RELOVE: The Days With My Exes

Elzi Amelia Collins felt a wavering uncertainty that made her feel like she was adrift at sea. It was as if she was no longer bound by the force of gravity, as if the entire cosmos was being pulled into a black hole. Suddenly, and so abruptly, it sucked the life out of her, causing her to open her eyes in an instant, waking up from sleep. The pain was immediately present, pulsating through her body, making her groan.

"Oh, my goodness, God."

She murmured, massaging her forehead gently, feeling her parched throat. Dry. Creating an uncomfortable sensation that tormented her. But that was not all.

A few moments later, Elzi discovered the pain enveloping her body. Aching. Shattered. And she could not find the right words to describe her condition at that moment. It all felt incredibly torturous.

Taking a deep breath, Elzi tried to calm herself. Attempting to ignore the pain, she blinked slowly, adjusting her retinas to the dim light around her at that time.

As her eyes surveyed the surroundings, Elzi tried to think. Her forehead furrowed as she forced her brain to remember. Flashes of recent events passed through her mind, displaying joyful faces, full of jokes and laughter, all animated by food and drinks, seemingly so happy.

Ah.

Her eyes widened as she managed to recall the important detail. Something she should not easily forget. Well, especially not when it came to a high school reunion.

That night, Elzi attended the high school reunion held at the home of one of her friends, Ava Grace. The beautiful woman, her classmate, who now chose to dedicate herself as a doctor in a border region.

And the last thing Elzi remembered was the boisterous voices of her friends, probably teasing her for being unable to handle alcohol.

Elzi sighed deeply, cursing internally. Since when did not being able to drink alcohol become something shameful? Now that she thought about it, it was perfectly reasonable for her to feel dizzy right now. And that dizziness was undoubtedly exacerbated by her annoyance at some of her friends who apparently still enjoyed teasing her.

"Ugh. What kind of drink did they mix in my glass earlier? This is why I feel like I've been hit by a mountain. Definitely because of that drink."

Suppressing her frustration, Elzi raised her left hand, just to check the time on her wristwatch. She weighed her options, whether to go home or decide to go back to sleep that night.

Two a.m.

Technically, Elzi could go home, but it seemed like sleep was the better option than going back. Her body was in no condition to cooperate, and even if she would just sit leisurely in a taxi-considering her car was currently in the repair shop-Elzi did not want to take the risk of going home so late at night. Who could guarantee her safety?

Dismissing any plans of going home, Elzi intended to continue sleeping. She began by lifting both her hands for a moment to stretch her stiff muscles.

Under the blanket, Elzi wriggled, seeking a comfortable position as she lay on her side. She then swung her arms and legs dramatically at the same time, landing them on the pillow.

However, the comfort Elzi felt and the reverie she yearned for suddenly disappeared. It was replaced by confusion when she felt the pillow hugging her back, as if a heavy hand had landed on her body!

"Huh?"

Elzi's eyes, which were previously closed, flew open, trying to think but only ending up startled.

Eh?! Since when do pillows have hands?

And then, upon further contemplation, Elzi realized another peculiarity. It seemed she just noticed that what lay beneath her head was certainly not her usual sleeping pillow. This pillow was not soft. On the contrary, it felt... hard and had a peculiar shape. More precisely, a hand-like shape.

Huh? Another hand? W-wait a minute. Why do the pillows here have hands? I-i-is this really a hand... or am I hallucinating? I-is it because of the drinks? Did I get intoxicated?

Elzi tried not to panic. But everything became even more futile when her eyes caught yet another reality. It was not a pillow she was nuzzling into. Instead, it was a broad chest moving subtly with rhythmic breathing. Unfortunately, that broad chest was not dressed in even a thread!

What?!

Propping herself up with her arms, her face burrowed into the chest, and a body hugging her? She could not help but raise a single question in her mind.

Am I really drunk, or... Who is this?!

With trembling fear, Elzi gathered her courage to lift her face, only to find a handsome face peacefully asleep right in front of her. A face she least expected.

Her eyes widened slowly, and she even took a moment to rub her eyes before widening them even further, hoping that the face in front of her would change. Turn into a pillow, a bolster, or anything else. As long as it wasn't someone's face. Especially if that someone was...

B-B-Ben? I-i-is this Ben? Oh my God. B-B-Benedict Cole Wallace?

Unable to contain herself, Elzi let out a scream.

"Ah!"

Long and forceful, her scream had an immediate effect on the deeply sleeping guy. He winced and rubbed his ears, mumbling in response. It was a natural reaction for anyone whose sleep was disturbed.

Then, in what felt like slow-motion scenes from movies, Elzi watched as the guy's eyelashes fluttered. His eyelids opened, and he found himself face-to-face with Elzi. They could not avoid it any longer; two pairs of eyes locked in a direct gaze.

Silence filled the moment...

Both pairs of eyes blinked once and then stared at each other again, as if they were two computer systems experiencing a bug. As if each of them needed a moment to assess the situation.

Elzi held her breath, feeling as if she were waiting for what other shocking events would unfold next, filled with anticipation. Perhaps she was genuinely drunk. But...

"Zizi."

No hallucinations. No intoxication. Perhaps her eyes could be deceived, but the voice was undeniably not that of a pillow or a bolster. It sounded heavy and deep. More than enough to prove to Elzi that she was not the only one lying on the bed. Instead, there was a guy with her. Someone who always called her in his own way.

For a moment, it felt like an invisible impact hit Elzi. Or like a jolt that made her heart pulsate uncomfortably. More than anything, amidst the overwhelming feelings, Elzi never expected that she would hear that call again. After so long. After years.

And she had to admit it... she hated hearing that familiar tone from the guy's mouth.

Elzi cleared her mind of all thoughts and focused on the vacant stare in the guy's eyes, as if he had not realized the situation they were in. And, as if to emphasize his obliviousness, he asked the next second.

"Why are you here?"

However, Elzi did not get a chance to answer because Ben's eyes widened slowly. Right as he looked at his hand, which landed on Elzi's innocent shoulder. Well, not entirely innocent, considering the bra strap there.

What?! A bra straps?

Ben was shocked. He hurriedly released Elzi's body, and the vacant look in his eyes disappeared, replaced by emotions of surprise that Elzi refused to believe.

Ben's face turned red. He stood up, panicking, and asked again.

"Y-y-you. How can you be here? Oh my God. Why are you here?"

Also rising, Elzi felt indignant, finding herself being questioned by the guy. Should not it be the other way around?

"I should be the one asking that!" she snapped angrily. "Why are you here? Why are you in my bed? You despicable jerk!"

Preparing herself for any possible response from Ben to retaliate, Elzi furrowed her brows in confusion when the guy fell silent. Hardly moving. Almost immobile. His eyes did not even blink.

Ben's silent response confused Elzi. It urged her to follow his gaze, heading toward the reason for his stillness. Finally, Elzi understood why Ben was frozen, not moving, or maybe even not breathing!

There was only a bra. There was only a bra clinging to Elzi's body. Nothing else covered her bare form.

Once again, Elzi screamed, berating herself for neglecting to hold the blanket to her body. It was only natural that Ben was petrified. What normal guy would not freeze if he saw a nearly naked girl in front of him?

"You perverted jerk!"

Scolding Ben, Elzi immediately grabbed the blanket, trying to cover her body as much as possible, even though one thought rang in her mind, mocking her.

Will it even make a difference if you cover up again, Zi? With both of you in this state, I bet Ben has already seen everything. I guarantee it! More than just seeing.

Squeezing the edge of the blanket against her chest with all her might, Elzi closed her eyes, only to growl in anger.

"Argh!"

Ben's natural reaction to Elzi's emotions was evident; he was nervous and embarrassed. But it did not calm Elzi down. Instead, it made her even more frustrated.

Please, Zi. Don't be fooled again by his hypocritical appearance. Just think, if you believe he's changed, I guarantee you'll fall for him again!

Elzi could not calm down. Instead, fear slowly began to manifest on her beautiful face. With a thought that was all too natural.

"Oh my God. With all this, what will my life be like next? H-how... How did I end up in this situation?"

Seeing Ben's flat chest and masculine contours on his stomach only amplified Elzi's panic, increasing exponentially in those brief seconds.

"Zi," Ben murmured softly, causing Elzi to turn to him, her face looking terrifying as if she was ready to devour him whole. "I don't know why we ended up like this."

Unwillingly, but truly, Ben's seemingly innocent statement left Elzi stunned, accompanied by a nauseous feeling in her stomach.

