Knox and his crew pretended to drive away but actually hid in the woods next to the small town.
Seraphina gathered her courage and walked toward the SUV.
Zachary, who was working in the back seat, sensed someone approaching and looked up, surprised.
It was Seraphina. She didn't know Zachary was in the car and nervously approached the window, raising her hand to knock.
The window rolled down slowly, revealing Zachary's chiseled face.
Seraphina jumped back in shock, retreating several steps.
Realizing Knox and the others' intentions, she was both angry and anxious. "You all teamed up to trick me!"
Zachary just laughed.
He opened the door and tried to pull her into the car. She huffed, "I'll get a cab back myself."
Zachary raised an eyebrow and firmly refused, "No way."
Just then, it started to rain, and the downpour quickly intensified. Raindrops splashed on the ground, and Zachary ordered again, "Get in the car. Don't get soaked."
Reluctantly, Seraphina got into the back seat, deliberately sitting as far from Zachary as possible. The car was filled with an awkward silence.
Seraphina couldn't help but ask, "Why are you staying in town instead of going on your mission? What are you planning?"
Zachary countered, "What about you? You said you wanted to avoid me. What now?"
Seraphina looked away. "I just don't want to see you. The camp is your territory, and I can't exactly kick you out..."
She stopped, realizing she might have been too harsh.
She couldn't help but glance back at Zachary.
Zachary smiled helplessly and handed her his water bottle, thinking she must be thirsty after wandering around for over half an hour.
Seraphina didn't want any intimate gestures and demanded, "I want bottled water."
"Don't have any."
Seraphina slightly rose and fetched a bottle of water from the trunk. "I'll transfer you the money later. I won't drink your water for free."
"Do we really have to be so precise?" Zachary's smile faded, and he looked at her coldly.
"Yes. I told you, you're Della's fiancé. We'll be family soon, so it's better to keep our distance," Seraphina continued.
"Fine, then. A hundred bucks a bottle. You're rich, aren't you?"
Seraphina was momentarily speechless. "You really are..."
In her anger, she tried to get out of the car.
Zachary pulled her back with such force that she fell into his arms, letting out a startled cry.
Zachary's body felt like a solid wall.
"Sorry, did I hurt you?" Zachary's tone softened, and Seraphina felt a warmth in her heart, remembering how he always tended to her injuries.
Looking at the rain outside, she said, "I'll wait until the rain stops."
Zachary moved to the driver's seat and, after a moment of silence, said, "I'll take you back."
As they drove back, they encountered a mudslide blocking the road to the camp.
Seraphina rolled her eyes, realizing they wouldn't make it back that night. Zachary decided to turn around and find a place to stay in town.
They drove back in silence. When they arrived, the larger inns were all full.
Zachary grabbed an umbrella and helped Seraphina out of the car, holding her waist as they walked into a small inn.
"I need two rooms," Seraphina quickly said, pulling away from Zachary.
But they were told the inn was full due to the rain. The owner recognized Zachary and joked, "You two make a cute couple."
Seraphina awkwardly denied it.
With no other choice, she followed Zachary to his room.
The room was simple. Seraphina stood by the window, watching the rain. When Zachary approached, she instinctively stepped back. He asked softly, "Are you scared of me?"
Seraphina shook her head. "I just want to keep my distance."
Zachary's lips curled into a faint smile. He leaned in, and Seraphina turned her face away in a panic. Zachary straightened up and suggested, "I'll sleep in the car."
Worried about the cold and his health, Seraphina hesitated before letting him stay, on the condition that he wouldn't try anything. Zachary agreed.
Seraphina noticed the air conditioning wasn't working. At this altitude, it got very cold at night, and she worried about how they'd get through it.
Zachary left and returned with a heavy coat, silently draping it over her shoulders.
Seraphina touched the coat, surprised to find it dry.
As night fell, Seraphina's stomach growled. She hadn't eaten much all day and wondered where they could find food in such a remote place. Zachary said, "Let's go get something to eat."
"Is there a restaurant here?"
Zachary nodded, saying he knew a good one in town.
Seraphina nodded, and they left. She took off the heavy coat, and Zachary opened the umbrella, wrapping an arm around her waist to keep her dry.
Seraphina instinctively resisted but couldn't break free.
They crossed the street and entered the restaurant. Seraphina's beauty immediately drew attention, with several rough-looking men staring at her openly, some with lecherous smiles.
Zachary's sharp gaze made them look away.
Seraphina sighed in relief, feeling cold and hungry, eager for a hot meal.
Zachary returned after ordering, his hands still wet. He wiped them on his clothes and poured her a cup of tea, smiling. "Try this mountain tea. It's pretty good."
Seraphina took the cup, sipping the warm tea that chased away the chill. She finished it and handed the cup back to Zachary. "Pour me another."
Zachary's smile turned playful as he looked at her. Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, Seraphina blushed and said, "I'll do it myself."
She reached for the teapot, but as soon as she touched it, a large dog nearby started barking furiously at her.
Seraphina paled, stumbling back behind Zachary, clutching his clothes and peeking out nervously. "That dog is barking at me."
The dog tried to break out of its cage, but a large figure blocked it.
It was Zachary.
He crouched down, still holding Seraphina's shoulder. "It's okay," he reassured her.
"It almost bit me," Seraphina said, her legs trembling.
"It won't. These big dogs are trained. The owner is right there. It won't dare," Zachary explained, and Seraphina relaxed.
Zachary quickly hugged her, and Seraphina, still scared, clung to his waist, hiding in his arms.
Realizing her awkward position, Seraphina quickly let go and stepped back, but Zachary pulled her back, teasing, "Scared one moment, running the next. That's not fair."
Seraphina felt embarrassed and helpless.
Blushing from her fear of dogs, she apologized, "Sorry, I've been afraid of dogs since I was little."
As the dogs continued barking, she nervously clung to Zachary's jacket. He held her tightly, soothing, "Don't worry, I'm here."
They returned to the inn, the owner giving them a knowing smile.
Seraphina asked if the air conditioning would be fixed that night. The owner shrugged, "We're in a remote area. It'll take a few days."
With no other choice, Seraphina and Zachary went upstairs.
Without air conditioning, Seraphina put on the coat. Zachary thoughtfully buttoned it up for her, whispering, "Don't catch a cold."