mouth to erase any evidence of the secret feast she had just had.

Harry, dressed in a white top and black pants, maintained a neutral expression as he corrected the man, choosing to believe he made a mistake because of the clothes he wore.

"I'm a customer," he calmly asserted, attempting to defuse the tension he could feel in the air.

Harry's calm demeanor was completely different from the aggressiveness he could feel from the big man in front of him.

"If you're not a waiter, then why did you offer her—" Peter began asking, his tone getting louder by the second, only for Matilda to cut him off before he got any further.

"Peter, honey. If you're done, we can go," Matilda interjected, her eyes darting nervously between Peter and Harry.

She could sense the tension in the air and was determined to prevent it from escalating.

Peter, wearing a furrowed brow, was annoyed and reluctantly tore his gaze from Harry, shifting it to the half-eaten plate of food on the table, the closest thing to them.

A palpable silence hung in the air as Peter processed the situation.

"Wait," he slowly began to speak, a vast look of suspicion evident in his eyes as he seized Matilda's chin, forcefully turning her face towards him.

The restaurant was mostly empty, and even the ones inside paid no attention to what was going on, unwillingly going to be part of any drama that was about to happen.

Even Harry, standing close to them, was taken aback by the sudden intensity of the situation.

Questions swirled in his mind as he wondered about the relationship between Matilda and Peter.

"Matilda…Did you eat something?" Peter's tone held an ominous edge, causing Matilda to tremble slightly.

"No," she whispered, her gaze retreating to the safety of the ground as she felt him release her jaw a couple of seconds later.

Determined to unearth the truth, Peter grabbed a napkin deliberately.

With almost theatrical flair, he picked up a few pieces of half-eaten fries from the plate, dangling them provocatively in Matilda's face.

"Really?" he asked, a smug look of superiority on his face.

"Did you eat this?" he asked with a tone heavy with suspicion as he stared intently at her mouth.

Matilda, unable to resist the allure of the chips, stared at the half-eaten chips in his hands with unparalleled focus.

Her behavior was almost identical to that of an animal that had been starved for months at the edge of starvation—one at the mercy of a bigger predator.

"I asked you a question. Did you eat this?" Peter's voice rose, cutting through the pleasant sounds in the restaurant.

The moment's intensity tightened its grip on Matilda, and her response came as a mere whisper under the crushing weight of his second inquiry.

"I'm sorry."

Unable to stand idly by the side, Harry finally felt compelled to intervene, and he did.

"Hey! Why are you talking to her like that?" Harry asked, his voice piercing the already charged atmosphere as he outrightly challenged Peter's behavior.

"None of your business," Peter retorted, redirecting a cold gaze at Harry.

The situation was slowly getting more heated, and even the customers in the restaurant, who had been engaged in their worlds, now turned their attention to the unfolding spectacle in front of them.

Matilda caught between Peter and Harry, stood pale and anxious, her forehead creased in distress.

"We'll talk more at home," Peter declared, his voice laced with a threatening undertone.

"Yes, we should—" Matilda instantly responded, desperate to escape the escalating situation.

"Let's go," Peter interrupted, grabbing her hand with force, poised to lead her out of the restaurant.

But Harry, spurred by a sense of justice, refused to let her leave with someone maltreating her.

If he could treat her like this in public, I wonder how badly he'd treat her in private.

"Get your hands off her!" He yelled, stepping between Peter and Matilda with a defiant stance that blocked Peter from leaving.

I can't allow them to leave together, not with how abusive he is.

When his protective instincts kicked in and he was convinced that this unfamiliar figure wasn't someone Matilda should associate with, Peter positioned himself between them, a human barrier meant to shield Matilda.

However, his protective stance took an unexpected turn when Matilda, to everyone's surprise, leaped out from behind Harry.

"No, don't touch him!" Matilda's frantic yell echoed, her concern evident as she turned to Peter, eyes scanning his body to ensure he was fine.

Stupefied by the sudden twist of events, Harry instinctively stepped back, bewildered by the intensity of Matilda's reaction.

Not one to engage in unnecessary words, Peter seized Matilda's hand firmly and dragged her out of the restaurant. To Harry's surprise, they didn't move a muscle to stop him.

