Chapter 46: Accidental night

Alan's POV

"Tring… Tring…" Somewhere nearby, a phone kept buzzing.

I ignored it. A few minutes later, it rang again.

My half-asleep brain finally registered the sound.

Groaning, I stretched my hand across the bed to grab the phone, but instead of the mattress, my fingers brushed against soft skin, hair, head, then face.

My eyes still refused to open.

After roaming around with Milie till four in the morning, drinking coffee in the cold, then returning home and playing Jenga like two sleepless idiots, my body had officially given up.

The phone buzzed again.

"Ahh… can someone stop that stupid phone…" a sleepy voice whined beside me.

Instinctively, I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

"Sorry, my Mils," I mumbled against her hair. "Won't disturb it again."

She shifted toward my chest immediately, curling into my warmth like it was the most natural thing in the world.

With one hand stroking her hair, I blindly pressed and held the side button of the ringing phone.

"There," I whispered. "Now, sleep."

No response came from her side, only soft breaths against my neck.

I kissed the top of her head and drifted back to sleep until something shook me awake, hard.

"Nana…" I groaned, eyes still shut. "Please let me sleep."

"Thanks to God I'm not Nana."

Mom's voice landed on my ears. My eyes opened halfway and closed again.

I could see Milie on my chest. For a moment, I felt I was dreaming —then—Wait!

My eyes snapped open to find Mom standing beside the bed with folded arms, with a face that screamed disappointment, shock, and exhaustion all at once.

Sleep vanished instantly. I shoved the blanket down and practically jumped off the bed.

"Oh shit. On my bed. In my arms."

Milie groaned due to the disturbance and turned onto her belly.

I pressed a hand against my forehead. "Mom… I can explain."

"And I don't think I want to hear it."

"It's not what it looks like."

"Alan," she cut me off sharply, "this is not the time."

"Her mother is worried. One of her friends is there too, searching for her."

My heartbeat stopped. "What?" I blurted out. "Tall and fair or curly hair?"

Mom stared at me in disbelief.

"Do you seriously think that matters right now?"

"…No."

"Then stop standing like an idiot and fix this before the girl gets into trouble."

I nodded quickly. "Thanks, Mom."

"You children are impossible," she muttered before walking out.

The moment the door shut, I exhaled hard.

"God. What must she be thinking about me?"

"Which mother walks into her son's room and finds a girl sleeping in his arms?"

"And not just any girl. Milie. Dax's Milie."

A strange guilt twisted inside me. If Dax found out about this, he'd shatter.

I rubbed my face only to see the sleeping disaster on my bed—a warm smile formed on my face.

"But the more I try to stay away from her," I muttered, looking at the ceiling, "the closer you push her towards me."

I winked upward, thanking god.

I smiled to myself and gently rolled her onto her back.

Her messy hair covered half her face. Even asleep, she looked mischievous.

My gaze drifted to her lips. A dangerous thought slipped into my mind.

How beautiful it would be to wake up beside her and start mornings with her in my arms.

Maybe kissing her forehead before she opened those dramatic eyes—

"Enough, Alan, have some shame."

I shook her shoulder. "Milie. Wake up." She swatted my hand away.

"Girl," I whispered urgently, "your life is about to end. Wake up."

I pulled her upright. Her eyes fluttered open lazily.

"Ah…" she yawned. "Dude… didn't we say bye in the morning already? Why are you back again?"

"I wish that were true," I said, amused. "But we never parted, darling."

Her brows furrowed.

"You're still at my house."

She looked around the room. Then at me. Then at the blanket. Then back at me.

"I slept here?"

I nodded once.

"With you?"

Another nod.

"On the same bed?"

"…Unfortunately."

Her eyes widened so much I almost laughed.

"And my mom caught us cuddling."

"What?!" She sprang to her feet on the bed.

"Did something happen between us?! Oh my God!"

She started panic-jumping on the mattress.

