Ethilia was sitting on the couch on the balcony, her books spread out in front of her as she prepared for her exam. Or at least, she was supposed to be preparing. In truth, she was blushing more than studying, her thoughts drifting to everything that had happened between her and Liana over the past month.
She suddenly giggled and took the coffee cup, "She's so caring…" she murmured to herself, taking a sip. "Mmm… I love this."
She had just placed the cup back down and picked up her pen when a familiar warmth wrapped around her. Arms slid around her waist, and a chin rested lightly on her shoulder.
Ethilia laughed under her breath and turned her head slightly, catching Liana's eyes glued to the open pages in front of her.
"Morning, love," Ethilia said as she pressed her lips against Liana's cheek.
Liana smiled brightly before moving around the couch and settling beside her. She wrapped an arm around Ethilia and pulled her closer.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" Liana complained in a soft tone.
Ethilia leaned into Liana's arms, her books forgotten on the table. She tilted her head to look at Liana. "I just didn't want to wake you from your peaceful sleep."
Liana smirked, then suddenly leaned in and captured Ethilia's lips in a passionate kiss. Ethilia gasped at the sudden kiss, her fingers tightening on Liana's thigh while her other hand instinctively found Liana's shoulder.
Liana deepened the kiss, her tongue slipping past Ethilia's lips. Ethilia felt her heartbeat spike at the familiar connection, her body responding before her mind could catch up.
No matter how many times they kissed, it always felt like the first time to both of them.
When Liana finally pulled back, she looked at Ethilia's closed eyes and the way her chest rose and fell. A slow smirk curved her lips as she brushed her thumb over Ethilia's lower lip. "You're addicting, Lia…"
Ethilia felt her cheeks burn hearing Liana. She opened her eyes and looked into those love-filled eyes. Her expression softened as she leaned forward, resting her forehead against Liana's.
"How can you love me this much, Liana?" she asked quietly before pulling back. "You never hated me, did you?"
Liana took the hand resting on her cheek and pressed a kiss into Ethilia's palm. "I won't say I never hated you," she admitted. "I did at first when we met."
Ethilia frowned and leaned back as she searched Liana's face, "Why?"
Liana shrugged, "You know, sometimes you just hate someone without knowing them or without any proper reason. Same."
Ethilia pouted and pulled her hand back, crossing her arms, "And when you stopped hating me?"
Liana giggled and cupped Ethilia's cheeks, "When I saw how caring and good you were."
Ethilia rolled her eyes, but her pout didn't vanish. She swatted Liana's arm away, "I never hated you, but you..."
Liana's face fell in guilt; she actually hadn't realized it ever. She pulled Ethilia into a side hug and kissed her temple. "Don't sulk, please? I really love you now.."
Ethilia turned to her, narrowing her eyes, "What's the proof you won't suddenly hate me again?"
Liana blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in Ethilia's mood. She chuckled, squeezing Ethilia gently. "I swear, if I were a man, I'd think you were pregnant with the way your moods swing these days."
Ethilia bit her lip and closed her eyes to hide the sudden smile that tugged at her lips. She tried to glare at Liana, but the smile gave her away.
"Well, Miss Idol…" She leaned back and looped her arms around Liana's neck. "You do look innocent, but…" She bit her lip again, holding Liana's gaze. "You are a pervert."
Liana laughed softly and caressed Ethilia's flushed cheeks. "Oh, you know, once Laura told me something."
Ethilia frowned and tilted her head, "What?" She was suddenly too curious to know what their captain had said.
Liana cupped her cheeks again and leaned closer, her eyes flickering to Ethilia's lips as she whispered, "When we love someone, no matter how far they are, we still feel drawn to them. Physically and emotionally…"
She paused to press a quick peck to Ethilia's lips before continuing, "But when we're not interested in someone, even if they throw themselves at us, we won't feel a thing."
Ethilia nodded slowly, letting the words sink in, "Makes sense…"
Liana nodded and gently pinched Ethilia's cheeks. "And I have always loved you in silence... since high school, Miss Ethilia."
Ethilia's heart skipped a beat; her eyes welled up with tears, and she leaned into Liana's touch.
"You weren't alone, Ana…" she said softly. "You're the one I loved in silence too. I just never dared to say it. And when I finally had a chance… my pride got in the way."
Liana smiled and shook her head, running her fingers through Ethilia's hair in slow, absent strokes.
"You have an off day today," she said lightly. "And so do I… so…" Liana smirked and wiggled her brows.