A few moments before leaving, Matilda turned around, her gaze locking with Harry's for a few heartbeats.

A silent expression of gratitude passed between them as she mouthed a few words to him.

"Thank you for the food," she told him, revealing a trace of appreciation despite the tumultuous encounter.

It wasn't until Peter and Matilda got outside, and both entered the car that Peter found an outlet for his frustration.

Now, in the confines of the car, Matilda became the target of his well-aimed anger.

The force of his accusations echoed through the confines of the vehicle on their way home.

"How dare you? Do you want to become fat!" Peter screamed at her, leaving Matilda staring at her clenched fists as she silently sat in her seat.

Amid the verbal onslaught, Matilda wrestled with the urge to respond.

Her mind buzzed with unspoken words and countless emotions that bubbled beneath the surface, yet she remained silent, absorbing the comments directed at her.

"I love you! It's the only reason I'll never stand by and allow you to make such bad decisions," Peter continued, his words punctuating the air with such intensity that it was the only audible sound in the car.

The long ride home only ended when Peter's car stopped in the driveway of his house as Matilda hurried to get down.

"Wait! Starting tomorrow, I'm getting you a personal trainer," Peter declared, his gaze fixed on her, ensuring she heard him before she got out of the car.

Still in the passenger seat, Matildansat quietly, her fingers idly tracing invisible patterns in her chair, and nodded in response to his words.

Regardless of the complexities of their relationship, Matilda couldn't ignore the love she held for Peter, knowing that he only shouted at her because he cared.

Despite the gnawing pain in her empty stomach, a decision loomed in her mind.

I love him, and I don't want to make him unhappy, she thought, not knowing what other choice she could make.

The following day, at seven in the morning, Matilda found herself at a gym, dragged there by Peter.

"I refuse to let that fat inside of you sit there any longer," Peter whispered to her as they both made their way through the door.

The fluorescent lights flickered above as they both walked through the door, looking like two loving couples; Peter continued complaining under his breath.

"I have to go back home and get ready for work after this, but I still took the time to drive you here myself," he grumbled.

"I just hope you can see just how much I love you," he continued, with Matilda nodding silently as she walked in beside him, her head slightly bowed.

Few words passed between them until they reached their destination.

Once at the gym, Peter wasted no time, swiftly dropping Matilda's bag on the counter.

The female attendant instantly recognized them as new members and warmly welcomed them.

"Good morning. I'm pleased to welcome you to our—" However, before she could finish, Peter interjected abruptly.

"Shut up and give her the best trainer you have. I'll pay for it." He announced in a rude tone that made the attendant's initially bright and welcoming smile stiffen in seconds.

"Yes, sir," she responded obediently, adjusting her demeanor to meet Peter's stern tone.

Peter then turned to Matilda with a severe expression and began instructing her on what he expected of her.

"You have to work off all the disgusting fast food you ate last night," he declared, his words heavy with ridicule.

Feeling the weight of his unreal expectations, Matilda began to panic on the spot.

"I need you to lose two pounds by tonight," Peter continued, his demand hanging in the air like an unattainable goal.

Matilda, overwhelmed, could no longer hold back as she opened her mouth to speak.

"But it's impossible," she said, only to get yelled at by Peter, who didn't hesitate to send a few demeaning words her way.

"It's impossible, Matilda, to be fat and ugly," Peter responded, his words a low whisper for her ears only.

"If you love me, you'll do it," he pressed on, watching her nod through the tears stacked heavily in her eyes.

"Yes, I understand," Matilda managed to say, forcing a small smile on her face, but the pressure from Peter only intensified as he drew her closer, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Hey, baby, I care a lot about you. Do you understand that no one needs you but me? Me, Matilda," Peter asserted, his words and actions drawing a curious glance from the attendant, who pretended to be engrossed in her work.

"Do you understand?" Peter asked again, his gaze intense as he slowly moved his hands to her neck, gently squeezing, sending a hidden signal meant to convey his message discreetly.

"Andrew, you're hurting me," Matilda softly whispered, tapping his tight fingers against her neck, attempting to get him to release his grip.