"Hah? You don't know? You're saying you don't know? You don't know? Oh my God. So, what do you know, the Pythagorean theorem?"

Ben looked embarrassed. "That's not what I meant. But..." He took a deep breath. "I think I might have been a bit drunk earlier. Honestly, I don't remember much," he continued, trying to recall. "And..."

Ben did not finish his sentence because Elzi closed her eyes again, as if refusing to face the reality at that moment.

Damn you, you despicable alcohol! Who came up with the idea of drinking alcohol anyway?! Alcohol should be used for sterilization purposes only! Not for drinking! Argh!

The frustration escalated, rumbling, and culminating in an overwhelming sadness that Elzi could not hold back. Tears welled up behind her eyelids, breaking through her defenses. She broke down into tears, leaving Ben frozen.

"Zizi."

Unexpectedly, to Elzi and maybe even to the demons in the world, Ben reached out and embraced the girl, causing shock in Elzi's teary eyes. She wanted to pull away, but Ben always had a power she could not resist.

Elzi blinked. A moment later, she found her head landing on Ben's flat chest, followed by Ben's hand gently caressing her head.

"I'm sorry. I know my apology won't change the situation. But, I'm serious. I apologize."

Ben's soft whisper silenced Elzi. She did not say anything, her anger slowly turning into fear, which sent chills through her entire body, accompanied by questions flooding her mind.

God, what did I do wrong? Why do I have to be trapped again with this guy?

Elzi's silence made Ben uneasy. He lifted her chin with his finger, bringing his gaze to meet her clear eyes. He exhaled softly, letting his breath caress Elzi's face.

"Zi, calm down. Just relax," Ben said. "Maybe what we're thinking didn't actually happen."

Elzi gaped. "Hah? What we're thinking?" she asked dramatically. "Do you even know what I'm thinking?"

Of course, it was not difficult to guess Elzi's train of thought. Based on their situation, both being unclothed, on the same bed, under the same blanket, and hugging, the assumption could only lead to one thing-whether they were aware of it or not, they had engaged in sexual intimacy.

However, Ben seemed to have a different idea when he said, "I know, Zi. But maybe nothing happened between us. We could have just slept together."

His words did not calm Elzi down; instead, she growled. Her eyes, previously filled with fear, now glared with various forms of anger. Ben quickly clarified his statement.

"No no no. By sleeping together, I mean literally sleeping. I mean, we fell asleep. Okay? It's not like we had sex."

Elzi's eyes widened even more, and Ben hurriedly continued.

"Maybe we did not do anything. It's possible. There's still a chance for that."

"Oh, now we're discussing possibilities?" Elzi dramatically closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm herself instead of screaming hysterically louder. "So, can you explain why we're in this situation if we didn't..."

Elzi felt her breath hitch. Her voice was low but sharp as she continued her sentence.

"... do anything? With me almost naked? On the bed with you?! And you're not wearing any clothes either?!" Her eyes narrowed. "According to you, we undressed because we were too hot? And then we cuddled because we felt so close? Seriously?! Do you think we're Laa-Laa and Tinky Winky, who enjoy cuddling?!"

Ben let out a long sigh. "Be patient, Zi."

"How can I be patient in a situation like this?! I'm not a descendant of Mother Teresa who can be patient! I'm just an ordinary girl who swears to kill you in the most brutal way possible!"

"Okay, okay. Let's check first. Let's see if we actually did something or if we just slept together. There should be something on this bed to prove it," Ben said. "Being almost naked and on the same bed doesn't necessarily mean we made love. Well... there's still a 0.1% chance, though."

"Almost naked? Making love?" Elzi asked hysterically. "There's no love!"

Unconsciously, Elzi raised her hand, clenched her fist, and landed a playful punch on Ben's chest.

Ben quickly caught Elzi's not-so-strong punch. "Let's figure this out first, Zi. After that, if you still want to hit me... go ahead. Whatever you want."

"If it's proven, I promise. I won't give you a mere punch. But death!" Elzi threatened as she stood up and didn't forget to curse, "You despicable jerk!"

Not willing to make the same mistake twice, Elzi made sure to keep the blanket covering her chest as she got off the bed. Unfortunately, her action only caused the blanket to tug and reveal something that Ben had been hiding.

"Ah!"

Elzi was startled. Shocked. However, her eyes widened, fixed on a certain spot between Ben's legs.

"There's Squidward's nose!"

Ben's eyes widened too, in shock, but clearly for a different reason.

"W-what?" Ben stammered. "Squidward's nose?"

He looked down, to the spot where Elzi was looking before she screamed hysterically again.

"Wow! Are you saying this is Squidward's nose? Hah! You don't know that this 'Squidward's nose' can transform into Aquaman's trident?"

Trying not to hear Ben's words, Elzi covered her ears and closed her eyes. In her heart, she prayed for the image of Ben's bare form that had successfully entered her retinas to be erased from her mind.

"Oh, my goodness. Stop it! Don't say weird things. You perverted, lewd jerk! Squidward's nose," Elzi growled, feeling her face heat up. "Squidward's nose."

This time, Ben also closed his eyes. His chest suddenly felt warm again, hearing that term. Squidward's nose? Oh, my goodness. That's not right. No guy would want their private parts referred to in such a ridiculous manner, and that certainly included Ben. So, it was understandable that the patience he had been trying to nurture since earlier disappeared completely without a trace.

"Squidward's nose? Uh... do you really want to see proof that Squidward's nose can transform into Aquaman's trident? Yes? Hah! I'm telling you; the seven seas will have a tsunami if it ever transforms!"

Elzi exclaimed.

"Aaah!" Elzi screamed. "Stop it! You pervert! Lewd! You have no brain and no sense of appearance. Everything about you is a mess! Stop saying weird things!"

Once again, Ben was taken aback by Elzi's words, shaking his head.

"So, after all this time not seeing each other, you really haven't changed. Your mouth is still..." Ben couldn't continue his sentence. "Ck. And what did you say? My appearance is a mess?"

"Yes! Your brain and appearance are equally messy!"

Ben laughed sarcastically. "Ha ha ha ha. Has your appearance improved enough to say that my appearance is a mess? With a blanket covering your chest while your two buttocks are all over the place? And you think that's considered 'in order'? I can even see a mole on your butt!"

What?

"Who's a mess?"

"Stop it!"

Elzi fumed, quickly turning her body while berating herself. Oh goodness! Why did she forget about the back of her body and only focus on the front? Annoyingly, who knows how long Ben had been taking advantage of that fact.

Elzi's body was now covered, and she found Ben standing in front of her, separated by the bed. He had put on his low-rise briefs. Elzi's face turned disgusted as she noticed the intimidating bulge in Ben's underwear. Seeing her reaction, Ben smirked.

"Don't you drool over Squidward's nose, Zi."

Oh, my goodness!

Elzi turned her face away, ignoring Ben's gaze, and focused on something more important than Squidward's nose. Her eyes scanned the bed, looking for any indication of what had happened between her and Ben. She found it-a red stain hiding amidst the floral pattern of the bedsheet.

Noticing the same spot, Ben shifted his attention and heard a thud sound. Elzi had collapsed to the floor as if she could no longer fight gravity.

Cold. Elzi was certain that the cold feeling did not come from the expensive ceramic tiles of the floor but rather from the fear that loomed in her mind. Panic overwhelmed her, and all her nerves felt numb. It was as if her heart had stopped beating, and she thought her life was over.

"Oh God. This... this..."

Elzi did not know what to say. She just let a tear fall.

Ben quickly acted, rushing to Elzi's side, lifting her up, and guiding her to sit on the bed.

"Zi."

Despite Ben's gentle call, Elzi only gave him a vacant stare. This alarmed Ben, making him swallow hard in panic.

He cupped Elzi's cheek, holding her pale face in front of his. Their faces were extremely close, and Elzi could feel Ben's warm breath, just as Ben could feel hers.

"I will take responsibility," Ben said seriously. "I will marry you. So... you don't have to worry."

Still, Elzi remained unresponsive as if she was already dead. She was silent, and a cynical voice suddenly appeared in her mind.

He will marry me? Hah? Did he forget that he once made the same promise? But what happened in the end? He disappeared without a trace, leaving me without a word!

Elzi shook her head.

"No. It's not possible," she murmured faintly. "There's no way I will marry you. No. Absolutely not."

Elzi's mind was filled with various thoughts as she withdrew, clutching the blanket around her body, and stood up again to examine the bed more closely. This time, she was searching for something specific.

"Move aside!" Elzi's sudden change in behavior confused Ben, but he complied, moving out of her way as she approached the bed, seemingly searching for something.

