Xyla Mak's 22nd birthday marked two significant milestones in her life.
First, she received the admission notice from MIT for her PhD program in Economics. Second, she successfully intercepted Zander Sim at the entrance of a bar.
Clutching the strap of her backpack with both hands, Xyla was clueless on how to confess her love to the man.
Zander's white shirt had two buttons undone, his suit jacket held by a finger over his shoulder. He looked over at her, his sharp brows lifting slightly. His dark eyes were hazy with the effects of alcohol. He didn't look as cold and aloof as he normally would.
"Um, my name is Xyla..."
Xyla bit her lip and gathered her courage. But before she could complete her introduction, the man before her swayed and slumped onto her shoulder.
"Zander Sim?" Xyla froze. She daren't touch him or push him away. After a moment, she tentatively called his name again.
There was no response.
Xyla knew she should send him home. One phone call, and someone would come pick him up.
But the heady scent of alcohol on him seemed to have intoxicated her. By the time she came to her senses, she found themselves in the hotel next door.
The hotel manager recognized Zander and personally escorted them into a suite. Before leaving, he shot a knowing and ambiguous look at Xyla.
Xyla, whose undivided attention was on the man laying on the bed, was oblivious.
"Zander, do you want some water?"
She gazed at his handsome face for a long while before snapping back to her senses. She poured a glass of water, and saw him tugging at his shirt. He seemed to be feeling restless and uncomfortable.
Without thinking, she moved forward to help him. But before she could touch him, his eyes opened.
They were dark as night, deep and piercing.
"You're awake?" Xyla's eyes met his, her hand frozen in mid-air. How awkward. A simple love confession ended up looking like she harbored ill intentions.
Although she simply wanted to cherish some alone time with him, from any perspective, it appeared as if she were taking advantage of him.
Just as she was trying to come up with an explanation, her hand was grabbed and she fell onto the bed. Before she could react, Zander had pinned her under him.
The swift sequence of actions stunned her. His eyes were unfocused, the look of sobriety earlier was just an illusion.
"Zand..."
Xyla was flustered and unsure of what to do, so she could only softly call his name.
But as soon as she parted her lips, his cool ones captured hers, his breath laced with alcohol. The remaining half of his name stuck in her throat.
His movements were rough, his hands tearing at her clothes frenziedly.
Under his increasingly ragged breathing, Xyla's heart and body trembled with unease.
She knew she should push him away, but in the end, she allowed herself to immerse in his presence.
When the strange pain swept through her body, she trembled and wanted to grab at something. But as soon as her slender fingers brushed against his firm chest, she heard him growl in a low, hoarse voice, "Yvette..."
She almost thought she had lost her senses at that moment, and her eyes filled with shock.
Yvette...
She couldn't stop her tears from falling. She didn't know if it was due to the pain or the name he called out in his haze.
The pillow was gradually sodden with her silent tears.
However, Zander didn't know at all. When the storm finally ended, he simply rolled over and fell asleep.