Chapter 4 A Long Night

• Squeak… The sudden contact with icy water caused the young woman to slip and fall backward.
• Amidst her haziness, she flailed in panic, desperately wanting to grab onto anything, and thus, ended up grabbing Isaac's pants inadvertently.
• Isaac hurriedly helped her up slightly stiffly. At the same time, he turned the tap for the cold water to the max, then strode out of the bathroom.
• The booming sound of water came through the bathroom door as Isaac moved to the window, drew open the curtains, and looked at the brightly lit cityscape outside while ruminating.
• Much later…
• "C-Can you bring a towel over for me? My… My clothes are drenched." A pure, bashful, and restrained voice came from inside the bathroom. Judging from her tone, she was much soberer at this point.
• "Huh?" Isaac turned around and gazed across the room before finding them on a rack. He took one and brought it to the young woman.
• "W-Who are you?" The sound of clothes changing came from inside the bathroom, along with the question.
• "I'm just a regular decommissioned soldier," Isaac answered perfunctorily instead of giving away who he truly was.
• "No wonder you're so awesome. T-Thank you. If it weren't for you, That b*stard would've…" The young woman came out of the bathroom as she spoke.
• The bath towel covered up her torso. Her hair was still damp, and there was still a thin layer of water mist enveloping her fair skin. She had a hint of classicality on her stunning face, which was currently rosy. She came out with her head lowered and lip bit, looking somewhat abashed and restrained.
• "Don't worry about it." Isaac took a gander at the young woman and felt a hint of awe and infatuation. But seeing that she was fine now, he stayed no longer and instead made his way to the door.
• "Are… Are you leaving?" she nervously asked as he opened the door to leave.
• Isaac stopped in his tracks and answered indirectly, "The effects of the drug have pretty much worn off. If it relapses, just take another cold shower."
• "Can't you… Can't you stay?" She asked wearily while looking timidly yet longingly at Isaac. "I once heard that Tom's family is influential in Dunrey, and they dabble with some industries in the gray area. I didn't think much of it even when I knew Tom's questionable character, but it's only today that I know how much of a swine he is. I'm worried that… he'll come back for me tonight!"
• At that, she looked pleadingly at this stranger, a man unlike any other she had met in the past. He didn't have even as much as a sliver of desire in his gaze at her.
• Right then, her gaze was one filled with gratitude, implore, and a hint of curiosity.
• Payback? Isaac quirked a brow slightly.
• If Tom's family was really as powerful as this young woman said, then it wouldn't be difficult for them to pull connections and bail Tom out, and once that man was out, it was indeed likely he would come looking for her.
• "Alright, then." Isaac scanned the room and walked toward the couch. "You take the bed; I'll take the couch."
• His words stumped her slightly, and she looked at the six feet long, three feet wide couch before shifting her gaze to the large, comfy bed. She felt somewhat bad about the arrangement, for the man before her eyes was her savior, after all.
• As she blushed, her voice became softer when she spoke up again. "The couch is too small; let's both take the bed. It's big enough, and we'll just sleep on each side."
• "Hmm?" Isaac looked up slightly and glanced at the young woman. "Are you not afraid that I might do something out of line?"
• "N-No. You would've just done it while the philter numbed my senses." She lowered her head, for she could feel her cheeks burning.
• "Why were you in that rich dude's car?" Isaac asked after a slight pause.
• "My name is Fleur Mursell, a freshman at Kingsburg Film Academy. Tom and I used to go to the same high school. I went to attend a reality show the academy assigned to us this morning and bumped into Tom, who I hadn't met for a long time. He invited me to dinner, and I said yes without overthinking. But who'd have thought he would drug my food…" A hint of anger and trauma laced Fleur's face as she explained.
• It had gotten pretty late, and Isaac asked no more questions. Soon, light snoring reverberated around the room.
• On the other side of the bed, Fleur tossed and turned, having trouble sleeping. Why can't I shake off this weird feeling about this guy? Is he really a decommissioned soldier?
• Because of her family, Fleur had experience interacting with decommissioned soldiers. However, the indescribable aura Isaac exuded was one she had never seen on anyone else.
• The young woman tossed and turned further. Before she knew it, she finally fell asleep.
• Minutes later, Isaac's eyes shot wide open amidst the dark. As he stiffened his body covertly, the scary aura on him dispersed at once, and he made a weird gesture with his hand.
• However, the next second, he stopped abruptly, for a soft, delicate, fair arm suddenly reached toward him under the covers.
• Following that, Fleur nestled up against him.
• "No. No. Don't… Ah… Don't leave me. I-I'm scared…"
• Her body was tense and trembling.
• Isaac looked at this callow college girl. He had a vague sense that she was probably having a nightmare and had subconsciously hugged him out of insecurity.
• There weren't any pajamas in the hotel room, and Fleur's clothes were thoroughly soaked during the icy shower. They were yet to dry. Thus, all she had on was a bath towel and her birthday suit now.
• As a member of the Dragon Special Forces, Isaac had to endure various demanding training, so his physical fitness was superb, and his stamina was ten times stronger than most people. The average Joe had nothing on him.
• More than that, because he was in the military, he didn't have time to date and had never experienced the wonder of a woman. As such, this situation was an absolute torment to him.
• "Ugh…" Albeit, he just took a deep breath and, with strong willpower, reached his hand out with difficulty to push Fleur away.