Chapter 11: A Fragrant Slice
She wished time could stand still, forever frozen in this moment.
Listening to the sound of water dripping, she looked at her familiar face in the mirror, feeling a bit lost.
Even though last night had passed, she was still very nervous.
Just thinking about what he had said earlier made her shiver.
She was really scared.
Closing her eyes, she let the warm water wash over her hair, but the soothing sensation couldn't calm the panic in her heart.
She stayed in the shower for a long time, not wanting to come out.
The light in the bedroom outside the bathroom was dim, with only a faint glow coming from the living room.
Jack was in the living room at that moment.
She knew she should go out now.
But as she draped the towel over herself, she leaned against the glass door, reluctant to take that step.
"Emily, are you done? Need any help?" Jack's voice boomed through, his magnetic tone making Alison's heart race.
She knew she couldn't hide any longer.
Summoning her courage, she checked her pajamas one more time. It was the most conservative one she could find in the closet, but even so, she was still nervous.
"Emily, open the door." As she hesitated, the voice that had been in the living room was suddenly right outside the bathroom door.
The proximity of his voice made her heart beat faster. Alison took a deep breath, steadied her emotions, and said softly, "Jack, I'll be out in a minute. Please wait in the living room."
"Okay." Jack's straightforward response, without further pressing, allowed Alison to breathe a sigh of relief.
She watched Jack's blurry figure fade away through the frosted glass door before slowly opening the bathroom door.
Barefoot, she walked lightly on the carpet towards the living room, a faint scent of wine wafting into her nose.
On the living room table was an open bottle of red wine and two filled wine glasses.
When her shadow fell on the table, Jack looked up and extended his long hand towards her, his eyes scanning her up and down.
"Come here," he said with a gentle smile.
She had no choice but to place her small hand in his large one. With a sudden pull, his strong grip brought her crashing into his arms. She could smell the pleasant scent of his cologne, enveloping her like a small kitten, too scared to move.
She felt his arm move slightly, and the strong aroma of wine filled the air.
She wanted to escape, but at that moment, he lifted her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes, and his face slowly moved closer.
She struggled, but couldn't break free from his firm hold.
He said nothing, just smiled gently, then softly kissed her lips, the essence of the alcohol spreading across her lips.
It was the rich, fragrant scent of red wine...
She didn't know if it was him or her, but someone was already a bit tipsy.
The sweet, slightly spicy wine flowed into her throat, and she couldn't avoid it.
The kiss made her breath quicken, the red wine sliding down her throat, spreading warmth through her body.
To her, wine had always been a luxury, but at this moment, she couldn't care less.
Without time to think or feel the effects of the wine, he slowly laid her down on the living room sofa, their positions shifting.
The kiss continued.
To the man, her flushed face was like a poppy flower, knowing it was poisonous but unable to resist its allure and sweetness.
Alison slowly closed her eyes, resigned, accepting whatever he wanted.
She could hear her heart pounding, strong and steady.
But just when she thought he would go further, he suddenly stopped.
The man sat up gracefully, "Emily, you still like this kind of romance. Come on, let's drink together."
He expertly poured a glass of red wine, handed it to her, using the same glass he had just drunk from and fed her with.
Alison sat up, her face still flushed. As she took the glass, she thought about how he had just used it.
He raised his glass and lightly clinked it against hers, "Cheers."
The clinking sound of the glasses echoed around them. Watching him down his drink in one go, she followed suit, drinking the fragrant red wine, sweet with a hint of spice.
"Is it good?" he asked softly, his eyes still filled with the passion from before.
It was incredible how he could stop at the most critical moment.
Alison couldn't figure out this man's thoughts.
She nodded slightly, "It's good."
"You used to love red wine. It seems I saved the right bottle for you." He said as he picked up the wine bottle again, refilling both their glasses, "Come on, let's have another."
The night was still young, but glass after glass of wine was making her body temperature rise.
However, thinking about how he had personally fed her wine earlier, she now preferred to drink from her own glass.
"Emily, that nightgown is really ugly. Where did you get it?" He put down his glass, his eyes fixed on her nightgown.
Alison regretted it, she shouldn't have chosen this nightgown. Although it was conservative and not revealing, she had bought it at a discount store for just ten dollars.
Maybe the real Emily would never wear such a cheap nightgown.
Jack must have noticed, which is why he asked.
He was probably doubting if she was really Emily again.
I quickly thought of a plan, meeting his gaze. There was only one way to salvage the situation now.
With that thought, Alison stood up and said, "Jack, if you don't like this nightgown, I'll take it off."
This approach should fit Emily's style, only then might Jack believe she was Emily.