“You left the hotel and went out to the street?” He brought the cup to his lips, lowering his eyes, and asked softly.
Her dark eyes stared at him, not quite understanding why he didn’t allow her to go out. Being cooped up in this room was suffocating, “I didn’t go far; I just went to the square across the street.”
“I’ll find a way to make sure you don’t have to stay cooped up in this hotel.” His ice-blue eyes twitched slightly as he lowered his head to sip his coffee, then popped another piece of gingerbread into his mouth. “Darling, just endure for one more week…” He had already drunk more than half of the coffee, placing the cup on the coffee table, leaning back against the wide sofa back, and slightly closing his eyes.
She watched as he quickly fell into a deep sleep, not wanting to disturb him. She tiptoed to the window, pulled aside the white floor-to-ceiling curtains, and gently closed the open window. The suite he booked was on a high floor, allowing a view of the entire square through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Since it was already late at night, the square and streets were sparsely lit, with only a few neon lights and the twinkling stars alternating in the sky. A Gothic-style archway stood at the square’s center, with the brass-cast Goddess of Victory high on her chariot, spreading her wings, her blade pointing straight to the sky…
She returned to the sofa, quietly gazing at his sleeping face. He must be very tired, as he seemed to have immediately sunk into deep sleep, breathing evenly. She picked up the white porcelain cup he had left on the coffee table, sipping a small mouthful of coffee from his lip print. This cup of Sumatra black coffee, without sugar or milk, tasted particularly bitter because it had cooled down. He liked this rich, full-bodied, and strong flavor; he preferred vodka when drinking andcoffee. She took another small sip, the thick brown liquid flowing between her lips and teeth. She frowned as she swallowed, the intense bitterness accompanied by a hint of faint sweetness.
She should know the reason he didn’t want her to leave this room. The city at this late hour was so quiet, with the gentle night breeze blowing, the starry sky, and the romantic aroma of coffee, a tender rendezvous of lovers… During the day, she had seen the parade in the square, soldiers with guns marching in formation, their loud voices echoing through the air. She didn’t like that feeling; even with the windows tightly closed and the curtains drawn, she could still hear the restless sounds. She could imagine the soldiers marching in orderly steps, the long black line so neat and organized, contrasting sharply with the crowd on the streets that was caught up in a frenzy of shouting.
Khanyi forced herself to finish the bitter coffee, gently placing the empty white porcelain cup on the coffee table, and once again gazed at him sleeping on the sofa, stroking his lips. He frowned slightly, his eyelashes fluttering, but he did not wake up. She softly repeated the most intimate words of love he had said to her in his ear, “Love is a star shrouded in morning mist. Without you, heaven becomes hell. The lovely tremor, the subtle shiver, the shy and beautiful embrace… What is love? What exactly is love? No one can answer that.”
He was sleeping soundly, and after a while, she also leaned against the sofa and fell asleep.
When she woke up, she found herself in bed, wearing only a silk camisole. He had already taken a shower, dressed neatly, and was in the closet by the door, picking up a white glove from the table and skillfully putting it on his left hand… She jumped out of bed, tiptoeing barefoot to his back, suddenly hugging his waist.
“Darling, don’t mess around; I only have 30 minutes.” He had already noticed her sneak attack but didn’t expect her to hold on to him and not let go.
She pushed him down onto the sofa, straddling his legs, and forcefully pulled his neatly tied tie out from the overlapping collar of his uniform, gripping it as if she were holding a leash for a little dog. Suddenly feeling playful, she mimicked him, blowing a little breeze in his ear, “No, I won’t let you go.”
“My little cat, what’s gotten into you today? Suddenly so passionate.” He extended his arms, holding her tightly in his embrace, glancing at the wall clock, “I really only have 30 minutes; now there are only 28 minutes left…”
She knew he only had half an hour, so she deliberately teased him, rubbing her warm cheek against his, her lips brushing against his, “Mmm… you little tease.” His white glove slipped into her black hair, caressing her affectionately, and she gazed into his ice-blue eyes, completely captivated.
“Little one, you’ll soon know the consequences of tempting me.” He narrowed his eyes, his tone somewhat authoritative.
