Evan slowly opened his eyes, feeling his body lighter than usual. No fatigue, no burden. Just a peace that was hard to explain.
Once fully conscious, his gaze landed on the figure beside him. Michelle.
She was still sleeping soundly, her face peaceful under the morning light filtering through the curtain cracks. Her breathing was steady, her chest rising and falling slowly, while her hand still held Evan's arm, as if unwilling to let go.
Evan looked at her without saying a word.
He had been with many women before, but none had made him feel like this. None had given him such a calm feeling.
His hand moved on its own, tucking some of Michelle's messy hair behind her ear. She murmured softly and snuggled deeper into his embrace.
Evan chuckled quietly.
For the first time in a long while, he felt... comfortable.
He pulled Michelle closer, kissed the top of her head, then closed his eyes again.
At least for this morning, he wanted to savor the moment a little longer.
Suddenly, Evan startled, the calm feeling evaporating immediately. His hand gripped his phone tighter as he reread the message, making sure he wasn't mistaken.
"Van, help! Michelle has been missing all night with no news. Aunt Mirna has contacted her friends, but no one knows."
Damn.
So her parents didn't know Michelle was with him?
Evan glanced sideways at Michelle still asleep in his arms. Her peaceful face contrasted with Evan's racing heartbeat.
This wasn't a trivial matter. If her parents were panicking enough to call around, then this was serious.
Without hesitation, Evan gently tickled Michelle's waist.
"Michelle, wake up."
Michelle groaned softly, stretched, then half-opened her eyes, still groggy.
"Hmm?"
"Your parents are looking for you," Evan said with a more serious tone than usual. "They don't know you're here."
Michelle blinked several times, her brain clearly trying to catch up. But seeing Evan's expression, she immediately sat up.
"Huh? Seriously?"
Evan showed her the message from her mom. Michelle covered her mouth, her face instantly pale.
"Oh my… I forgot to give news!"
Evan snorted. "Great job, Chel. Now your mom's panicking."
Michelle hurriedly grabbed her phone from the bedside table and saw dozens of missed calls. Without thinking twice, she dialed her mom's number.
Evan sighed deeply, leaning back against the headboard.
Michelle tried to calm her mom on the phone, while Evan just stared at the ceiling, his mind drifting.
This was just the first morning, and already there was drama.
But somehow, compared to other dramas in his life…
This one felt different. Felt more real.
Evan looked at Michelle, still busy on the phone, her expression half frantic.
"Yes, Mom! Sorry, I fell asleep… yes, I'm safe… oh my, I really forgot to give news…"
Evan grinned slightly. Forgot? Well, considering how busy they were last night, he wasn't surprised Michelle really forgot.
"No! I wasn't kidnapped! Who said I was kidnapped?! Mom—"
Evan stifled a laugh. Now he could picture Aunt Mirna imagining her daughter being kidnapped by some mafia or something.
Michelle glanced at Evan briefly, clearly frustrated, then refocused on the call.
"I'll come home later, okay… yes, yes, sorry… I'm hanging up now."
When the call ended, Michelle collapsed back on the bed with a long sigh.
"Oh God, so embarrassing!"
Evan chuckled. "What, got a lifetime sentence?"
Michelle groaned. "No. But I have to go home now before Mom panics more."
Evan nodded, still smiling. But just as Michelle was about to get out of bed, he grabbed her hand, pulling her back into his embrace.
"Van! I have to go home!"
"Just five more minutes," Evan murmured casually. "We haven't really enjoyed this morning yet."
Michelle glared. "Because of you, I forgot to give news!"
"Because of me? I don't mind if you forget the outside world for one night."
Michelle lightly punched his shoulder in annoyance. "Enough! I really have to go!"
Evan finally let go, still wearing a satisfied smile.
"Alright, Miss Good Girl. See you later."
Michelle snorted before quickly tidying herself and leaving Evan's apartment.
As soon as the door closed, Evan lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
First morning, and already like this.
But he couldn't suppress the small smile spreading on his face.
