The previous world had taught her that aggravating the male lead won’t do her any good, and would only worsen his restraints on her. By acting passive and letting the male lead lower his guard on her will she have a faster time escaping later.

‘The male lead won’t be as crazy as he would chain me up in bed, won’t he?’

“We’re sleeping together.”

“No, if you want to sleep here I'll just sleep on the couch.”

“Mhm, okay… Then, I’ll also sleep on the couch as well.”

Keira’s mouth twitched. She pensively looked at Ezekiel wondering if the male lead is really sick in the head. Well… he is, but that’s not the point.

They had a staredown for a couple of minutes but Keira could see under the gaze of Ezekiel that he wouldn’t back down no matter what even if Keira propose that she will sleep on the toilet. It appears like Ezekiel was more stubborn than Aster.

‘They’re both stubborn in their own ways.’

Keira let out a deep sigh. She could only relent to Ezekiel’s obstinacy.

“Fine, do whatever you want.”

Ezekiel smiled and his eyes seemingly displayed that ‘I know you couldn’t resist me.’

This sent direct shivers down Keira’s back.

‘Fuck, what the hell are you planning?’ Keira couldn’t help but think that way.

…

Ezekiel cooked brunch for the both of them since they had missed breakfast after handling the discharge papers and traveling straight to the villa. The brunch wasn’t as uncomfortable as Keira thought. They had small talks, but the majority of the time was taken by comfortable silence. It was like they had traveled in the past.

Now that Keira thinks about it, Ezekiel wasn’t this smiley during her first visit to this world. He was cold and aloof. At first, he would only display his smile in front of Stella, then that of course changed when Keira successfully caught Ezekiel’s heart. He began to warm up to Keira and Ezekiel from time to time would begin conversations on his own initiative.

But looking at Ezekiel now, Keira couldn’t say that he changed. She could still feel Ezekiel’s frigid aura. When they first bumped in the lobby, he also had a deposition like someone who will have your fingers chopped the moment you lay a single finger on his body.

It was better to say that, his attitude now mixes with his own and Aster’s. Thinking that made Keira feel scared.

Keira looked at Ezekiel with profound emotions displayed on her face, while Ezekiel was busy typing something on his laptop. Ezekiel briefly looked up, and Keira cast her gaze away to the beautiful scenery outside.

‘But what if, the male lead would continue to follow her to the next world?’ That thought sent shivers down her spine.

Ezekiel already possessing Aster’s memories and way of thinking was already terrifying enough, just the thought of a combined male lead following her to the next world and being 3x blackened would make anyone horrified.

Keira didn’t even want to think about it, it was only a ‘what if’ after all. Besides, her system already told her that this was only a ‘bug’, and bug occurrences are rare in the main system.

Ezekiel continued to work throughout the whole afternoon. He appears to be quite busy. That is to be expected from someone managing a huge company after all. Keira spent her afternoon trying out the gaming room. It was not often you could see a room in a villa purely dedicated to gaming, especially if the owner of that villa is someone like Ezekiel.

It was equipped with the latest gaming setup and even has a bunch of gaming tools like oculus rift and etcetera. The villa truly was designed for Keira. The whole time Ezekiel was working, Keira didn’t feel bored, trying out the different consoles and games.

When night fell, Ezekiel already finished cooking dinner when he called Keira to the table. Dinner was scrumptious. All the dishes Ezekiel cooked for dinner were her favorite. Being extremely satisfied, Keira even began to let her mind wander.

‘It isn’t so bad to stay here. Being served delicious food by a delicious person—I mean, ehem… Eating here was better than staying at the apartment ordering takeout every day.’

After dinner, Kiera watched some dramas on TV to pass time for the food on her stomach to dissolve. Keira yawned and stretched her arms, she turned off the TV and made her way to the bedroom. Keira could hear the grinding sound of a chair being moved. Ezekiel also stood up from his chair and followed Keira.

She was now convinced that Ezekiel was serious about sleeping together. When they went inside the room, Keira automatically grabs her toiletries and some clothes that were prepared beforehand and went inside the bathroom. Thankfully, Ezekiel didn’t follow her inside the bathroom.

Keira took a long hot shower before she went out of the bathroom. When she was out, Ezekiel was already half-naked. His body was well defined, each muscle was bulging out, exerting its might. His body gave off the mature look. His shoulders were broad, his abs were distinct and chiseled, and his apollo’s belt was proportionally lined.

Keira involuntarily paused, before masking her face and thoughts, and proceeded to climb to the bed, acting like she saw nothing. Ezekiel let out a sonorous laugh, seeing Keira’s reddened ears. He went inside the bathroom, leaving Keira alone in the room. Once the sound of running water could be heard, Keira decided to talk to her system.

Keira: [I have sinned Elly.]

System 999: [Did you do something wrong Host? Σ(°□°)]

Keira: [I actually got seduced by someone’s body other than Leal.]

System 999: [But this isn’t the first time Host? (・∀・)]

Keira: [Hush, before… I was merely appreciating beauty. Nothing could beat out my Leal’s body! Although Leal and Ezekiel’s bodies look almost alike.]

System 999: [ (・∀・) ]

System 999 could not even tell if its Host was even loyal to its original lover back in her own world.

Keira: [Hey! I know you’re currently thinking that I am not loyal to my Leal!]

System 999: [!!!]

Keira: [What?! You were actually thinking that?!]

System 999: [...]

Keira: [Tsk tsk! You are too easy to read Elly. I’ll have you know that no one could replace Leal in my heart! Even these handsome blackened male leads could not move me!]

System 999 thought to itself, ‘but weren’t you just apologizing a minute ago about how you were sorry that you were seduced by the male lead?’

System 999 let out an electronic sigh, it could still not understand how its Host brain functions, even as a system, it was too complex for it to understand.

Keira fumbled around the bed finding the right position to sleep in. Ezekiel went out the room and saw the scene Keira moving around the mattress caused the corners of his lips to curl. Ezekiel went to the cabinet and grabbed a hair blower.

Ezekiel called out to Keira, “Don’t sleep just yet, your hair is not fully dried.”

Keira's hand trailed to her hair and realized that she had indeed forgotten to dry her hair. She doesn’t want to catch another fever, so she got up as Ezekiel instructed.

“Just sit on the bed, ill dry your hair for you.” Ezekiel already plugged the hair dryer before Keira could respond.

Keira didn’t say anything and just waited for Ezekiel to position himself on the bed.

The sound of the blow dryer going off filled the room. Hot air was blowing on Keira's hair. Ezekiel softly caressed Keira’s hair, letting her hair pass through his fingers as he continues to dry them. The action was so familiar that it made Keira close her eyes. She felt peaceful and after a while, drowsiness soon struck her. Having someone fondle your hair would make anyone sleepy.

Just as Keira was about to doze off, a clicking sound could be heard and the sound from the blow dryer quiet down. This startled Keira awake. She was still muddle-headed as she climbed inside the sheets and snuggled herself in the covers. She instantly fell asleep as soon as she closed her eyes.

Ezekiel who watched the whole thing had a huge smile on his face. It seems like he was smiling a lot these days, and this is all due to one person. He simply stroked the outlines of her face before landing his thumb on her soft lips.

He leaned into the face that was nestled on the sheets, and plant a long kiss yet delicate kiss on her lips.

When he parted his lips from hers, he quietly whispered in the quiet room,

“I love you Keira…”

He leaned back again and this time, only landing a gentle kiss on her forehead. He got inside the sheets, and brought Keira into his arms, before closing his eyes and letting the darkness succumb him.