Episode 5
“I was worried you’d just let people walk all over you because you’re too kind… but you lie convincingly too. Guess I don’t have to worry.”
I walked alongside Theo, letting him guide me, speaking as if I’d conceded.
“That’s not true. I’m only good to you.”
‘Really, telling me to sleep during our first date in two weeks because you think I might be tired…’
While strolling and teasing each other, we found ourselves at the bedroom before we even realized it.
“Take a nap, and we’ll have dinner together when you wake up.”
Theo opened the door to the dressing room attached to the bedroom. Then, turning, he said he’d change into pajamas in the other room.
“We could change here together, you know.”
My playful remark tickled the back of his head, and Theo’s step faltered.
“I didn’t hear that. Nothing got through.”
As if to convince himself, Theo covered his ears and dashed away.
‘Our little Theo… didn’t hear, but why are his ears so red?’
I smiled at Theo’s adorably flustered reaction and changed into pajamas—a silky chemise set—before entering the bedroom. Theo, already in his pajamas, made space beside him and said:
“Rebecca, come lie down.”
His firm gesture tapping the bed left no room for refusal. My dark circles must have been shocking.
And honestly, a bed paired with Theo? Temptation incarnate.
As I lay down as instructed, a well-toned arm extended as a pillow. I eagerly rested my head, and Theo pulled the blanket over me, patting me gently as if urging me to sleep.
‘Full service.’
The warmth of his body, the soft pajamas, and the cozy bedding wrapped around me like a gentle sunbeam. Sleep came instantly, conditioned reflex.
“If you get hungry later, wake me. I didn’t sleep much earlier, so it’s fine if you don’t either.”
With my eyelids barely lifting, I left the feeble attempt at words behind and sank into deep, anesthetic-like sleep.
Sunlight poured in through the window, flooding the room with the late afternoon glow. I stirred, hissing like a vampire at the sudden brightness, crawling across the bed to find shade.
‘South-facing rooms are the best.’
As I shifted into the shadows, Theo’s arm instinctively wrapped around me.
“Move any further, and you’ll fall, Rebecca.”
His whisper was soft, careful not to wake me.
‘Can’t fall.’
Half-asleep, I snuggled back into him. The warmth of his body and the gentle blanket made the spot perfect.
I nuzzled his chest instead of a pillow, and a quiet, low chuckle rumbled from him above my head.
‘Two more hours would be perfect.’
But it was time to get up. I didn’t want to spend our rare day off entirely asleep.
Noticing my attempt to rise, Theo gently patted me as if to say it was okay to stay longer.
‘No. I’m getting up.’
But sophisticated conversation was impossible for my semi-zombie state. Thoughts and words failed to connect.
To fend off his drug-like touch, I acted—biting the nape of his neck along the shortest path possible while still in his embrace.
Theo froze mid-pat, startled.
“Rebecca?”
“Mm.”
Half-conscious, I replied, continuing to nibble and tease around his neck like a restless little beast.
“Hmm.”
After a few gentle nibbles, Theo’s chest expanded with a deep breath, watching me obediently. Feeling I may have bitten too hard, I licked the spot I’d just bitten in a silent apology.
‘Maybe I bit too hard.’
No—it seemed rather that I had been too gentle.
Theo’s body, usually a bit cool, now radiated warmth that jolted me fully awake. He was in the prime of life, and we hadn’t been together like this for ages.
Feigning sleep, I rolled away.
‘Sorry, Theo. I’ll be strong after breakfast.’
Theo’s usual kindness and care were only half-measured in bed. Normally, any slight reluctance from me would make him stop immediately, but here, he acted as if “stop” didn’t exist. I didn’t mind—but my tired body could hardly keep up.
As I turned naturally, I felt my body slip—fortunately not onto the floor, but onto his firm arm.
“You’d fall if you went any further.”
My heart jumped. Theo had saved me from rolling off the bed.
“Up already?”
He pressed closer to the wall after letting me safely reposition myself.
“Mm. You didn’t sleep?”
I rolled toward the space he’d offered, noticing his face was entirely alert.
“I slept a little.”
“You should’ve woken me. You must have been bored alone.”
Sitting there while having slept—what audacity. Flustered, I heard him chuckle.
“It’s like waking a princess with an ice heart; maybe I should’ve kissed you.”
Then, leaning in, he kissed me gently.
“Time to wake up, Princess.”
Ice-hearted princess—it was the local version of Snow White or Sleeping Beauty. I deliberately closed and reopened my eyes, playing the role of the awakened princess.
“Oh, not a prince, but a fairy? I guess I should stay asleep until the prince comes.”
Pretending to doze, Theo smiled and kissed me again.
“Don’t sleep. I’ll keep kissing you until you wake.”
His lips brushed mine more insistently than before. Tempting as it was, I couldn’t let it go further—I had to rise.
“Actually, our Theo was the prince of the fairy kingdom. Oh! The princess kissed by the prince has awakened!”
I narrated theatrically, exaggeratedly yawned, and rose. Theo’s cheeks and ears were bright red, his awkward smile revealing he was embarrassed by our playful exchange.
‘Okay.’
Spotting an opening, I grinned mischievously. Theo, knowing my tricks, looked flustered. He scrambled for a topic to redirect the conversation.
‘Not yet, baby Theo. Not yet.’
Quick-witted as ever, I teased, “Ah, Theo wasn’t a fairy prince but a kitten, right?”
I covered my mouth theatrically, then added, “But where’s your tail? Here? Or over there?”
I tickled him, denying him a chance to answer.
“Rebecca.”
Theo, flushed head to toe, called my name, silently pleading me to stop.
“Why? My adorable little kitten?”
I winked like a theme-park performer. Theo shut his eyes and buried his face in his large, handsome hands. His full-body blush didn’t conceal him, yet his attempt to hide was even cuter.
‘Ha. Theo’s so cute, the wall of our studio apartment is now mine.’
I admired his reddened ears with delight.
In my Himeron Empire-inspired mind, masculinity equated to strong muscles. This country’s ideal man was a rugged, muscle-bound type—someone who could lift illegally parked cars with a glance.
‘Cute is the best.’ That was my life motto. Theo, in his subtle warmth and playful charm, was like an oasis in the desert.
I congratulated my past self for going to that bookstore on Larisa Street, 182 days ago.
But Theo hadn’t answered my thoughts. Turning back, he spoke seriously:
“I’m not a baby, Rebecca.”
His pride pricked.
“Of course not. I just meant cute.”
Cats are cute. Babies are cute. A baby plus a cat? Cutest of all.
‘You think I’d tease you like this if I thought you were a child? I come from a country with strict child-protection laws.’
“Even cute things annoy me. Am I only cute to you?”
Theo began his protest in earnest.
“No. You’re cute, beautiful, and lovable,” I said firmly.
I’d only omitted the latter parts due to time. Cute was the ultimate value—but calling Theo “just cute” bordered on sacrilege. He was light. Sunshine.
I regretted my poor choice of words, but I seemed to have misjudged him. Theo entwined his hand with mine and lifted me onto his chest, as if to show me another side of him.
“Rebecca… don’t I make your heart flutter?”
His upper body leaned closer, hand guiding mine over his shirt, moving slowly downward.
I hadn’t noticed—Theo was testing the tension between lovers.
But no, I wasn’t treating him like a pet or a child. I climbed onto him deliberately, slowly, savoring the full sensation of our contact.
