Chapter 82: Peaceful night and decision the next morning
Ansel looked deeply into Erica’s eyes and smiled gently, saying, “Erica, can we share the blanket? Lie close to each other and enjoy the warmth, can we?” Finally, Ansel mustered up the courage to bring up the idea he had shelved earlier.
Erica had already surrendered to Ansel’s tenderness and nodded in agreement.
“We will just sleep, nothing beyond that. You can trust me,” Ansel added. Although he knew Erica didn’t need his reassurance, Ansel thought it was best to assure her and gain her trust.
“Really?” Erica hesitated, innocently asking for confirmation.
“Absolutely,” Ansel replied.
“So, where will we go?” Erica intended to ask where they would sleep.
“Let’s go to the room.” Like reading Erica’s mind. Ansel interrupted, surprising Erica.
“The sofa is not enough for two.” Ansel continued casually: “The floor is hard and cold. I don’t want to wake up with a backache.” The look on Ansel’s face when describing the scene of having to lie on the floor looked funny.
Erica couldn’t help but burst into laughter. She felt her heart overflow with affection and knew that Ansel was always concerned about her comfort.
“Stop laughing,” Ansel complained, making a childlike facial expression. That behavior was cute in Erica’s eyes.
“I don’t want back pain either.” Erica stopped laughing, then happily said
“So the decision is over. Now let’s go to sleep,” Ansel said, taking Erica’s hand. Unable to object any longer, Erica followed Ansel back to the bedroom. They both lay down on the bed. Share a blanket.
“Do you want a hug?” Ansel asked when he noticed that Erica was deliberately lying on the right edge of the bed. It can be seen that Erica still insists on keeping her distance from Ansel. Having understood the reason for Erica’s actions, Ansel did not feel disappointed or sad anymore. Instead, Ansel boldly made an offer.
“In each other’s arms, we won’t be afraid of the cold, and you won’t have nightmares anymore.” Ansel convinced Erica further when he saw Erica looking at him with hesitation.
“Does that not bother you?” Erica asked shyly.
“I am certainly willing,” Ansel said, with a look of trustworthiness that reassured Erica.
Erica didn’t refuse anymore; she herself wanted to hug Ansel. So for tonight alone, Erica will blame the rain and the nightmare. Because of it, Erica became weak and needed protection.
The two then hugged each other tightly.
In each other’s arms, a feeling of warmth and well-being pervades the entire space. Erica and Ansel have created a private space where they can share their feelings and show genuine care for each other.
…
The next morning, Erica was the first to wake up; she was startled to find herself in Ansel’s arms. Her heart skipped a beat, and a flood of emotions flooded her mind. Erica would have screamed in terror if she hadn’t promptly recalled the events of last night and the unexpectedly intimate connection they shared.
After regaining her composure, Erica lay on the bed for a while, staring at Ansel’s peaceful face, a wave of desire welling up inside her. She longed to run her fingers through his hair and feel what it was like to touch him. But then prudence and steadfast reason pulled Erica’s thoughts together, forcing her to stop acting. Erica knows that indulging in these feelings can further complicate their relationship and potentially lead to heartbreak. At this point, Erica still doesn’t know if Ansel has feelings for her. And she also believes that Ansel has no way of knowing about her feelings for him. Erica doesn’t want things to get out of control. So, reluctantly, Erica gathered all her strength and carefully lifted herself out of bed so that Ansel would not be disturbed. She stood by the bed, her heart still pounding, taking a moment to regain her composure. Erica knows that she needs to find a balance between her emotions and her reason.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
With a firm resolve, Erica left the room, trying to steady her erratic breathing. She decided that the best course of action was to focus on the practical aspects of the situation. She resolved to make Ansel breakfast, channeling her energy into something tangible and meaningful.
As Erica busied herself in the kitchen, Ansel began to stir and slowly opened her eyes. At first, his surroundings seemed alien, disorienting him momentarily. But within seconds, his memories flooded back. He remembered being in Erica’s room and the events of the night before.
A jumble of emotions flooded Ansel as he lay there, reflecting on what had transpired. He felt surprised and yet immensely happy about the deep connection he had experienced with Erica last night. Just sleeping in each other’s arms was enough to make Ansel’s heart flutter incessantly. He couldn’t help but feel grateful for Erica’s presence in his life. Ansel recognizes the courage Erica showed in allowing herself to be vulnerable and opening up to him as a significant step forward for Ansel to win Erica’s heart. The trust they had built in such a short time made him deeply appreciate the woman outside.
Remembering Erica made Ansel wonder where she was. Looking around the room, Erica was nowhere to be found, so Ansel decided to go out and look.
When he left the room, Ansel couldn’t help but be attracted to Erica’s presence in the kitchen. In Ansel’s eyes, Erica looked stunning. The longer he gazed at her, the stronger his desire to be with her grew. Each step he took toward the kitchen made his heart beat faster. He yearned to close the gap between them and dismantle the barriers that kept their feelings apart. As he met Erica’s gaze, a blend of tenderness, curiosity, and hope flickered in Ansel’s eyes.
“Good morning,” Erica greeted him, her voice filled with genuine warmth. “Breakfast I’ve prepared. Would you like to enjoy it?”
Ansel happily accepted and took a seat at the table. As they began to eat, they engaged in gentle conversation, discussing their plans for the day. Erica mentioned that she didn’t have any classes at the university. Upon hearing this, Ansel’s eyes lit up with an idea.
“If you have a day off, would you like to go to the hospital with me?” Ansel suggested, his voice filled with excitement and a hint of nervousness. “I was planning to talk to Mom.”
Ansel’s offer caught Erica by surprise, but it also amused her. She sensed that this invitation held significant meaning for him. Therefore, she took a moment to consider his words.
“Are you sure that’s okay?” Erica shyly asked, “If I go with you,
Ansel sincerely replied, “I really want you to come with me.”
“Why do you want me to come along?” Erica continued, feeling uncertain about her guess. Erica knew Ansel had a good reason; she just didn’t know what that reason was.
“Because I have made a decision, I will fight for my own happiness.” Ansel declared eloquently, “And I need your help. I want you to meet my parents; I want to show them my reasons are good.”
To be honest, last night, while holding Erica in his arms, Ansel made a resolute and certain decision. It was to follow his own desires. And Ansel wanted Erica to accompany him when he met his mother. This way, Ansel could bravely face any potential disappointment from his mother and gain more confidence in his choice. Above all, it was a way for Ansel to affirm his feelings for Erica. Unfortunately, Erica didn’t grasp the significance of this. She refrained from delving deeper into her thoughts to avoid any misconceptions. Meanwhile, Ansel feared that Erica wouldn’t believe him, so he hesitated to express his feelings directly. Both of them had their own internal struggles, leading to the suppression and concealment of their emotions for each other.
“Can you help me, Erica?” Ansel gently asked Erica again.
A sense of warmth and gratitude welled up in Erica’s heart as Ansel expressed his trust and asked for her help. A smile graced Erica’s lips as she replied.
“I’m honored to help you, Ansel,” Erica replied, her voice filled with sincerity.
“Thanks,” Ansel said in response.
The atmosphere between them grew increasingly excited and anticipatory. They finished their breakfast and soon made their way to the hospital.