"Why, Zi?" Ben asked as he stood up. "What are you looking for?"

Finding nothing on the bed, Elzi took a deep breath and approached Ben. Without realizing it, she grabbed his hand and looked up, trying to lock eyes with him.

"Tell me you used it."

Still puzzled, Ben furrowed his brow. "Used what? What do you mean?"

Elzi bit her lower lip, appearing hesitant as she was pressed with the question. Her expression turned fearful as she half-whispered her answer to Ben.

"C-c-c..."

Not understanding, Ben pressed further. "C-c-c what?"

Closing her eyes, Elzi finally replied, "Condom!"

"Uhuk!" Ben suddenly coughed, while Elzi widened her eyes, showing emotions that could no longer be contained. She did not care about Ben's reddened face or his awkward coughing. Elzi pointedly asked him with a hopeful tone.

"You used one, right? And you threw away the used one? Where? Trash can? Toilet? Or..."

Because that was her last hope. Elzi might have unintentionally made a mistake with Ben, but it did not mean she had to be trapped in marriage with him, right?

Unfortunately, Elzi's last hope slowly faded when Ben took a deep breath and showed an expression she did not expect. He shook his head.

Elzi was stunned for a few seconds. "Y-you didn't use it? You didn't use a condom? Seriously? You didn't use one?"

As her last hope vanished, Elzi's sadness and fear instantly turned into anger, ready to burst out.

"You didn't use a condom?! How could you not use one? How old are you, for God's sake? How can you be an adult man without any ethics like this? Seriously? You didn't use it?"

Elzi swung her free hand, landing a series of punches on Ben's chest.

Ben did not defend himself, just accepting the punishment as he stood there, taking the blows.

"You took someone's virginity and... and you didn't even use a condom! What century are you livng in? Argh!"

Fists pounding repeatedly and accompanied by various curses, Elzi's breath sounded harsh and loud. Ben was lucky that Elzi did not have any familial ties to any dragon species. Otherwise, he was sure that flames would be spewing from both of Elzi's nostrils!

"You should've used one! How could you forget something so important? Argh! You should've remembered to use it!"

"I was drunk, Zi. How could I remember to use a condom when I was drunk?"

"You should've remembered! You even remembered to take off your underwear! Why didn't you remember to put on a condom?!"

Pressured by the barrage of words from Elzi, Ben felt his head spinning. Unconsciously, he responded in frustration.

"If I had remembered to use a condom, it means I wasn't drunk."

Elzi grew even more furious. "You perverted scoundrel."

"What? Did you just call me a perverted scoundrel?" Ben's eyes rolled dramatically. "I can make you sure that you are the first. No one's genitals have been violated by me until now."

Elzi glared. "You're so skilled for a first-timer, huh? And whether I'm the first or the last, does it really matter? Do you think I'd be proud of that?!" Elzi pointed her index finger. "And remember! It was my genitals that you violated just now!"

Ben was sure that things would get even messier if he could not think clearly. He took a deep breath, trying to reason with himself in this critical situation. He should not get provoked and respond emotionally to Elzi's words. It would only make things worse.

"Zi."

He called out softly, trying to reach out to her, but Elzi brushed his hand away. Ben chose to sit back on the bed, opting to calm Elzi down instead. He exhaled heavily, one hand gripping his hair in frustration.

"God. Even if I lose my virginity, it doesn't mean I'll get pregnant, right? Please, God, don't let me get pregnant."

Elzi grew even more panicked. She took a deep breath and tried to stay logical.

"The chances of pregnancy during the first encounter are not high, Zi. Relax. It's not that easy to get pregnant. Even married couples can take years to have a child. It's highly unlikely that you'll get pregnant from a one-time incident, right?"

However, shortly after, Elzi winced. Begging and pleading with hope.

"I beg you, God. If there's a plan for me to get pregnant, please change it. Give this pregnancy to another couple who has been waiting for it. I willingly accept whatever happens, both physically and emotionally."

Ben could only watch silently as Elzi rambled on, seemingly unaware of her surroundings. He observed closely as Elzi closed her eyes, her lips trembling, questioning herself.

"When is my fertile period? When? Tomorrow? The day after tomorrow? Next week? Or has it already passed?"

Trying to remember, but Elzi found her mind blank. Damn! But it was so human. Which girl's mind could still think rationally in a situation like this?

"Zi."

"Damn it!" Elzi cursed, gasping for breath. "The possibility is still there, Zi. Even though it's small, it's still there. Oh God. Even rape victims often get pregnant. And what if this accident makes me pregnant? Oh no. Isn't it already common knowledge that accidental encounters have a high chance of pregnancy?"

Ben cleared his throat as he watched Elzi continue to ramble on as if he wasn't there. He called her name again.

"Zi."

Frustrated, Elzi turned to Ben. "Can you stop calling me Zi Zi Zi? Don't you know I'm panicking?!"

Ben dramatically closed his eyes, shook his head, and took a deep breath. He chose to let Elzi continue her rambling because of her panic.

"Why does this have to happen to me? What if I'm pregnant?" Elzi's eyes darted anxiously, and her heart thumped wildly. "Pregnant out of wedlock?"

The reality brought indescribable fear. Elzi's stomach immediately felt queasy, as if something inside was being stirred.

"Oh God. If I'm really pregnant out of wedlock, what will happen? What punishment will I receive from Mom and Dad? Will they kick me out of the house? Hang me alive? Or..."

However, Elzi's panicked rambling subsided for a moment. Replaced by sadness.

"Why am I so foolish? Why couldn't I take care of myself?" Elzi closed her eyes. "I couldn't even take care of myself, and now? What if I'm pregnant? How can I take care of my child? Oh God. I can't handle being pregnant right now. Please, God. Don't let an innocent child have a mother who's still incapable like me. It's not fair for them, God."

Ben reached for Elzi's hand, gently salvaging her hair from possible fall-out soon. Truly, Elzi held nothing back when it came to expressing her emotions.

Without giving Elzi a chance to use her hand for something else, Ben held it tightly. Surprisingly, it made Elzi stop her rambling.

Ben locked eyes with Elzi. "Whether you're pregnant or not, that's not the issue here."

With a momentary pause in his words, Ben reminded himself to speak as softly as possible. He did not want his words to provoke Elzi's emotions any further, as she had already been stirred up since earlier. That could be dangerous!

A few seconds passed, and Ben did not get any response from Elzi. So, he continued speaking, being extremely cautious with his choice of words.

"Regardless of whether you're pregnant or not," Ben continued. "I will take responsibility. I mean it. I genuinely want to marry you. And if you do end up pregnant, you don't have to worry. You don't need to be afraid."

Without blinking, Ben locked eyes with Elzi. Firm and unwavering, his gaze conveyed his determination without a doubt.

"I'll take care of both of you. We can learn to be parents together."

Both of you? Learn to be parents together?

Upon hearing those words, Elzi froze. Her head felt empty, erasing the emotions that filled her clear eyes. As if Ben's words had sent her floating into uncertainty, a world without clarity.

"What do you think?" Elzi asked with a whimper. Whether she was aware or not, she pulled her hand away from Ben's grasp and placed it on her own stomach. "Has your sperm started swimming in my uterus now? Has it met my ovum? Have they fused together?"

Ben took a deep breath. Uncertain if it was a question that needed an answer or not. Nevertheless, Elzi growled when she saw Ben remained silent.

"Argh! Marry you? Oh God. I could never marry you. Why me? Why do I have to go through this? What sins have I committed, God? Why am I being punished like this?"

Not allowing the debate to continue in circles, Ben firmly held both of Elzi's upper arms, restraining her. Not giving her even the slightest space to move an inch.

"Zi," Ben emphasized. "I'm not joking. I will marry you. So, please. Stop panicking. Stop resisting fate. We can both go through this. We'll find a way together. And that way is through marriage."

Elzi remained silent, staring into those dark eyes. In them, Ben could see the various fears and panics swirling through Elzi's clear gaze.

Can I trust your words? You say this now, but what about tomorrow? You might say something else. We both know what you're like. I never wanted to fall into the same trap for the third time!

Elzi was torn. Ben knew it for sure. It was entirely human of her to not know what to do at that moment.

However, Ben decided not to let Elzi drown in her indecision. He took immediate action instead of waiting.

Without any warning, Ben pulled Elzi's face towards him, bringing their lips together without any hesitation.

Elzi's eyes widened, realizing that in a matter of lightning-fast seconds-seconds she could not avoid, her lips disappeared into a deep kiss.

