- [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 ~

- [Please note: This chapter is written in Hora's POV - the next morning after the party]

Slowly opening my eyes, I was greeted by the morning dawn that could be seen from the room's large windows. The image of Verrill playing on the piano beside it, still lingered in my mind. Well, it was no wonder since it was such a beautiful sight.

Chuckling to myself, I looked down and noticed Verrill was holding my hand, while he sat on a chair, and his head laid on the bed. Ohhh-Emm-Gii!!! That must have been so uncomfortable!

But… that's so sweet of him… falling asleep while holding my hand. I couldn't help but smile and blush to myself. Feeling the chilly morning air, I noticed how he didn't even have a blanket on him.

I slowly pulled my hands off of his and got up from bed. Taking the upper sheet, I covered his body with the blanket. I wanted to carry him to bed if I could, but I'm too weak to do that.

After that, I went to the bathroom to wash my face. Actually, no. I wanted to take a bath. My whole body felt so sticky. I must have sweated a lot from last night. The problem was… I'm in Verrill's bedroom. I still haven't forgotten about that fact. And I didn't have any spare clothes. I left it in the guest room assigned to me and Sena.

'Hmmm… what to do?' I pondered to myself as I brushed my teeth. I used the spare brush from the cabinet. I noticed these rich people always had a cabinet filled with so many spares—from shampoos, conditioners, soaps, bath bombs, toothpaste and toothbrushes, to bathroom slippers, and towels, etc.

Once done, I went out of the bathroom. When I opened the door I was shocked that Verrill was already awake, looking worried.

"So you were there," he said in a sigh of relief. "I thought you went out or something happened."

'OMG. Can I scream? He's worried for me. Awww, how sweet. Stop it, Hora. Be cool and calm. You're not supposed to show you like him.'

Trying to suppress my smile, I answered, "Uuh, yes. I just went to wash my face and brush my teeth. I wanted to bathe but I don't have my spare clothes with me."

'Wait a minute. Why did I mention taking a bath? Hora? Why?!!! He's a guy! What if he thinks maliciously of it? Hmm… but this is Verrill we're talking about. There's no way he would think that way. He's too kind and a gentleman for that.'

"Right! You must feel hot since you were sick last night. Sure, go ahead and bathe. I'll tell the maids to get your clothes."

"Is that okay? I can just go to the guest room—"

"No, it's fine. No need to go there. It's a bit far from here and you just recovered. You need to rest some more," he smiled so kindly.

"Okay. Thank you." I instinctively averted my gaze. "Oh! Were you going to use the bathroom?"

"Huh? Ahm… for a moment, yes. I'll just wash my face, too. And brush my teeth."

"Go ahead. Sorry."

I went out of the way and he went inside. For some reason it felt like we were newly wed couples. Oh my goodness. Hora stop thinking that way! Think about Crystal! Don't fall for this man.

'My heart, stop. You're not allowed to like him, okay? You're not sick anymore so be strong! But… is it really alright to take a bath in a man's bedroom? Hmm… I do that in Sena's room sometimes when I come to visit at their house before. And we also do it when we hang out at Ken's house. I guess it's fine? Maybe their culture isn't so strict with those things, too? As long as they're friends. Right. And besides, Verrill is just being kind I'm sure. There's nothing to worry about.'

When Verrill finished, he went out of the bathroom with a towel on hand, wiping his wet face. He looked so handsome and hot with that dripping water—Hora, staaapph! (stop) He looked normal, yes, just normal.

And so, I went back in and soaked myself on the tub. Yes, it was already prepared when I went in. The warm water was ready, and the bath bombs and oils I could use were on the sides. He must have prepared that while washing his face. How nice of him. How I hope all men were like him.

"Woow… this aroma is so relaxing," I murmured to myself while enjoying the bath.

An hour passed—probably, since I always took long hours bathing—I left the bathroom all covered up in a fluffy bathrobe. Verrill was standing, leaning on his piano while flipping the pages of his music sheet. It was still so early and he's already thinking about music. I chuckled to myself and went over him.

"Oh, you're done. I already told the maids. They should come in any moment now," he said when he noticed me. Then, he walked towards me. "Sit down first. Do you want coffee? Or tea? I'll ask them to bring some snacks, too."

"Yes, please. Tea for me."

"Are you feeling better now? No more dizziness or anything?" he asked, inching closer to me, still holding his music sheet.

"Yes! I'm all good. Thank you so much."

Then, he leaned over to my face, making our foreheads touch.

BADUMP! BADUMP! BADUMP!

'R-relax Hora. It's nothing for him. He's just doing it this way b-because he's holding something in his hands. C-calm down.'

I could already feel my cheeks burn because of this too much closeness. And I'm probably getting dizzy, too.

'What's taking him so long to check my temperature?'

Curious, I looked up and our eyes met.

BADUMP! BADUMP! BADUMP!

'Oh no. My heart rate increased so bad. The look in his eyes… Why is he staring at me like that? As if he's… mesmerized by me. T-that's impossible!'

In my nervousness, I took a few steps back. But then…

THUD!

"Ahh!"

"Hora!"

I bumped into something I wasn't sure what. Verrill tried to catch me but failed and we both ended up falling… on the bed. Yeah. It seemed that the thing I bumped into was the corner of the bed.

And so, Verrill laid on top of me, with one of his arms on my back. What's worse was that… I was still on my bathrobes! With nothing underneath! KYAAAAAAAAAAA!

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Hello Pumpkins!

Happy 4th Anniversary to us!!! It's been 4 years since Webnovel was launched and as part of the 515 event this year, I'm going to mass release 5 chapters daily for May 15, 16, and 17, 2021! YAAAAAAAHHH!!!

So today, tomorrow, and the next day, there will be 5 chapters each for you to enjoy.

Look forward to it and happy weekends, Pumpkins!

Ps. If you're feeling generous since this poor author worked hard for this, do send me a gift XD Thank you so much! Wahahahahaha

Lots of love,

Macy Bae