Chapter 122 Chapter 122: Unintended Consequences
\[Lilia\]
“The lights are spinning,” Aya giggled, her words slurred as she tipped the empty flute toward the lightbulbs mounted on the ceiling. She was sprawled flat on the edge of my bed, her head hanging off the side.
Sasha was on the couch, hugging an empty bottle of champagne to her chest. Her face was a mess, eyes closed, drunkenly sleeping with her mouth gaping wide. I, on the other hand, was surprisingly still sober enough, though honestly, I was a bit tipsy. I wasn't nearly as wasted as these two. They drank like camels left in a desert for years before the rain.
“Here, sweetcake, the last drop of golden essence.”
I turned my attention to Val as he picked up the remaining bottle and poured the last of its contents into my glass, filling it to the bottom as he sat right next to me.
“Thanks,” I said, raising the glass and giving him a toast before taking a light sip.
“I can’t believe you’re still up,” he mused, nudging me with his shoulder as he took a gander at the two wasted people.
Aya was still awake, though mumbling incoherently to herself while her hands waved in the air as though trying to block the light from hitting her face. We’d consumed six bottles of champagne, and we had been drinking and eating since that afternoon. I knew Sasha and she would get along, but I never thought they would go crazy on each other after guzzling two bottles following a whole roast beef.
Fortunately, Sabina, the witch, didn’t catch a whiff of our little victory party and ruin everything, though I am not sure about Kael. This is his estate, and there’s not a thing happening around here that he’s not aware of. Pretty sure Val told him about my victory, and he just chose not to show up.
“Me either,” I mirthfully responded, laughing softly as I sunk into the couch’s backrest and stared at the ceiling, wondering what Aya was seeing aside from the mirror. My head throbbed and spun slightly, but just mildly.
“Are you sleepy?” Val asked, emptying his glass of champagne and putting it down on the table.
“No,” I responded, sweeping my gaze around me.
My room was a mess; dirty dishes and pizza boxes lay haphazardly on the floor. Empty bottles rolled into the corner, and I am sure Aya will have more than a headache tomorrow once she wakes up, but I’ll help her clean this up.
“Thank you for today, Val,” I added, sincerely expressing my gratitude before sipping the last liquid from my glass, eliciting an involuntary moan as I savored the final drop.
“It’s nothing. You deserve this celebration.”
Val was just staring at my face, his eyes a bit droopy. I am sure he was a bit drunk as well, though he spoke normally.
“When will I be awarded a black belt?” I jested, crossing my legs and leering at him, bursting into little laughs as his face scrunched up at my question, turning mischievous.
“Ah, you want your belt?” he derided, unfastening the buckles on his belt, tugging it off from his pants, and then handing it to me. "There’s your belt, my little fiery sweetcake. It’s black, though." He added and chuckled deeply.
I couldn’t help but share his enthusiasm as both of us ended up laughing like hyenas, even though it was such a sloppy joke.
Yeah, we are definitely drunk.
“Anyways, seems like the party’s over. I should better get going,” Val muttered, clearing his throat as our laughter died out, and he stood from his seat. “It’s pretty late.”
I nodded and followed him to the door. I was the one who opened the knob for him and swung the door. I swept my hand, exaggerating a courtesy, and bowed my head as though he was some kind of royalty I must respect.
“Thank you for your kind generosity, your most high excellency. You may have a good night and sweet dreams,” I parodied as a lady servant, deepening my voice while stifling my laughter.
However, I was suddenly caught off guard when a finger hooked right under my chin, lifting my face. It happened too fast, and the next thing I knew was a pair of warm lips pressed against mine. I don’t know if I was imagining things or if the liquor had finally made its way to my system, but I saw Val’s face, his eyes closed, and I felt his hand encircling my waist, pulling me closer.
His kiss was so warm, so gentle, compelling me to close my eyes and lean even closer.
Yes, I am drunk, but not too drunk. I wanted to pull away, but my body refused. Kael’s face flashed right at the back of my mind. I just stood there, too stunned to move or even know what I should do.
Yet, what was even more strange was that the kiss wasn’t so bad.
Everything went still, time froze, but Val seemed to have come to his senses and instantly pulled away, realizing what he had just done.
“Oh, shit! Lilia…” He let go of his hold around my waist, instantly backing away as if I’d burned him. “I’m sorry, I…”
I was still gawking, my mouth hanging wide, and I immediately looked around us, fear suddenly creeping into my chest at the thought that someone might have seen us. Fortunately, Aya was too drunk to even notice.
“No, I…” I stammered, bringing my attention back to Val. “Good night, Val.”
Awkwardness suddenly blanketed the space between us. The look on his face was seemingly guilty, and he opened his mouth, but no words came out. He only nodded and vacated my room in haste.
I stood there watching him leave, too confused to even think about anything. Sleep was suddenly out of the question.
All the tipsiness coursing through my system seemed to have evaporated from what just happened. My fingers unconsciously touched my lips, feeling the ghost of Val’s kiss. My body suddenly felt too hot, but the thought of showering didn’t appease me as much.
An idea came to my mind, and without giving it another thought, I exited my room, following Val’s direction, but he was already out of sight. My steps hastened, and I was literally skipping down the stairs, making my way to the kitchen and out the back door.
The cold wind greeted me as soon as I stepped outside, but I didn’t pay heed to it and continued walking toward the pebbled path, halting right at the edge of the pool. The overhead lights were off already, but tiny lights under the water illuminated it with their bluish hues. I was alone outside, with no guards roaming around this particular area.
Since this was an impromptu decision, I didn’t have time to change into my bikini. Instead, I quickly stripped down to my panties and bra, throwing my clothes carelessly to the side. I dipped my toes into the water, shuddering as the coldness traveled up my entire body, and without waiting another moment, I leapt and submerged into the frigid temperature.
I was doing laps for I don’t know how long until my arms strained and my lungs craved air. I gasped, breaking the surface and hitching my hand to the side to keep myself afloat.
The kiss came to my mind again, and I wanted to submerge my head into the water, but then I noticed something. The first flake of snow slowly drifted down onto the water.
Winter was already starting. Time had gone by so fast that I didn’t even realize how long I had stayed in this place. I stared at the inky black sky, watching the snow falling in succession as my breath clouded from my mouth.
A sense of tranquility wrapped around me for a moment, but a familiar voice suddenly spoke right behind me, startling the shit out of me and sending my heart into a frenzy.
“Do you mind if I join?”