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    Pre-Author''s Note:

    Happy New month my guys, let''s begin this new month with a bang! 10 chapter mass release commences now!

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    Ethan''s gaze fell on Lila, and for a moment, he just stood there, taking in the sight before him.

    Her chestnut brown hair was damp, strands clinging to her skin as if she had just stepped out of the shower.

    The bathrobe she wore was loosely tied, barely covering her as she swayed slightly on her feet.

    Her cheeks were flushed a deep red, her hazel eyes glassy and unfocused.

    Was she drunk?

    She took a small, unsteady step back, nearly toppling over in response, and Ethan instinctively moved forward, catching her before she could stumble.

    Her body felt warm against his as she leaned into him, her fingers gripping his shirt weakly.

    "Ethan..." she mumbled, her voice hushed and slurred. He barely understood the rest of her words, just bits and pieces of gibberish that made no sense.

    His arms wrapped around her to keep her from falling, and that was when he caught the scent — alcohol.

    She smelled strongly of it, the sharp, unmistakable scent clinging to her like a second skin.

    She let out a small, incoherent moan of his name, and the sound sent a shiver down his spine, making the hairs on his skin stand on end.

    Ethan exhaled through his nose, trying to focus.

    That was when his eyes flickered to the side, and he noticed the couch.

    Her roommate was there, slouched in an awkward position, completely unconscious.

    A half-empty bottle of alcohol was still clutched in her hand, tilted just enough that the remaining liquid dripped onto the floor in slow, steady drops.

    A small puddle was already forming beneath it.

    Ethan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

    What the hell were they doing?

    Lila wasn''t a heavy drinker — or at least, not the kind to get wasted like this.

    Something must''ve happened, but now wasn''t the time to ask questions.

    He adjusted his hold on her and carefully led her toward the couch, easing her down onto the cushions.

    She clung to him tightly, reluctant to let go, and for a second, he thought she might just refuse to sit down at all.

    But her body was weak, exhausted from whatever led to this drunken state, and she eventually slumped into the couch with a soft sigh.

    Ethan glanced around, spotting her phone wedged between the couch cushions.

    She plucked them from the hand, tossed them into her mouth, and quickly chased them down with water, wincing at how dry her throat was.

    The relief wouldn''t come immediately, but at least she had something to help dull the throbbing in her head.

    It wasn''t until she had drained half the cup that she finally looked up at the person who had given her the medicine.

    She expected to see her roommate, maybe standing there with a knowing smirk, ready to tease her about whatever had happened last night.

    But it wasn''t her roommate.

    It was Ethan.

    Lila froze.

    The cup wobbled in her grip, and she barely managed to stop herself from dropping it.

    Her breath hitched, her heart rate picking up, and suddenly, the headache wasn''t the only thing making her feel lightheaded.

    "Hey..." she said, her voice hoarse and uncertain.

    It came out weaker than she intended, almost nervous.

    And the worst part?

    Ethan did not look happy.

    His sharp blue eyes bore into her, filled with something unreadable — displeasure? Disappointment? Frustration?

    Maybe all of the above.

    He was standing at the edge of her bed, arms crossed over his chest, his jaw tight. He was wearing the same clothes from earlier, which meant he had been here the whole time.

    Lila gulped.

    Suddenly, a flood of hazy memories rushed in.

    The alcohol.

    Her roommate convincing her to drink a little more than she should have.

    Ethan showing up.

    Her... clinging to him.

    ''Oh, God.''

    Her face burned, and she quickly averted her gaze, gripping the cup a little too tightly.

    Ethan sighed, and the sound made her stomach twist.

    "You want to tell me what the hell that was about?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.

    Lila bit her lip, hesitating.

    Did she even know how to answer that?