Chapter 31: Same Bed, No Escape

LONORAIt had been three days since I last saw Julian.The last time I saw him was at the bar. He hadn't visited again after that.Every time I went home after work, he was already asleep. And by the time I woke up in the afternoon, he was already at work.So I no longer expected to see him this afternoon. But here he was, in his kitchen, wearing an apron and cooking.I was facing his back.“Let's eat,” he said without looking back. I didn't expect him to notice my presence.“Don't you have work?” I asked as I walked to the countertop.I saw him shake his head while he was transferring the pasta he was cooking onto a plate. Then he turned to face me. Our eyes met.This was the first time I had seen him in days, and I started to feel some awkwardness again.He placed the plate in front of me.“Pasta Bolognese,” he said. “I'm not a great cook like you, but it's edible.”He looked serious, but I couldn't help but smile.Without hesitating, I took the fork and tried it.I smiled.“It's del

Last Updated : 2026-11-07

Chapter 32: Too Real to Be Pretend

LONORA“Rest for a while. I’ll prepare our dinner for later,” Julian said.I pressed my lips together and nodded.I still couldn't move on from the fact that we would be sharing the same bed.It wasn't just any man. It was Julian Ashford.He left, and I was finally able to react on my own.“What if I snore? Or move too much when sleeping?” I mumbled, my forehead creasing.I gulped as I closed my eyes.I sighed.I needed to take a shower now. It would almost be dinner time soon.When I came out of the bathroom, Julian was already back.“I've reserved a restaurant for us,” he said.I nodded. “Thank you.”He just nodded, then walked toward me.I stood in my place, frozen.He walked past me, going inside the bathroom.I blinked and gulped.I shut my eyes as I bit my lips.“This is Lily's fault. I'm overthinking everything,” I muttered.“Overthinking what?” I heard Julian's voice behind me.That made me flinch. I thought he was already inside the bathroom.“I forgot to remove my phone from

Last Updated : 2026-11-07

Chapter 33: Could You Please Turn Around?

LONORAJulian was busy settling the bill. I took that time to excuse myself and walk closer to the beach to take pictures of the moon and the waves.I was smiling while capturing those views. There was nothing more relaxing than the ocean breeze and the cold air that felt like a hug.“Love what you see?” Julian's voice echoed behind me.Then I felt him place a coat over my shoulders.I looked back at him.I smiled and nodded.“Look, the moon looks so perfect tonight.” I showed him the photos I had taken.I saw him nod with a faint smile.He took his phone out of his pocket.“Let's take a picture,” he said.I blinked, then flashed a smile and nodded.It was just a simple fake couple photo anyway.I flashed a smile, ready for the photo, but I didn't expect him to go

Last Updated : 2026-11-08

Chapter 34: Roleplay

LONORA“Could you please turn around?”I froze for a moment. I was wondering whether I should continue pretending to be asleep or face him.In the end, I slowly opened my eyes and turned to face him.Julian was lying on his side, facing me. His hair was slightly messy now, and his expression was calmer than usual.“Why?” I asked.He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached for something on his bedside table.He was now sitting up, so I did the same.“Close your eyes,” he said.I blinked. “What?”“Just close your eyes, Nora,” he repeated, still calm.I hesitated, but eventually did as he asked.I heard him move, followed by the faint sound of something being opened.“Now, turn around,” he said.I slowly turned my back toward him, even though I was confused.“Lift your hair.”I did as he instructed. I gathered my hair and held it up.A few seconds later, I felt something cold touch the back of my neck.I flinched.“Stay still,” he said.I felt his fingers brush against my skin as

Last Updated : 2026-11-08

Chapter 35: The Woman From That Neighborhood

LONORA“Is there any activity you want to do today?” Julian asked.We had just woken up, and we were both having breakfast.I pressed my lips together while thinking.He told me he had prepared a jet ski for us, and then we would go swimming, too. I liked those activities, so I didn't think there was anything else I wanted to do.I shook my head.“Let's just enjoy swimming today,” I said with a smile.He nodded and continued eating.I looked at his shoulder. I had seen him stretching it earlier.“How's your shoulder?” I asked, worried.He probably felt uncomfortable because of last night.He flashed a faint smile, probably to reassure me.“It's fine.”“So, what's the conclusion?” I asked.He looked confused.“Do y

Last Updated : 2026-11-09

Chapter 36: Just Another Part of the Roleplay

LONORA“Are we going somewhere?”I looked at Julian, who had just finished getting ready.He was wearing a black suit, with the first button of his shirt undone.His hair was neatly styled, and he looked exceptionally handsome tonight.I couldn't help but stare for a second.“Dinner,” he answered.“Dinner? Here?” I asked, confused.He shook his head.“Get ready. I have something planned for us.”My forehead creased. He had planned our swimming and jet ski activities earlier, and now he had another plan?I couldn't tell if he was being romantic or just organized.“Something planned?” I asked.“You'll see.”I pressed my lips together, trying to hide my curiosity.“Okay.”He flashed a faint smile before walking toward the door.“Don't take too long, Nora,” he said.He sounded a bit excited, so I couldn't help but chuckle.“I'm not going to,” I said.I was still fixing my hair when Julian entered the room.He stopped near the door, watching me through the mirror.“Are you ready?” he asked