Ethilia's POV:
I was amused to see how beautifully she has decorated the whole room. I swallowed hard and placed a hand on my chest to calm my heartbeat.
God… this woman is going to give me a heart attack with all this sweetness someday. How did I get this lucky?
When I finally turned to look at her, she was already watching me with that wide, stupid grin, and my heart did another painful little flip. This fool…
Her eyes were sparkling like she'd been waiting for my reaction the whole time.
"It's so beautiful…" I whispered, and before I could stop myself, I threw my arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug.
She froze for a second, surprised, then relaxed into me. Her arms slid around my waist as she nuzzled into my neck. Her warm breath was brushing my skin.
"I'm glad you like it," she murmured. "I had to assign a group of people to do this secretly."
Her words made my breath catch. Seriously? All this… for me and Alena?
I swallowed the lump in my throat and hugged her tighter, burying my face in her shoulder. "I love you."
That was all I could whisper, but I hoped she felt how much I meant it. Because I really do love her, from the very core of my heart. And, I can't imagine myself without her anymore.
My thoughts scattered when she pressed a soft kiss to my neck.I let out a quiet laugh and gently pulled back, cupping her cheeks with both hands.
"You're too sweet, you know?" I murmured.
She nodded proudly, poking my cheek. "Now go take a shower or…" Her smirk widened as she leaned closer, "Should I help you with that a bit?"
My eyes widened, and I felt the heat rush to my face. "Shut up," I muttered, giving her cheek a playful smack before stepping back. "Where's the bathroom?"
She wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close as she pointed toward the doors. There were two doors on that side of the room, which didn't really help my confusion.
"That door beside the bookshelf is the walk-in closet," she explained patiently, tapping her finger in the air. "And the one next to it is the bathroom. There's another door connecting both from inside. Okay?"
I blinked and nodded slowly before looking back at her. "You do have a weird taste," I teased.
She gasped dramatically and pouted. "Come on! Of course, the closet and bathroom should be connected. Who knows from where people keep an eye on me?"
I couldn't help the small chuckle that slipped out. She looked so adorable with that pout that for a second, I genuinely wanted to bite those lips. I shook my head quickly and cleared my throat.
What am I even thinking…? Geez, this woman has turned me into a pervert too.
She leaned in again, tilting her head slightly. "A kiss?"
I raised a brow and shook my head, "I'm going for a shower. And… my clothes?
She sulked a bit but still answered, "In the closet. You can wear mine…"
I couldn't help the laugh that slipped out. I leaned forward and gave her a quick peck. Her smile lit up immediately, and before she could grab me or say something else teasing, I dashed into the bathroom.
I heard her chuckle softly as I closed the door behind me.My eyes fell on the mirror, and there it was, that foolish smile and the faint blush still lingering on my face.
I leaned back against the door, placing a hand over my chest to calm the mess happening inside it. I almost forgot what it felt like to smile like this… genuinely.
But somehow, she brought it back to me. This happiness I thought I'd never find again had somehow returned.
Pushing myself off the door, I stepped closer to the mirror and stared at the rare smile on my face like it didn't quite belong to me.
After a few seconds, when my breathing finally settled, I turned my gaze away and looked around the bathroom. My eyes widened.
The bathroom was much bigger and fancier than I expected. There was a large bathtub set slightly into the floor, surrounded by soft yellow lights that made it look inviting even though it was empty.
The shower area was tucked into the far corner, separated by clear glass walls and light curtains. Everything looked modern and simple, but elegant in a way that made me swallow.
When I turned, I noticed another door right beside the one I'd entered through. If I wasn't wrong, that had to be the door connecting the bathroom to the closet.
But for now, I walked straight to the shower area and adjusted the temperature until steam began to rise. I stripped out of my clothes and stepped under the water, letting out a long, shaky sigh as the hot water touched my skin.
I needed to be fast; it was already late, but my mind wouldn't cooperate. Because more than anything, I kept wondering what would happen tonight.
Liana and I would be sharing a bed, and this time, neither of us was sick or stressed or pretending there wasn't something between us.
And honestly… that woman is too much of a pervert to keep her hands to herself now that we're dating.
The skin products, the body wash, shampoo, and even the face wash, were all branded, the kind you only ever see online and never expect to touch. The scents were clean and comforting, not too strong, and when I used them, they felt… nice. Too nice.
Honestly, I wouldn't even be surprised if this is what idols use every day without blinking.
After finishing my shower, I wrapped a towel around myself and another around my hair. Warm steam still clung to my skin as I stepped out.
On my way to the closet, I was already holding my breath without even meaning to. I don't know why; maybe I was already waiting to be surprised again.
Or maybe I was making sure "that" pervert wasn't hiding behind the door. I pushed it open slowly and peeked inside first, just in case. Thankfully, she wasn't there.
But the moment I stepped inside, my jaw almost dropped. The closet was… big. Not just big, organized in a way that screamed "rich person lifestyle."
Rows of branded clothes were arranged by color, shelves filled with shoes that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe back home.
An entire section was separated just for perfumes, all lined up like they were on display in some luxury store. It was the kind of closet I'd only ever seen in dramas.
Honestly, I'm pretty sure she spends half her money on clothes and the other half on looking good in them.
As I walked toward the nightwear section, something caught my eye. A night shirt and a pair of shorts were placed separately from the rest. On top of them was a small folded note.
My lips curved almost instantly as I picked it up.
"Wear this. You look too cute in white. And be fast, I'm hungry."
I shook my head, but I couldn't stop the stupid smile on my face. I set the note aside and let my towel fall before slipping into the nightwear she'd picked out for me.
I walked out feeling a little like a princess, my hair towel‑dried and still slightly damp against my shoulders.
As I stepped down the glass stairs, the soft lights from below reflected around the room. And there she was, Liana, sitting at the dining table with plates of food in front of her.
God… everything she does makes me smile. Did I actually lose my mind somewhere along the way?
I reached her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up immediately, her smile blooming before she stood to pull the chair out for me.
I blinked at her, noticing she was already fresh and changed. "You took a shower?" I asked, raising a brow.
She nodded, sat down, and handed me a spoon. "Yeah… in the guest room. Why?"
"Nothing," I muttered, taking the spoon and starting to eat. "Just asked."
She chewed slowly, eyes drifting over me from my still‑damp hair to the white night shirt she'd picked out. Then she smirked softly. "You look… like my queen."
And that was it, again, that stupid grin spread across my lips before I could stop it.
I scooped a little rice and held the spoon out toward her. "Open up, my big baby."
She chuckled but leaned in, taking the bite proudly. As she chewed, she turned to feed me back, and I didn't even hesitate. I let her.
I really wanted this kind of dinner with her every day. The way she smiles… it's like someone lit a candle in a dark room I'd been living in for too long...
The way her eyes hold so much love… for me... it's slowly filling places inside me I thought would stay hollow forever.
Oh my Lord… please. Just let me stay with her. I don't know what counts as right or wrong anymore, and honestly, I don't care either...
If loving her is a sin, then fine… carve my name under the list of sinners, because I'll commit this sin again and again.