Episode 5

Leanor was on the verge of responding when Rufus spoke, his voice dripping with coldness and calmness.

"No," he uttered, his tone hushed and icy, devoid of any ripples.

Almost instantly, the words that Leanor wanted to say got stuck in her throat.

She couldn't fathom why, but her heart was a tumultuous mix of emotions.

As the car came to a stop in the garage, both of them stepped out of the vehicle and entered the elevator in silence.

With a ding chime, the elevator halted on the tenth floor and its doors slid open.

Leanor's attention was diverted when Rufus deftly unlocked the password. She averted her gaze, fixating on her own feet, refusing to entertain the thought of meeting Rufus's eyes.

Softly, Rufus spoke, "Did you catch a glimpse?"

Perplexed, Leanor had no idea what he was referring to and asked curiously, "Catch a glimpse of what?"

The door lock clicked, and Rufus swung the door open, revealing the big house.

"Password," he stated matter-of-factly.

Leanor shook her head, her mind still grappling with confusion.

Smoothly, Rufus continued, "It's your birthday."

Leanor's heart stopped for a moment, but Rufus's demeanor remained calm and composed, concealing any hint of his true emotions.

She couldn't tell why he was telling her this.

she could only muster a whisper "Oh."

The house was undeniably grand, but with its vast space and minimal furnishings, it appeared rather empty.

The atmosphere was empty, and Leanor couldn't fathom the terror she would feel if she were to be left alone in such an empty place.

Rufus's room was situated on the first floor.

To avoid making her feel uncomfortable, he refrained from showing her the first floor and instead opened several rooms on the second floor for her to choose from. However, Leanor weakly asked, "May I also stay on the first floor?"

Her tone carried a hint of shyness and discomfort, and her eyes darted nervously as she looked at him.

Rufus frowned slightly, but then relented,

"Not a problem. I can stayy on the second floor."

Leanor shook her head reluctantly.

Rufus appeared to be irate and grin, however even his grin was somewhat estranged.

"Then what is it that you want, let me sleep somewhere else?"

Leanor shook her head overwhelmingly,

"I can't sleep without someone close by.."

Rufus cast a disdainful gaze, his piercing eyes scanning the surroundings momentarily before he averted his gaze.

He said serenely,

"Fine."

Leanor had limited options at her disposal, but she made a decisive move by selecting the room closest proximity to Rufus, separated only by a solitary wall.

Having just completed her meticulous tidying, Leanor was taken aback when Rufus unexpectedly rapped on the door.

He didn't know what he was feeling or why he was having the urgent to go near Leanor.

"Goodness! I surely won't wolf out at this moment, will I? I still have an entire year," Rufus pondered aloud, his hand absentmindedly scratching his head.

Leanor opened the door, and Rufus rested up against the door jamb while attempting to keep a quiet tone, and holding a box of snacks.

"Snacks?" Rufus raised the box up.

Leanor initially wanted to say no, however she nodded strangely.

The air between her and Rufus seldom facilitated a bit.

"Thank you." Leanor mumbled as Rufus gave her the snacks box and afterward silence follows.

Halfway through, Leanor was already dozing off. She tugged at Rufus's clothes, hoping to keep him close, but he remained still, simply gazing at her with a calm expression.

Desperate to keep him from leaving, she clung tightly to his clothes, her actions driven by the haze of sleepiness.

Rufus observed her pulling at his clothes, and despite his cold demeanor, his emotions were anything but predictable.

With a hint of amusement, he remarked, "What are you doing to me Leanor? Why can't i get you off my head?"

In an instant, Leanor threw herself into his arms, catching him off guard. He lowered his gaze to her face, which was flushed and peaceful, as if she were in a deep sleep.

Nestled in Rufus's embrace, she curled up like a baby.

As she rested in his arms, Leanor murmured something in her sleep, "Rufus, don't go. Stay."

Her voice carried a hint of sadness.

Rufus's grip tightened around her, but he whispered self-deprecatingly, "Are you certain about that..."

Leanor didn't respond, breathing steadily as she slept with her eyes closed.

The next morning, she awoke to find herself in an unfamiliar setting, momentarily bewildered before gradually regaining her senses.

Stepping out of the room, she was greeted by silence. Rufus was not at home.