"You look so beautiful!"
The moment I heard those words, I blushed so hard my heart began to pound, and I felt butterflies fluttering in my stomach. But then, reality hit me—this isn't how I usually look. This version of me was only for today. Tomorrow, I'd go back to being the same old Zera.
The thought made me a little sad, but it was the truth—and I couldn't pretend otherwise.
I responded with a straight face, "Yeah... it's a really nice look. Thanks for it."
As I said that, I gently pulled my hand away from his.
But he held it again.
"You know... you also look really cute without all of this," he said, clearly drunk. "You're honestly the best girl I've ever met. Not boring like the others. You're... just a really good person."
My cheeks became red again.
Does he really mean that? I wondered. Or is it just the alcohol talking?
Either way, it was already late—and the last thing we needed was to create a scene out here on the street.
Without saying a word, I took his hand and led him home, not giving him a chance to speak further. He was already half-asleep, and the moment we reached, he collapsed and drifted off without another word.
Leaving me there... just watching him sleep.
Does he really like me? I thought, eyes fixed on his peaceful face. Was Mira right about him all along?
But no matter what I felt, reality whispered a different truth.
He was the son of a rich family.
And I was just… a thief.
I also changed my clothes, washed up, and became the original Zera I had always been.
Soon, I tried to sleep—but I couldn't.
My brain had other plans, throwing all sorts of thoughts at me without my permission.
What if he confesses?
Will we… get married someday?
What if his family hates me?
Each time, I reminded myself, Stop it. Don't think about useless things. Just sleep.
But no matter how many times I told myself that, the cycle just kept repeating.
In the morning, when I woke up, Rayan was nowhere to be seen.
Then, out of nowhere, he appeared—holding a plate of breakfast made from whatever he'd found . It was obvious this was his first attempt at cooking. The food was half-burnt, half-raw… but it still made me smile.
Handing me the plate, he said, "I wanted to cook for you on your birthday… but I didn't want your day to start with something like this. So, I made it today instead."
I couldn't help but chuckle at his words.
As I ate the strange but sweet breakfast, a part of me kept urging to ask him about what he'd said last night.
But deep down… I was afraid.
Afraid that it might've all been a mistake.
So, I stayed quiet.
But then, out of nowhere, he said, "Well… I'm sorry about last night. I shouldn't have drunk that much. I must've troubled you."
And before I could stop myself, the words flew out of my mouth:
"And what about the things you said?"
I quickly covered my mouth, instantly regretting it. I felt my face heat up with embarrassment, silently praying he'd ignore it—or, even better, that he hadn't heard me at all.
But instead, he looked at me and replied in a calm, slightly nervous voice,
"Well… it's not like I said anything wrong. Or untrue. But if it made you uncomfortable, I'm sorry for that too."
"Not untrue…"
Just hearing those words filled me with an unexpected happiness.
I could barely stop the smile tugging at my lips—pressing them together to keep it from breaking free.
After a few minutes, Rayan spoke again.
"Well... there's something important I need to tell you."
"What is it?" I asked.
In a serious tone, he said, "It's been over ten days since I've been hiding here. Starting today, I'll be leaving in the morning with you and coming back in the evening. There's some unfinished work I need to take care of."