To others around them, his hands on her neck didn't appear to be tight, as the attendant stealing glances at them only had a confused expression before she deliberately bent her head and ignored their presence altogether.

The air in the gym thickened with a mix of tension and unspoken dynamics.

Instead of releasing his hold on her, he continued to tighten it as he drew her face closer to his, whispering directly to her face.

His words, filled with disappointment and hurt, echoed in Matilda's ears.

"The same as you. Do you know how much you hurt and sadden me when you do such things?" he asked with an intense look in his eyes before finally releasing his grip on her neck.

Matilda, breathless and distressed, managed to stammer a feeble response.

"I'm sorry."

But Peter's response was firm and demanding.

"You're sorry? Then prove it," he retorted, instantly bringing out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping his hands with it before walking away with a deep frown.

Still recovering from the moment's intensity, Matilda had a dazed expression as she watched Peter retreat.

Amid the whirlwind of emotions, Matilda felt the only solace she had could only be found in her thoughts.

He loves me, and he'll never try to harm me, she reassured herself.

As long as she complied with his wishes, she believed Peter would revert to the loving and caring person she knew him to be.

Meanwhile, as the gym attendant signed Matilda up for a membership, an unexpected voice suddenly disrupted her from her thoughts.

"Are you stalking me? I can tell you right now that I don't have any fries."

Matilda heard the voice behind her, shocked to see the man from the restaurant standing behind her, whose fries she had covertly indulged in.

Annoyance welled up in her as he appeared to have overheard her entire conversation with her boyfriend.

"What are you doing here?" She demanded, trying to figure out why her chances of running into him were so high.

It was even more alarming since he was the last person she wanted to see.

"I'm your new trainer," Harry declared, adding another layer of annoyance to Matilda's already tumultuous day.

"What? No!" she yelled in protest, bewildered by the information he had just given her.

Quickly, she gathered her belongings, including her gym card, off the counter.

"I refuse. I don't want you," she told him, on the verge of moving away from him.

Unfazed by her reaction, Harry spoke to her with a smile.

"At least I won't make you starve like your crazy boyfriend," he said, not seeing a reason to pretend not to hear their conversation.

Matilda, protective of Peter despite his behavior towards her, rushed to defend him firmly.

"Don't say that! He's the only one who takes care of me." She responded thoughtfully, picking up her bag and leaving Harry behind.

As quickly as she could, she moved to a different place from where she had initially been standing, somewhere with seats.

As Matilda grappled with the unexpected events, someone sat beside her.

Looking up, she wasn't entirely surprised to see Harry, but his presence only brought a feeling of anxiety instead of relief.

"Listen, I'm sorry. It's just that you're a beautiful girl, and anyone will be happy to be your boyfriend," Harry earnestly told her, attempting to make her see things from his perspective.

"Are you kidding me?" Matilda responded with apparent disbelief, not believing a word he said.

With how often he heard Peter, her boyfriend, call her ugly, it was hard to believe the conflicting opinions of Harry, her soon-to-be trainer.

Matilda felt a surge of frustration, her hands instinctively covering her face as she tried to process what she felt.

"Everybody turns their backs on me because I'm overweight," Matilda confided to Harry, her words laden with the weight of past rejections.

She felt vulnerable, laying bare her insecurities to Harry, trying to explain how wrong he was when he expressed that she was beautiful.

"And here he is. He's the only one who paid any attention to me," Matilda added, her voice carrying a mix of gratitude and desperation.

Harry interjected before she could fully express her thoughts, unable to understand what he heard her say as he looked more intensely at every part of her body.

"You? Overweight?" Harry questioned, his gaze scrutinizing Matilda's slender figure.

"Yes," Matilda replied, allowing him to touch her as he stretched his fingers.

Perplexed, he pulled her jacket aside, revealing slender shoulders and a flat belly.

"Come on! Are you serious?" he asked, genuinely confused by her self-perception.

But Matilda was sure and, above all, determined to please Peter and begged Harry for assistance.

"I'm begging you. Help me to lose weight and make him happy." Her plea hung in the air, a poignant request for Harry to become a catalyst for transformation.

Sensing the gravity of her feelings towards her demands, Harry asked to ensure it was indeed what she wanted.

