In the Library
Ember whispered under her breath, "Why did he do this...?"
A gentle hand rested on her shoulder.
She flinched, spinning around. "Who?"
"It's me," Adrien said softly.
Ember let out a small sigh, her heart still unsettled. "Oh... it's you."
Adrien raised an eyebrow, concern flickering in his eyes. "Yes, it's me. But why do you look so scared? Your face is red. And what were you saying—'Why did he do this'? Did something happen? Did he hurt you?"
Flustered, Ember huffed. "Stop. Too many questions. How am I supposed to answer all of that at once? Or... why would I even tell you about my situation?"
Adrien's voice took on a firm but gentle edge. "You better tell me."
She hesitated, torn between keeping her thoughts to herself and trusting him. After a moment, she gave in. "Okay..."
Her mind raced—perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to find out what really happened between Adrien and Dylan.
Adrien pulled out a chair and gestured to it. "Come sit."
Ember hesitated before finally nodding and settling into the chair beside him.
Leaning in slightly, Adrien pressed again. "Now, tell me."
Ember swallowed hard, then countered, "I have a question for you too."
His eyes glinted with curiosity. "Alright. But you go first, then I'll answer."
She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Ask."
Adrien studied her for a moment before speaking. "Why is your face so red?"
Ember stiffened. "It's just... the weather," she mumbled, trying to sound casual.
But Adrien wasn't convinced. "Are you feeling unwell?"
"Yeah, just a bit cold."
Without hesitation, Adrien shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. His touch was warm, reassuring.
"Don't even think about taking it off," he warned, his voice low but teasing. "If you do, I won't answer your questions."
Ember blinked, caught off guard by his sudden gesture. A warmth spread through her—not just from the jacket, but from something else entirely.
Ember blinked at him, feeling both comforted and slightly embarrassed. "Alright, fine."
Adrien's gaze sharpened, his voice steady but insistent. "Now, why did you say, 'Why did he do this'? Tell me."
Ember's grip tightened on the jacket draped over her shoulders. She lowered her gaze. "It's nothing," she muttered, avoiding his piercing eyes.
Adrien wasn't convinced. His tone hardened. "Did Dylan do something to you?"
A lump formed in Ember's throat. She swallowed hard before shaking her head. "No..."
Adrien studied her carefully, his expression unreadable. "Your face says otherwise. What did he do?"
Ember hesitated, her fingers curling into the fabric of her sleeves. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she forced out the words. "He... he kissed me, and..."
Adrien stiffened. "And?"
Ember's voice caught in her throat. She wasn't sure how to say it—how to explain the fear that had gripped her in that moment.
Adrien leaned in slightly, his tone softer but firm. "You..."
She took a shaky breath. "I just got scared."
Adrien's jaw tightened. A quiet, restrained anger laced his voice. "That jerk. He forced himself on you, didn't he? That's why you're so shaken up?"
Ember gave a small nod, unable to meet his eyes.
Without hesitation, Adrien reached out and gently patted her head, his touch surprisingly tender. "It's okay. Don't be scared. You're safe now."
The silence that followed wasn't heavy or awkward. It wrapped around them like a quiet understanding, a moment of unspoken reassurance.
After a while, Ember finally spoke, breaking the stillness. "Now it's my turn."
Adrien smirked, his teasing demeanor returning. "You're really desperate to know about me, huh? How about you just admit you like me, and I'll deal with Dylan for you? Then I'll take you with me."
Ember rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the small smile tugging at her lips. "Stop dreaming."
Ember leaned in, her curiosity getting the better of her. "What's the relationship between you and Dylan?"
Adrien hesitated, his expression unreadable. "Can I skip that question?"
"No," Ember pressed. "I want to know."
Adrien let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Why don't you just ask him?"
Ember shook her head. "If I ask him, and the fight between you two is something painful, it'll only upset him. I don't want to make him feel bad."
Adrien stared at her, incredulous. "He just scared you by kissing you, and yet you're worried about making him sad over his past?"
"Yes," Ember replied softly, her gaze unwavering. "So, please, just answer me."
Adrien studied her for a long moment, as if weighing whether to tell her the truth. "You really want to know?"
Ember nodded. "Yes."
He exhaled deeply. "Then... prepare yourself. I don't want to break your heart."
Ember rolled her eyes. "Stop with the nonsense. Just tell me."
A ghost of a smirk flickered across Adrien's lips before he spoke. "Alright, alright. Back when we were in school, it was me, Dylan, Emir, and Lai. We were best friends—inseparable. But then... misunderstandings happened. After that, Dylan left and came here. I tried calling him, but he wouldn't answer. That's why I'm here—to clear things up with him."
