Zoe looked at Julio in front of her and smiled, easing the tension with a friendly gaze. They stood facing each other, waiting for the MC to announce the winner.
Zoe held no grudge against Julio. He may have been "belonging" to Billy, but he wasn't bad. In fact, Zoe had seen him with sympathy several times because, like her, Julio could be quite nervous when singing.But all of that is in the past. They no longer had to go through that. Tonight, it will finally end."Julio Basset. From the moment he appeared, everyone was immediately impressed by his musical talent, and as time went on, his appearances never disappointed. He continued to advance with a sense of classical music that was slowly being forgotten, causing music enthusiasts to momentarily forget the existence of electronic music. And it's not just music; his voice is equally stunning, enchanting audiences of all ages."The event's MC mentioned Julio's strengths, and Zoe agreed. She also envied Julio's"Loria, congratulations! You're amazing.""You were incredible tonight.""I'll be your fan!"There were various cheers that Zoe only heard fleetingly—somewhere between consciousness and not—but she tried to wave to everyone who congratulated her."This is our winner!" Syanna exclaimed as she opened the door, and another loud cheer erupted.The room filled with crew and all the participants who had ever been on the show, including Laila, who immediately tackled Zoe."Loria!" Laila exclaimed, hugging Zoe tightly."I knew you'd win! I knew it; I knew it from the start!" Laila kept patting Zoe on the back, and Zoe found herself crying again.Laila might be loud and overly eager to share her feelings, but her enthusiasm was infectious. Zoe never felt anything but joy when she was with Laila. Zoe was so grateful for that."Thank you, thank you for everything," Zoe murmured, patting Laila's back."And you always cry so easily,"
"I came because I received an invitation," said Wolf.He did indeed receive an invitation, but he requested the producer not to show his face on camera. His presence was not a secret, but neither was it known to the audience."But you came because you were interested in the singer, right? That means there's someone you want to sign now," said Billy. His intention was clear: he wanted to know who Wolf was going to contract."Perhaps, but I don't need to tell you," Wolf replied, his tone growing colder.Contract offers to singers were not a secret, but they also couldn't be disclosed casually. It could be that agencies or label companies would be targeting the same person."I just want to know because, frankly speaking, I'm also interested in Loria. Julio has already accepted my offer earlier, so I want to offer a contract to Loria now," Billy continued politely, but his politeness made Zoe want to throw her drink in Billy's face."Oh, is that so? Well, g
"Are you crazy? How could you? Loria is the main figure of this party! She's the one everyone will be looking for! Where are you planning to take her? How am I supposed to make up excuses?"Jacob panicked, trying to stop Zoe, but he couldn't prevent her from handing her drink to Jacob and leaving the room before anyone noticed."Loria, wait!" Jacob called out in panic while Wolf dragged him away from the door to prevent him from causing a scene over Zoe's departure.Wolf didn't immediately follow. He intentionally paused by Jacob's side to avoid raising suspicion."I've been kind enough to cover up your relationship with her, but please don't make trouble for me. What if someone asks? How am I supposed to answer?" Jacob continued to panic. He was the closest person to Loria, so it was obvious that everyone would ask him about Loria when she'd gone.But Wolf didn't listen to Jacob's complaints anymore, and he approached the main producer of the event, who had invited him, to bid farewe
"We're here."Zoe jolted as Wolf's car came to a stop. She had dozed off and awakened when Wolf stopped the car."Finally." Zoe straightened up and looked around. Wolf had already gotten out and was circling the car to help Zoe out. There was no way she could get out on her own in that dress."Where are we?" Zoe didn't recognize her surroundings. Wolf didn't take her home.They seemed to be in a cabin, clearly outside New York, considering Wolf had been driving for quite some time. And they were likely in the middle of the mountains. It was still early morning, and the day hadn't yet dawned; Zoe could only see rows of trees around her.Since they'd set off, Wolf hadn't answered any questions about their destination."We're in Catskill."Zoe furrowed her brow. She still recognized the name, albeit unfamiliar, and never visited. The mountains are in northern New York, but not as far as Vermont, Zoe's hometown."We're here because I chose a place better than the Statue of Liberty to visi