"Is this really what will make you happy?" he inquired, attempting to discern her true desires.

Matilda's response was unwavering, emphasizing her commitment to Peter's happiness.

"The most important thing for me is to make him happy," Matilda declared with enthusiasm, grabbing Harry's hands to show the sincerity of her plea.

Unintentionally, she overstepped a boundary, not realizing the significance until she saw Harry's surprised reaction.

Matilda withdrew her hand as swiftly as she could, a momentary lapse in awareness.

The memory of Peter's criticism about her hands not being "pretty enough" lingered in her head as she quickly placed her hands under the table.

She was about to apologize and confirm that she hadn't upset Harry with her actions when she unexpectedly heard him speak.

"Okay then, let's go," Harry finally announced, breaking the silence that followed their earnest conversation.

Matilda hurriedly reached for her gym bag, ready for a conventional workout at the gym, but Harry had other plans.

"Forget the gym bag; we don't need it. We're going to have a special kind of workout today," Harry declared with an excited smile, signaling a departure from the ordinary.

Seeing Harry's determination, Matilda felt a glimmer of hope and willingness to follow him into the unknown.

As they stepped out, Matilda followed behind Harry, the direction uncertain, but the journey promised a unique and transformative experience.

Where Harry took Matilda wasn't too far from the gym where they had been. By the time Matilda got there, she couldn't believe her eyes, unable to take her eyes off the dazzling skating rink.

The ice glistened beneath the glimmering lights, setting the stage for an unexpected adventure.

Never having skated before, Matilda stood at the rink's edge, unsure and hesitant.

With gentle reassurance, Harry approached, ready to guide her through the unfamiliar terrain.

Harry's patience and caring demeanor completely contrasted with Peter's demanding and critical ways, which Matilda had grown accustomed to.

As Harry began demonstrating the basics, Matilda was in awe of his kind attitude.

He was patient, and even when she stumbled and fell, Harry was there, a steady hand to lift her and help her navigate the icy surface of the rink.

Matilda, unfamiliar with such consideration, held onto Harry's hand tightly, half-expecting a flinch or a reprimand. Instead, he grabbed her hands and supported her.

It was a revelation for Matilda, a stark departure from the treatment she was used to.

"What if I fall again?" Matilda said after holding it in, voicing her insecurities.

"Well, you have me for that. Hold me by the shoulders," Harry replied with a grin, dispelling Matilda's fears and offering security.

His care wasn't a burden but rather a source of comfort that Matilda hadn't anticipated.

As they glided across the ice, Matilda couldn't help but chuckle at the unexpected joy of the moment. "Are you sure this is training?" she asked, surprised by how much fun she was having.

"Of course. Now, do as I say. Close your eyes," Harry instructed, adding an element of challenge to their skating adventure.

"But I'm scared," Matilda admitted, uncertain what could happen if he did so on such a slippery platform.

I could hurt myself and even pull him.

"Hold on tighter," Harry encouraged, his smile infectious as they began to skate a little faster than before.

As they glided across the rink, the world outside seemed to disappear. Matilda felt an exhilarating sensation as if she were flying.

The tension that had become a constant companion melted away, and being with Harry felt like the safest place on Earth. For a split second, she wanted to hold on to him forever and never let him go.

On the frosty rink, they indulged in a playful race, each pretending to be airborne as they held onto each other. The cold air echoed with laughter, and Matilda found herself thoroughly enchanted by the unexpected joy of the evening.

"You're even prettier than before," Harry whispered in her ear, a compliment that caught Matilda off guard.

"What! How?" she asked, not expecting such admiration.

"Cause you're finally smiling," Harry responded, making Matilda blush harder than she had when she had held on to his waist.

Matilda couldn't remember the last time she was so happy and utterly devoid of worries.

After two hours of skating together, Matilda and Harry decided to take a break from the gleeful twirls on the ice.

As they stepped away from the rink, a radiant smile adorned Matilda's face, her eyes reflecting the newfound delight that Harry had effortlessly brought into her life.

Amidst their shared happiness, Matilda's phone suddenly rang, interrupting the blissful moment.

A flicker of concern flashed across her face when she noticed it was Peter, her boyfriend, calling her.