"One more thing," I added carefully. "Your mom and probably Dax came looking for you."

She froze and then grabbed my shoulders violently.

"WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT SO CALMLY?!"

"I'm trying not to die."

"How did this happen, Alan?!" she cried. "You're supposed to be the responsible one!"

"I was asleep too!"

"Oh God…" She clutched her head dramatically. "Dax is going to leave me forever."

"Relax." I grabbed her waist and pulled her off the bed before she broke her neck.

She looked up at me, panicked.

"You trust me, right?"

"Not anymore."

I stared at her pouted lips for a second too long, feeling the urge to kiss.

"I trust you," she sighed finally, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Now use your intelligent brain and save me."

I cleared my throat and looked away instantly. Pervert.

"I already have a plan."

"I'll go to your house first," I explained. "Check everyone's mood. Once it's clear, I'll call you. You sneak back pretending you went jogging."

Her eyes lit up.

"Yes! If Dax sees me coming from your house, I'm dead."

"Exactly."

"You're a genius."

"I know."

Ten minutes later, I reached her house pretending I had just heard the news.

The front door was open.

Aunty sat on the couch, relaxed, while Dax paced the living room with his phone in hand.

The moment I entered, both turned toward me.

"Hey, Alan," Aunty asked casually. "Do you know where Milie is?"

My throat went dry. Lie properly, Man.

"No... She… left my place pretty early," I answered carefully.

"How early?" Dax asked.

"Ten minutes after she came."

The lie tasted horrible. Dax's jaw tightened slightly.

"She said she had an assignment," Aunty murmured suspiciously. "I thought she'd stay longer."

Before I could reply, my phone rang. I sighed in relief.

But when I saw Milie's name on the screen, I panicked even more.

"Mom calling," I lied and stepped outside.

The second I answered, her whisper exploded through the speaker.

"Is everything clear?"

"Idiot, why did you switch your phone on?!" I hissed.

"I got nervous!"

"Your dad?"

"Probably left for the office."

"Good. Come now. And switch your phone off immediately."

"Okay, boss."

I ended the call and inhaled deeply before going back inside.

"Did you check the garden area?" I asked Dax casually.

"Yes," he said quietly. "She's nowhere."

He genuinely looked worried. Guilt twisted deeper inside me.

Maybe he thought yesterday's confession had overwhelmed her.

Maybe he thought she was upset.

If only he knew. Milie wasn't heartbroken like he thinks.

She laughed. Teased me. Roamed the city, holding me. Played Jenga.

Overall, she had a good time with me.

The sound of hurried footsteps pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned.

Milie stood at the entrance, breathing heavily as if she had actually jogged across the city.

"Thank God she had changed into shoes."

Dax reached her first and pulled her into a hug.

"Where were you?" he asked. "I was worried sick."

Her eyes met mine over his shoulder. I gave her a tiny nod.

"I'm sorry," she whispered to Dax.

Aunty walked up immediately. "Where did you go this early?"

Milie blinked once. Then said confidently. "For jogging."

I almost choked. Aunty looked impressed instead of suspicious.

"Wow. Waking up early, going jogging, and even folding your blanket before leaving?"

Milie and I exchanged one glance. That was it. We both lost it internally.

We felt like two school kids who had successfully hidden stolen chocolates.

I muttered a quick goodbye and escaped before I burst out laughing.

The moment I entered my house, Mom looked up from the dining table.

My smile disappeared immediately.

"Alan," Nana asked innocently, "did you hear Milie went missing?"

"She's back now," I replied carefully. "I just came from there."

"God bless that child," Nana sighed dramatically.

Mom kept staring at me.

"Nana," I said quickly, "I need to leave early for college."

"Then eat breakfast first."

Before I could answer, Mom spoke calmly.

"No, Mom. He seems to be in a very big hurry today."

I closed my eyes briefly.

"Yes, Nana," I muttered weakly. "I'll eat in college."

And without daring to look at Mom again, I disappeared into my room.