Ember frowned, her doubt evident. "Just a misunderstanding?"
Adrien nodded. "Yeah, that's all."
A silence settled between them before Ember spoke again. "Can I ask you something else?"
Adrien's voice softened. "Of course. Ask me anything."
She hesitated before taking a deep breath. "Can you tell me what that misunderstanding was?"
Adrien's expression darkened as he fell silent, his mind lost in thought,'I can't tell her the truth now. She's already shaken, and if she knew... it would only hurt her more. I want her to trust me, to come to me on her own—but I don't want to see her in pain.'
"Adrien?" Ember's voice broke through his thoughts. "What are you thinking about?"
Adrien blinked, snapping back to reality. "Actually, it was because of a girl..."
Ember's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes," Adrien confirmed, his voice calm but distant.
Ember leaned in, curiosity burning in her gaze. "So that's why you and Dylan had a fight?"
Adrien hesitated, his fingers lightly tapping against the table. "A fight..."
"Yeah!" Ember continued. "I heard you two had a big argument, and that was the first time Dylan ever got drunk. I think he felt guilty about the fight—that's why he drank."
Adrien's brows furrowed in surprise. "Drunk?"
"You didn't know?" Ember asked, watching his reaction closely.
Adrien shook his head, his thoughts spiraling ,'So, that time when I told him to leave and never come back... he must have been too drunk to even pick up my calls. All this time, I thought he was just ignoring me...
Ember's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Hm... so, the girl—it's 'Lai,' right?"
Adrien's gaze met hers, impressed by her intuition. "Yes..." he admitted with a small nod.
She's sharp.
Ember leaned forward slightly, sensing his hesitation. "Can you tell me what the fight was about?"
Adrien's jaw tensed. His fingers curled into a loose fist. "It's... it's just that I—"
Before he could continue, Ember's phone rang, cutting through the tension.
She quickly pulled it from her bag. "Excuse me."
Pressing the phone to her ear, she answered, "Hello?"
Butler Feng's composed voice came through the line. "Madam, Dylan is still busy with work, so he might be late and won't be able to pick you up. Let me know if you need a ride home. I can come get you."
Ember exhaled quietly. "Okay..."
"Then I'll take my leave for now," Butler Feng added politely.
"Wait!" Ember said quickly, gripping her phone tighter.
"Yes, madam?"
Ember hesitated, lowering her voice. "Can you send me the address of where Dylan is working? But... don't tell him I asked."
There was a brief pause before Butler Feng responded. "Would you like me to come and get you instead?"
"No, no," Ember insisted. "I'm with a friend. He'll drop me off."
"Very well, I'll send you the address shortly," Butler Feng confirmed.
"Thank you," Ember said, ending the call.
She sat still for a moment, gripping her phone, lost in thought.
"It's time to let go of those fearful memories and move forward…"
Ember hesitated for a moment before turning to Adrien. "Adrien, can you do me a favor?"
Adrien's gaze softened as he looked at her. "Of course. What do you need?"
Ember held out her phone, showing him the address. "Can you drop me off here?"
Adrien glanced at the screen before nodding with a small smile. "Okay. Let's go."
"Thanks," Ember said, following him toward the car.
As the car moved smoothly down the road, Ember stole a glance at Adrien. "Thanks for this... I hope you and Dylan can resolve whatever misunderstanding happened between you two."
Adrien nodded, his fingers tightening slightly on the steering wheel. "Yeah... thanks to you too."
Ember raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
Adrien exhaled, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "Because now I feel less alone. Someone else finally knows about it."
A small, reassuring smile played on Ember's lips. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone until you sort things out."
Adrien turned his head slightly, meeting her gaze. "Thanks."
After a beat of silence, he smirked playfully. "So... does this mean we're friends now?"
Ember tilted her head, pretending to think. "Hmm, let me consider it..."
Adrien's face fell slightly, his expression almost disappointed.
Ember chuckled, teasing him. "I'm just kidding. Of course, we're friends."
Adrien's smile returned. "Good."
After a moment, his curiosity got the best of him. "Can you tell me how you and Dylan met?"
Ember shook her head with a knowing smile. "It's a long story... I'll tell you next time."
"But—"
"No buts," Ember interrupted, her tone gentle but firm. "I'm tired of all these questions and answers for now. Let's leave it for another day."
Adrien chuckled, nodding in surrender. "Alright."
A few minutes later, Adrien glanced at her. "Ember, we're here."
She looked out the window, recognizing the location. "Okay... thanks for dropping me off."
