Chapter 49
Eric POV
I woke up to the sound of music drifting from downstairs.
For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling.
Then last night came rushing back.
Everything.
The drinking.
The talking.
The way I said too much especially about Aria.
I groaned and buried my face in the pillow.
"Since when do I become talkative?" I muttered to myself, before quickly getting up and rushing into the bathroom.
I brushed my teeth fast, rinsed my mouth, then splashed cold water on my face.
The moment it hit my skin
A memory flashed.
Nicholas carrying me upstairs.
I froze.
My toothbrush slipped from my hand and dropped into the sink.
"What the hell…" I muttered in disbelief.
There was no way that actually happened.
Right?
After getting dressed, I finally forced myself downstairs, mentally preparing for whatever version of "good morning" I was about to face.
And then I heard it.
"Good morning."
"Oh fuck," I whispered under my breath.
Perfect.
Just act normal, Eric.
I turned with a smile. "Good morning."
And there he was.
Nicholas.
Still in nightwear, shirt slightly unbuttoned, hair damp like he had just come out of a shower. Water still clung lightly to his jawline.
I quickly looked away.
Too much detail. Too early in the morning.
"I thought you'd sleep a bit longer," he said calmly. "I didn't know you were awake."
"Huh? Yeah… I've been up for a while," I replied quickly.
He nodded. "What do you want to eat?"
"Anything," I said.
Then, as if it was the most normal thing in the world, I added, "Wait you work out too?"
"Not all the time," he said. "Just Saturdays sometimes."
"I don't work out all the time either," I muttered.
He smiled slightly. "Okay."
"I'll be right back," he said, walking past me toward his room.
I stood there for a second.
Then my brain betrayed me.
How does he look like that in the morning?
Does it come with age or something?
I pulled my shirt up slightly, checking my own abs in the reflection of the living room mirror.
Not bad.
Actually… really not bad.
Maybe he was exaggerating.
Or maybe he really does work out properly.
Should I ask him for tips?
I glanced around the house.
Where is the housekeeper?
I'm starving.
I walked into the kitchen instead.
Nicholas's fridge was ridiculously stocked enough food to last months.
"Okay… we're cooking," I decided.
I grabbed spaghetti and started preparing ingredients like I actually knew what I was doing.
A few minutes later
"What smells so good?"
I looked up.
Nicholas was standing in the kitchen entrance now, dressed more casually.
I blinked. "Oh. You should've waited."
"I was starving," I said honestly while stirring.
"I thought as much," he replied. "After last night, I wasn't sure you could control your liquor."
"Of course I can," I said quickly. "It's just different. I usually drink wine. This was whiskey."
He smiled slightly.
"What?" I narrowed my eyes. "What's funny?"
"Nothing," he said. "Just your face when you try to justify yourself… it looks"
"Looks what?"
He paused for half a second. "Cute."
I stopped stirring.
"…Cute?"
"I don't know," he added casually.
I scoffed. "Obviously I'm handsome."
He actually laughed this time. "Okay, if you say so."
"What? I am handsome. Cute face, hot body, everything."
"Hm," he hummed.
"Not everyone can pull that off," I continued, focused on the food.
"Me?" he asked suddenly.
"What?"
"What about me?"
I glanced at him briefly.
Handsome… yes.
Cute… maybe.
Annoyingly calm… definitely.
"…Handsome," I said. "Half cute. Maybe."
He raised an eyebrow. "And the body?"
I didn't even think. "Hot."
Then I froze.
Silence.
I slowly turned my head.
He was smiling.
Not teasing.
Not joking.
Just smiling like he had been waiting for that answer.
"…At least I can finally flaunt that now," he said lightly.
I coughed. "Stop talking and help me."
We ate after that.
Quiet.
Strangely quiet.
And for some reason, I couldn't look at him properly.
I just said he had a hot body.
What is wrong with me?
After eating, I stood to clean up, still avoiding eye contact.
"You're unusually quiet again," he said.
I didn't answer immediately.
Then he added, "Missed your sister?"
I scoffed. "I'm not a baby. She told me to stay here so she could rest."
"So you haven't talked to her today?"
"since she got sick she has been waking up late," I said. "I didn't want to disturb her."
He nodded slightly, then reached for his phone when it rang.
"I'll be right back," he said, stepping away.
I watched him leave the kitchen.
Then I finished cleaning up alone.
A few minutes later, I noticed him still talking through the glass door in the hallway.
I didn't think much of it.
I went upstairs instead.
My phone rang immediately.
Nari.
"Hey birthday boy!"
"It was yesterday," I reminded her.
"I know," Tae Min's voice came through. "But it still counts this week."
"We're not taking no for an answer," Nari added. "You owe us a celebration."
"You said you'd make it up to us," Tae Min continued.
Then Nari cut in, "Don't tell me your sister's friend is keeping you hostage."
"It's not that," I sighed.
"Then what is it?" they both asked.
I hesitated.
"…Fine. I'm coming."
"Good," Nari said immediately. "Restaurant from last time."
"Okay."
Call ended.
I got dressed quickly.
Nicholas was still on the phone when I came back downstairs.
I paused for a second, then typed a quick message.
Going out with friends.
I left it on the counter.
Then I walked out of the house.