The couple's moaning was heard again.
"Um… just ignore them, pretend you didn't hear anything," he muttered softly, his face flushed red.
I shook my head, trying to hold back the turmoil rising in my chest.
"Go into your room and sleep," he said.
But I didn't think I wanted to sleep that night.
You had opened my bedroom door, told me to go in.
But instead… I blocked the door you were about to close after gently guiding me inside.
I didn't want to be alone without you.
I ignored your request—because I wanted to follow my heart.
I stood in front of the half-open door.
He stood too, silent.
We faced each other in the gap of the door.
"It's late. Someone might see you here and worry. Go to sleep," he repeated.
I shook my head again, refusing.
In one swift motion, I grabbed his arm.
I didn't know what he was about to say, but I didn't care.
No one would see us, right?
No one would ask or wonder why a girl like me was standing outside her room with a guy in the middle of the night.
I quickly shut the door.
Now, this door was a barrier. If anyone walked by, they wouldn't see us.
He stood still.
So did I.
The room's atmosphere shifted—something felt different.
We faced each other in silence, wrapped in awkward tension.
**Very awkward.**
From the next room, the couple's voices grew louder again.
It sounded like they were kissing… or maybe something more.
The sounds were clear—too clear.
I bit my lip to keep from laughing, my face growing warmer by the second.
**Again. Their voices!**
Over and over.
Why were the walls so thin?
Every sound reached our ears so clearly.
Their moans sent goosebumps across my skin.
My blood felt hot—**boiling**.
And then… there was him.
The young man standing right in front of me.
It felt like we were listening to an adult film—together.
Awkward wasn't even the word.
The room had an AC, but why did it feel so hot?
Why was my body burning?
"I—I'm Mario. She… she…" he scratched the back of his neck, nervously.
"I mean, her name is Sofia… she's my cousin… she—ah!"
He looked frustrated, clearly struggling to explain.
Mario tried to hide his face—he was already too embarrassed. His body stiff, movements awkward.
His flustered attitude made me smile.
The way he stammered—I understood.
He was trying to calm himself down, just as nervous as I was.
He noticed the smile on my lips.
The atmosphere slowly shifted—becoming warmer, softer.
His eyes began to meet mine.
He inched closer.
With his body slightly bent, he reached toward my shoulder-length hair.
His fingers combed through it gently.
Soft. Warm.
The touch reached my chest, sending waves of emotion through me.
My heart raced.
**Faster. And faster.**
My face tensed.
The room felt hotter.
**What are you doing to me?**
I watched his fingers stroking my hair, silently cursing how easy it was for him to shake my heart.
I tilted my head, raising my eyes to look at him.
He was tall—much taller than me.
I was nervous.
But I still wanted to see his face.
He was so handsome.
His jet-black hair. His sharp eyes. His red lips. His pointed nose.
**Charming. Completely.**
His eyes locked with mine.
I could feel his breath brushing against my skin.
Our faces… getting closer.
His warm, heavy breath danced across my cheek.
"I—I feel… I want you tonight, Bey," he said softly.
He whispered my name.
His face flushed.
His lips parted slightly.
That voice—it tickled my ears.
His hand reached my neck, brushing the skin behind my ear.
His warmth spread across my body.
His touch sent a violent ripple through my already-burning blood.
His nose touched mine.
His breath grew warmer—more unsteady.
I couldn't hold myself back.
His face was too close.
My eyes locked onto his parted lips.
So pink. So soft. So inviting.
I tightened my grip on his wrist.
He stopped combing my hair.
His eyes stared into mine—sharp and intense.
But I couldn't meet his gaze.
My eyes dropped, tracing the strong lines of his neck.
His lips trembled.
I couldn't breathe right.
And neither could he.
I tiptoed.
Our breaths collided.
And then—
**I felt his lips.**
His warmth.
His softness.
My blood surged through every inch of my body.
**This feeling… was new.
Beautiful.
Uncontrolled.
Intense.**
The kiss deepened.
Gentle. Exploring.
He tasted me slowly, carefully.
I loved this first kiss.
His lips moved tenderly, slowly parting, making everything feel warm and wet, soft and delicious.
I didn't know what to say.
I just followed the rhythm of his lips—natural, instinctive.
His hand rested on my neck—so warm.
Touching the sensitive skin.
The way his fingers moved—so smooth—made the hairs on my neck rise.
My soul felt like it was flying.
Slowly, I opened my eyes.
His face was still close.
His lips parted, holding back a small laugh.
I smiled.
His hands caressed my cheeks—then pinched them gently with affection.
"I like you, Bey," he whispered.
"I'm in love with you."
**You made my heart leap.**
I wanted to scream.
To jump.
**"Me too,"** I replied quickly, without hesitation.
I didn't fully know him yet—
But I believed what I felt.
A love I couldn't control.
A feeling that made my chest tight.
That made me lose control.
**I like you. I've been in love with you since that day… the day I saw you for the first time.**
Mario gently lifted my hair, revealing my shoulder.
He placed soft kisses along my shoulder blades.
Warm. Wet. Slow.
I bit my lip, holding back a sigh.
I didn't want to sound like the couple in the next room.
His lips on my skin made my legs feel weak.
He led me to the sofa.
I followed.
I tilted my head, giving him space.
He continued kissing my neck—slowly, carefully, endlessly.
**That feeling… that strange, dizzying taste.**
His lips moved to my earlobe—so soft it was almost ticklish.
My heart swayed wildly.
I couldn't resist.
His lips were addictive.
I pulled my head back slightly, stopping him.
He looked into my face, flushed and shy.
"Why?" he whispered.
His low voice pierced my ears, sending tingles down my spine.
I couldn't answer.
Only smiled shyly.
**His touch, his kiss, his voice—everything was destroying me.**
And I loved it.
He embraced me.
Held me tightly.
I patted his back softly in return.
You made me fly.
You made me lose control.
**Was this love?**
**Love at first sight?**
I didn't want you to leave me.
I'd fallen too hard for you, Mario.
So hard that my mind felt hazy—knocked out by our fiery kiss.
"I like you, Bey," he repeated, voice blurry, trembling.
"I can't help myself when I see you…"
Mario stretched his arms slightly to look into my face.
His cheeks were flushed—his expression changed.
That dreamy look from before faded.
Replaced with… something cold.
He looked sad.
**Why?**
Why did his face change so suddenly?
I stayed quiet, watching him.
He seemed to hold something back.
Something he wasn't saying.
His expression didn't match mine anymore.
He looked distant—different from earlier.
Then—
He got up.
He turned away from me.
He reached for his backpack placed beside the sofa.
**01:00 AM that night.**
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