The Next Day in BLUE...
The morning light filtered through the curtains, painting Ember's room in soft hues of gold.
"Get ready, you're late for college," her mother's voice rang from downstairs, firm yet familiar.
Ember groaned, burying her face deeper into the pillow. "I'm not going," she muttered, her voice thick with sleep.
There was a pause. Then, curiosity laced her mother's tone. "Why not?"
"My legs hurt," Ember mumbled, hoping the excuse would be enough.
A sigh followed. "But your exams are coming up, Ember." Concern seeped through her mother's words.
Ember squeezed her eyes shut. "I'll go tomorrow. Just let me sleep." There was a quiet plea in her voice as she tugged the blanket over her head, shutting out the world.
Silence stretched between them before her mother finally relented. "Alright, as you wish. Goodnight."
A soft smile touched Ember's lips. "Goodnight," she whispered, already slipping back into the comforting embrace of sleep.
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When Ember drifted back into sleep, she found herself in city,SHINE.
"What... happened? Why am I here?" she murmured, her gaze sweeping over the familiar surroundings ," don't I sleep at the party".
Then, it hit her. Oh. Now she knew. She was back in her room. Dylan must have brought her here. But something felt off. Her clothes... they were different.
Who changed them?
"Dylan?" she called out, but the silence swallowed her voice. A sudden unease crept over her. She needed to check on him.
Stepping out into the hallway, she noticed the lights were off. For a moment, she had almost forgotten—night existed in this world too.
She reached his room and hesitated at the door. Should she really go in? One step forward, then one step back. Her mind raced.
Okay, I'll just take a quick look, she decided, exhaling softly before pushing the door open. The hinges groaned against the quiet.
There he was.
Dylan lay sprawled across the bed, his posture oddly careless—like someone had simply tossed him there. He must have been utterly exhausted; he hadn't even removed his shoes.
With a gentle sigh, Ember stepped closer, carefully slipping off his shoes, then loosening his tie and removing his coat. Now, he looked more at ease—peaceful, even.
A tired breath escaped her lips. Huff... I'm so exhausted too… I should go back to my room.
Lingering at the doorway, she stole one last glance at him. Something about the way he slept—unguarded, serene—warmed her heart. He looked... cute. Too cute.
A soft smile touched her lips as she whispered, "Goodnight... love you."
Then, on quiet footsteps, she slipped away, leaving the night to embrace them both.
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The Following Morning in city, BLUE...
The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a soft glow across Ember's room. She stretched lazily before rolling out of bed, slipping into the rhythm of her usual routine—eat, study, eat, watch some TV, study again... and finally, sleep.
The day passed in a blur, each action blending into the next, a cycle that felt endless.
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In the Dyan's house city, Shine...
A gentle voice stirred Ember from her sleep.
"Good morning, Ember."
Her eyes fluttered open, expecting to see a familiar face. But something was different. Dylan wasn't there.
A strange emptiness settled in her chest. Every morning, she had grown used to waking up to him. Where is he? she wondered, a pang of disappointment creeping in.
Shaking off the feeling, she freshened up and made her way downstairs.
"Nana..." Ember called softly.
The elderly woman turned with a warm smile. "Come, eat something."
Ember took a seat, picking at her food absentmindedly. "Thank you... Hmm, where's Dylan?"
"He's still sleeping," Nana replied before her eyes twinkled with amusement. "Do you want to know something about Dylan?"
Ember hesitated before nodding. "Yes, tell me."
Nana chuckled. "Every time Dylan comes home after a party, he sleeps late—usually until noon."
Ember raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Oh yes," Nana laughed. "If we don't wake him, he could sleep until night."
Ember hummed thoughtfully, intrigued by this new piece of information.
Nana's expression softened as she continued. "He's such a sweet boy. When I first met him, he was so kind and humble—not just to me but to everyone. When his parents sent him to a foreign school, they followed him after a month because Dylan didn't want to be away from his friends. His parents decided to manage their work from abroad just to stay with him."
A small smile tugged at Ember's lips. She could picture it—Dylan, stubborn yet endearing, refusing to be apart from the people he cared about.