The shock of the situation and the confusion about her future left Elzi dazed. She could not muster any resistance as Ben kissed her.

Intense and powerful. Soft moans accompanied the sensual movement of Ben's lips on Elzi's. Then, a fleeting touch was given by the tip of Ben's tongue before he broke the kiss.

"We're getting married, Zi," Ben said firmly, without compromise. "This is not a question. It's a statement!"

*

Elzi was torn. Ben knew it for sure. It was so human for her not to know what to do at that moment.

However, Ben decided not to let Elzi drown in her indecision. He acted immediately instead of waiting.

Without any warning, Ben pulled Elzi's face and their lips met, without a single mistake.

Elzi's eyes widened. Realizing that in a matter of seconds-seconds that she could not avoid, her lips had disappeared in a deep kiss.

Shock from the situation that trapped her and confusion about her future left Elzi bewildered. She could not resist Ben's kiss.

"Ssst."

Ben had been trying to soothe Elzi all this time, gently stroking the top of her head repeatedly. He did not loosen his embrace even a bit. He also did not stop saying a few comforting words to get Elzi to stop crying.

But it was all in vain. Elzi became even more agitated. Ironically, Elzi was sure that Ben's coaxing would have worked if he had been persuading a child who had just lost their candy. Not a twenty-nine-year-old woman who had just lost her virginity!

"It's okay, Zi. You don't need to cry like this."

At first, it sounded like a somewhat comforting statement. However, wait until Ben closed it like this.

"Ssst!"

Ben held back a chuckle. He did not want to provoke Elzi even more.

"It's up to you. How can I not cry? After everything that has happened between us tonight, do you think I should laugh? Really?"

Ben dramatically closed his eyes. "I mean, your tears are not useful at all. Your tears won't change what has happened. Because if tears could change what happened tonight, I guarantee you, I'd cry along with you."

Elzi pursed her lips tightly, trying to suppress the desire to scream in front of the guy and draw the attention of all their friends who might also be staying the night.

"I know!" she snapped emotionally. "Nothing will change. We don't have Doraemon's magic pocket to go back in time."

"Well, you know that," Ben replied. "So what's the point of crying over something that has already happened? It's useless. Don't cry over spilt milk, okay? It only tires you out and doesn't yield any results."

Elzi fell silent. Instead of responding to Ben's words, she bit her lower lip, allowing the tears that wet her cheeks to slowly dry.

Ben took a brief breath. Seeing Elzi silent, he spoke again.

"I will marry you, Zi. I promise. You don't need to worry. You can hold onto my words. This time, believe me, I will really marry you."

Still not saying anything, Elzi continued to listen to every word spoken from Ben's lips. Yet, she remained silent. As if waging an internal battle, she continued to stay mute.

Ben gave up. He decided to follow Elzi's lead. If the girl wanted them to remain silent throughout the night, then that's what he would do.

"I'm already engaged, Ben."

Softly and weakly, Elzi finally spoke again. Even without realizing it, she mentioned the guy's name for the first time.

For a moment, Ben blinked. After Elzi spoke, it was actually him who fell silent.

"I'm already engaged, and we plan to get married early next year," Elzi continued, closing her eyes dramatically. "It's just a few months away, but...."

Elzi could not continue her sentence. Instead, she shed more tears, and they fell on Ben's shirt sleeve.

How could this accident happen when I'm already engaged? When I'm ready to get married? Even without the engagement drama, this accident would clearly be a problem. Let alone with the status of being engaged and the upcoming wedding plans right in front of me? Oh God.

The engagement that bound her only made Elzi more confused. Ironically, if she could choose, she would have preferred this mishap to happen before she got engaged.

"We don't know what will happen to you in the next few months, Zi," Ben whispered. "What if this accident tonight turns out to be..."

This time, Ben did not continue his sentence. He just took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"It's all up to you. What you want to do is your right. I'll give you time to think about all of this, Zi."

Elzi lifted her face, intending to respond, but she was taken aback when she saw Ben immediately kiss her forehead. Briefly.

"Think it through. I will marry you if you want to," Ben said, sighing. "And if you still choose to marry your fiancé, then... I won't do anything."

Elzi nodded slowly. It seemed that a little common sense that remained made her agree with Ben. She was exhausted, and she needed to think things through calmly. She did not want to make hasty decisions.

Ben released his hold on Elzi and stood up.

"Let's get ready. Let me take you home," Ben said, looking at Elzi with uncertainty in his eyes. "Uh, do you have a car or...?"

Elzi shook her head. "My car is at the repair shop. I took a taxi here."

"Okay," Ben nodded with relief on his face. "That's good. Let me take you back right now. With all this mess, it wouldn't be pleasant if any of our friends see us in this state."

Elzi nodded and stood up, clutching the remaining blanket in front of her chest. She looked around and found only Ben's scattered clothes and a towel kimono on a chair.

Not finding what she was looking for, Elzi asked, "Where are my clothes, Ben? Why are they not here?"

The question made Ben look around as well. However, he shrugged lightly and replied, "I don't remember, Zi. I was drunk earlier."

Elzi closed her eyes dramatically. "Drunk! Drunk! Drunk!" she exclaimed with frustration, especially when a frightening thought crossed her mind.

If there are no clothes, how am I going to get back? There's no way I'll go back just wearing a bra, right? Oh, please! I'm not some crazy person wandering around!

While Elzi took a deep breath to calm her rekindling emotions, Ben grabbed a pair of jeans and put them on. Elzi's eyes widened, and she quickly turned away. In her heart, she cursed how easy it was for guys to get dressed without feeling embarrassed.

"Ben, I can't go back like this. Where did you put my clothes?! Argh! Am I supposed to go back wearing just a bra?!"

Not answering her question, Ben instead grabbed his shirt, slipping it over his head. Then he grabbed his blazer, approached Elzi, and handed it to her.

Elzi gaped. "Huh?"

"It's better than going back with just a bra on, right?" Ben said casually.

Elzi thought that the night could not get any worse, but she was wrong. Not only was the accident with Ben testing her patience, but now even her clothes seemed to want to make the situation more complicated.

Being tall and big, Ben's clothes were naturally large too. So, it was not surprising that the blazer miraculously covered Elzi's modest body down to the middle of her thighs, allowing her to stand without needing the blanket anymore.

Elzi looked down at her plain legs and shook her head. That was not a good idea.

"I can't go back like this. If anyone at home sees me, I'm sure they'll all have a heart attack," Elzi said, imagining her parents and her sibling clutching their chests in unison.

"I've already lost my virginity tonight. I don't want to lose my family too."

Elzi's confusion did not escape Ben's attention. It seemed he could easily guess her thoughts. He moved closer to her and offered a solution.

"How about this? We go to my place first. I can grab a pair of pants or a skirt from my sister, Reese. You can wear that to go back. It's a good idea, right?" Ben suggested. "Besides, you can't wake up Angel and tell her that you need clothes to go back because we both forgot where your clothes are."

At least Ben could offer a better solution at that moment. Elzi nodded and accepted Ben's offer.

Elzi and Ben made sure there was nothing left behind, including their phones lying on the nightstand.

Ben took his phone, then handed Elzi's to her. In passing, Ben caught a glimpse of Elzi, who was stunned, staring at her phone screen. There was a missed call symbol with the number twenty-eight displayed in front of it.

Elzi took a deep breath, deciding to ignore the missed call from her fiancé for the time being. Instead, she allowed Ben to take her hand and said, "Let's go. We need to get out of here."

*

Monday morning, Elzi found her face in a terrible state. Although she successfully disguised her swollen eyes with the help of makeup, it could not hide the fact that her expression looked so distressed. It was clear evidence that she was under pressure. And the cause of it was Ben's offer to meet outside during their lunch break.

Taking a deep breath, Elzi pondered whether to accept or reject the invitation. Then, she received a message from Ben on her phone.

Ben:

I'll wait for you at CC Corner this afternoon, Zi.

We need to talk.

You know it.

Contemplating each word in the message, Elzi felt a shiver run through her body. It was like the feeling she got when she returned home late and passed by the old banyan tree in front of her house. Eek, frightening.

Various bad possibilities crossed Elzi's mind. And she felt helpless as she could not concentrate on her work at that moment. Especially when the events of that night kept replaying in her mind, stirring up emotions inside her.

The night before, before Ben took her home, they had gone to his place first. While Elzi waited in the car, Ben quickly went inside his house. And it did not take long for him to come back with a skirt in his hand. To some extent, it puzzled Elzi. How could Ben get that skirt? Did he ask his sister for it? Ehm... Elzi doubted it.