Ethilia blinked and then glared at Liana, suppressing her smile. "You are the biggest pervert in the world... Give me a break, you fool..."
Liana grinned, clearly enjoying the teasing. Her hand slid down to Ethilia's thigh, squeezing it softly.
"Why?" she asked innocently. "Are you tired?"
Ethilia smacked her arm. "Tired?" she exclaimed, crossing her arms. "I've literally been using concealer on my neck and collarbone every day before college."
Liana laughed and reached out, tugging gently at the collar of Ethilia's shirt. Her smile widened when she spotted the deep purple mark on Ethilia's collarbone, along with faint red ones along her neck.
Ethilia tilted her head slightly. "See..." She pointed to the marks on her neck. "And tell me why you turn into a damn dog."
Liana pouted and leaned closer, "I love to mark you, and it's not like you don't mark me," she winked teasingly.
Ethilia huffed, "Not every night," she complained. "But you do this every. single. night."
Ethilia narrowed her eyes, "I seriously don't understand how you have this much energy."
Liana stood up and stretched lazily. "I don't need extra energy," she said with a smirk. "Seeing you beside me in bed is more than enough. And stop complaining."
Ethilia stood up as well, crossing her arms, "Why wouldn't I?"
Liana walked inside the bedroom from the balcony, "Because you never stop me..." she replied, turning back to her, "...when I ask almost millions of times before I do anything."
Liana leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice, "Don't blame me when you're the one begging for more."
Ethilia's face burned red. She stomped toward Liana and smacked her arm hard. "You tease me and then blame me?"
Liana winced but quickly caught Ethilia's wrist and pulled her along. They fell back onto the bed together, Ethilia landing on top of her with a small gasp as Liana held her tightly.
"Liana, you'll get hurt," Ethilia said, trying to steady herself, but Liana's grip didn't loosen.
Liana wrapped her arms around her and rolled them over smoothly. "I could never get hurt by you," she murmured.
She glanced briefly at the door, then looked back at Ethilia with a slow smirk. "May I?"
Ethilia looped her arms around Liana's neck and leaned closer before whispering, "Sure, but you better don't leave marks..."
Liana nodded with a huge grin and closed the distance between them again.
Liana kissed her way down Ethilia's body, her hands already reaching for the hem of her shirt when her phone buzzed.
Ethilia frowned and tilted her head to look at the bedside table. Liana rolled her eyes, cupping Ethilia's face between her hands.
"Ignore it," she whispered. "Focus on what I'm about to make you feel."
Ethilia bit her lip and hummed, though the frown didn't fade. Liana noticed and kissed her again.
Ethilia gasped, her eyes fluttering shut as her hand found the back of Liana's neck, deepening the kiss instinctively. Liana traced her tongue along Ethilia's lower lip, biting down slowly.
A soft whimper slipped from Ethilia as she arched beneath her. Liana pulled back just enough to look at her, one hand sliding down while the other squeezed Ethilia's thigh.
"Ready?" she asked, even though she already knew the answer.
Ethilia met her gaze, biting her lip as she nodded slowly. "Go on.."
Liana smirked and leaned down to bite on Ethilia's collarbone when her phone rang again. Someone was calling her repeatedly.
Ethilia huffed and pushed Liana. Liana frowned, irritation clear on her face as she reached for her phone on the bedside table.
Ethilia sat up, tying her hair into a quick bun and glared at Liana, "Who's calling you, huh?"
Lina glanced at the number and shrugged, sitting beside Ethilia. "I don't know. It's an unknown number."
Ethilia clenched her jaw, "Liana... are you..."
The phone rang again, cutting her off. Without thinking twice, Ethilia pressed the answer while the phone was still in Liana's hand.
Liana's eyes widened, and she stared at Ethilia. Ethilia signalled for her to speak and put the phone on speaker.
Liana exhaled slowly, then nodded and put the call on loudspeaker.
From the other end, hurried breathing echoed. Ragged and uneven, like someone was running fast.
Before Liana could speak, a broken voice came through. "Liana... I'm Eliza..."
Liana's eyes widened, and Ethilia gasped softly. They both shared a look before Liana finally spoke, "Eliza? What's wrong? you don't sound good."
A sob broke through the line. "I need your help," Eliza cried. "I can't stay in this town anymore…"
Liana was confused, but she didn't ask further, "Okay," she said calmly. "Where are you? Tell me. I'll have my dad's guards come get you."
Eliza was about to say when a loud crash echoed through the call. The line went dead, leaving Liana and Ethilia staring at the phone.