"He can get quite aggressive when someone bullies his friends," Nana added. "Once, he fought for his friend Adrien and got badly injured."
Ember's eyes widened. "Oh! Why did they fight?"
Nana shook her head. "I don't know, but Dylan asked me not to tell his parents. So, I told them he fell down the stairs."
"Oh, I see," Ember murmured before a thought struck her. "Does he have any bad habits?"
Nana smiled knowingly. "No, he doesn't have any bad habits."
"Does he drink?"
Nana hesitated before answering. "He only likes wine, and even then, in moderation. But when he's really upset, he sometimes drinks too much. I've only seen him drunk twice in his life."
Before Ember could respond, a groggy voice drifted from upstairs.
"Nana..."
Nana glanced up. "I think he's waking up. Let me go check."
A spark of excitement flickered in Ember's chest. "Can I go?" she asked, eager to see him.
Nana smiled warmly. "Okay. Take this water for him."
With a soft thank you, Ember took the glass and headed upstairs, anticipation building with each step.
In Dylan's Room
Dylan stirred as Ember stepped inside. His voice was groggy, thick with sleep. "Nana..." he mumbled.
Ember smiled softly, watching him struggle to wake up. "Dylan, open your eyes."
He groaned in protest, turning away. "I'm still sleepy… What time is it? Did she wake up?"
Ember couldn't resist teasing him. "Yes, I'm up," she said with playful exaggeration, "and waiting for you at breakfast. She said if you don't join her, she won't eat."
Dylan's eyes shot open in alarm. "What?"
That was all it took—Ember burst into laughter. "Just kidding! Please forgive me," she giggled, playfully holding her ears in mock apology.
A smirk tugged at Dylan's lips. Without warning, he reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her closer.
Ember's breath hitched. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice caught between surprise and nervous laughter.
His mischievous grin deepened. "A morning kiss," he declared.
Ember scoffed, quickly regaining composure. "In your dreams!" With a firm push, she sent him flopping back onto the bed.
Dylan chuckled, rubbing the back of his head as Ember turned toward the door. "Go freshen up. I'm waiting for you at the breakfast table, and the water is on the side of your bed."
"Okay, okay…" Dylan sighed, stretching lazily as Ember flashed him one last smirk before slipping out of the room.
Ember returned to the dining area, glancing at Nana with a small smile.
"I'm going to study. If Dylan asks, just tell him I've already eaten."
With that, she turned and headed toward her room, ready to lose herself in her books.
Stepping out of the bathroom, Dylan ran a towel through his damp hair, his gaze drifting around the room. His shoes, watch, and coat were neatly placed to the side—something that hadn't been the case last night.
He frowned. I fell asleep wearing them… so who—?
His thoughts were interrupted.
"Butler Feng," Dylan called out.
A moment later, the older man stepped inside. "Morning, sir," Feng greeted with a polite nod.
Dylan sighed. "How many times have I told you not to call me 'sir'?"
Feng chuckled. "Old habits die hard." Then, noticing Dylan's expression, he raised a brow. "Why do you look so curious?"
Dylan crossed his arms. "Did you come into my room last night and put my things away?"
Feng shook his head. "No, but I did see madam enter your room. She came out after a while."
Dylan's brows lifted slightly.
"Hmm... Okay," he muttered, deep in thought. His mind replayed the moment—had Ember really taken care of him while he slept?
A slow smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
A Little Later,
Dylan strolled downstairs, his gaze sweeping the room.
"Nana, morning."
Nana looked up with a warm smile. "Morning," she replied, placing a plate of food in front of him. "Here's your breakfast. I'll tell you where she is once you finish."
Dylan raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. He picked up his fork. "Did she eat?" he asked between bites.
"Yes," Nana nodded. "She waited for you, but you took too long to wake up. I told her you always do that after coming home late."
Dylan sighed. "Nana..."
"Finish your breakfast," she said firmly, giving him a pointed look.
Grumbling under his breath, Dylan continued eating. "Okay... omnomnom..." he mumbled dramatically between mouthfuls.