The ringing persisted as Matilda stared at the phone without attempting to pick it up.

At this point, Harry, standing a foot away, instantly understood what was happening and spoke to her.

"Hey, look, I hope you remember this day. You shouldn't let anyone make you unhappy," Harry advised before looking away and allowing her to do as she wanted.

Matilda pondered over his words as her phone rang, recalling her happiness with Harry and the impending despair she felt from Peter.

Today's the happiest day of my life, and I dread going home to my boyfriend, Matilda pondered, staring at the still ringing phone without making any move to answer.

Finally, she decided to close the phone, prolonging the happy day with Harry.

With the phone call dismissed, Matilda's enthusiasm bubbled up again.

She turned to Harry with a beaming smile, suggesting a detour to satisfy their appetites.

"Harry! Don't you think we deserve some carbs after such a fun workout?" Matilda proposed with enthusiasm, determined to extend the delightful day.

"Sounds great!" Harry responded with equal excitement, leading them to return their skating shoes before embarking on the quest for a restaurant inside the rink.

Once there, they indulged in delicious food, savoring the flavors of a well-deserved meal.

As they enjoyed their meal, the playful dynamic between Matilda and Harry took a new turn.

Matilda, noticing a smear of sauce on Harry's mouth, reached out to wipe it away. Unexpectedly, Harry leaned close, teasing her with a smile.

"Your hands smell like sauce," he playfully commented, his teasing demeanor lost on Matilda, who instantly apologetically bowed her head.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Matilda said to him, her genuine concern reflected in her actions as she stopped eating and lowered her head.

Harry, ever attentive, immediately inquired about the source of her distress.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked, quick to notice the difference in her mood.

"It's just my boyfriend is allergic to the sauce. He hates them. I'm so sorry," Matilda explained, and before she could finish, Harry was already shaking his head in disbelief.

"Matilda, I'm not your boyfriend, okay," Harry asserted, fixing her with a severe gaze that demanded her attention.

"Not unless you want me to be," he added, injecting a hint of playful suggestion.

"What?" Matilda asked, her eyes widening in shock at the unexpected proposition.

Instead of delving into the statement, Harry smoothly changed the topic.

"How about another hot dog, yeah?" he suggested, diverting Matilda's attention from the unexpected revelation.

Though curious about his earlier comment, Matilda agreed to the hotdog offer.

Harry's departure left Matilda grinning with anticipation, her head spinning from her overwhelming happiness in his company.

"I'll be right back, don't go anywhere," Harry jokingly told her.

"I'm not moving an inch away from this spot, coach," Matilda responded, playfully saluting with a mock-serious soldier look.

"Affirmative," Harry replied in the same tone, joining in the lighthearted banter before turning around to leave.

Matilda watched him depart, her smile widening as she enjoyed the playful atmosphere he left behind.

"I'm doing something forbidden and breaking all the laws, but I don't want to be away from him," Matilda confessed with a dazed look and a massive smile on the edge of her lips.

As Matilda reveled in her thoughts, a loud, familiar voice suddenly disrupted her blissful moment.

"Why the hell aren't you answering my calls, Matilda!" Peter's yell reached her, and he walked closer until he was face to face with her.

"What are you doing here?" Peter growled with annoyance.

"I'm training," Matilda responded, but Peter instantly mocked her.

"Oh?"

"Do you smell that? That smell in the air, huh?" Peter dramatically sniffed the air.

"That's what your lies smell like. And why do you smell like sauce too?"

"It's just me and the coach, we—" Matilda tried to explain, only to feel Peter's hands around her neck grip even harder.

"Lies. You came in here to eat more fast food again like you're already not fat enough," Peter taunted, a cruel chuckle escaping his lips as he released her.

Instantly, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his hands with it, treating them like they were contaminated from touching her.

Matilda felt a surge of fear, trying to stand her ground in the face of Peter's aggression.

In that fleeting moment, Matilda stood still, her surroundings seemingly frozen, Harry's words resonating in her mind like a guiding mantra:

"Don't ever let anyone make you unhappy."

Summoning newfound courage, she turned decisively to face Peter.

"I'm leaving you!" she told him, only for her announcement to be greeted with a dismissive chuckle.

