Velia’s gaze quivered at the undertones of desire in his voice.

“How much greed do you have?”

“I told you. I want to lock you away. So that you can think of no one but me.”

At that, Velia let out a muted laugh. She then pushed him away with a little force and got down from the desk.

Whether Khaled felt that her action was a form of rejection, just as he was about to wet his lips,

Velia placed her hand on Khaled’s chest and slowly, slowly pushed him back.

“You don’t seem to know much about me.”

“Do I?”

“Which is why you’re so impatient.”

Velia continued to push Khaled back, taking a step forward each time. Something tripped Khaled’s retreating foot, and he fell backward.

It was the bed.

“That’s right. We don’t know each other well. We both have things we’re hiding, and we’re deceiving each other.”

Lying on the bed, Khaled lifted his head just enough to look at Velia standing before him.

Velia swept her long hair to one side with a hand and slowly climbed on top of Khaled.

“Right now…”

Khaled couldn’t finish his sentence.

He felt like he was going to stop breathing.

“So, I think we need time to get to know each other.”

Don’t you think? Velia asked with a smile.

It was unnecessarily seductive.

Just the sight of Velia sitting on top of him had Khaled’s reason on the brink of breaking. It was a thread about to snap.

“I can’t guarantee what will happen next, Velia.”

Khaled’s voice broke, tinged with lust.

Velia laughed teasingly, and Khaled covered his eyes with his hand.

‘I’m going insane.’

…No.

Should I hold back even more when I’ve already come this far?

“Khaled…”

Velia stretched the end of his name as if beckoning him. That was the last straw.

“If you know what you’re doing and are still acting like this, it’s worse. Understand?”

Khaled grabbed Velia’s arm and pulled her. In an instant, she was lying on the bed, and he was on top of her.

The situation was reversed from before.

“You keep pushing me to my limits.”

His eyes were infused with a lustful gleam.

In that moment, an irresistible urge enveloped Velia. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Khaled’s neck.

“Ha.”

Khaled exhaled a short breath. That hot breath vanished between their lips that met in a relentless, unyielding kiss.

As the sticky liplock continued, Khaled reached for the buttons on the back of Velia’s dress and began to unfasten them one by one. As her dress slid off her shoulders, Khaled buried his face in her neck.

“Velia.”

Goosebumps broke out down her back at the sound of her name leaving his lips as if asking for permission.

She wanted him too. An undeniable fact.

Velia tightened her hold around his neck and whispered in his ear.

“I told you I was looking forward to tonight.”

At that, Khaled’s eyes darkened even more.

Velia closed her eyes and smiled.

Tonight was going to be a very long night.

The night had yet to come.

(This is a time separator.)

When had she fallen asleep?

Velia blinked her heavy eyelids and stared blankly out the window.

Moonlight filled the dark room. She thought a considerable amount of time had passed, yet the day had not broken.

Velia turned her head to look at the man lying beside her. His black hair partially covered his face, but it couldn’t hide his sharp nose and jawline.

Reaching out, she brushed his fallen hair away, revealing more of his face. She felt satisfied.

‘He looks so innocent when he’s asleep.’

For a long while, Velia admired Khaled’s face, losing herself in various thoughts. He was so handsome that she was joyous just looking at him, losing track of time.

Maybe it was because she had acknowledged her feelings for him, but he looked even more attractive now.

Then, his previously closed lips drew a faint line upward.

“Ah…”
He thought she was asleep.

Velia abruptly turned her gaze away, surprised. Then Khaled extended his arm and embraced Velia tightly, asking, “Did you sleep well?”

Unable to speak, Velia felt embarrassed for having been caught watching him. She felt the slight vibration of his laughter against her body that was in contact with his.

“Sleep more. It’s still early.”

Khaled spoke softly, pulling her deeper into his arms. His somewhat husky and deep voice sounded pleasant to her ears.

“Rest….”

Perhaps sensing Velia’s fidgeting in his arms, Khaled gently patted her back.

“It’ll be a tiring day, so it’s better to get more sleep, Velia.”

“……I can’t sleep.”

“Still, lie down. It’s been a while since you were beside me. I’d like to stay like this a little longer.”

Petulantly, Khaled rested his face on Velia’s collarbone. These trivial acts made them feel truly like a couple. Somehow, her onceempty heart felt full.

“Khaled, are you sleepy?”

Maybe now she could bring it up.

The conversations she had resolved to have many times but never dared to start.

“No.”

“Then let’s sit up for a bit.”

However, Khaled, without any sign of getting up, hugged Velia even tighter.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about.”