However, when Elzi arrived home, her curiosity was finally answered. Ben had taken the skirt from the laundry. It was an undeniable fact when the creases from where it was folded were still visible on the soft fabric. To complete the story, Elzi had transformed into a foolish person who wore that skirt in the car!

"Aaah...."

Sighing softly, Elzi rubbed her face repeatedly. Really, she would never forget the feeling of wearing a skirt without underwear! Luckily, they were in a car yesterday. What if they were on a motorcycle? Wouldn't it be a thrilling journey to the heavenly valley down there?

"Damn perverted guy!" Elzi muttered with an emotion-laden voice. "How could he even forget where he put my clothes?"

Aaargh!

She felt the urge to pull her hair if she did not remember she had a work-appropriate bun on her head. It was evident that one fact made her even more infuriated.

"I just bought the dress I wore to the reunion event."

And it cost almost half of my salary! Now? The money is gone, and the dress is nowhere to be found!

As time went by, Elzi realized that her annoyance towards Ben was growing. It almost drove her to madness, making her inclined to decline Ben's invitation. But then, Elzi realized. Nobody could guarantee that the events of that night would not result in her becoming pregnant.

So, with a heavy heart, Elzi replied to the message with just one word.

Elzi:

Okay.

Due to the busy lunch hour and heavy traffic on the streets, Elzi decided to take the train to meet Ben even though she had her car at the office. Being stuck in a car during traffic jams was the last thing she wanted, especially with her unstable emotions that day. Who could guarantee that meeting Ben would not make her go crazy? What if she ended up driving onto the sidewalk?

Moreover, while being inside the train, Elzi could contemplate the possible choices she had to make. At this point, she believed that any decision she made would come with its own set of risks.

The first option was to marry Ben, which meant canceling her engagement. That would not be an easy thing to do. Would she not be ridiculed by both families?

The second option was to refuse to marry Ben. It seemed tempting, but there were risks involved. What if she refused and ended up getting pregnant? Wouldn't that bring her multiplied shame? Shame for breaking off the engagement and shame for being pregnant outside of marriage?

Both options came with significant risks. Something she had to carefully consider. Making the wrong decision could put her life and future at stake.

Arriving at CC Corner, Elzi did not immediately enter. She observed the place for a moment and realized something.

It's totally Ben's favorite hangout spot. He always likes places that feel cozy and homey.

Greeting the cafe staff briefly, Elzi paused as she entered. Scanning the place, she spotted Ben sitting at a table in the corner. Without wasting any time, she approached him.

Noticing someone's arrival, Ben raised his head from the menu book. With an unreadable expression, he welcomed her. As Elzi took her seat, he handed her the menu book and asked, "What would you like to eat?"

Not paying much attention to the menu, Elzi pointed to a random picture. "This."

"Drink?" Ben asked, only to shake his head the next second. "I know. Orange juice."

Saying nothing, Elzi nonchalantly watched as Ben raised his hand to call the waiter and placed their order. After the waiter left, a silence settled between them. Both Elzi and Ben seemed lost in their own thoughts.

After a while, their orders arrived, and the waiter efficiently and neatly served the food and drinks on the table before leaving them alone. Not immediately starting their meal, Elzi instead found herself puzzled by the dish in front of her. Her forehead wrinkled instantly.

Did I order spaghetti earlier?

Instead of diving into the delicious meal, Elzi shifted her attention to her orange juice. She took a small sip before picking up her fork to taste the food. It was tasty, but her unsettled emotions hindered her appetite, and she ended up putting the fork back on the plate. Ben's keen eyes noticed her lack of interest.

"Hey, aren't you eating? Is it not good? Are you not hungry?" he inquired.

Exhaling a tired sigh, Elzi raised her face slightly, showing minimal interest in Ben's questions, just enough to hear his response.

"Or... have you started experiencing any symptoms?" he continued.

Confused, Elzi furrowed her brow, "What symptoms?"

"Fever, loss of appetite, nausea... That's what Reese mentioned at the beginning of her pregnancy," Ben replied, his expression serious.

Reacting instinctively, Elzi reached out to pinch Ben's arm, making his cheeks turn red, "Do you think pregnancy is like cooking instant noodles? Pour some hot water and it's done?"

Ignoring the slight pain from Elzi's pinch, Ben asked another question that further irked her, "Uh... was it warm yesterday?"

"Huh?! Warm?" Elzi could not believe what she was hearing, "How could you say that!"

"Sorry, I was just asking," Ben apologized.

"That's not an appropriate question, you psycho!" Elzi retorted with a glare. "Pregnancy doesn't happen that quickly! It takes time. At least around a month!"

As Elzi heard herself saying that, she was taken aback by her own thoughts. The idea of waiting for a month was unsettling.

Do I have to wait that long? Oh God.

She rubbed her face and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, while Ben seemed to thoroughly enjoy his lunch. Suddenly, the thought of marrying Ben crossed her mind, sending shivers down her spine.

There's no way I could suddenly marry Ben.

As if I'll act all innocent in front of my family, saying, "I want to marry this guy only. Because there's a potential Oceana citizen growing in my belly."

Oh dear!

Elzi dramatically closed her eyes. Her imagination managed to send shivers down her spine even without a command. Because it was clear that if she said that to her parents, they would explode with anger, something like this:

"Are you cursed or possessed, Elzi Amelia Collins? If you want to continue the existence of this creature with him, why did you get engaged to the other guy? Do you want to embarrass your parents or have you lost all sense of shame?"

Ah, she could already imagine it. It would not be easy at all. Her parents would be furious if she cancelled the engagement, especially because her family had already accepted the other guy. But...

"What choice should I make?"

Unconsciously, carried away by her thoughts, the question slipped out of Elzi's red-lipsticked lips. Strangely enough, it caught Ben off guard, causing him to set down his spoon on the edge of the bowl. Taking his glass, Ben took a few sips before clearing his throat softly.

"You have to make a decision soon, Zi," he said.

Elzi looked at Ben in disbelief, "Can't believe you're actually pushing me to decide. I know I have to make a decision. But it's not easy, Ben. At least not as easy as you taking off my clothes that night!"

"Cough!"

Ben quickly cleared his throat again, hastily swallowing his drink. He took a deep breath before continuing, "Like I said last night, I will marry you. But it can't happen suddenly. We need to prepare for many things."

"I know."

"So," Ben said, deliberately pausing before his next words, as if he wanted to add dramatic effect to his statement, "decide now. Should we wait for a month until those symptoms appear before we start preparing for our wedding?"

Our wedding? Oh, my goodness.

Elzi suddenly felt nauseous in her stomach.

Oh dear. This can't be some kind of rapidly developing pregnancy symptom, can it?

"That's not possible, Zi. If we are going to get married, the sooner, the better. Do you want to get married when your belly is already big?"

Oh no. Elzi's eyes widened in horror at Ben's words. Fear immediately crept in.

"Besides, there's a lot to prepare for a wedding," Ben continued. "Do you think marriage is like a school exam where you study the night before?"

"Huh! Don't compare me to you, Ben," Elzi retorted, folding her arms across her chest. She looked sarcastic as she continued, "I study for exams a month before the schedule is posted. Unlike you, who only study the morning of the exam."

Relaxed, Ben answered, flashing his grin. "What matters is that my exam scores are always better than yours. In fact, they're always better than everyone in the school."

Elzi growled, but Ben continued to steer the conversation back to the topic.

"Anyway, that's not the issue now. Oh dear, Zi. You're exactly the same as before," Ben said, shaking his head. "When will you change?"

"Change? You mean become a Power Ranger? Wonder Woman?" Elzi asked sarcastically. "Or Catwoman?"

With an indifferent shrug, Ben replied, "I'd choose Catwoman's costume. I prefer girls who like to bite and scratch. Um... more challenging. More exciting."

Whack!!!

Elzi's hand moved so quickly that Ben did not even see when the menu flew. All he felt was the pain and surprise that made him realize Elzi had just punched him right in the head.

"Can you be serious for a moment?!" she snapped.

Ben retorted with a glare, rubbing the spot on his head where Elzi had hit him. "I've been serious this whole time. It's you who hasn't been answering my questions." He defended himself, "You've been all over the place. I've been asking seriously. It's just that you haven't responded."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Elzi fired back.

"Do you really want to wait a month before making a decision? Wait until you get pregnant?"

Ben's face looked frustrated, so much so that he unconsciously messed up his hair that he had just tidied five seconds ago. Ugh.

"I've been too good as a guy, Zi. Try asking around out there. There's no guy who would take responsibility if their girl gets pregnant before they're married."