Nana shook her head, amused. "Slowly…" she cautioned, watching him devour his food.
A moment later, Dylan pushed his plate back with a grin. "I'm done!"
"Good. She's in the study," Nana informed him.
Dylan smirked. "Thanks, Nana."
As he turned to leave, Nana called after him. "Where are you going?"
Without looking back, he chuckled. "You know where."
In the Study
Ember stood in the middle of the study, her gaze fixed on the towering bookshelves.
"Where is that book?" she murmured, her eyes scanning the rows of neatly arranged titles. Finally, she spotted it—the book she was looking for—perched high above her reach.
She sighed. "Oh, it's here... but why is it placed so high?" Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Did Dylan think everyone was as tall as him?"
Huffing in frustration, she stretched up on her toes, reaching for it. No luck. She jumped once, then again, her fingers barely grazing the spine.
"Ugh, it's too high," she grumbled, determined to try again.
On her third attempt, her fingertips managed to nudge the book—but with it came a disaster. The entire row wobbled before multiple books began tumbling toward her.
"Oh no!" she gasped, bracing herself for impact.
Before she could react further, strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her back. A moment later, she was falling—not under the books, but onto something warm and solid.
Or rather... someone.
She blinked, heart hammering against her ribs. Dylan lay beneath her, his arms still loosely holding her in place.
His voice was gentle, laced with concern. "Are you alright?"
Ember swallowed hard, the closeness making her pulse stutter. "Yes… and you?"
Dylan chuckled, a slow, amused grin spreading across his face. "Me too."
Realization struck Ember like a lightning bolt—her hands were firmly planted on his chest. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she scrambled to her feet.
"Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean it…" she stammered, flustered beyond words.
Dylan sat up, his laughter light and teasing. "It's okay. But if you'd gotten buried under those books, people would've laughed at me for letting my girl die under them."
Ember gasped, her lips parting in mock offense. "Dylan!" she pouted, shooting him a playful glare. "How dare you say that!"
Dylan only smirked, thoroughly enjoying her reaction.
Dylan grinned, raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. Stop making that face. I won't say it again."
Ember, still pouting, crossed her arms.
Dylan say ,"But why didn't you use a ladder to get the book?" Dylan arched a brow and motioned toward the corner of the room. "Ladder? Right there."
Ember groaned. "Ugh. You're so tall you probably never even need to use it.so thought …"
Dylan chuckled, his deep laughter filling the space. "Ember…"
She giggled in response, the tension between them melting away. "Hahaha!"
His expression softened as he watched her. "Why are you up so early, studying?"
Ember let out a long sigh. "I have exams in few days, and I'm so stressed. I don't know what to do!"
Dylan smiled reassuringly. "It's just an exam."
Ember gasped, staring at him in disbelief. "Just an exam? Do you even know what happens when I see the questions? Every single answer I've learned just vanishes from my mind. It's terrifying!"
Dylan took a step closer, his voice calm and steady. "Don't stress. I'll help you."
Her eyes lit up with hope. "Really?"
"Of course," he said with quiet confidence. "Which year are you in?"
"First year," Ember replied.
Dylan smirked. "Well, I'm in my final year. I can definitely help you." He pulled up a chair and gestured toward it. "Come sit down, Ember."
She hesitated for a moment before finally sitting.
Dylan leaned in slightly, a teasing glint in his eyes. "So, what's my fee for helping you?"
Ember tilted her head, intrigued. "What do you want?"
A slow, mischievous smile curved on Dylan's lips as he whispered, "I want you."
Ember's eyes widened as she quickly stood, her heart racing. "You... Dylan…?"
Dylan leaned forward, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Don't you understand? Let me make it clear."
Before she could react, he stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, backing her against the wall.
Ember's breath hitched. "W-what are you doing?"
Dylan's gaze held hers, intense yet playful. "I want you to come with me to Country T" he said, his voice deep and smooth. "To celebrate emir's birthday."
Ember blinked, her mind scrambling to process his words. "That's what you meant?" she stammered.
Dylan's smirk deepened, clearly enjoying her flustered state. "What did you think I meant?"
