He added, "Perfect timing. I have a project I'd like to explore with you."
I groaned.
My face turned red again.
Lyman was one of those people who was completely different from how he appeared.
He had the face of an aloof, restrained man, but it was all a front.
In short, he was both shameless and sneaky.
That night, using my father's influence as an excuse to oversee my studies, he forced me to move out of my dorm and live with him.
Of course, I refused.
He immediately threatened to call my father, so I reluctantly agreed.
Standing in his living room, I wanted to ask, "Who needs a house?"
I dug at the floor with my toes.
I said, "I'll sleep in the guest room."
Lyman bent down and looked at me with a smirk.
He asked, "Lilia, do you want to sleep with me?"
Of course not!
I was just reminding him he didn't need to give up the master bedroom for me.
I glared at him, but he just pinched my cheek.
I grabbed his fingers and bit down.
He winced, then laughed, "You little wildcat."
He carried my suitcase into the bedroom and even helped me make the bed.
Half an hour later, he brought me a glass of warm milk.
My eyes couldn't help but linger on the muscles visible under his pajama collar.
Show-off!
Who was he trying to seduce?
I lowered my head and focused on drinking my milk.
He asked, "Is the room a little warm?"
He tugged his collar open a bit more.
He even paced back and forth in front of me.
Such a tease.
My nose almost started bleeding.
With flushed ears, I quickly closed his collar.
I said, "It's not warm!"
Above me, I felt his intense gaze, lingering on me for a long time.
He said, "Lilia, it's been a few years since we've seen each other, and now you're acting all distant from me."
His voice carried a hint of sadness.
My heart skipped a beat.
He had left for further studies abroad right after graduating college, chasing after his unrequited love. With the pandemic, it had been over three years since we last saw each other.
And when I learned he had someone he loved, I buried the feelings that I had carried throughout my youth.
He got engaged to me because our families were close and it was impossible to refuse.
Now that he was back, it was time to discuss breaking off the engagement.
Thinking of this, I felt a bit bitter.
I said, "I'm not used to it.
"And besides, what are you even doing?"
Lyman tilted my chin up with his fingers, forcing me to meet his gaze.
His voice was low and soft.