[Please note: We're still on Hora's POV after she took Verrill's hand and headed towards the library]

I let go of Verrill's hand the moment I stood up. I didn't want to raise any unnecessary attention.

"Let's go!" I said, smiling at him.

But Verrill looked horrified for some reason. Was he mysophobic, too? Did touching my hand disgusted him? I furrowed my brows and stared at him.

"What's wrong? Why do you look like you saw a ghost?"

"Hora!" he called my name with all seriousness and worry in his eyes. "Are you alright?"

"Huh? What do you mean? I am alright." I shrugged. What's wrong with him all of a sudden?

"You're burning up!" he exclaimed, almost angry.

Then, he walked near me and touched my forehead with the back of his hand. My body instinctively jolted in surprise.

"I-I'm burning up?"

"Yes! You have a fever. You need to rest immediately!" he said all that in one go, not even letting me rebut. "The guest rooms are full right now, but you can use my room for the meantime. I'll call for the family doctor to check on you. Come, let's go there, quick."

"B-but I'm fine. I don't feel anything wrong."

Funny thing though… the moment I said that, I suddenly felt weak. My sight started to become blurry and my legs were giving out. Seriously, I was just alright a few moments ago! Was I not feeling the exhaustion because I was sitting? Then, standing up made me feel light-headed?

Seeing my weak state, Verrill caught my shoulders and helped me stand up.

"You're not fine at all. Don't tell me you've been enduring it all this time?" he reprimanded me. His face looked scary as if I committed a mortal sin.

"Hmf! I really didn't notice it. I was fine a few moments ago."

"Urghhh, this won't do."

"Hey, are you listening to me?"

"You can't walk, can you?"

"What? I can! I—"

But before I answered, he already lifted me up in his arms.

"Hey! Put me down, you—I can still walk. I'm not injured."

"You're staggering like a newly born lamb and you say you're fine."

"Okay. Maybe I'm not but I can still walk. Please put me down."

"No!" he disagreed firmly.

'Ohhh-Emmmm-Giiiii!!! This guy is getting on my nerves! What if Crystal sees us? Nooooo… I'd rather fall than hurt her feelings! Uggh! Verrill you dense idiot!'

Feeling hopeless and weak, I surrendered and just pretended to be asleep while Verrill carried me to wherever. I could see from the gap between my fringes that he passed by a few people and a couple of corridors, then went up the stairs and onto a long hallway. My goodness, this house was huge! Just like the Ma residence.

After a few minutes of walking, we finally arrived at his room. My internal mind was screaming out loud to get out of that place the moment I saw it.

'If Crystal sees this, I'm doomed! I shouldn't be here. Any girl shouldn't be here! It's just so wrong! Awww… my head really hurts now. I can't think anymore. I guess I really am… a bit sick.'

The moment Verrill laid me on his bed, I passed out. It seemed that it was the last bit of my remaining strength. At least I did my best. Good job me. For now, good night world.

[Music Recommendation: "Soffia La Notte" by Fabrizio Paterlini - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

Dun-dun-dunun-dun…

The sound of the piano woke me up. I was still exhausted so I kept my eyes closed. But that sound… what a beautiful melody… what a treat to the ears. So mesmerizing, captivating, and soothing. I wondered who was playing the piano.

Curious to see who it was, I opened up my eyes and turned my head towards the direction of the music. I didn't notice there was a wet towel on my forehead so it fell when I turned. But that wasn't my concern. I was concerned as to who was playing.

When I turned my head, there he was—Verrill. He sat in front of the grand piano located near the balcony with large glass doors. The night sky and the moon could be seen from behind him, as if he was playing amongst the clouds of the night.

Badump!

'This sucks… I never felt this way before. I had many crushes though mostly celebrities. But this… tugging in my heart. According to those novels and comics, or movies and kdramas I watched, this feeling only meant one thing.'

Badump!

'But I can't. I don't want to hurt Crystal. Besides, I just met him last week. I don't know much about him!'

Badump!

'Then again… music doesn't lie. This warm and gentle, fuzzy and romantic music… it's just like him.'

Badump!

Before I knew it, tears were already falling from my eyes. It seemed like Sena rubbed off on me, making me a crybaby.

'Sena… what should I do? Fine. You win. I'm… I'm beginning to like him. No, actually I already like him. But what about Crystal? I like her a lot and I don't want to hurt her. If I try to push these feelings of mine, she will definitely be hurt. And what if this is just a passing feeling? Because it's too fast. You don't fall in love that fast, right? It's impossible. But then… I… I already tried to suppress myself. And I'm not winning. I can't stop it. Hu-hu-hu-hu… sniff… sniff…'

Unable to stop myself from crying, I just closed my eyes again. I wanted to sleep. And I hope when I woke up, all these feelings would be gone. I'm just sick right now so I'm feeling weak. Once I recover, I could be strong again and fight this. I have to support Crystal. Besides, she liked him way longer than I do. I could still turn back. It still wouldn't hurt that much… right?

As I tried to sleep again, the music died down. It was replaced by a gentle hand caressing my face, and wiping my tears away.