"Why are my things here?" Alexa asked in confusion.
"I already had your room checked out. You'll be staying here with me," the man replied casually.
"But—"
"No buts. Let's go."
"Where are we going?" Alexa asked reluctantly.
Earlier during breakfast, the man had already planned their entire day. The hotel prepared a luxury car along with a driver and a personal butler to accompany them.
They spent the morning visiting famous tourist spots around the city and strolling through scenic parks.
Spring Country was known for its breathtaking greenery, natural hot and cold springs, and rare blooming flowers. Since it was a weekday, only a few visitors wandered through the massive park.
As they leisurely explored the area, they eventually reached a secluded spot overlooking a beautiful landscape of flowers and crystal-clear springs.
The butler quickly arranged a picnic mat beneath a large tree and carefully prepared their food before retreating together with the driver to give them privacy.
Alexa admired the breathtaking scenery in silence.
A few meters away from them was a natural spring surrounded by wild orchids climbing across ancient trees.
When she glanced back, she saw the man lying lazily on the picnic mat beneath the shade.
At first, she decided to leave him alone.
Then she remembered something.
"Master… can I borrow your phone for a while? I just want to use the camera," Alexa asked softly.
"Sure."
He handed his phone to her without hesitation.
"Thank you, Master!" Alexa said happily before running around taking photos of the flowers and scenery.
The man quietly watched her.
Why does it bother me whenever she calls me 'Master'? he thought. It feels like she's building walls between us.
He frowned slightly.
I only wanted her company, so why does that word sound so distant?
Watching Alexa smile freely under the sunlight stirred something unfamiliar inside him.
Forget those stupid rules, he thought irritably. Why am I even playing these childish games?
He stood up and walked toward her.
"Let me take the pictures," he offered, extending his hand toward her.
"Really?" Alexa asked excitedly.
"Mm."
She handed him the phone.
Alexa immediately walked toward a tree covered in blooming wild orchids while the man began taking photos of her from different angles.
Under the soft sunlight, with flowers surrounding her, Alexa looked effortlessly beautiful.
The man stared at the screen longer than necessary.
For the first time in a long while, taking pictures actually felt enjoyable.
After taking several photos, he called the butler over.
"Did you take good pictures?" Alexa asked curiously.
"How can I take good photos when the subject itself isn't good?" he teased.
Alexa glared at him instantly.
"And what about you? You look like a beast."
The man smirked.
"Come here. Let's take one together."
Before Alexa could protest, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close beside him while positioning the camera.
Click.
Their first photo together was captured.
"Sir, what can I do for you?" the butler asked politely after approaching them.
"Be our photographer for a moment."
The man handed him the phone.
"Hon, come here," he said while looking at Alexa with unusually soft eyes. "Let's take more photos together."
Alexa sighed lightly but indulged him anyway.
After several photos, both of them returned to the picnic mat and began eating the food prepared by the butler.
Once they finished, Alexa leaned her back against the tree trunk and closed her eyes to rest.
Moments later, the man suddenly rested his head on her lap.
Alexa's eyes widened slightly.
Looking down at him, she suddenly realized how exhausted he seemed.
For the first time, he no longer looked intimidating.
Instead, he looked lonely.
Without thinking, Alexa gently ran her fingers through his hair.
Slowly.
Repeatedly.
The man closed his eyes and relaxed beneath her touch.
Then Alexa softly began humming a lullaby.
What's his story? she wondered silently. He looks like someone who has everything… yet he still seems lonely.
Her gaze softened.
Maybe he's just tired. Maybe that's why he desperately wanted someone beside him.
A faint ache suddenly tightened inside her chest as thoughts of Alan resurfaced again.
Alan… what did you do to me?
Tears slowly escaped from her closed eyes.
I loved you so much. I gave you everything. Why wasn't I enough?
Then she remembered Sheena.
Pain stabbed deeply into her heart.
When I go home… I'll make him choose. Me or that woman.
A soft touch suddenly brushed against her cheek.
Alexa opened her eyes.
The man was staring at her while gently wiping away her tears.
"Feeling better?" he asked softly.
Alexa gave him a small nod.
"Thank you."
Meanwhile, the man quietly observed her expression.
While resting on her lap, he had unexpectedly felt calm.
Her touch soothed the exhaustion buried deep inside him.
And when he heard her humming softly while stroking his hair, a strange warmth spread through his chest.
When he opened his eyes earlier and saw her silently crying, something inside him ached unexpectedly.
Why does seeing her cry bother me this much? he wondered.
He couldn't understand it.
"Do you want to watch the sunset later?" he asked suddenly.
"Yes," Alexa answered softly. "Do you know a good place?"
"Of course."
Then Alexa narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"How do you know all these places anyway?"
"I asked the hotel staff. There's also a guidebook in the room." He smirked slightly. "Didn't you read it?"
Alexa looked embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, Master. I didn't know."
The moment she called him "Master" again, he immediately pulled her closer and kissed her forehead before brushing a soft kiss against her cheek.
"Stop calling me that," he murmured. "Call me anything you want—as long as I like it."
"Really?" Alexa asked carefully.
"Mm."
"Sticky Lizard!" she blurted out happily.
The man's face darkened instantly.
"What?"
Alexa burst into laughter.
"Fine, fine. Since you call me 'Hon,' then I'll call you 'Honey.'"
Then she whispered under her breath.
"Honey Beast."
Unfortunately, he still heard it.
"Honey Beast?" he repeated slowly before suddenly hugging her tightly. "Then you should be my Honey Bitch."
"Beast!" Alexa yelled while pushing him away because she could barely breathe.
The man laughed loudly.
For some reason, teasing her had become incredibly enjoyable.
At the end of the day, both of them returned to the hotel exhausted but relaxed.
After leaving the park, they watched the sunset together and had dinner at a nearby restaurant overlooking the river.
Once they arrived back at the hotel, the man handed envelopes to the driver and butler as thanks for taking care of them throughout the day.
Finally, the two of them entered their suite, freshened up, and collapsed onto the bed from exhaustion.