Minra had given up on sleeping.
She had tossed.
Turned.
Tried everything to get her thoughts under control.
But nothing worked.
Because he was still on her mind.
Shuun.
The man just a room away.
She groaned into her pillow before finally kicking off the blanket and sitting up.
Fine.
If she couldn’t sleep, then she might as well get some water.
Maybe that would help.
Maybe she could stop thinking about him for just one second.
…She should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.
.
Minra padded out of the guest room, moving through the dimly lit hallway.
Shuun’s place was too big, too quiet.
Her bare feet barely made a sound against the sleek flooring as she reached the kitchen.
She sighed in relief when she saw the fridge.
At least she could—
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She froze.
Because as she opened the fridge door—
A voice, low and amused, cut through the silence.
“Thirsty?”
Minra jumped, nearly slamming the fridge shut.
Shit.
She whipped around—
And there he was.
Shuun.
Standing just a few feet away.
Leaning casually against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, watching her with that damn smirk again.
And suddenly—she was wide awake.
.
Minra’s heart was pounding.
Because why was he here?
Why wasn’t he in his room?
Why wasn’t he asleep?
And more importantly—why did he look like that?
His hair was messier than usual, strands falling over his forehead.
His sweater was slightly loose, sleeves still rolled up to his forearms.
And in the dim lighting—he looked even more dangerous than usual.
Minra swallowed.
She should say something.
Anything.
“I—”
She hesitated.
“What are you doing here?”
Shuun raised an eyebrow. “I live here.”
Minra scowled. “You know what I mean.”
Shuun tilted his head slightly. “Couldn’t sleep.”
Minra exhaled slowly. “Same.”
Silence.
A beat of quiet tension.
Then, Shuun smirked.
“Why?”
Minra’s stomach twisted.
Because that question—
That was dangerous.
.
She turned away, opening the fridge again as if that would save her.
She grabbed a bottle of water, avoiding his gaze.
“No reason.”
A slow hum. “Lying again?”
Minra clenched her jaw.
Damn him.
Why was he always so good at catching her?
She took a sip of water, hoping it would cool her down.
It didn’t.
Because Shuun was still there.
Still watching her.
Still making it impossible to breathe normally.
.
Minra set the bottle down on the counter.
Stay calm.
Act normal.
Don’t let him get to you.
But then—
Shuun pushed off the counter, stepping closer.
Not too close.
Just close enough.
“What is it?”
“Can’t stop thinking about me?”
Minra froze.
Her breath caught.
And Shuun?
Shuun saw it.
Saw the way she tensed.
Saw the way her fingers twitched slightly.
Saw the way she was struggling to stay composed.
And he smirked.
Because he was right.
And now, they both knew it.
.
Minra’s face burned.
She quickly grabbed her water bottle, turning toward the hallway.
“I’m going back to bed.”
She needed to leave.
Now.
Before she said something she couldn’t take back.
But just as she stepped past him—
Just as she was about to escape—
Shuun spoke again.
Soft.
Calm.
Too damn knowing.
“Good luck sleeping.”
Minra stiffened.
Because damn it.
She wouldn’t.
.
Chapter 21: The Morning That Felt Different