"I'm not expecting the kindness of a psychopath like you!"

"Oh... so you've decided to stick with your fiancé?" Ben asked. "Even with the possibility that you might end up pregnant with my child? Um... can you imagine how he would feel if he found out that after you got married, you were pregnant with someone else?"

Ouch!

It felt like a mountain had just crashed down on Elzi. Ben's words left her stunned. And he used that moment to ask again.

"So, what's it going to be? Marry me or..." Ben paused, pretending to think for a moment, "What's your fiancé's name again?"

"Mario," Elzi replied weakly. "Mario Harrison."

Ben nodded once and continued his earlier question, "Or marry Mario?"

Taking a deep breath, Elzi was unsure what to answer. On one hand, she wanted to continue her relationship with her fiancé. On the other hand, she did not want to take any risks. In the end, her dilemma prompted Elzi to reach for her work bag, taking out her phone from inside.

"I'll think about it later. Right now, I need to get back to the office."

"You drive?" he asked.

"Think about it with your knee, Ben. Do you think this café is close to my office? How can I survive the traffic? I'm not stupid enough to be stuck in a car because of traffic. Besides, my mind is preoccupied right now. Are you willing to take responsibility if I suddenly hit someone on the road?"

"Oh, sorry," Ben said. Then, raising his hand to call the waiter, he said, "Let me take you back to the office."

When the waiter arrived, Ben pulled out his card. After they both got up and prepared to leave, Elzi flipped her long bangs to the side of her face and spoke sarcastically.

"Paying for lunch. And then giving me a ride to the office. Um... good. Looks like you're starting to feel those little jabs now. Well... consider it installment for the new dress you vanished into thin air!"

Ignoring her remark, Ben straightened his jacket and walked away, with Elzi following him towards the parking area. Inside the luxurious and sparkling car, Elzi settled herself comfortably. There was no small talk or any accompanying chatter. Even when the car started moving, slowly exiting the café area, and merging into the streets, no words were exchanged between the two individuals. Only the music played as the sole indication that there was still life inside the car.

Glancing outside, enjoying the view of lush trees they passed along the road, Elzi suddenly realized something. She turned to Ben, raising one hand, her index finger pointing to somewhere. Somewhere unknown.

"Do you know where my office is?"

Sighing, Ben answered, "Last night, you rambled on about it more than an ordinary person could imagine."

Elzi blinked.

Was I so drunk that I didn't even realize I rambled on about my workplace to this guy? I even mentioned my office? Um... well, it's not that surprising, I guess. The proof is, I didn't even notice that he had already undressed me completely.

Huh?

Luckily, the traffic was not as heavy as when Elzi left her office earlier. Sooner than expected, they arrived in front of her office. Deliberately, she asked to be dropped off a few meters away from the office gate, hoping that no one would see her with Ben.

Initially, Elzi intended to get out of the car immediately without saying anything to Ben-not even a thank-you for the ride. But Ben's voice stopped her.

"Before you get out, don't you have something to say to me?"

Reflexively, Elzi turned and unfastened her seatbelt. "Something to say? Um..." she hesitated for a moment. "Actually, there isn't anything. But if there's anything I have to tell you, it can only be one thing."

"What is it?"

"I'll do my best not to choose to marry you, Ben," Elzi answered honestly, taking a deep breath. "We tried it before." Her eyes dramatically closed for a moment, and then immediately opened again. "Sorry. I mean, I tried it before..."

Ben felt the heat rise on his cheeks because of her words.

"But it didn't work out," Elzi continued. "You... are the last guy I would consider as my husband."

For that, Ben chose to remain silent.

"I'll do my best to maintain my engagement with Mario."

This time, Ben showed a little reaction. His eagle eyes gave Elzi a thoughtful gaze before he spoke.

"That's your decision. I just wanted to take responsibility for my actions that night. Show a little respect for our past good relationship."

What? Good relationship? Which good relationship is he talking about?

Ben took a deep breath, then smiled in a way that made Elzi furrow her brow, feeling wary.

"And if you don't want to, well... fine. Besides, if I think about it, I won't lose anything if you don't hold me accountable. In fact, it's the opposite, right? Guys never end up being the disadvantaged party. So, if you reject my offer..." Ben nodded as he rubbed his chin with his fingers. "...why should I force it? I should be happy, shouldn't I?"

Unable to believe what she was hearing, Elzi gaped. Her mouth hung open.

"You..."

Elzi did not know what to say, shocked by Ben's words. Her heart was pounding with discomfort.

"I respect our past relationship. And honestly, I feel a little sorry if you end up pregnant alone. But if you don't want to hold me accountable, then fine. I won't marry you. Besides, I won't lose anything. Actually, I'll gain something. Isn't that right?"

Elzi's hand clenched into a tight fist. "You heartless scoundrel! Sneaky fox! Squidward's nose!" she hissed with emotion. "What if that night you weren't drunk? Were you intentionally trying to seduce me?"

"What do you think?" Ben asked with a smirk on his face. Then, he slowly approached Elzi until their eyes met. "Though I have to be honest, that night was quite beautiful, though a bit challenging."

"W-what?"

"But believe me, one day, I will gladly cherish the memory of it."

Elzi was left speechless as Ben's words sank in. Her emotions were in turmoil, torn between anger and confusion. She could not believe his audacity and lack of remorse. In that moment, she realized how little she truly knew about this man. The realization both terrified and intrigued her.

Elzi froze. Her body instantly felt cold.

"So, because you rejected my accountability, now I won't force it anymore. Whether you get pregnant or not, it's up to you. Whether you marry Mario or anyone else, it's up to you. Whether you marry your fiancé while being pregnant with your ex-boyfriend's child, it's also up to you. I've tried to do what a real man should do. But you rejected it," Ben said at length. "Well..., at least. I enjoyed it."

Elzi's face turned indescribable. Truly! She never expected Ben to say such things to her. But who could have predicted?

"You-"

Emotions stirred up due to Ben's words, causing a series of curses to line up at the tip of Elzi's tongue. Intending to scold the guy, Elzi was surprised to find that her lips could not move anymore. One sudden kiss silenced her.

"Euuumph ...."

Not only did the kiss steal Elzi's lips, but there was also a firm hand that pulled her waist, causing Elzi's body to helplessly land on Ben's body. Instantly, both her hands were lifted. Trying to push him away, but not even being able to make Ben's body budge. It was as if Elzi was not pushing a human, but instead, a mountain.

Damn guy!

Wanting to scold that sentence, Elzi certainly could not do it. With the fact that Ben's lips were devouring hers? Oh, not to mention when, in the next second, he was sucking her tongue!

Elzi closed her eyes. As if not wanting to see the reality where Ben enjoyed her lips as he pleased. Sucking them deeply. Giving a moan that sounded sensual. Then, he devoured her tongue with an intoxicating rhythm. Finally, Ben ended the kiss with a small bite on her lower lip. Then he pulled away, finding Elzi's breath instantly irregular.

Gasping with a deeply flushed face, Elzi quickly wiped her wet lips. Indeed, she would not be surprised if her lipstick was a mess.

"You're the most lecherous psychopath in the entire universe!"

After cursing that, Elzi immediately got out and slammed Ben's car door with all her might. Then she ran, entering the office without looking back even once.

Marry a lecherous and heartless guy like that? Absolutely not. God was kind enough to make me break up with him. Why am I now even considering marrying him? I won't!

*

Thinking that meeting Ben could clear up the existing problems, it was, of course, the only reason why Elzi accepted his invitation. But it seems that Elzi was deceived. Instead of resolving the problems, the opposite happened. It only gave Elzi a new conviction.

I must have forgotten something. Dealing with Ben doesn't solve problems. It actually creates new ones. I should have remembered! Any problem involving that guy will never be resolved until the Earth is taken over by robot forces! With Ben, it's always solving a problem with another problem.

She lightly tapped her forehead, trying to channel the frustration that had been haunting her throughout the journey home that afternoon. Elzi then got out of the car and entered the house, realizing the mistake she had made today.

Oh my God, Zi. Why can't you learn from the past? Don't expect anything from Ben. He's the only thing in this world that can't be changed by time. No matter how long it is.

And there might be many more curses echoing in Elzi's mind if one voice hadn't caught her attention. This voice made her stop right before climbing the stairs.

"Are you feeling down? Is there a problem?"

Elzi turned to see the source of the voice and found her little brother, Razen Christopher Collins, holding a controller with both hands.

Not immediately answering the question, Elzi took a deep breath. Once again, her mind cursed.

