As the men continued drinking, they decided to spend the night at Dylan’s family home. Lola was the first to enter Dylan’s room and slowly looked around. Although she had visited Gia’s house countless times over the past 14 years, this was her first time stepping into his territory. True to his personality, the room was tidy, with nothing but the essentials neatly arranged.
As she glanced around, her gaze suddenly landed on a photo frame on the desk.
The man in the photo was smiling so brightly.
He looked even more handsome and charming when he smiled.
When he smiled, his eyes seemed kind and gentle.
As if drawn into the photo, she was staring at it when she heard a voice from behind.
“What are you doing?”
Dylan had come in without her noticing. Startled, Lola turned to face him and spoke honestly.
“I was looking at a man who looks really handsome and charming when he smiles.”
“A man?”
“He looks quite different when he smiles.”
Without revealing the identity of the man, they continued their vague conversation.
“How does he look different?”
“At least…”
“At least?”
Dylan repeated softly, then pulled her into an embrace and sat her on the bed. As his face drew closer, his warm breath made Lola hurriedly say,
“At least he didn’t look like a grim reaper.”
“Ha!”
A ridiculous laugh escaped Dylan’s lips.
He knew exactly who she meant by ‘grim reaper.’
“I’m really curious; who gave you the nickname ‘grim reaper’?”
“I’m not sure, but when I was in school, if you didn’t know that Dylan was a scary older brother who looked like a grim reaper, you were a spy.”
“Ha! I can’t believe this…”
So, how did I end up with the nickname ‘Grim Reaper’?
Dylan, shaking his head in disbelief, leaned down again to meet her gaze and asked,
“So, what do you think?”
“Huh?”
“Do I look like a grim reaper to you?”
His serious expression as he asked her this made Lola hesitate.
“Since I’ve never seen a Grim Reaper, I’m not really sure…”
She looked cute as she replied like that.
Dylan chuckled and began to unbutton his shirt one by one.
‘Why is he laughing? Was what I said funny?’
As she tilted her head, initially only looking at his toes, his bare upper body filled her vision when Lola raised her gaze. Startled by his toned, washboard abs, she panicked. Regardless, Dylan calmly changed his clothes in front of her.
As Lola hurriedly got off the bed and walked toward the door, Dylan asked, puzzled.
“Why? Do you need something?”
“I didn’t bring my pajamas. I’m going to borrow some clothes from Gia.”
“No need for that.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll give you my clothes, so wear those to sleep!”
Dylan pulled out a loose t-shirt from the closet. Lola looked very flustered and didn’t know what to do.
“How can I wear your clothes…?”
“Why? I think it would suit you well.”
As he said that, he held up the t-shirt. Lola stood frozen, unable to approach him, feeling shy.
“Should I put it on for you?”
“Ah, no. No, it’s fine.”
As she waved her hands, Lola cautiously approached, and Dylan teased her again.
“Lola, it’s not like you’re practicing walking; you’re moving too slowly.”
“Ah, okay.”
Even so, as Lola walked slowly,
“You’ll take all night just to get here.”
Unable to stand it any longer, Dylan stuck out his tongue and quickly approached, lifting Lola effortlessly into his arms. She let out a startled sound.
“Ah… O, Dear.”
“If you scream, your father and mother will hear you.”
With his low warning, Lola couldn’t scream even if she was surprised, and she couldn’t escape even if she felt embarrassed.
Dylan sat her down on the bed and began to unbutton her blouse one by one.
“O, dear.”
“I’ll dress you, so just stay still.”
Lola urgently grabbed Dylan’s hand to stop him.
“I’ll wash up… and change.”
“Okay. I won’t touch you at all today, so you don’t have to be nervous.”
His words felt somewhat like a lie.
However, he didn’t flinch, and his expression didn’t change. Still, Lola couldn’t confirm whether his words were true.
As she awkwardly stood up, holding the t-shirt in her hand, Dylan’s lips curled up as he watched her back as she left the bed.
Watching her flustered and blushing face was always enjoyable and entertaining.
As Lola entered the bathroom, Dylan’s gaze shifted back to the photo frame on the desk.
It was a picture taken with Gia during her medical school graduation. He remembered feeling particularly proud and happy that day, having seen his younger sister finish her difficult studies. Now that he thought about it, when he smiled, his expression and eyes seemed to look different from others.