Michelle was standing in front of the mirror, fixing her still slightly messy hair. Seeing Evan still relaxed on the bed with his hands behind his head, she pursed her lips.
"Don't stare," she grumbled while adjusting her clothes.
Evan just raised an eyebrow. "Too late. I've seen everything since last night."
Michelle threw a pillow at him, which Evan caught easily. She hurriedly grabbed her bag, preparing to leave.
As she walked toward the door, Evan's voice stopped her.
"Want me to take you home?"
Michelle turned, slightly surprised. Evan didn't seem like the type who bothered with things like that.
"No need," Michelle replied quickly, looking at him suspiciously. "I can go home by myself."
Evan squinted, then got off the bed. He walked toward Michelle with a casual step, then placed one hand on the wall, cornering her.
"Are you sure?" he asked teasingly.
Michelle swallowed. They were too close.
"Y-yes," she said, trying to keep her face from blushing again. "You really don't have to bother, seriously."
Evan looked at her for a moment, then smiled softly.
"Okay. But next time if you stay over again, tell your mom first. I don't want to be suspected as a kidnapper."
Michelle glared. "There won't be a 'next time'!"
Evan chuckled. "We'll see."
Michelle just snorted in frustration before quickly leaving. But as soon as the door shut, she found herself smiling faintly.
Meanwhile, Evan just stood behind the door, still chuckling quietly.
"It's funny how Michelle panics like that," he murmured.
Michelle had just reached for the door handle when Evan's voice stopped her.
"Want to say you're staying over?" he asked casually, arms still crossed over his chest.
Michelle paused for a moment. She glanced at her phone, with dozens of messages from her mom she hadn't fully replied to.
She had explained she was okay, but if her mom asked where she was all night… well, she wasn't very good at lying.
She slowly turned to Evan, who was now leaning against the wall with a teasing expression.
"If I say 'at a friend's place,' would that pass?" Michelle muttered mostly to herself.
Evan grinned. "Depends. Am I a boyfriend or just a friend to your mom?"
Michelle snorted, then squinted her eyes. "What's wrong with you? Why do you enjoy it so much when I panic like this?"
Evan shrugged. "It's just funny seeing you flustered."
Michelle rolled her eyes, then finally sighed deeply.
"Alright, fine. I'll be honest," she said at last. "If I get scolded to death, it's your fault!"
Evan just chuckled as Michelle finally left his apartment.
Once the door closed, Evan leaned against the wall and sighed softly.
Damn.
He really enjoyed this.
Michelle had just arrived home when her mother, Aunt Mirna, was already standing at the door with arms crossed.
"Michelle."
Michelle gave an awkward smile. "Sorry, Mom. I forgot to give news."
Aunt Mirna didn't reply immediately. Her eyes narrowed, examining her daughter from head to toe, as if searching for signs of something.
"Where have you been?"
Michelle swallowed. "At Evan's apartment."
Aunt Mirna sighed deeply, but instead of getting angry, her expression was... calm?
"Hmmm."
Michelle waited. Her mom didn't immediately scold her as she had expected, and that made her a bit uneasy.
"Did you sleep there?"
Michelle nodded slowly. "Yes…"
Aunt Mirna kept watching her daughter, then suddenly asked, "Did he take good care of you?"
Michelle was stunned. "Eh?"
"Evan. Is he responsible?"
Michelle blinked a few times, surprised by the question.
"Yes, Mom… Evan's good."
Aunt Mirna sighed softly and finally smiled faintly. "Alright then."
Michelle was more confused. "So… Mom's not mad?"
Aunt Mirna looked at her patiently. "Mom trusts you, Chel. And honestly… Mom actually likes Evan."
Michelle immediately rolled her eyes. "Oh, no."
Aunt Mirna chuckled. "He's a good kid, Chel. And he works hard too. I've seen how he behaves in front of your Dad and Uncle William."
Michelle sighed. "Oh my God, Mom. This is so weird."
Aunt Mirna smiled meaningfully. "Not weird. I'm just saying, if you're serious about him… I approve."