Helplessly, Jean admitted defeat.
Is she just going to fall asleep after teasing me? How cruel!
He smiled and shook his head indulgently before tucking her in bed.
Neera was already fast asleep. She didn't know what was going on.
After Jean went back to his room, he immediately tore off his crumpled shirt and went to take a cold water shower.
Neera slept very well that night. However, when she woke up the next morning, she was assailed by an excruciating headache.
She grunted weakly and massaged her temples. Staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, it took her some time to realize where she was.
The broken memories from last night gradually surfaced in her mind.
Right, I drank a lot with Mr. Chaucer at dinner last night. I must have knocked myself out. No wonder the headache is so bad!
She pushed herself up and mumbled, "Yeah, I can see why drinking is bad for health…"
She wrinkled her nose disgustedly. The stench of alcohol on her body had not dissipated yet.
She stumbled out of bed and went into the bathroom.
Soon, warm water enveloped her body, and her mind cleared up.
More scenes from last night surfaced in her mind.
She remembered she was so drunk after dinner that she couldn't walk on her own, and Jean helped her to her room.
Then…
What did I do after that?
I think I teased him…
And… I touched him?
We eventually kissed, and it was a passionate one too!
Neera's hands abruptly froze in midair. Her eyes widened violently.
What did I do last night?
Her face began to turn red, and she had the urge to ram her head into the wall right there and then.
Neera Garcia, you hooligan! Is that how you should behave after drinks? How are you going to face Jean now? She thought.
The more she thought about it, the more embarrassed she became. She even thought of running away and never coming back.
After pondering for a long time, she eventually settled on what to do.
I guess I'll just have to play dumb! I was drunk last night, so it's only normal if I don't remember anything, right?
She considered her options one more time and concluded that it was the only way she could face Jean again.
Eventually, she exited the bathroom and changed her clothes.
Her face had been red throughout. Perhaps it was because of embarrassment, or perhaps it was because of the steam in the bathroom.
The doorbell rang as soon as she put on her clothes.
Neera instinctively jumped. Her first reaction was to run and hide in the bathroom.
However, she considered that she could not hide from him forever.
After calming herself down, she opened the door.
Of course, Jean and Ian were standing outside the door.
The former was impeccably dressed in a suit just as any other day. He seemed so aloof and impenetrable, very much unlike the lusting beast the night before.
Neera felt her face turn hot. She could barely look him in the eye.
Her gaze wandered around for a bit before she managed to compose herself. "Good morning."
Jean raised his eyebrows, surprised that she was already dressed up and ready to go.
"You woke up early. Looks like you've gotten over your hangover, I guess?"
"I feel a lot better now. Did you bring me to my room last night? Thank you…" Neera mumbled.
Jean's suspicion grew when he saw Neera acting naturally. "Yes, I brought you back to your room last night," he said deliberately.
"Oh… Thank you so much," Neera said with a smile.
"You're welcome," Jean replied while shooting a glance at Ian.
Ian picked up a tray, brought it into the room, and placed it on the coffee table.
On the tray was breakfast and hangover medicine.
Jean sat down on the couch. "Have something to eat and take the medicine."
"Mm," Neera replied meekly and sat down opposite him.
Ian knew better than to remain in the room. After he left, only Neera and Jean remained.
Seeing that Jean did not move, Neera asked carefully, "Aren't you eating as well?"
"I've already had my breakfast," Jean said impassively. He continued to stare at Neera as though waiting for her to crack.
Neera quickly lowered her head and scooped oatmeal into her mouth.
However, his presence was too overpowering. She could not help but feel guilty.
Before she divulged anything, she pretended to be oblivious and asked, "Oh, right, I hope I didn't give you any trouble while I was drunk last night. I rarely drink, and I'm almost never drunk. Did I… throw a tantrum or something?"
Jean did not reply. He narrowed his gaze, which seemed to penetrate Neera's mind.
Neera's heart thumped wildly. She guessed Jean knew what she was thinking.
Why isn't he saying anything? Why is he looking at me like that?
Don't tell me he already knows I'm pretending!
Neera tried to act natural and asked, "Why? Did I give you a scare? Please don't mind that… I promise I won't become drunk again!"
Jean slowly softened his gaze and said, "No, you were fine. I wasn't scared at all."
Really?
Neera couldn't imagine what he was thinking.
However, she decided to take him at his word.
She breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good to hear."
She busied herself with breakfast after that. It was better to leave the topic behind them.
Seeing how Neera was almost burying her head in the bowl, an imperceptible smile appeared on Jean's face.
She's such a bad actress…
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