Lucas couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t erase the image of Irene’s naked body from his mind.
Though it wasn’t clear, as the curtain had blocked his view, he could still see her faint silhouette.
That slender figure…
Lucas suddenly felt hot.
His heart pounded loudly in his chest. He got up and tried to loosen his clothes, but the discomfort remained. He opened the window, hoping the cold air would cool his heated body, yet the image refused to leave his mind.
The memory stirred thoughts he shouldn’t have.
Lucas shook his head, trying to snap out of it.
He must not think such improper thoughts about Irene—his savior.
He had never imagined himself to be this kind of person. If he could, he would punish himself for even thinking this way.
He tried to meditate, to calm his mind and heart.
It seemed he wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.
The same went for Irene.
She tossed and turned on her bed, restless.
Everything was a mess.
The male protagonist had seen her naked back!
As she rolled around in embarrassment, Irene suddenly remembered something.
Did he see her face?
Thinking back to his reaction, it didn’t seem like he had.
Still…
The memory of that moment resurfaced.
Her body had been seen by a man.
She couldn’t help but feel deeply uncomfortable.
The next morning, Old Judy and Lydia prepared the tavern before opening.
Irene entered, still wearing a veil.
“You rested early last night, so why do you look like this?” Old Judy asked, surprised by the dark circles under her eyes.
“Because last night—”
“Lydia!” Irene cut her off sharply before she could continue.
Seeing Irene’s stern expression, Lydia quickly shut her mouth and returned to work.
Old Judy looked confused and turned back to Irene.
“It’s nothing you need to worry about,” Irene said, moving toward the back counter.
“Good morning, everyone.”
Lucas suddenly came downstairs.
Irene froze upon hearing his voice.
Old Judy noticed the dark circles under his eyes as well.
“You didn’t sleep well either?”
“Ah… do I look like that? No, I slept just fine,” Lucas said with an awkward laugh, glancing toward Irene.
“You don’t look like it,” Old Judy insisted.
“I… I’m going to the market,” Irene said quickly before leaving the tavern, unable to face him.
At the busy market, Irene walked in a daze.
When would they leave?
She couldn’t even spend an hour near them—not after what happened yesterday.
Facing the male protagonist as if nothing had happened felt impossible.
“Excuse me! Coming through!”
A man pushing a heavy cart full of apples tried to pass through the crowd. Everyone moved aside—except Irene, who remained standing absentmindedly in the way.
“Miss, move!” the man shouted.
But Irene was too lost in her thoughts to hear him.
Suddenly, a firm hand pulled her aside.
Startled, Irene looked up—
Arlo stood before her.
Their eyes met.
A faint heat rose to her cheeks, and she quickly stepped back, realizing how close they had been.
“Thank you,” Irene said, trying to steady her racing heart.
Did I just experience the infamous ‘hand-grab scene’?
Moments like this were exactly how romances began in stories.
With someone like him saving her, it was impossible not to feel flustered.
“I happened to be nearby when I saw you. Do you mind if I accompany you?” Arlo asked politely.
How could she refuse?
Irene nodded.
As they walked, Irene notice many eyes were glued to them.
Surely, due to Arlo striking face.
Because of that, Irene couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
Suddenly, Arlo initiated a conversation.
“Do you usually come to the market alone?”
Irene turned to look at him, seeing him waiting for her reply.
“Ye—yes. Every morning, traders bring fresh vegetables and fish to sell here. Everything sells out quickly, so I don’t want to miss the chance.”
Arlo smiled.
“No wonder the food at the tavern tastes so good. It’s prepared with such care.”
His charming smile made her heart skip. Irene hurriedly look away.
This is so out of character…
The second male lead was supposed to be cold and quiet. The only person he treated warmly was the male protagonist, which is Lucas.
Irene quickly pushed the thought aside.
“May I ask you something?” she said.
“Go ahead.”
“When will the two of you leave?”
Arlo stopped walking, causing Irene to stop as well.
He turned to face her and leaned slightly closer to her eye level.
For a moment, Irene forgot how to breathe.
“Are you that curious? Do you want us to leave as soon as possible?”
How was she supposed to answer that?
Especially when he was looking at her with those eyes…
Arlo chuckled and broke the eye contact, giving Irene a moment to breathe.
“Don’t worry. We’ll leave before you know it,” he said, continuing to walk.
Irene stood there for a second, speechless.
…Is the second male lead flirting with me?
YOU ARE READING
When Beauty Destroys The BL World
RomanceIrene was just a normal girl, waiting for her graduation day to set up her new journey. Her dream is to be a doctor and a good daughter for her single father. But all of that change when she tries to help an old lady from a robber, as she was push d...
