Chapter 48: Chapter 48

Slyvester doesn’t care if the people in the boarding house think that he’s so stupid for tripping down. The real reason why he overreacted is because he wanted to spend more time with Ryan.

Because the moment they go home, Ryan’s attention will be divided to the other men in the house. And Slyvester hates to share.

“Don’t worry. You won’t die with just a scratch,” Ryan said while aiding his wound with a cotton and a Betadine.

The two of them were sitting on a mushroom-designed bench in the park.

The moon above was bright. It was so quiet around, and they could only hear the singing of crickets and the faint sound of the vehicles from the highway.

Slyvester thought that the vibe between them was so romantic.

Staring at Ryan, Slyvester looked at her lips.

He gulped.

Slyvester bit his lower lip while imagining how soft Ryan’s lips would be against his. During times like this, his inner beast was activated.

He couldn’t help it because he was attracted to her.

However, Slyvester doesn’t want to frighten Ryan, so he stops his desire.

“Next time, you should be caref…”

Ryan lifted her head and caught Slyvester looking intently at her. Swiftly, Slyvester tilted his head away. She didn't continue her words, that's why Slyvester had a guess that she really caught him stealing glances.

“Why were you looking at me like that? Are you finding boogers inside my nose?” Ryan asked.

Slyvester remembered asking the same question to Ryan before. He looked at her and they both laughed so hard.

“I would never see a booger. You were looking down, hello?” Slyvester said while laughing.

He bent his head backward and showed the holes in his nose.

“If you want me to check your booger, you should tilt your head like this,” he explained.

“Stop it,” Ryan laughed and she accidentally pressed the cotton on his fresh wound.

“Ahhh! Ouch!” Slyvester shouted.

Ryan raised her hand. “Oops! Sorry.” Then she blew air on it, just like how a mother blows a booboo to her child.

When Slyvester felt her breath on her skin, he froze. Holding his breath, he stared at her. Sylvester was paralyzed with the heat that was taking over his body. It was a complete knockout.

Right now, he wanted to wrap his thick arm around her waist, pull her closer, and kiss her roughly and wildly.

‘But I can’t.’

Sylvester wanted to be a gentleman until the end! He doesn’t want to do something that would make Ryan hate him.

Controlling himself, he clenched his fists and bit his lower lip.

“I am sorry,” Ryan said, pouting her lips.

Her eyes shifted to a serious gaze. Then, their gazes met.

Long seconds passed.

Ryan slowly shut her pouty lips.

Seconds passed.

She moved backward.

Another second passed.

Sylvester raised his hand toward her cheek while his heart was beating faster. He noticed that Maxine’s cheeks were red.

‘Can I really kiss her?’ Sylvester asked himself.

Just an inch before his hand touched her cheek, Ryan spoke.

“It’s late. Let’s be fast,” she said, grabbing the alcohol from the side and pouring it to Sylvester’s wound.

“Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!” Sylvester shouted. He stood up and jumped up and down.

He glared at Ryan and screamed in pain.

“OUCH! THAT. WAS. PAINFUL!”

******************* ****************************

6 am.

Terban brought a cup of Cappuccino to Ryan’s room.

Standing outside the door, Terban fixed his hair and collar. He took a deep breath as he practiced the dialogue that he prepared last night.

When he thought that he was ready, he knocked on the door.

Tok tok tok~

Ryan didn’t answer, so he knocked again.

“…”

Receiving no answer for the second time, he felt the ticking of his imaginary patience clock. He raised his hand, planning to slam the door loudly. Fortunately, Ryan answered before he could vent his anger to the door.

“Who’s there?” Ryan’s faint voice was heard inside.

This time, Terban couldn’t answer.

“Was it my imagination that someone knocked on the door?” Ryan had second thoughts.

Terban could not introduce himself because he didn’t want to announce that he was knocking on Ryan’s door early in the morning. Their rooms were only meters away from each other. There’s a possibility that the other men would hear Terban.

Thus, Terban knocked again.

Ryan was forced to open the door. When she saw Terban and the Cappuccino on his hand, she was startled.

‘What the hell is this?’ Ryan asked inwardly. ‘Will the second experiment start right away?’

Actually, Ryan hadn’t recovered since last night.

When she exchanged gazes with Ryan, she felt butterflies in her stomach and her heart was beating so fast. And then now, Terban was doing something he doesn’t usually do.

Ryan could imagine dying from a heart attack.

“I made this for you. Here.”

Terban carefully handed the cup to Ryan.

Though she wanted to ask why, Ryan did not and only chose to stare at him in silence.

Terban hasn’t showered yet. He only washed his face, brushed his teeth, and combed his hair. But because of his appearance, Terban looks so handsome in Ryan’s eyes.

His fox-like eyes look very sexy, even if he lacks expression. His long legs and firm body made him even more charismatic.

"Aren't you going to express some gratitude?" Terban broke the silence.

‘I didn’t ask him to bring me this,’ Ryan kept the complaint inwardly, and said, “Thanks.”

“If you are really thankful, then have a taste,” he said.

“This?” Ryan asked, pointing at the cup.

“Of course. What else? There are only two in front of you. The Cappuccino and me. It’s not like you can eat me.”

The two paused.

Why does it seem like Terban said something wrong?

When Terban analyzed his words, his eyes widened. He turned around and silently cursed himself.

‘Fuck! What was that?!’

But Ryan didn’t think about the lewd meaning behind his words. Instead, she felt annoyed.

“You are worse than before, Terban,” Ryan commented which made Terban look back. “Be thankful that you are my childhood friend. Or else, I probably pour this hot Cappuccino on you.”

“What’s worse with that? I took time to give you that,” Terban rebuked.

“Did I ask you to bring this? Why do you have to give me this?”

“Because I am courting you, Miss.”

And the awkwardness hit them.

Both fell into deep silence.

Terban cleared his throat, while Ryan took a sip on the Capuccino.

“Is i-it g-good?” Terban asked, diverting the topic.

“It’s bitter,” Ryan said while frowning.

Terban could not believe it, so he took the cup back and had a sip.

“It’s fine,” he said. “Cappuccino is really bitter.”

He gave the cup back.

Ryan was shocked.

Isn’t he the Great Terban who is a clean freak?!

Then, why did he drink on the same cup Ryan had used?

“W-Woah,” Ryan gasped. “D-Did you j-just drink with my cup?”

Blushing, Terban brushed his lips using his forefinger.

“What’s wrong with that? It's an indirect kiss with you, so I am fine.”

After answering that, Terban walked away.

“I need to go to school. Bye.”

He waved his hand mid-air without looking back.

Terban looks cool when he left. But as soon as he went inside his room, he sat on the ground while his face was turning oh -so red.

“Fuck. That was too cheesy,” Terban complained to himself before covering his reddened face.

On the other side, Ryan was still standing in front of the door of her room.

She was frozen and not in her right mind.

‘I loved what Terban did.’

She held her chest and mumbled.

“My heart beats towards two men. Am I a two-timer?”