I looked down at the floor, straining to hear the voices outside the bathroom-they were still arguing about something, their words muffled and indistinct.
Furrowing my brow, I glanced over at Japen. He hadn’t moved from where he stood, but I noticed he was shivering slightly. Blinking, it suddenly hit me-I’d forgotten to adjust the water temperature!
Japen had been standing under an ice-cold shower all this time!
“I should adjust the temperature for him,” I muttered to myself.
Stepping closer, I pushed him aside, and the icy water immediately cascaded over me, the cold seeping into my white dress, making me shiver uncontrollably. I hadn’t experienced such a cold shower since I was a child.
My lips trembled as I struggled to turn on the hot water. My hand weakened as the icy stream continued to drench me, making it hard to twist the knob.
Suddenly, an arm slipped around my waist from behind and pulled me away from the freezing water. I suppressed a gasp, biting my lip.
I felt Japen leaning against the wall, holding me in his arms. My back pressed against his abdomen, and the back of my head rested on his chest. My breaths became shallow and quick, mirroring his own.
He lowered his lips to my ear and whispered, “You’re shaking.”
I shushed him, gripping his arm tightly. The earlier coldness I felt began to dissipate as we stood there together. My body relaxed, and I allowed myself to lean back into him.
“Are you alright?” I whispered.
He nodded silently, so I let out a sigh of relief. The water continued to pour down, creating a steady stream falling into the shower and onto the floor. Eventually, Japen loosened his hold on me and moved me aside. He stepped under the shower and turned off the water.
The bathroom fell quiet. Then I heard Simmy’s voice telling Dad that Japen was in my room.
My eyes widened. So that was why they were still lingering here? Simmy wanted Dad to catch me with Japen?
I clenched my fists tightly, glaring at the closed bathroom door, hoping Simmy could somehow feel my intense dislike for her.
But then someone gently held both my shoulders. I looked in front of me and saw Japen, staring directly into my eyes.
“If looks could kill, he’d be lying flat on the floor, Azora.”
I sighed and hugged Japen. “She wants Dad to catch you. You have no idea how conniving that woman is,” I whispered.
Japen stroked my hair. “I’ll protect you.”
I looked up at him, meeting his gaze. He had the most beautiful eyes I’d ever seen. I smiled sheepishly at him. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. It’s better if you don’t involve yourself in this.”
He leaned closer to my face, smirking. “I can protect you, Azora.” He gently caressed my cheek, his eyes locked onto my lips. “… just say the word, and I’ll protect you.”
I knew he meant every word, but things were complicated. He could get hurt trying to protect me.
I moved my hands to his nape. “I love you,” I whispered.
Before he could respond, I leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. I closed my eyes, pouring all my emotions into that kiss.
Suppressing the urge to cry, I knew he would confront Dad if I let him get involved in my troubles. I couldn’t allow it. I didn’t want to drag Japen into this mess.
I gently pushed him toward the shower and quickly turned the water back on. The cold water flowed over me again, but this time, it didn’t send shivers down my spine like before.
Grabbing Japen’s wrist, I pressed him against the wall. Before I could kiss him again, he shifted our positions. He pinned me against the wall and kissed me passionately.
I ran my hands through his hair, savoring the moment. After a while, our lips parted, and I gazed into Japen’s eyes.
I opened my mouth to speak, but Japen whispered first, “I love you…” He brushed his fingers over my cheek. “… more than you know, Azora.”
I blinked several times at his confession, my lips parting in surprise.
“W-What? I thought you loved someone else?” I stammered.
He placed a finger on my lips to silence me. “I’ve loved you all along. I didn’t say anything because I knew you promised your father to focus on your studies. Azora, I’m willing to wait for you.”
I looked away, biting my lip. My heart raced as he nuzzled against my cheek. I swallowed hard.
“I thought you had a girlfriend?” I asked.
“I did, but I broke up with her when I saw you again. I thought I’d lost my feelings for you, Azora, but I was wrong. Completely wrong.” He paused, his breath catching. “I fall for you more each day.”
I blinked again and closed my eyes tightly. No, I couldn’t let emotions cloud my judgment. I needed to decide now, for Japen’s sake.
Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to meet his gaze. “Then promise me one thing. Don’t ever step foot in this mansion again.”
Japen stared at me for a moment, confusion crossing his face. “Azora?”
I sighed. “I don’t want to see you again, Japen. After you escape later, don’t visit or call me. I won’t call you or disturb you either.”
He blinked and gripped both my shoulders. “Are you joking?”
“No, I’m serious.” I stared into his eyes, maintaining a firm expression despite the pain in my heart. “I don’t want to have any relationship with a commoner like you. This feeling is a mistake. So please, don’t come near me again.”
But Japen laughed bitterly. “I know you’re lying, Azora. I can see it in your eyes.”
“No, I’m not,” I whispered weakly, looking away.
“Are you afraid? Don’t worry. I won’t leave you. And I promised you, I’ll protect you.”
I bit my lip as tears streamed down my cheeks. “P-Please, forget about me. Love someone else and be happy.”
Japen pulled me into a tight hug. My body shook as I silently cried.
“Don’t say that. I love you. I love you so much, Azora. Didn’t you say you love me too? How can you tell me to stay away? Don’t joke about this, because it’s not funny anymore.”
I hugged Japen back, crying against his chest. “I’m just afraid I’ll lose you like I lost him. If leaving you is the right thing to do, then I will.”
“A-Azora…”
“I love you so much that I’m willing to sacrifice my own happiness just to protect you. Please understand my decision, Japen…”
“What about me? Azora, I can’t leave you.”
He buried his face in my shoulder, and I felt tears soaking through the fabric of my damp white dress. He was crying.
I weakly smiled. “Please, just do it for me.”