I WISH I HAD A HAPPY ENDING TOO

Chapter 6:

"Hey, sleepyhead. Wake up," a familiar voice murmured, followed by a gentle pat on my cheek.

I let out a low groan, signaling that my consciousness was starting to return, though my body still felt incredibly heavy with sleep. Then, the delicious aroma of food drifted to my nose.

Wait, I'm lying down... it's impossible to smell freshly cooked food inside a bedroom—unless...

"Good morning, Darling. I cooked you some special porridge for your hangover," Sutehan said.

Boom. My eyes instantly snapped open. I slowly turned my gaze toward the man sitting on the edge of the red bed I was lying on. He was looking down at me with a broad, teasing grin. He seemed absolutely thrilled to see me looking like a complete mess!

"AHHH! Oh my god!!" I shrieked, instantly scrambling up. I covered my face with both hands to hide my disastrous morning look and dashed straight into the en-suite bathroom.

I could hear him calling after me, his voice laced with laughter, but I completely ignored him. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole the moment I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror, my hair was a tangled bird's nest and my face was entirely unpresentable.

As I brushed my teeth, staring blankly into the mirror, my world suddenly came to a screeching halt.

I noticed something strange—it’s already my second day here in his home, yet I haven’t seen a single trace of Ashika. If she’s his wife, why aren't there any photos of them hanging on the walls? And if this is supposed to be her room, why does it feel like she doesn’t exist here? There isn’t a single picture, not even a shadow of her presence... it’s all so weird.

My thoughts were interrupted when my eyes darted down to the red lingerie I was wearing. I tried to focus—what did I remember from last night? I had fallen asleep like a log!

Why am I wearing something completely different?!

I swallowed hard as panic began to settle in. Please tell me I didn't hit on Boss Sutehan last night. Oh no, I'm a goner. How am I supposed to face him now?

Wait, calm down, Megumi. You can just act like you don't know anything. Because technically, I really don't remember...

Flashback

"Where do you want me to drop you off? At your place?" Sutehan asked, carefully adjusting my posture as I slumped in the passenger seat of his gray BMW.

The person in question was clearly trying to sleep, yet he kept waking me up with these questions. I simply shook my head with my eyes closed. He let out a heavy sigh before starting the engine.

"Why do you even drink alone? If I hadn't been there tonight, who knows what would have happened to you? You know you can always tell me if you have a problem—"

He kept rambling on, but his words started turning into a blur. I kept my eyes tightly shut, pretending to be fast asleep. I knew that if he realized I was conscious, I would be subjected to an even longer lecture. He was turning out to be harsher than my own aunties when it came to scolding me.

After a long drive, I opened my eyes slightly when I felt him leave the driver's seat and walk over to my side to open the door.

"I'll carry you inside," he announced softly.

My eyes kept blinking open and shut as I stared at him. True to his word, he scooped me up in his arms, carrying me as if we were newlyweds fresh off a wedding ceremony.

Me? Getting married? To him? What a beautiful dream. I giggled softly at the ridiculous thought.

"Are you fantasizing about me in your head right now? Don't do it just yet, I'm still a virgin," he suddenly blurted out, making me wince.

"Assuming," I muttered, tightening my grip as I wrapped both arms around his neck, looking around his massive mansion.

Yes, here I was again, becoming a regular guest at his house. The moment he unlocked the door to the red-themed bedroom, the exact same room I had slept in previously, I spoke up before he could even lay me down on the mattress.

"Just put me down on the floor. Don't put me on the bed or the couch. I might get it dirty."

He suddenly froze in his tracks and stared at me in confusion. It was the closest we had ever been, at this distance, I couldn't help but notice every perfect angle of his face. His eyes seemed painted by an expert, deep, captivating, and framed by lashes that appeared to dance under the light. His crimson lips, which always looked naturally ready to utter words that would quicken my heartbeat, were mesmerizing up close. Every detail of him seemed flawless, a masterpiece that I couldn't stop gazing at, even though I knew it was slowly crumbling right before me, our eyes locking instantly, before his gaze drifted down toward my lips and then quickly snapped away.

"Why? Are you planning to go swimming on the floor?"

"No! Of course not!" I replied, flushing with embarrassment. "It's just that... I hate lying down on a couch, and especially on a bed, while wearing my outdoor clothes."

Whenever I used to get completely wasted back then and couldn't manage to change my clothes, I would just sleep right on the floor of the bedroom I shared with Vin. I only ever drank and went out to bars when he wasn't around—usually when he was off handling business with Furanshin. Vin had taken over the management of their family farm, constantly looking for buyers for their livestock, poultry, and harvested fruits like apples, oranges, and lanzones.

Furanshin was always by his side when it came to managing the farm because she had graduated with a degree in Agriculture. She knew everything about animals, fruits, and plants. On the other hand, my major back then was Business, so I knew absolutely nothing about farming. I could have been a huge help to their business, but Tita Gina, his mother, didn't trust me and didn't like me at all. I guess that was why his parents highly favored Furanshin over me to be their son's partner. Aside from being useful to their business, she also came from a happy, complete family that they had known for a long time.

"Ah, I see... do you want me to help you take off your clothes then?" he asked, his voice suddenly turning hoarse, leaving my mouth agape in shock.

Seriously? Is he not using his brain?

"And then you're going to see me naked," I remarked dryly, causing him to squeeze his eyes shut in sudden realization.

He quickly adjusted the red blanket on the bed and carefully set me down over it.

"Wait here, I'll find something for you to change into. I won't let you sleep on the floor. It's cold and it's not good for your health," he said, sounding so much like an anxious mother that I couldn't help but chuckle.