. She could not tell if she felt awkward, embarrassed, or what. All she kne

ain. Even when she watched a movie earlier, she had promised herself that she would beat up Ben if they ever crossed paths again. But look at th

G

The security guard at the entrance was clearly puzzled to see Elzi, who had claimed she was running away from an attempted assault just a wh

to do anything. And as they stepped into the hotel lobby, Ben called one of the staff there, reques

ass of water. As she tried to drink it, she became aw

ath, not realizing that all the crying, shouting, and runni

st the noise around them, there was a brief silence b

asked softly, seemingly seeki

a word, Elzi

ion in his voice. "Isn't it normal for couples to have sex often? Hmm... especially w

a deep breath. She sensed the teasing glint

foreplay he should have?" Ben shook his head.

Ben could speak so casually about such matters, e

G

within Elzi. It made her feel like she wanted to throw the empty

e point. Just because we're getting married or even after we're married, it doesn't mean those things

I'll make sure that everything I do is a mutual desire. Well... although it's pr

s, making her feel exasperated. Once again, she could n

nd he's discussing this topic? Does this guy ev

t didn't surpr

idn't think you would object to him.

straight with you, Ben," she said with a piercing gaze. "Maybe I'm like

d by a smirk that sent shivers down Elzi's spi

apped. "And mark my words! That all happened unc

uite a situation

if he were a seven-headed alien. Espe

a normal guy who would get turned on whe

ot lying. Ben always managed to leave he

is

ees you? The one who would cover you with layers of blankets and stand guard at the door? Putting up a sign that warns unauthorized people from entering? Is that it?" Ben shook his hea

ar to catch Ben's expression that was incr

artment last night. Well... it's only natural if he tho

ned to me just now, Ben?" she asked incredulously. "Well... I'm not surprised at all. Whateve

st.

nd, trying to calm her down to av

dress however you want, do whatever you want, it's your choice. But you must know that every choice has

h she did not say anything, in

t sympathetic. Earlie

, seeming to realize th

ou can't. You can only trust yourself. So, I'm not blaming you. It's jus

ds, she took a deep breath as if ignoring a certain fa

r deep breath. "You should realize that from the beginning, y

a scornful glance. "So, according to you, the one who's

nly. "You can asse

know what, Ben? If I look at it, yo

Zi," Ben warned with a smirk on h

when I was unconscious, while he did it when I was conscious. No

ow

The expression on his face looked shocked with his eyes g

before making snide remarks about peopl

allowed Ben to

ason why I said you shouldn't be engaged to that guy," Ben grinned. "The differe

tly caught her hand. His eyes gleamed teasingly as

sked. "You were even hugging me t

ady very red. She was sure that if a pot of

equally bad," Elz

to me first, Zi. I don't say that without reas

, tel

t? It's because he shouldn't have taken you to his apartment last night. And

lzi, leaving a big que

rio pl

Elzi's spine, and she unconsciou

cious and unable to think. But what happened earlier? Oh my, oh my." Ben shook his head with a puzzled expressio

contemplate each word he said. But instead of seeing a sad ex

o a sly grin as she cas

id, breaking the silenc

rupt change of topic strange. The next

son for fake products? Trained

then let go of his hand, pulling away f

with Mario is messed up now

mischievously. "It seems my cha

ng more weird things, Elzi raised he

tonight, I had to run around, and I'm not wearing shoes, and it ended

n's gaze. Not only that, to Elzi's s

ring Elzi's body with his jacket. "I w

la

d on her shoulders, almost engulfing her tiny figure. More than

to widen her eyes when she saw a series of unanswered calls from

calle

it was Mario trying to contact her, but

Elzi in

d at his hands resting on his thighs, with t

y not need an explanation from me? Espec

ed why their argument earlier felt like Ben wa

introduce me to someone. And if it goes w

realized something else. It was Ben's

ness. It's

Ben furrow his eyebrows. Especial

and leave. Why are yo

is? You won't regret it? What if you suddenly get

realized how blank her mind was at that momen

t it," he said as he stood up and reach

g refusing, but Ben's words m

d I'm sure you want to safely

his car. She put on a straight face, ignoring the

oad. At some point during the journey, Ben took out his phone and sent a quick mes

d on escorting her all the way to the front door. Standing in front of her house, El

ack," Elzi said softly and s

gently brushing her disheveled hair

er eyes filled with sadness. "I'm already a

forehead. The touch triggered an immediate reaction from Elzi. Using the las

have yo

surprised as he saw Ben next to

ickly ignored his question. Instead, she asked, "Why are

ad. "I changed my

see you at h

orted, "I

this time. At the guy standing next to her with his hand still in his hair. Oh

you doing

earance. Even though Ben's jacket covered her bod

for Razen's hand.

nd instead advanced towards Ben.

iced Razen grabbing Ben's shirt collar with a fiery anger in his

little boy," Ben

He had a large and tall stature, even larger than Ben, who was already taller than Mario and Elzi. His body seemed desig

'm just bringing Elzi back," he s

d to interject with the

n. He ki

ng out, she simply nodded,

e just broug

rip on Ben's shirt collar. Of course, Razen

"Then where's Mario? Why didn't you come back with him? Why ar

old her, especially after coming home late and bein

s, and feeling overwhelmed by h

e this, Raze

the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Ben shook his head and whispered softly, "I tr

Ben a resentful look, releasing his grip on the yo

I'm not angry. But I'm worried. Why did you come back late with another guy? An

rushed into Razen's embrace, confusing him further.

. "What happened to Elz

s temple with difficulty to answer the question. "Uh... From

a volcanic eruption right before his eyes, b

ked in shock, turning to his s

peaking verbally, but her nod co

go straight to Mario at that moment. However, Elzi's co

urned to Ben, who remained stand

ing nor confirming. But Razen took th

use then, he immediately released Elzi's hand, only to kn

in his arms. Without saying anything further, Razen entered the house, closing the door behind them, making it

Elzi to blink her eyes. With a firm belief in he

f the bed. He tidied up Elzi's disheveled hair, dampened by te

t even wea

t was not very successful. "I panick

t, cleaning the soles and removing dust and pebb

ething. Her usually talkative brother now fell silent, not

rother's face was terrifying, erasing the usual playful look he often had. His v

tightened, and his face tu

words. Instead, he vowed, "Tomorrow, I'm going to talk to

rendered Elzi speechless. He s

'm alive, he will