Why do I have to deal with the species that loves to talk just as I come home? I'm already tired of Ben's business, tired of the traffic jam, and now Razen shows up? Oh, God. Why are these trials increasing? Or... maybe I'll have more trials coming soon?

Sighing and furrowing her brows when he did not immediately find an answer, Razen asked again.

"Elzi, have you not been fired yet? Or... did you just get fired? Oh God, I'm so sorry for your loss."

Sighing deeply, Elzi seemed to be trying to restrain herself. "For now," she replied softly. "I haven't been fired. Believe me, Zen. I really don't want to be unemployed like someone. It's so embarrassing, isn't it?"

Dooong!

Immediately, Razen's expression changed. The teasing looks on his face vanished, and he got up from his seat, approaching Elzi.

"Speaking of unemployment," Razen said with a pleading look, this time without any pretense. "Do you have any plans this weekend? Come with me to Pineville."

Elzi furrowed her brows at the sudden change of topic. "What for?"

"Ugh. Papa asked me to check on the coffee plantation. I really don't feel like going to see those coffee trees. Can you accompany me?"

Elzi winced. As much as she wanted to, she knew her current situation did not allow it. So, she shook her head.

"My mood is all messed up right now, Zen. I'm sorry, but I really don't want to be disturbed. Besides... consider it a consequence of your own situation. Imagine if you already had a job. There's no way Papa would ask you to take care of the coffee plantation there."

"Now I need some moral support. Instead of cornering me even more," Razen complained with a frustrated expression. "It's not like I wanted to be jobless until now. I've tried, but no one is hiring. So, what should I do? Beg in front of those offices?" Razen sneered. "That's not possible."

Elzi took a deep breath. Suddenly feeling guilty for her words. Of course, job-related issues were sensitive. But just as she was about to say a few comforting words, Razen spoke again.

"Or maybe I should change my strategy? Hmm... if my job applications get rejected, does that mean if I propose to someone's daughter, it will be accepted?"

Elzi's jaw dropped. Realizing her mistake in trying to sympathize with her brother.

"Well... it could be. No parent would pass up a quality prospective son-in-law like me," Razen nodded. "Or at least, maybe it's time for me to accept Jaxon's offer. Get into the world of modeling. I think I should start using my handsome face."

Elzi felt nauseated again. Especially when she saw how her brother was shaking his head with a fake sense of frustration. His eyes clearly displaying a mischievous look.

Elzi decided not to entertain Razen's rambling. Before she really vomited right there.

"How handsome!"

Razen grinned hearing his sister's retort, allowing Elzi to leave while he returned to his game.

Briefly, as Elzi climbed each step of the stairs, she caught sight of her mother watering the plants in the side garden of the house. Then, the figure disappeared from her view as she reached the upper floor.

Heading straight to her room, Elzi collapsed onto her bed. Her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. A desperate sigh escaped her lips a moment later.

For a while, Elzi felt like she was in a state without thoughts. Empty. Her mind seemed to have nothing inside. Until, somehow, out of nowhere, Ben's face appeared. And without being able to hold it back, the emotions resurfaced.

"Idiot!" Elzi growled. "Sour jerk. Bastard. Psychopath. Perverted Squidward nose."

Whatever curses flowed from Elzi's mouth at that moment. Especially when her brain replayed the fact that Ben had the audacity to kiss her.

Two kisses in two meetings? Incredible.

No wonder Elzi eventually reached for her phone. Immediately going to her contacts and finding Ben's name there. Then, without a second thought, she deleted it.

Until doomsday, until humans are resurrected, even until whenever, I will never contact him again. I will never meet him again. Period. Forget about Ben from now on!

Not only that, in her heart, Elzi promised herself. She would forget about Ben forever. She truly did not want anything to do with that guy, not even in her thoughts.

And just then, as if the universe wanted to assist Elzi's decision, her phone rang. Displaying another contact that made her take a deep breath. Slowly, her smile began to show. It was the name that read My Sweetheart.

Mario was calling her.

With excitement, Elzi swiftly slid the green telephone symbol to answer the call. Placing the device to her ear to greet him.

"Hello, Darling."

Elzi felt her voice change instantly as she greeted Mario on the other end. Unconsciously, Ben's face that had been in her mind was replaced by Mario's. The handsome and charming Mario in his neat work attire, with his warm demeanor towards anyone.

Oh God. Compared to marrying Ben, I would definitely marry Mario many times over.

And when his reply came, Elzi was absolutely sure. Mario was the right choice for her.

"Hello, Darling. Are you back?" Mario asked.

Taking a quick breath, Elzi replied, "Yes, I'm back. It's just been about 10 minutes since I got home. Why?"

"Do you have time tomorrow for the weekend?" Mario asked again. "Let's go out? Well, consider it as compensation for the other day. You were so engrossed in the reunion event that you didn't even answer my calls."

Instantly, the joyful expression and smile on Elzi's face disappeared. Now, they were replaced by fear, making her heart race. Luckily, when Mario mentioned the reunion, they were on the phone. Ugh! Elzi could not imagine what would happen if they were face to face. Mario would undoubtedly be able to detect the change in her expression. Even... maybe more than that.

Elzi took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She realized that Mario's invitation was a stroke of luck for her. Wasn't he like having a sixth sense, knowing when she was feeling down and immediately offering a tempting invitation?

And of course, Mario's invitation reminded Elzi of Razen. At least, this could be her reason for refusing her brother's request.

"Of course!" Elzi enthusiastically answered Mario's invitation. So much so that she could feel the sudden surge of energy that had previously drained from her body.

On the other end, Mario's laughter was heard upon hearing Elzi's response. "Alright. I'll pick you up on Saturday. At five o'clock?"

"Five o'clock."

*

That evening, Elzi chose to wear a chiffon dress with a delicate shoulder strap. The soft and gentle fabric gracefully draped over her slim figure. Despite her height not reaching 170 centimeters, Elzi had a proportional weight.

Elzi was one of those girls who had a positive mindset about herself, regardless of what others thought. Though she occasionally felt insecure about her height, she now considered it an advantage. It made her look graceful in high heels and cute in flats, allowing her to wear various types of shoes.

Talking about shoes, she had chosen a pair of pink shoes. They had just arrived a week ago after being held up in customs, and they were one of Elzi's shopping achievements for the month. Her dress that had gone missing during the reunion night was also part of her recent purchases.

Trying not to dwell on that incident, Elzi turned and examined herself in the mirror, satisfied with her appearance, especially her chosen hairstyle. Her hair, reaching down to her mid-back, was a dark brown-black color, cascading naturally with a single hairpin on the right side. It looked both natural and beautiful.

As a final touch, she carried a pastel-colored handbag that matched perfectly with her dress.

At exactly five in the evening, as they had promised, Mario arrived to pick up Elzi. After a brief exchange with Elzi's parents, they set off.

Driving along with other vehicles, Mario occasionally glanced sideways at Elzi, who looked comfortable in the passenger seat. His eyes clearly enjoyed the sight of his radiant fiancée.

"You look so beautiful this evening," Mario said, complimenting her for the first time as they drove. His words instantly made Elzi blush. Well, secretly, she hoped that her blush was not getting even redder because of the blush-on she had applied. Hihihihi.

And like any girl, Elzi responded with a shy expression to Mario's compliment. "Thank you," she said, returning the gesture. "And you... as usual, you never look bad." She smiled broadly. "At least not in my eyes."

Not to exaggerate, but Elzi knew that Mario always looked handsome. Maybe it was because he was used to interacting with many people, either because of his family or his job. So, it was no surprise that Mario always paid attention to his appearance.

That evening, Mario wore dark blue denim pants, paired with a bone-white shirt and a cream-colored vest. It matched perfectly with his dark brown eyes.

"So, where do you want to go this evening? Is there a place you'd like to visit?" Mario asked.

Elzi pondered for a moment. "Actually, I haven't watched a movie in a while," she replied. "How about we go watch one? There seem to be many new films out."

"Uh... that's a good idea. And where do you want to eat? Or... should we watch the movie first and then decide on dinner?"

"What do you think?"

Mario grinned. "Or I have a third option," he said with a smile. "We watch the movie first, and then we do some shopping. With all due respect, I'll allow you to cook in my unit whenever you have the time and desire to do so."

His answer made Elzi laugh. Her eyes closed, and her face lifted as she felt ticklish. Mario joined in, laughing together with her, while also defending his suggestion afterward.

"Well... what can I do? It's been a while since I tasted your cooking, Zi. And as the whole world knows..." Mario said with a teasing smile. "... your cooking is addictive."