"It's no problem," Adrien said softly, watching her step out.
As Ember approached the gate, a guard stepped forward, blocking her path. "Stop. Do you have a pass to enter?"
Ember frowned, caught off guard. "No, but I'm here to meet Dylan."
The guard smirked slightly, folding his arms. "Look around—every girl here claims to be here for him."
Ember glanced around, realizing there were indeed a few girls nearby, either waiting or trying to get in. A strange uneasiness settled in her chest.
"Too many girls, huh?" she muttered.
"Yes, quite a few," the guard replied, his tone dismissive.
Ember let out a quiet sigh before trying again. "Please, let me in. I can call him if you need confirmation."
The guard arched a brow. "Go ahead and try."
Ember hesitated, biting her lip. If I call Dylan, he'll know I'm here... Instead, she quickly dialed Butler Feng.
Before she could press the call button, Adrien suddenly appeared beside her and gently took the phone from her hand.
Startled, Ember looked up at him. "What are you doing?"
The guard's demeanor instantly shifted. He straightened up, suddenly alert. "Sir, please come in."
Adrien turned to Ember with a small, knowing smile. "Why aren't you going in?"
Ember sighed, feeling a little defeated. "He stopped me because I don't have a pass."
Adrien chuckled, shaking his head. "So, what's your plan now?"
"I was calling Butler Feng to pick me up," Ember admitted.
Adrien raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Why not just take my help?"
Ember crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Do you even have a pass?"
Adrien smirked, his expression unreadable. She really doesn't know who I am, does she?
"Yes, I do," he replied confidently.
Relief washed over Ember. "Alright then, let's go."
"Hop back in the car," Adrien said, motioning toward the vehicle. "Dylan's set is farther from here."
Ember nodded, following him. "Okay..."
The silence between them was comfortable this time.
"Thanks again," Ember said, her voice softer.
Adrien glanced at her, a small smile playing on his lips. "You're welcome."
After a few minutes, the car slowed down.
"We've reached," Adrien said, turning off the engine.
Ember took a deep breath, looking at the building ahead. "Thanks."
Adrien watched her for a moment. "Let me take you inside."
Ember turned to him, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Okay."
She followed him toward Dylan's set, her heart beating a little faster with every step.
Ember stepped in , her eyes scanning the space. "Hello, Butler Feng... where's Dylan?"
Butler Feng gave a respectful bow. "Sir is inside."
Ember's heart skipped a beat. "Can I go in?"
"Yes, of course," he replied with a nod.
"Thanks..." Ember murmured, a thrill of excitement bubbling inside her as she moved toward the door.
A few feet away, Adrien stood quietly, watching her go. She forgot about me... he thought, a mix of amusement and a slight sting of disappointment settling in his chest.
The silence was almost eerie. Ember frowned slightly. "Why is there no one around?" she whispered to herself. He must be in the changing room.
A playful smile crept across her lips. Let me surprise him...
Slowly, she pushed open the door, slipping inside without a sound. She stood just behind it for a moment, her heart pounding with anticipation. Then, without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her face against his back.
"Dylan... I love you," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
Dylan stiffened for a brief second before swiftly turning, pulling her in front of him. Their faces were so close, she could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin. For a fleeting moment, it seemed like he was about to kiss her—but he stopped, his lips hovering just inches away.
"How did you get here?" he asked softly, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Ember met his gaze, her own eyes shining. "I was missing you."
Without another word, Dylan pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
Ember melted into his embrace, closing her eyes. "I'm sorry..." she murmured.
Dylan pulled back slightly, searching her face. "For what?"
She hesitated, her cheeks flushing. "In the car... I didn't know what was happening to me. I couldn't catch my breath. It was the first time I've ever felt something that intense—something I actually wanted..."
Dylan's expression softened as he gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "You don't have to apologize for that, Ember. I'm the one who should be sorry if I was too rough. I couldn't control myself."
"It's okay..." she whispered, lowering her gaze.
Dylan lifted her chin with his fingers, coaxing her to look at him. "Can I make it right?"
Ember swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "How?"
Dylan didn't answer with words. Instead, he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a slow, deep kiss.
Ember gasped softly, caught off guard, but within seconds, she relaxed into him, her fingers gripping his shirt as she returned the kiss.
"Mmh..." she breathed against his lips.
Dylan pulled back just a little, his forehead resting against hers, his eyes searching hers for any hesitation. "Is that okay?"
Ember's face flushed with warmth, her heart fluttering wildly. She nodded shyly. "Hm..."
Dylan smiled, his grip on her tightening just a little, as if afraid to let go.