If it weren't for this, Noelle wouldn't have bothered trying to change. Though, at this point, it seemed like she still hadn't managed to become happy, she believed it was because she hadn't tried hard enough. Maybe one day, she'd finally become happy if she really reached a higher position.

Noelle wasn't sure, and there was no one who could give her the answer. So, all she could do was keep moving forward.

"Quit smoking."

Hendrix seemed to ignore everything else she said, focusing solely on this one thingnoveldrama

Noelle suddenly found it amusing. "Why don't you quit?"

"Alright. I'll quit with you," he replied.

His straightforward answer made Noelle frown involuntarily.

Hendrix quickly took action. He tossed Noelle's cigarette pack and lighter straight into the trash. Then, he picked up the clothes he had left scattered around the living room from last night, and the cigarette pack inside was also discarded.

ed in his h

But the lighter remained in his hand.

"I'll keep this. It was a gift from you," he said.

Noelle, of course, remembered. But at that moment, when she looked at the lighter, she felt nothing. She glanced at Hendrix as if he were crazy, then turned and walked toward her bedroom.

Hendrix followed right behind her.

As Noelle was about to enter the bathroom, she noticed he was still following her and finally couldn't hold back." Are you crazy? I need to use the bathroom!"

"It's fine. It's not like I haven't kissed every part of-

Before he could finish, Noelle grabbed a towel nearby and threw it at him.

Hendrix quickly caught it, but by the time he set the towel down, Noelle had already entered the

bathroom, locking the door behind her.

Hendrix just smiled and returned to the bed.

Noelle soon came back out.

As soon as she lay down, Hendrix wrapped his arms around her from behind. At first, Noelle tried to

ignore him, but his grip tightened. Eventually, she started to feel a little suffocated.

She had no choice but to pry his fingers off. "Are you trying to suffocate me to death?"

Hendrix just let out a soft laugh and admitted, "Yes."

If he could, he really would want to press her into his body like that. That way, maybe he wouldn't have to think so much, wouldn't have to worry about the changes in their relationship, and wouldn't have to be apart from her.

Hendrix's hand was forced open, but his lips still landed on her neck, slowly trailing lower.

"I have a meeting in the morning," Noelle said flatly. "If you make me late-

"It's fine. I'll have them push it back," Hendrix replied.

Noelle was taken aback for a moment, then remembered the meeting was indeed with them. The feeling of being completely overwhelmed left Noelle uneasy, and just as his hand was about to move lower, she suddenly flipped over and sat directly on top of him.

Her reaction made Hendrix pause for a moment, then he laughed. He then rested his hand behind his head, watching her leisurely, as if signaling for her to continue.

Staring into his eyes, Noelle suddenly asked, "Hendrix, are you happy to be at the top?"

Seemingly caught off guard by the question, Hendrix's expression stiffened for a brief moment before he answered, "I'm used to it."

Used to it not happy.

Noelle leaned down and gently kissed his Adam's apple. There, she could clearly hear the sound of him breathing and him swallowing with difficulty.

"If you were ever to fall from that height, would you cry?" she asked.