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Chapter 44 - Don't take off the blindfold

Y/n POV

I felt lips on my neck—soft, lingering.

"Umm…" I murmured, slowly stirring awake.

When I opened my eyes… there was only darkness.

I reached up and touched my face. Bandages?

No. A blindfold.

"What are you doing?" I whispered, heart racing.

???: "Don't open your eyes," he said, his voice low, almost teasing—and then his lips were on mine. He pulled my hand from my eyes

"N-No… why are you doing this?" I asked, squirming.

???: "Because it's morning, Y/N," he purred. "And you're not allowed to see me yet."

I sighed, exasperated—and then he returned to my neck like it was breakfast.

"Okay, okay—but could you not kiss me right now?!" He give lick then stop

???: "Fine," he huffed like a sulking child. "But don't take off the blindfold. I'm naked right now."

"WHAT?!" I froze and frantically checked my clothes.

Still on. Thank God.

He laughed, low and smug.

???: "Relax. We didn't do anything. You just….. fell asleep."

I sighed in relief, but my face burned hotter than hell.

I heard him get up—then a loud click echoed in the room. A door? A lock?

I reached for the blindfold, fingers twitching.

But… what if he was still here?

And still very, very naked?

I gulped.

"Hey… can I see now," I whispered, heartbeat thudding in my ears.

My fingers trembled as I reached up and pulled off the blindfold.

Nothing.

He was gone.

I sat up slowly, looking around the . No sign of him—not even a shadow. Just silence.

Then—buzz buzz. My phone lit up.

Unknown Number:

> Good morning my love I'm not naked . But if you want to see me naked… I'll be back tomorrow.

And don't cry, okay?

Bye. Love you, baby.

I stared at the message, speechless.

What the hell…

I didn't want to smile.

But I did.

Like an idiot.

Shaking my head,

"you idiot y/n " I said to myself and get up rushed out of the room, hoping to catch him.

But… nothing.

He was nowhere.

Then it hit me—James.

I ran to his room and knocked. No answer.

My gut twisted. Please be okay…

I pushed the door open.

He was still in his clothes from last night, lying on his side, mouth slightly open.

I rushed to his side and checked his heartbeat.

Steady.

"Thank God," I whispered, pressing a hand to my chest.

I gently tapped his cheek. "James, get up."

Nothing.

Okay, fine.

I grabbed a bottle of water from his desk and sprinkled it on his face.

He groaned.

Then, finally, his eyes opened—blinking, confused.

James: "Aah, Y/N… why are you waking me up like this?" he groaned, rubbing his eyes.

I wanted to tell him—that the stupid thife drugged him last night.

But… my heart held me back. Why??? I don't know??

Instead, I scoffed. "You idiot. Why are you sleeping like the dead?"

Before I could say more, he suddenly pulled me into a warm hug.

James: "I don't know… I just felt really tired. I don't even remember how I am falling asleep. So... hey, by the way—did you sleep in your room? Alone?"

I paused for a split second.

Then nodded. "Yes."

James: "You didn't have that nightmare again, did you? Like last time?"

I sighed. He remembered that?

But weirdly enough… no. No nightmares.

Actually, last night, I slept better than ever. Even if there was a stupid thife kissing my neck.

"…I—yeah. I'm okay now," I mumbled.

He sighed too, then slowly pulled away from the hug, giving me that soft, sleepy look he always had in the mornings.

James: "Aah, that's great… but not for me. I missed sleeping next to you."

I pouted dramatically. "Then go find a girlfriend to sleep with, you clingy baby."

I playfully punched him in the stomach and darted toward the door, laughing.

James: "You just wa—!"

He moved like he was about to chase me, but I quickly turned and held out a hand to stop him.

"Don't. Just go take a bath or something. I need to freshen up too."

James: "Okay, okay. Hey—I have a meeting today, so I'll be back by evening."

I nodded. "Hmm, I've got some things to do too."

With that, I stepped out of his room and headed to mine. The moment I shut the door, the smile faded a little. That text from him still lingered in the back of my mind.

I shook it off, went to the bathroom, and took a long shower—hot enough to try and scrub away last night's strange intimacy. But no matter how much I tried to forget those lips, that voice, that text…

I couldn't.

After changing into fresh clothes, I walked into the kitchen. The quiet was oddly comforting. I tied my hair up and began making something simple—eggs, toast, maybe some coffee. Something to ground me.

But the moment I reached for the kettle…

I saw it.

A single rose on the counter.

With a note.

"You smell like vanilla. I like it. See you tonight, baby girl."

I froze.

He'd been here.

James walked into the kitchen wearing a casual outfit, I quickly hide the rose and latter in the corner then I look at him he is looking like he was in a rush. He grabbed his bag, barely buttoning up his shirt.

James: "I'll go now, Y/N. Take care, alright?"

Before I could respond, he pulled me into a warm hug and kissed my forehead. Then, like a breeze, he was gone.

I stood there for a moment, watching the door.

"Aah… he must be really busy," I sighed, sitting down to eat the rest of my breakfast. The apartment felt a little quieter without his usual lazy hums or bad jokes.

After cleaning up, I went to my room, flopped onto the bed, and grabbed my phone.

A missed call.

Kayden.

I called him back immediately. It didn't even ring twice.

Kayden: "I'll pick you up at 7 p.m., okay? Be ready."

I blinked. "Wait—hello? Hey? No greeting? No 'how are you?'"

Kayden: (soft chuckle) "I miss you. That's why. I just… want to see you."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the tiny smile creeping onto my lips. "Ooh, really now? Anyway—how's work?"

Kayden: "It's great. Actually… we've got to head to a few sites tomorrow."

"Hmm, okay." I let out a small sigh. He always got like this—affectionate then straight to business.

Kayden: "I'll call you later, alright?"

"Yeah, yeah," I said with a smile and hung up.

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