Perhaps it was the embarrassment, or maybe it was the chagrin that left me feeling so deflated.

On the way home from the hospital, I rested my head against the car window, giving off the vibe of a "bitter heroine".

Zoe sent me messages on WhatsApp asking how things were going.

I had nothing to offer in response except a string of ellipses.

After Caleb dropped me off at home, he reminded me to take a shower.

In the rush of the moment, I had only rinsed off and hurried on.

I looked at him with a tinge of despondency, caught between wanting to say something and knowing it was better to remain silent.

Some moments, once broken, lose their charm when you try to rekindle them.

I nodded, got out of his car, and melted into the night without a backward glance.

-

Two days later, Zoe was discharged from the hospital and called me for a pick-up.

I asked, "Where's Caleb? Why not have him pick you up?"

"He's on a business trip."

"Oh..."

Zoe picked up on my dejection and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Did Caleb turn you down?"

"No... but it's almost the same."

If he had been interested, he would have messaged after I'd made my move the other day.

I had to admit that Caleb was proving to be more of a challenge than I had expected.

"Your brother is such a tough nut to crack, I'm throwing in the towel."

"That's not an option. I've even practiced washing my hair upside down in anticipation. You can't give up now," she retorted.

"..."

I had never seen anyone so eager to perform a handstand hair wash.

Then Zoe added, "Just wait, I'll do some snooping for you."

Before I could respond, she hung up.

I couldn't help but think that the situation wasn't going to improve.

The reason Caleb joined me at the hot spring and shared that kiss with me may have been because he had a "why not take what is readily offered" attitude.

However, two minutes later, Zoe sent me a screenshot of her conversation with Caleb.

Zoe: [What the hell do you think about my friend?]

Caleb: [?]

Zoe: [If you don't like her, just say no, don't leave her hanging.]

Caleb: [Am I that kind of person to you?]

Zoe: [You're not exactly known for being nice.]

Caleb: [I'm not leaving her hanging.]

Zoe: [Then what the hell do you mean?]

Caleb didn't respond.

Zoe took his silence as a clear sign that Caleb was interested in me as well.

I scoffed.

His method of showing interest was certainly unique, to say the least.

I decided to give it one more try with him. If things didn't work out this time, I resolved to walk away on my own terms.

-

The day Caleb returned from his business trip, Zoe informed me right away.

Without delay, I sent Caleb a message on WhatsApp: [I haven't thanked you yet for taking me to the hospital to see my dad last time. Let me buy you dinner as a thank you].

Caleb: [Okay.]

I was about to send him the location of a restaurant when he sent another message: [How about coming to my house for a meal?]

[?] I can't cook!

Caleb: [I'm exhausted from the trip and need to catch up on some sleep. You go to the supermarket to get the ingredients, and when I wake up from my nap, I'll cook.]

I truly wanted to remind him that it seemed odd for me to treat him and thank him by going to his house and having him do the cooking.

But the lure of spending time with him was too strong, and despite the impropriety, I decided to play along.

Soon, I received a location from Caleb, different from the place I'd visited to pick up Zoe's clothes last time.

I forwarded it to Zoe and asked about the house.

Zoe: [It's the house Caleb lives in alone. How do you know that?]

It didn't matter how I knew. All that mattered was that I was eager to head to the grocery store, grab the ingredients, and rush over to his place!

While I was shopping, Caleb sent me a message with the code to his house.

He mentioned that he was afraid he would sleep like a log and not hear me ring the doorbell later.

What did that imply? It was as clear as day!

I made a hasty purchase and rushed over to his place.

True to his word, he was fast asleep, and my arrival didn't stir him in the slightest.

I put the groceries down quietly and tiptoed into his bedroom.

Inside, a wall sconce was on, casting a dim, moody light that made the atmosphere feel incredibly intimate.

Caleb was sound asleep in his bed, topless, with his strong arms exposed and a hint of his chest visible.

It was quite a tantalizing sight, and I had to swallow hard, admittedly captivated.

It seemed a bit unfair to take advantage of someone while they were asleep, didn't it?

Moreover, as a girl, my sense of propriety is quite strong.

After wavering for a few moments, I was about to retreat, but at that very moment, Caleb suddenly opened his eyes. His piercing gaze locked onto me, immobilizing me on the spot.

"Um, I bought the ingredients..." I felt like I had to say something.

He nodded, glanced at the little penguin alarm clock on the nightstand, and then said, "It's still early, first come keep me company in sleep."

Keep him company in sleep? Did he really say that?

After he spoke those words, he rose and grasped my wrist, and with a single motion, he pulled me onto the bed.

I became a cuddler, entirely encircled by Caleb's arms.

He was fully clothed in nothing but a pair of boxers, just as he had been during our first encounter.

I was surrounded by the scent of testosterone and, drowsily, I pondered, "This has to be considered hooliganism, doesn't it?"

Not wanting to be at a disadvantage, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

After a bit of fumbling and a couple of brushes against him where I shouldn't have, Caleb let out a soft chuckle in my ear.

I immediately blushed and tilted my head back to give him a stern look. "What are you laughing at?"

"Your impatience."

"You're the one who pulled me into bed in the first place!" I retorted.

"Then you'll have to give me some time to catch some sleep first," he said, pausing for a moment before deliberately rubbing the corner of my forehead with his scruff, "I'll take care of you after dinner, I promise you'll be pleased."

"..."

He truly knew what I was attempting to do!

But what made him think that after being teased over and over again, I would just lie down and take it?

I pushed him away, "Sorry, I'm not interested anymore."

Caleb froze and then sat up after I did.

Ignoring him, I got out of bed and rushed out the door.

But with his long legs, he had the advantage and chased me to the door, stopping me.

I stared at him warily, "What, are you trying to use force on me?"

He was at a loss for words.

He looked a little annoyed, glanced around, and then said, "The ingredients are here, let's eat before you leave."

"No."

"Then let's go out and eat."

After he finished speaking, he went back inside to get dressed, leaving me alone with a messy mind.

In truth, I just wanted him to experience the feeling of being hot and cold as well. After all, he was the one who enjoyed playing tricks on others.

When he came out dressed, I said, "I'm tired of eating out. I don't want to go."

Without even a moment's hesitation, he turned his head and made his way into the kitchen.

I followed, leaning against the kitchen doorframe to watch him wash and cook.

No matter what, a handsome man was always a sight to behold, no matter the task at hand.

By the time the three dishes and the soup were ready, I had completely forgotten the times he had been a pain in my neck.

Halfway through the meal, I even asked him, "Can I still come over for dinner?"

"I rarely cook," Caleb replied.

The light in my eyes dimmed.

He added meaningfully, "I suppose I could reluctantly cook a few more times if that's what you want."

Reluctantly, really?

Why did I get the sense of a boyfriend pampering his girlfriend?

I didn't overthink it, did I?