Chapter 16: Embarrassed
Night fell. Usually, Sora would be asleep by 11 p.m. but now she couldn't sleep, at all! Tossing and turning in her bed, Sora couldn't help but wonder whether she had made the right decision. Will Liam let her be in control, or will he secretly pull behind her own strings? She didn't want to be a doll, a puppet just following others' commands. All Sora ever wanted was freedom, to live and decide freely on her own.
After struggling with her thoughts, Sora decides to step out the balcony for some fresh air, only to find Liam standing outside. "What are you doing here? I thought you've gone to your room?" Sora raised her eyebrow, confused and somewhat nervous. "Gosh! What's happening to me? It's just Liam Carter, and he's standing 4 feet away from you! Not close or anything!!" Sora thought, trying to calm down.
Liam approached closer, their faces almost touched. Sora noticed his unusualness. His face was red, his eyes became dreamy, and most importantly, he's resting his head on her shoulder!
"Liam? You good?" Sora said, confused and embarrassed.
No response, just a little murmur, "So...ra..."
Sora blushed so hard. She's never seen him like this before!
Suddenly she heard footsteps approaching.
"Master?" John the butler said softly.
"He's...asleep I think..." Sora replied quietly.
"Well, then I'll help you carry him in, Miss Sora. I don't know how to address you probably, as Master doesn't allow me to call you Madam or Mrs."
Sora nodded. "It's fine." "Typical of him." She murmured.
"His room is quite far away, I hope you don't mind sharing your bed with him tonight, Miss Sora."
Sora looked shocked, and awkwardly replied, "Sure thing... I... won't mind..."
"He must have drunk a lot. Thinking too much. Goodnight, Miss Sora!" John smiled and walked away.
As soon as John left, Sora immediately got up, trying to look for another place to sleep. "I wouldn't mind at all! But what would he think about me? Trying to get in bed with him type of girl?" Sora said out loud without knowing.
Suddenly a hand wrapped around her waist very gently. It was Liam.
"No, please... Don't leave me! I... love... you... Please!"
Liam's every word made Sora's heart skipped a beat.
Then Liam opened his eyes. In his unconscious, he sweetly said to Sora, "I love you, and I mean every word. Please, don't leave me!"
Sora froze. Her heart pounded like a war drum in her chest. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe, as Liam's words echoed in her ears.
"I love you... Please, don't leave me..."
Her entire body burned with the weight of his confession, even if it had been said in a drunken haze. Sora's fingers twitched at her sides, unsure whether to pry his arm off or stay completely still.
He couldn't possibly mean it. Could he?
"No... he's just drunk," Sora whispered to herself, biting her lower lip. "He doesn't know what he's saying."
But the way he held her, so gentle, so desperate, made her chest ache. She carefully tried to lift his arm, but his grip tightened, and he buried his face into her shoulder.
"Please... don't leave," he mumbled again, voice barely above a whisper.
Her resolve crumbled. She sighed, carefully easing them both onto the bed, her body stiff as a board next to him. She lay there, wide-eyed, staring at the ceiling as Liam's breathing slowed into a steady rhythm.
The night stretched on, minutes feeling like hours, until exhaustion finally claimed her.
The next morning, golden rays of sunlight streamed through the curtains. Sora stirred awake, the weight on her waist still there. She turned her head slightly, finding herself face-to-face with Liam, who was very much awake — and staring right at her.
Her breath caught.
Liam's gaze flicked over her face, then down to their tangled bodies. Slowly, he lifted his arm, putting distance between them. He sat up, running a hand through his messy hair, and groaned.
"What... happened?" he muttered, his voice scratchy.
Sora shot up like a spring. "You... You were drunk! You passed out on the balcony and wouldn't let me leave, and then you said —" She abruptly clamped her hands over her mouth, her face turning crimson.
Liam's brows furrowed, and he turned to her, eyes sharp. "I said what?"
Sora shook her head furiously. "Nothing! Absolutely nothing!"
Liam studied her, rubbing his temples. "I don't remember much," he admitted, standing up. "But if I said anything, forget it. It probably meant nothing."
Her chest tightened painfully at his words, and she forced a shaky laugh. "Of course! I figured as much."
Liam didn't look at her as he straightened his shirt and walked toward the door. But just as he opened it, he paused.
"Thanks... for staying," he said quietly, and without waiting for her response, he disappeared into the hallway.
Sora fell back onto the bed, her heart in complete disarray.
"Maybe, just maybe," she whispered, staring at the ceiling, "he didn't mean nothing at all."
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