"Hahaha."

"Besides... I also want to show you some invitation designs I've selected."

This time, Elzi's laughter stopped. Instead of feeling ticklish, she looked at Mario. "Invitation?"

Mario nodded once. One of his hands moved, precisely when the car had to stop because the traffic light turned red. At that moment, he reached for Elzi's hand and gently squeezed it.

"We'll be getting married soon. There are many things we need to prepare from now on."

Married... Oh God. I don't know why, but now my heart feels uncomfortable when I hear that word.

But...

Elzi nodded, realizing that she was indeed going to marry Mario soon.

"Okay," Elzi said. "Option three."

They chose an action movie to watch that day, with scenes that tended to be brutal during the fight sequences. Both seemed to enjoy the film. However, for some reason, whenever a fight scene came on, Elzi found herself cursing under her breath.

If Ben shows up again in front of me, I'll punch him just like in this movie.

Hmm... maybe Elzi was still upset about the two stolen kisses by Ben? It could be.

Around two hours later, Elzi and Mario left the mall with several shopping bags they had purchased after the movie. They had bought various vegetables and chicken, two essential things they would not miss.

Located in the area dubbed the "Golden Triangle of Ashford City," Mario's apartment building was a luxurious place. With its strategic location in the central business district and a range of facilities comparable to a five-star hotel, anyone could clearly see that Mario lived in the elite class. Of course, not just anyone could afford a residence in that area due to its high prices and limited available units.

However, that was not the only thing that made it special. The fact that the luxurious apartment building named Luxor Towers belonged to Mario made it even more exceptional.

Mario Harisson, true to his name, was the sole heir to the Harisson family's wealth. Encompassed in the EliteEscapes Inc group, the Harisson family business delved into the fields of hospitality, restaurants, nightclubs, and luxury resorts. Not only domestically but internationally as well.

It came as no surprise that Elzi's friends were often envious. She was truly fortunate to be engaged to Mario. Although, of course, Elzi's background could not be underestimated either.

Elzi's father was an important official in the capital city. He was a prominent political figure and had plantation businesses spread across several regions.

As the car drove on, passing through security portals and heading straight to the available parking area, Mario promptly carried all their shopping bags. Once they reached the entrance of his apartment unit, Elzi playfully teased, "Please come in," as if she were the owner of the place. "Make yourself at home."

Mario laughed at Elzi's mischief and walked in while she closed the door behind him, feeling at ease in the apartment as if it were her own.

In the kitchen, Elzi helped Mario unpack all the groceries. She tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear as they escaped to fall on the sides of her face. "You can wait in the living room. Let me handle this. I'll call you when it's done."

Ignoring Mario as he stepped away, Elzi rinsed the vegetables at the sink, skillfully preparing all the ingredients she needed to start cooking. Given her limited time, Elzi decided to make a simple yet delicious dish-fried chicken.

At that moment, Elzi was still holding the frying pan when she felt a pair of hands land on her stomach. It was followed by a gentle kiss on her bare shoulder. The thin strap of her dress did not do much to cover her soft skin.

Unperturbed, and with a peculiar feeling that caused her to furrow her brow, Elzi sighed softly. "Be patient, Rio. It'll be ready soon."

A chuckle resounded in her ear, as Mario playfully responded to her words. "Actually, it's not dinner that I'm really waiting for, Zi."

Elzi smiled, turning off the stove and placing the utensils on the edge of the pan. She then reached to touch Mario's hands on her stomach before releasing them, turning to face him.

"And then... what is it?" she asked, tilting her head to get a better look into her beloved's eyes. She found herself captivated by Mario's gaze, unable to interpret its meaning. Especially when a slow smile appeared on his handsome face. He responded with just one word.

"You."

Suddenly, for reasons Elzi could not quite explain, she felt her body tremble. Her previously calm goosebumps suddenly stood up. Especially when Mario lowered his head slightly and gently placed another kiss in the same spot. Her heart began to race.

For a moment, Elzi could only hold her breath, feeling a bit uneasy as the kisses continued. This time, they traveled further, forcing Elzi to lift her head when Mario targeted her neck.

Elzi blinked her eyes, her hand instinctively rising to her chest as she pushed Mario away. Confusion and embarrassment washed over her, and she quickly bit her lower lip, trying to compose herself. Mario, on the other hand, smiled, brushing away some strands of Elzi's hair that had fallen over her face. His fingers then moved to lift her chin gently.

Elzi's eyes widened as she saw Mario slowly lowering his face again, his gaze fixated on her lips. She held her breath, but just before his lips met hers, Elzi pushed his chest, looking bewildered.

"Rio...," she murmured, feeling desperate. "L-let's just eat, okay? The fried chicken might get cold. It won't taste good later."

Elzi intended to leave after saying that, but Mario's hand held her waist firmly, not giving her any room to escape.

"Elzi...," Mario's voice sounded heavy, husky, sending shivers down Elzi's spine. "Do you love me?"

Out of all the possible things Mario could have said, Elzi never expected that question. She furrowed her brow, feeling puzzled.

"Why are you asking that?" Elzi replied, her voice trembling. "Y-yes, I love you."

Mario's smile returned, and he once again lowered his face to try and kiss Elzi, but she turned her head to the side to avoid it. He seemed momentarily taken aback before shifting his angle to try and kiss her from a different direction, but Elzi resisted once more.

"Why?" Mario asked. "Can't a future husband kiss his own fiancée?"

Elzi swallowed hard. "N-n-not like that, Rio. But-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Mario leaned in and sealed her lips with his in a passionate kiss, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. With intent, he held her waist firmly, pushing her back until they were near the dining table, preventing her from lying down.

What?! Elzi's eyes widened. Lie down?

Taking a risk, Elzi raised her hand and firmly pushed Mario away. The kiss came to an end, and she stared at him with her breath still heavy.

"What are you doing?" Elzi asked, her breath still uneven. "If you want to eat, there it is. I've finished cooking. Why did you bring me to the dining table?"

Mario chuckled, his eyes gleaming as he looked at Elzi's slightly wet lips, his dimples showing as he smirked. His eyebrows raised and lowered playfully.

"Well," Mario replied, "I guess... I do want to devour you, Zi."

Huh? Elzi stared, her eyes widening.

"We're getting married soon, Zi," Mario continued with a smile, gently caressing her face with one finger. "And... oh my, you look stunning tonight."

Elzi pursed her lips tightly, then brushed Mario's hand away from her face. She scowled. "Yeah right. I know I look good, but what's with you tonight?"

Grimacing, as if struggling with an irresistible urge, Mario took a deep breath. "We're not kids anymore, Zi. And seriously... do I have to go through so much trouble just for a kiss?"

Elzi's eyes closed instantly, her frustration evident. "Sorry, Rio. But I really..." She exhaled, unable to find the right words to express her discomfort. "Let's just eat now."

After saying that, Elzi walked away, ignoring Mario's stunned expression. Until he asked,

"Do you really love me? Or is there another guy you love?"

Thump!

Elzi's steps halted abruptly. Unconsciously, she turned her body to face Mario, who was looking at her with an unfamiliar expression in his eyes.

"Rio, seriously. I love you. There's no one else," she said firmly.

Mario snorted. "If that's the case," he said, "are you willing to prove your love for me tonight?"

Elzi, being an adult, was too mature to guess the implication behind Mario's words. Something that made her swallow hard.

He can't possibly...

Still, the possibility sent shivers down Elzi's spine, especially after what happened a week ago-a fatal mistake she never intended.

And now? Mario was suggesting... Just when I was trying to forget what happened that night, Mario is actually asking for the same thing?

Elzi felt her throat tighten, her breath catching.

Why are all guys the same? Why do they only think about that?

Taking a deep breath, Elzi felt a pang of pain in her heart, making it scream. Then, she shook her head.

"Not now, Rio," Elzi softly refused. "Like you said, we're getting married soon. That's more than enough proof of my love for you."

After saying that, Elzi wanted to walk away again, but a firm grip on her hand stopped her. In that moment, Elzi did not react, waiting to hear what Mario would say next. Based on their relationship history, she could predict that Mario would apologize and...

"Because we're getting married soon, you know I'll take responsibility for whatever risks may come."

Cold. Like she was in a room with low temperature. That's what Elzi felt at that moment. When she finally felt her hand being grabbed and pulled by Mario, making her body float and land in his embrace.

Mario held Elzi by her waist, tightly. Eliminating any possibility for her to break free. And he said, "I want you, Darling. And you... won't refuse."

*