Turning Point

Sleep.

Noreen stared at Thiery sleeping beside her, her brows furrowed. She regretted her own incoherent thoughts when Thiery asked her to sleep with him.

Tsk, it's not my fault, Noreen thought to herself. He kissed me so passionately and then asked me to sleep with him, of course I'd think about that. Who didn't?

The other side of Noreen's mind laughed at her. It's because you haven't been touched by a man in a long time, Noreen, that your desire rises so quickly just from a kiss.

Noreen sighed and got up, sitting on the edge of the bed. She felt thirsty.

The room had air conditioning, but Noreen felt hot. She could even feel her armpits and cleavage sweating.

"Where are you going?"

Noreen almost fell over when she heard Thiery's voice behind her. She turned around and met his gaze, staring at her.

"Thirsty," Noreen said. "I want a drink."

Thiery moved and sat up on the bed.  His hair was messy and his eyes were half-closed, but Noreen's heart was beating faster at how handsome he looked.

"Can't sleep?" Thiery asked, stretching. "You keep moving in your sleep."

"It's hot," Noreen said, gesturing to fan himself. "Maybe the air conditioner's broken?"

Thiery was stunned by Noreen's answer. "You don't like warm air?"

"Uh, if it's winter, of course I like warm air or anything, but in summer like this, I always feel hot and sticky," Noreen said.

She walked out of the room and headed straight for the kitchen to get some water from the refrigerator and pour it into a large glass, watching Thiery also leave the room, tying his kimono around his waist.

Every time Thiery walked, the chest of his kimono would rise slightly, revealing a broad chest with firm muscles underneath.

"What are you doing, sir?" Noreen asked, seeing Thiery sitting on the sofa and opening his laptop.

Thiery turned with a raised eyebrow. "Working?"

"But it's three in the morning. Shouldn't you be going back to sleep?" Noreen asked, confused.

"I don't need as much sleep as a normal human," Thiery muttered, returning his attention to his laptop.

"What did you say, sir?" Noreen asked, pouring Thiery a new glass of mineral water.

"It's nothing," Thiery said. "I don't need much sleep and am usually active at night because I'm nocturnal."

Noreen placed Thiery's glass of water on the table with a laugh. "You don't even look like an owl at all."

"An owl?" Thiery asked, confused.

"Owls are nocturnal, right? They wake at night and sleep during the day," Noreen replied. "But you're awake at both times."

"I'm a kind of wolf," Thiery said cautiously, testing Noreen's response to his statement. "Stronger in all times and weather."

Noreen laughed.  "Okay, that description suits you better. But even if you think of yourself as a wolf, you're still human and should take good care of your health."

Thierry sighed. "Do you know stories about werewolves?"

"Hmm, I know, and I've heard some," Noreen said. "But I don't really like reading fantasy stories like that. I always feel that they're too absurd and don't have much wisdom. It's not good for children's mental development when they're children's stories. They become convinced that supernatural creatures really exist and often want to be like them."

"Do you think werewolves are also supernatural creatures found in fantasy stories?" Thiery asked seriously.

"Yes, of course," Noreen said firmly. "Werewolves, vampires, shapeshifters, witches, wendigos—oh, there are so many strange creatures told about by people with overly imaginative minds."

"What if they're real and exist among humans?" Thiery asked. He placed his laptop on the table. "Maybe among your colleagues there are those you call strange creatures from fantasy stories. Me, for example?"

Noreen looked at Thiery with a frown, then suddenly reached out and touched his forehead.

"You don't have a fever, but I think you should get some more sleep, sir. Your speech has been rambling, so I think whatever medicine Mr. Sander gave you is still working," Noreen said softly. "Come on, I'll take you to your room."

Thierry grabbed Noreen's hand and pulled her, causing her to fall onto his lap.

"S-sir, what do you want?" Noreen asked nervously.

Thiery pinned Noreen to his lap by wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Just stay like this for ten minutes," Thiery said, closing his eyes.

"B-but—"

"Ten minutes!"

Noreen gave in and sat quietly on Thiery's lap.

She studied Thiery's face closely and realized that almost every element of his features had been passed down in a smaller form to Jonathan.

They were so alike, not just physically, but also in their gaze, their smile, their composure, even their allergies.

During her time with Thomas, Noreen could count on the fingers of two hands the times she'd slept with him, but they were always protected and not particularly memorable.

How could that be? She and Thiery had only had sex once, and she'd gotten pregnant immediately. Not only that, but their son was like a miniature replica of Thiery.

Its only once, but that one time with Thiery haunted Noreen for years to come. She'd never again felt aroused by a man, even if they were handsome or sexy.

Goosebumps prickled at the back of Noreen's neck. She couldn't imagine what Thiery would say or do if he ever met Jonathan.

Noreen's greatest fear was that Jonathan would be taken from her, for whatever reason.

After all, Thiery was her biological father, and even without a DNA test, they could be considered father and son, given their resemblance.

Noreen shuddered involuntarily, and Thiery tightened his embrace. "What's wrong? Are you afraid I'll eat you?"

"Sir, can I come down now? It's been more than ten minutes," Noreen whispered.

Thiery opened his eyes. "Noreen, can you answer my question honestly?"

"W-what?" Noreen asked nervously.

"After that night at the club, have you ever thought about me?" Thiery asked seriously.

Noreen was taken aback. It was an unexpected question. How should she answer?

Not only had she thought about Thiery, but Noreen even missed him, as the seed grew in her womb.

However, she realized that at that moment, they were just two strangers venting their passion without a plan, which then ended just like that. It had been a sweet mistake.

"I-I'm sorry, b-but I barely even remember your face," Noreen replied, biting her lower lip. "I was drunk and we were very casual."

Thierry's eyes glinted. "Why did you come to the club that time?"

Noreen dared to stare deeply into Thiery's eyes and suddenly felt short of breath. It was as if a thin mist had appeared around her and slowly but surely enveloped her in a fragrant, cool air, like aromatherapy.

"I... That night was the wedding night of my ex-lover and my cousin," Noreen answered quietly. "They betrayed me."

Thiery worked his eyes quickly, then tightened his embrace and stroked Noreen's cheek gently.

"So, I was just an escape," Thiery murmured with a smirk.

Noreen was stunned for a moment, then unconsciously wrapped her arms around Thiery's neck.

"No, no, not like that," Noreen said quickly. "To me, you felt more like... a turning point."

Thiery looked into Noreen's eyes and knew that what Noreen said wasn't just lip service. Noreen's eyes spoke more truthfully than her lips.

Thiery reached for Noreen's chin. "Tell me, what's his name? Your betraying ex-lover? And your cousin too."

"Names... Uh, what are you planning to do?" Noreen asked, surprised.

"I'll send some gammas to teach them a lesson," Thiery said firmly. "I have some sniper gamma. They are--"

Noreen sighed, then forcefully freed herself from Thiery's embrace and jumped off his lap.

"Come on, sir, now I'm even more convinced you still need sleep!"

"But--"

"Come on! I'll sleep with you. Literally!"

Again, Thiery heard his inner wolf chuckle.