Chapter 5.1.2 

Whether he wanted to or not, Michael would think of her often throughout his life. He would see Andrea’s shadow in someone else’s face—a habit of walking silently on tiptoes, or the faint lavender scent that lingered in damp hair. 

Just as he had felt her absence when he looked at the empty space in front of the pillar, these trivial clues would make him realize that she had become a part of his past.

‘A part of the past…’

His chest tightened again. He couldn’t understand why his thoughts kept drifting in that direction. It was unlike Michael, who had always lived in the present and enjoyed it to the fullest.

Just then—

“Ah!”

Michael drew a sharp breath as her hand suddenly wrapped around him below. The unexpected stimulation struck him with multiplied intensity, scattering the thoughts that had filled his mind. All his focus seemed to explode toward the swelling heat in his lower body.

It was a rather playful provocation. Michael met Andrea’s gaze and let out a faint chuckle.

“…Haah, let’d do it together.”

Michael placed his hand over Andrea’s. Her small hand, too small to fully grasp him, was completely covered by his large, firm one. Intertwining their fingers, Michael guided her, stroking himself with deliberate pressure.

Up and down, from the tip to the base, their hands moved in unison. The slick fluid of his arousal began to moisten their once-dry fingers, seeping between them. Yet neither of them felt any discomfort, fully consumed by the moment.

Just a little more. Just a little further.

Michael’s breathing grew heavier. The veins bulging on his neck signaled how close he was to the peak. Locked in each other’s gaze, their hands quickened their pace, and Michael’s abdomen rose and fell sharply, the muscles of his torso standing out more prominently.

And then, in the next instant—

“Ugh!”

Thick, white fluid burst forth, splattering across Andrea’s bare chest. His throbbing length twitched uncontrollably, releasing the viscous substance in waves. Michael trembled as he closed his eyes tightly, savoring the lingering sensation of his climax.

The world, which had momentarily paused, resumed its motion. Sounds that had been muffled, as though underwater, returned to his ears. Blink, blink. As his vision cleared, Andrea’s face filled his view. Her flushed face, panting softly from the heat, was speckled with faint traces of his release.

“Ah, damn.”

Startled, Michael quickly reached out to her face.

“I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

“I promised I’d never let this happen…”

Unlike Michael, who looked pale with guilt, Andrea remained calm. She quietly allowed him to wipe her face as she replied,

“It’s fine.”

“I’m not fine.”

Michael pressed her cheek lightly with his finger before lowering his gaze. On her smooth, rounded chest, his remnants clung like half-melted cream. Michael let out a long sigh. While the traces on her face could be wiped away easily, her chest and thighs were an absolute mess.

‘So much…’

Deciding it would be better to wash her clean, Michael lifted Andrea into his arms. Her slender frame offered no resistance as he carried her effortlessly.

Crossing the room, Michael asked her,

“Have you lost weight?”

“Have I?”

“Yeah. You seem thinner lately. Are you eating properly?”

Michael’s gaze drifted to her dangling legs. Her ankles, which looked thinner than his wrists, caught his attention. She had always been petite, but he remembered her cheeks and thighs once being soft and full.

Andrea curled her shoulders slightly and asked hesitantly,

“…Does it look bad?”

“Why would you say that?”

Michael frowned slightly as he replied,

“Of course not.”

After dismissing the maidservants, Michael entered the bathroom, pushing through the faint, misty steam. Striding across the room, he carefully set Andrea down in the bathtub. The pleasantly warm water enveloped both her and his skin.

The wooden tub was a little too small for two people. As he watched the water ripple and lap against the edges, Michael clicked his tongue silently. If he joined her, the water would surely overflow and spill onto the floor. He regretted not having prepared a larger tub in advance.

Resolving to stay out, Michael plopped down on the floor beside the tub. Resting his arms on the edge, he gazed at Andrea, who lay submerged in the warm water. She crossed her arms over her chest and pressed her thighs tightly together, clearly embarrassed. Yet she didn’t avoid his gaze, which Michael found endearing.

“Why are you covering up? You look fine.”

Michael wet his hand and flicked water droplets at Andrea’s face, grinning. Even such a small, playful act made Andrea laugh out loud like a young girl. Her eyes curved into crescents, then narrowed to slivers like a crescent moon.