"Leaving me, are you? Planning to grab a burger for the road?" Peter mocked, a contemptuous sneer etched on his face.

"I'm leaving you, Peter. This is it," Matilda reiterated, her voice gaining strength.

"Oh, leaving me, huh? Like anyone else would love you?" Peter retorted a hint of arrogance in his tone.

"I don't care. I'll love myself," Matilda asserted, defiance coloring her words as she confronted the toxic relationship.

"So, you think you'll find happiness without me?" Peter's tone shifted, a dangerous edge creeping in.

"I want happiness, Peter, but not at the cost of losing myself," Matilda declared, her resolve unwavering.

Peter's anger swirled an ominous storm brewing within him. In a volatile reaction, he seized Matilda by the neck, the threat of violence hanging heavily in the air.

"Repeat it! Say it again!" Peter demanded, his grip tightening, the tension escalating as Matilda stood firm, determined to break free from the chains of an oppressive relationship.

Harry, perceiving the escalating confrontation, swiftly returned with his hot dog, unleashing a commanding yell that cut through the charged atmosphere.

"Get your filthy hands off her!" Harry's authoritative voice echoed as if challenging the impending storm.

Initially resistant, Peter reluctantly unclenched his grip on Matilda. A tense standoff ensued, with Peter fixating on Harry as he ominously advanced.

"Or what?" Peter growled, attempting to assert dominance with his imposing physique.

A flicker of uncertainty momentarily danced in Harry's eyes but swiftly transformed into a mischievous grin as a cunning idea materialized.

Honing in on the hot dogs and the smear of sauce in his hands, Harry seized the opportunity to turn the tables.

"Enjoy," Harry quipped, ingeniously pressing the sauce-covered hot dogs onto Peter's face, artfully smearing the condiment across him.

"Is this sauce?" Peter bellowed in shock, a combination of surprise and frustration etched across his face as he bolted towards the nearest bathroom.

Matilda, positioned just behind Harry watching everything, erupted into hearty laughter as she watched Peter run off.

The absurdity struck her, and she found relief in the bizarre turn of events.

As Peter retreated in haste, the sauce-smeared trail marking his escape, a collective murmur of amusement rippled through some of the onlookers who had been paying attention in the vicinity.

Amidst the laughter, Harry turned to Matilda with a triumphant grin, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction at his impromptu sauce retaliation.

The tension that had gripped the moment dissolved into a peculiar blend of amusement and relief.

"Now that's how you deal with bullies," Harry quipped, extending a hand to Matilda with a playful twinkle in his eye.

The camaraderie forged in that unexpected moment of defiance lingered, creating a bond between them that transcended the peculiar circumstances of the encounter.

Amused by Peter's sauce-covered escapade, Harry couldn't resist a teasing remark.

"Poor thing, I think he's in serious trouble now," he mocked, a playful glint in his eyes.

"He's not my concern anymore," Matilda responded nonchalantly, her focus still on the fading figure of Peter as he disappeared into the bathroom, leaving a trail of sauce behind.

Seizing the opportunity for a more personal conversation, Harry broached the subject with a casual yet hopeful tone.

"Yeah, so I can ask you out now?"

Matilda, with a smile, posed a question in return.

"It depends. How am I supposed to look?"

Harry's response was sincere and accompanied by a warm smile. "What difference does it make? You look beautiful no matter what."

A playful exchange unfolded as Harry pretended to find crumbs on Matilda's face.

"Oh, you have crumbs here," he pointed out, his touch gentle on her cheeks.

"Where?" Matilda inquired, reaching up to touch the hand Harry had placed on her face. Her smile only deepened at his following words.

"I'm joking," Harry chuckled, closing the distance between them until they stood just a step apart.

Amid the lighthearted banter, Matilda reciprocated with a knowing smile.

"I know," she said, touching his hand and locking eyes with him in a moment of shared understanding.

The atmosphere shifted, and Harry leaned in as the hint of romance lingered, capturing Matilda's lips with a passionate kiss.

In that tender moment, Matilda had a profound realization.

Someone who genuinely cares will never seek to make you unhappy.

As they shared that heartfelt kiss, the bustling world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two caught in the moment's sweetness.

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