"Nothing!" Ember blurted, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Dylan tilted his head, mischief dancing in his eyes. "You're blushing, Ember. What exactly were you thinking?"
"N-nothing!" she exclaimed, her hands waving frantically. "I... I need to go to the bathroom!" She spun around and darted out of the study, desperate to escape.
Dylan chuckled, watching her retreat. His voice carried after her, laced with amusement. "She looks too attractive when she blushes."
In the Bathroom
Ember leaned over the sink, splashing cold water on her face. "What am I even thinking?" she muttered, frustrated with herself. "First, he says he wants me, and then my heart starts racing like crazy!"
She placed a hand over her chest, feeling the rapid pounding beneath her palm. "What's happening to me?"
Staring at her reflection, she groaned. Her cheeks were still flushed, a clear betrayal of her emotions. "Ahh! Why am I thinking such... naughty things?" She shook her head, trying to snap herself out of it.
"Focus on your studies, Ember. You've got this!" she told herself firmly before taking a deep breath and heading back to the study.
Ember returned, still trying to steady her nerves. Dylan glanced up from his chair, an amused smirk playing on his lips. "You made a mess of my study, you know."
She sighed. "Sorry about that…"
Dylan stretched lazily before standing. "Tell me about your schedule. I'll make a study timetable for you."
"Okay…" Ember agreed, grateful for the distraction.
"Let's go outside to the garden," Dylan suggested.
Ember frowned. "Why?"
Dylan shrugged. "I can't study in a messy room."
A soft chuckle escaped her lips. "Sorry for that."
Dylan gave her a knowing look. "Next time, when you enter any situation, use your brain." His tone was playful, but there was a hint of teasing authority behind it.
Ember pouted. "What's that supposed to mean?"
His smile widened. "Just a tip."
She crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed, but deep down, she knew he was right.
Dylan turned toward the door. "I've arranged everything in the garden. Let's go."
With a small sigh and a hint of curiosity, Ember followed him outside.
In the Garden
"Wow, this is beautiful," Ember murmured, taking in the lush greenery around her. The soft breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers, and the sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting golden patterns on the ground.
"This is your first time here, right?" Dylan asked, watching her expression.
"Yes," Ember nodded, still mesmerized by the scenery.
Dylan smiled. "Would you like a tour?"
"Yes!" she said excitedly, her eyes lighting up.
Dylan raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
For a moment, Ember was too distracted by the vibrant flowers and towering trees to answer. "Hm…" she hummed, lost in thought.
Dylan leaned against a tree, arms crossed. "Do you remember why we're here?"
Ember blinked, realization dawning. "Oh... right. To study," she admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck.
Dylan smirked. "Exactly. Now, focus."
They sat down, and his demeanor shifted instantly. "Tell me about your exams."
Ember sighed, listing them off. "First is English, then logistics, business law, accounting, management... and economics."
Dylan nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, today we'll focus on economics."
Ember groaned dramatically. "I hate economics."
"Why?" Dylan asked, clearly amused.
"Because of national income," she muttered, frowning.
Dylan chuckled. "Then let's start with national income."
"Nooo…" Ember whined, already regretting her confession.
Dylan shook his head, suppressing a laugh. "Do you want me to teach you?"
She sighed in defeat. "Yes…"
"Then follow my rules," he said, his tone firm but playful.
Ember slumped. "Okay…"
Dylan started explaining, breaking down the concept with an ease that made Ember realize economics wasn't as terrible as she had thought. Despite her initial reluctance, she found herself understanding the subject better than before.
An hour later, she flopped back onto the grass. "I'm so tired! Can we continue tomorrow, please?"
Dylan, ever the taskmaster, simply shook his head. "No."
At that moment, Butler Feng entered the garden. "Sir, I have something to tell you."
Dylan stood up immediately. "Coming!"
Ember sat up, hopeful. "Can I come with you?"
Dylan smirked, eyes glinting with mischief. "No, you're staying here and finishing these questions."
Ember stared at him, speechless.
"Okay…" she sighed in defeat, watching as he walked away, leaving her with the dreaded study materials.