"You know?!" Wolf jolted and stood up from his knees with a shocked expression, but then panicked."Get back down on your knees. You're not finished," Zoe calmly requested, pulling Wolf's jacket to make him kneel again.Even though the romantic atmosphere had been ruined, Zoe wouldn't let Wolf leave until the ring in the box transferred to her finger. There had to be some semblance of truth for the preparations with the lanterns and candles not to go to waste."You knew from... Jacob! I'll kill him! Just watch...""Don't, because what he did was right." Zoe silenced Wolf's lips, then caressed his face as he looked up at her, still visibly annoyed.Zoe smoothed out the furrow in Wolf's brow, making him relax more."If I hadn't known that song was yours, I wouldn't have stayed to hear your explanation about Emily and your life. That fact is what made me stay, because I know your feelings for me."The tense body began to relax slowly, and Wolf could only scoff afterward. He couldn't be a
"Zoe..."Wolf murmured. He knew what Zoe was going to do, yet he still wasn't prepared when it happened. Too enjoyable. It took a moment for Wolf to be able to celebrate his 'victory.'"I guess this means I win," whispered Wolf, bending down and caressing Zoe's neck, now very red with her nose.Zoe sighed, gripping Wolf's hair. No longer denying that she was too easy to give in."But you're not alone; I'm too easy to want you." Wolf gave a small lick to Zoe's lips before devouring them roughly.Wolf wasn't just celebrating his own victory. He admitted the same thing. Wolf usually wasn't too interested in enjoying a woman for a second time—he got bored easily. That's why Tiana always provided him with a new woman every time he came to Rainbow Wings. But Zoe made him stay.Setting aside any drama between them, Wolf would easily admit that Zoe's body made him want to come back."You never bore me, Zoe. Everything...""Ah!" Zoe gasped as Wolf squeezed her too hard. The troublesome dress s
"Here." Zoe gave Wolf the bathrobe she'd found in the room. She couldn't find any clothes, only the bathrobe.Wolf took the bathrobe and put it on without speaking. And that surprised Zoe. She wondered why Wolf accepted it without protesting or teasing.Wolf rarely misses the opportunity to tease her. He would say he didn't need clothes and would wait for Zoe to insist—or, ultimately, for Zoe to put the bathrobe on him. Wolf felt out of place, going against what was considered normal."Here." Wolf placed bacon and eggs on the table and then sat down to eat.Another oddity is that Wolf would typically ask her to sit, and then they would start eating together."We'll head back to New York after breakfast," Wolf said. Even though it was very late, the food remained breakfast.But Zoe didn't care about that mistake; she was more concerned with the suddenly changed plan. Even though they mostly "worked" in silence, given Wolf's previous attitude, they shouldn't be in a hurry to return."Is
Max's message overshadowed Wolf's, compelling her to read it first.[Morning, sorry for messaging at an unusual time. I wanted this message for you to read when you first wake up. You must be so busy that you couldn't answer calls or read my messages since yesterday afternoon. If you're not too busy later in the day, can we meet? I want to congratulate you on your victory]An unimportant message. Zoe ignored it and read Wolf's response.[Offfice]A typo, but Zoe understood. Wolf said he was at the office. Out of three questions Zoe asked, Wolf only answered one.Disappointment made Zoe feel weak again, and she lay down on the carpet. The response meant nothing to her. Not addressing the most important matter.Zoe then closed her eyes, trying to remember the details of what actually happened in that cabin. Was she doing something to offend Wolf, or what?Zoe remembered that she only mentioned their cheap, precious kiss before Wolf left. And at that time, everything was fine. Wolf was s