Under the moonlight, Sophie's eyes held a smoky haze. She bit her lip lightly with pearly teeth, her cheeks flushed as she entered and gently closed the door.
Moonlight illuminated her elegant silhouette, spilling across Julian's bed. He sat watching her, his heart skipping a beat.
By the standards of Eastern aesthetics, Sophie was not a stunning beauty. The quintessential English rose differed from the delicate features favored in Southern Asia. Yet tenderness was her greatest allure. Tonight, Sophie seemed young, unpolished, radiating a youthful charm.
And she wore only pajamas.
*Had she deliberately forgone more after the last two times? Was this defiance? Or caution?*
Julian scrambled upright, hastily pulling the quilt over his lap. "Sophie, you're here."
She stood bathed in moonlight, smoothing her damp hair. Softly, she asked, "I heard you'll represent the school in tomorrow's match?"
Julian replied quickly, "Yes."
"Will you play?"
"Not sure."
"Oh..."
Sophie fell silent, head bowed as she fidgeted with her fingers. Moonlight filtered through her loose pajamas, tracing the lines of her figure. Julian tugged the quilt higher.
The air thickened with ambiguity.
Julian cleared his throat. "About this morning... I was wrong."
Sophie bit her lip, eyes downcast. "It's fine. Next time... be careful."
*Next time?*
*And next time?*
*What exactly should he be careful about?*
Julian's mouth went dry. He stared. Sophie stared back. Their pulses quickened in unison—the bittersweet flutter of first love, where words falter before shyness.
The room's atmosphere grew heavier. Julian steeled himself:
*Calm. Calm...*
*Damn it—why is my heart pounding? Why does this feel like I'm a teenager again?*
He yanked the quilt up to his chest.
*Why is Sophie acting so unlike herself? Could it be because I kissed her this morning?*
Just then, Sophie spoke: "Julian, I came tonight to... talk."
*With me? Say it!*
His heart threatened to leap from his chest.
Sophie took a breath, firming her resolution. "I want to end our fake relationship."
Julian froze. "What?"
*I'm already—and now she cancels it?*
Sophie smiled faintly. "You've helped me so much. I shouldn't have gotten angry—I should thank you."
Julian stammered, "Sophie, don't be polite! Use me however you need."
Her voice softened. "Thank you. But we can't continue. Because... I'm scared I'll fall for you."
Julian sat dumbstruck.
Sophie's eyes glistened. "Stupid of me, right? To say this..."
*Yes. You're the future star—*
He blurted, "It's fine. That's your charm."
She swatted at him tearfully. "Julian, you're awful! If you can't comfort people, don't try!"
"Sorry! I meant... we could keep going."
Sophie flushed, then sighed. "But I'm auditioning in London this weekend. If I get the role, I'll leave Southampton."
Julian's eyes lit up.
*So that's it! Her big break—*
"What's the production?" he asked.
She shrugged. "Some period drama. They didn't say."
*She doesn't know it's "Game of Thrones"!*
*I could help. Pushing her career now would mend things between us... After all those times I upset her, I owe her.*
Julian declared, "I'll come to London with you. No match this weekend."
Sophie blinked. "But you're on the team. Don't you need practice?"
*Not when I can rely on extracts...*
He waved a hand. "For you, training can wait."
Her cheeks warmed. "Julian, you're sweet. I'd love that, but without the fake relationship, you don't have to—"
He cut in, firm. "No. Ending it takes two. I refuse. We stay 'together' until you're a star."
Sophie froze.
Her lips trembled slightly; her pale blue eyes sparkled. Her heart raced like a startled deer's.
*Until becoming a big star...*
How impossibly distant that seemed!
Didn't this mean they would always be... boyfriend and girlfriend?
Julian—wasn't he surprisingly romantic?
But Asian boys were so reserved...
He hadn't even seized this perfect chance to pierce through the awkwardness!
Sophie bit her lip, gathering courage. "Thank you, Julian. For staying by my side now. Even unspoken, I understand your heart's true meaning..."
Julian stiffened. *Impossible! I was testing your talent—how could you see through it?*
Sophie lowered her gaze. "I... want to give you a gift."
*A gift?*
Julian eyed Sophie's loose pajamas skeptically.
Her cheeks flushed under his stare. She stamped a foot, the fabric trembling. "I hate this! Close your eyes first."
Julian: ...
*I'm done for.*
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