As he watched her hurriedly wipe her face with delicate fingers, Michael suddenly realized something. His expression turned blank with shock as he murmured,

“Come to think of it, we’ve never had a meal together.”

Pause.

Andrea’s hand, which was about to pour warm water over his shoulder, froze mid-air. Her lips moved slightly as she hesitated before replying in a small voice.

“I already ate earlier. Some fruit and…”

“Not that. A proper meal.”

Michael roughly ran his hand over his face.

“We’ve never eaten outside.”

“…”

“And of course, we’ve never gone on a trip either.”

It felt as though someone had struck him hard on the back of his head. Michael thought he had shared plenty of memories with Andrea, but in hindsight, most of those memories had been confined to a small room. Holding her body, eating simple sweets on the bed, or having trivial conversations on the terrace—that was all. The excuse of avoiding others’ eyes was far from sufficient.

Impulsively, Michael spoke.

“Next time…”

He met Andrea’s gaze and asked,

“Shall we meet outside?”

Andrea’s eyes widened at his unexpected suggestion. She remained silent for a moment, as though trying to discern his intentions, before cautiously asking,

“Is there something specific you want to do?”

“Not really.”

Michael tilted his head slightly.

“For now, let’s take a walk together. Somewhere with a nice view.”

“…”

“And then, we’ll eat and drink until we’re full. Whether it’s at a good restaurant or with food we bring ourselves…”

Michael intertwined his fingers with Andrea’s. He toyed with her small, pearl-like nails for a moment before asking for her opinion.

“What do you think?”

“Hm?”

Michael gently shook her hand, urging her to answer. Andrea, who had been staring down at their joined hands, lifted her chin to meet his gaze. In her pale blue eyes, Michael saw joy spreading like ripples. Her lips curved into a soft smile.

“…That sounds good.”

And his heart thudded as if it had collapsed.

* * *

Don’t get excited. Don’t have expectations.

These were the words Andrea chanted like a mantra during the sleepless night before.

‘Why all of a sudden…? You’ve never said anything like this before.’

Recently, Andrea had been preparing for her own form of farewell. To be precise, she was preparing for their inevitable parting.

Andrea didn’t want to leave even the smallest trace of lingering attachment within herself. She didn’t want to regret not having loved more, or not having expressed her feelings enough. When love ended, she wanted nothing to remain but pure memories.

“Rea, why have you been so forward lately? You keep surprising me.”

That was why. Even in small gestures, like placing her hand on his shoulder, Andrea had changed slightly.

Andrea abandoned her shyness and expressed her affection with all her might. She took the initiative to kiss him, ran her hands over his firm chest, and unbuttoned his shirt one by one while subtly pressing against the prominent outline on his thigh.

Watching him react sensitively and lose composure under her touch gave her a strange sense of satisfaction. But what brought her even greater pleasure was the fact that he didn’t reject her.

Andrea was someone who could kiss him, someone who could be held in his arms, someone who could even bite down on the most sensitive part of his body. In those moments of realization, she felt like the closest person to him, filled with a sense of completeness.

On the bed, Michael was always sweet and gentlemanly. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but he had become even more tender since the day she asked him about the “expiration date” of their relationship. It was probably out of guilt. Andrea tried her best not to attach any grand meaning to his kindness.

But now, this ordinary, date-like suggestion…

‘This is going to make me excited for no reason.’

Andrea’s grip on the hem of her dress tightened.

Just then—

“…Andrea?”

“…”

“Andrea.”

Startled, Andrea turned her head at the voice that came from right beside her. Michael, who had climbed into the seat next to her, was looking at her with concern.

“Are you okay? You seem out of it.”

“Oh, I’m fine. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”

“Lost in thought?”

Michael extended his arm out the carriage window to signal, and with a lurch, the carriage began moving forward. Sitting a little closer to her, he asked in a gentle voice,

“What were you thinking about?”

“Well…”

Michael’s face leaned in closer. His vivid green eyes sparkled like jewels in the sunlight. Even at such close range, there wasn’t a single flaw on his face. The small mole beneath his eye only added to his charm, like an accessory.

With his neatly combed hair, Michael exuded a mature and sensual aura. Andrea, who had grown accustomed to seeing him in a more relaxed state, felt her heart race at his polished appearance.

‘I really shouldn’t fall for him any more than I already have…’

Avoiding his gaze, Andrea replied evasively,

“I was just wondering where we’re going today.”