THIS was the same paradise where I saw Ash. The gigantic trees were swaying in the air as if weing my presence. Therge water fountain in the middle of the ce seemed to move in harmony with the dancing trees, apanied by the cool breeze that felt like an embrace, easing my feelings.


    To be honest, I don''t feel that bad. Maybe my heart has gotten used to it because this isn''t the first time it happened to my family... but sometimes, my heart hurts because it feels so numb.


    I can''t feel anything and it frustrates me. I want to feel something, but I can''t tolerate pain, like a broken flower vase held together by glue and tape.


    "Wow..."


    My thoughts faded as the lights flickered before giving a steady glow. It was breathtaking. It was like a scene from a movie, but I didn''t expect to experience it here, even in this way.


    I didn''t know if this was a new park or just undiscovered by people because it was in a secluded area, but I was d to be the first to discover this ce.


    Oh, right. I''m not the first person. It was Ash.


    I smiled when I saw a table on the side. It''s like the park owner knew I''d be studying here, huh?


    I was supposed to study at home, but I was afraid... not of my father, but of myself. With so much anger bottled up inside me, I didn''t know what I might do if Ipletely lost control.


    "It''s time to focus, Sapphire," I mumbled as I ced my thick ounting books on the table.


    We didn''t have a quiz, but I liked to study in advance. That''s one of the reasons I survived this course. I adjusted quickly and tried to forgive myself every time I failed.


    I was used to being alone, but I felt strange in this ce. Part of me wanted to go home because I felt scared here, but I knew eded to face my fears, so I picked up a book from the table to start reading.


    I hadn''t even begun reading when a man suddenly spoke in front of me.


    "You''re here."


    I looked up to see who it was, and I raised an eyebrow upon seeing it was Ash. He was wearing a ck t-shirt and gray basketball shorts. His hands were in his pockets, and he was looking at me with his sleepy eyes. His hair was messy, like he had just woken up from a peaceful sleep.


    Does he really walk around looking like that?


    Seeing him reminded me of what happened earlier, and I quickly looked away. He, on the other hand, kept staring at me with a confused expression.


    "Why are you blushing?" Ash asked, his brows furrowing.


    "I-I''m... Not..."


    I was about to say those words with conviction, but I trailed off when my gaze moved at the lower part of his body.


    The outline of that thing was very visible through his shorts, and being so close to him, I could see how big it was. I gulped at the thought. How does it even fit? "Damn," I heard Ash cursed andughed softly.


    I blinked my eyes twice, being knocked into my senses, as I looked up at his face. "What are youughing about?"


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    "This isn''t my dick, Sapphire, if that''s what you are thinking about," he said, pulling a canned coffee from his pocket, making the bulge disappear from his shorts. "I was nning to give you this, but I guess you needed something hotter than this, huh?"


    "Pervert." I rolled my eyes.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Really? Coming from you, who was just checking my dick out earlier?"


    My cheeks flushed upon hearing those words, making him chuckle. He seemed to enjoy my reaction. Ash even grinned as he yed with his lower lip using his right hand. The excitement in his eyes made me think he was enjoying teasing me. Goodness. What... is wrong with you, Sapphire?


    "Here. Take it," Ash said, handing me the canned coffee. "This will help you stimte your energy while reviewing. Just don''t think of it asing from me if it bothers you."


    I scoffed at him before taking it. His course is also difficult. Maybe we have the same study routine-drinking coffee to stay awake while reading.


    "Thank you." That was all I could say before opening the coffee and drinking it.


    "I don''t intend to interrupt your study. I know how hard your course is," he said, sitting in a chair a bit away from me and taking out his phone. "So, continue what you''re doing... like I''m not here."


    I nodded and followed his suggestion. I had no intention of talking to him, either.


    True to his word, he didn''t talk to me while I was reviewing. I asionally felt him looking at me, but he never tried to speak because he saw I was busy.


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    And it was strange.


    I knew what he did with different women, especially in dark ces like this. He was fucking them like he owned them and could take them whenever and wherever he wanted... but why did I feel peaceful with him now?


    He brings mefort just by being here beside me, and that was strange.


    "ARE YOU not going home yet?" asked Ash, causing me to look at him.


    "What?" I asked, my brows furrowed as I stared at him with a questioning look. "I thought you are not going to talk to me until I finish reviewing, so why are you talking to me now?"


    And not just that, it seemed like he wanted me to go home. He''s acting like this ce is his property to tell me to go home indirectly.


    "I still need to read thest page," I said, pointing at my book. I was still holding my orange highlighter in my right hand because I prefer to highlight key terms in my book to help me remember them. "I will just finish this one and I''ll go." "Alright." Ash nodded.


    A few minutester, I had already finished the book. But I still don''t want to go home. If only I can sleep here, I will dly do it. It seems like Ash noticed it as well, so he looked at his wristwatch before returning his gaze to me. "It''ste. Are you nning to stay here until morning? You have an early ss tomorrow, and your brain is already tired," he said, ncing at my hands rubbing to my shoulders to create heat. "You should get some rest, at least." "How did you know my-"


    I didn''t finish my question when I remembered that his friend''s sibling was my ssmate. Maybe they''re close enough that he knows his friend''s sister''s school schedule... or maybe he was trying to hit on her, too? "W-What are you doing?" I asked, the confusion evident on my face as I saw him take off his shirt.