As Candice''s mind continued to wander, her emotions weighed heavily on her.


    She found herself in a perpetual battle to understand Elio''s intentions, her mind engulfed by thoughts of him as she attempted to unravel his innermost feelings. Unable to hold back, Candice released a deep sigh.


    Mervyn chuckled softly, remarking, "Look at that our carefree Candice, sighing just like the rest of us."


    Snapping back to reality, Candice couldn''t help but smile. "Yeah, it''s strange. I don''t know when it happened, but it seems I''ve picked up some worries too," she confessed. "It sounds like a sign of growing up," Mervyn observed.


    With a yful pout, Candice muttered, "If growing up means having worries, I''d rather not grow up at all."


    "Tell me, is something at work bothering you?" Mervyn asked, keeping his eyes on the road.


    Candice shook her head, her mind preupied.


    Mervyn''s expression darkened slightly, his tone growing more serious. "Is it about rtionships, then?"


    At Mervyn''s probing question, Candice lowered her head, nervously twisting the towel in her hands. She remained silent, unable to articte her thoughts.


    A somber expression crossed Mervyn''s face, a trace of concern evident in his features.


    However, he maintained aposed demeanor as he cautiously broached. "Are you worried that if you were to share your feelings with me, I might not reciprocate?" Candice frowned at Mervyn''s words. "Merv, please don''t make jokes like that. It''s not funny," she murmured.


    Mervyn let out a nervousugh, trying to conceal his embarrassment.


    After dropping Candice off at the hotel, he bid her farewell and departed.


    Upon reaching the suite, Candice discovered that Elio hadn''t yet returned.


    Undeterred, she retreated to her room, seeking sce in a steaming shower.


    With ample time at her disposal, Candice settled against the headboard, her earphones in ce as she delved into sketching designs to the backdrop of music. Minutes melded seamlessly into hours as Candice poured herself into her craft, eventuallypleting two sets of drafts.


    A nce at her phone revealed the precise moment of midnight.


    Typically, Candice would have been in a deep sleep by now.


    But tonight, rest seemed distant.


    C


    NOW PLAY YOUR FAVOURITE GAMES ON


    Rather than solely losing herself in music and sketches, it felt as though Candice was unconsciously awaiting Elio''s return.


    After setting her sketches aside and removing her headphones, Candice quietly slipped out of bed. Donning her slippers, she treaded cautiously toward the door.


    With delicate movements, she turned the doorknob and discreetly peeked outside.


    To her surprise, the living room was illuminated by bright light, a stark contrast to its previous dimness, indicating Elio''s return.


    Sumbing to weariness, Candice finally gave in to the urge to sleep.


    However, just as she was about to retreat into her room and surrender to rest, a sudden ttering noise echoed from outside, catching her attention. Despite her initial hesitation, Candice decided to brave the unknown and opened the door, determined to investigate the source of the disturbance.


    Entering the living room, she was


    greeted by a disarray of empty wine bottles strewn across the floor, apanied by several partially consumed liquor bottles atop the coffee table.


    Elio sat slumped on the sofa, his head tilted back against the cushion, revealing the captivating curve of his Adam''s apple.


    One hand shielded his eyes from view, while the other gripped an empty wine ss, an air of mncholy shrouding him in destion.


    His short hair remained damp, and his white shirt clung to his skin, emphasizing the contours of his chest muscles.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    "Elio, what''s wrong?" Candice''s heart


    raced with concern as she swiftly


    collected the scattered bottles,


    sitting beside him in bewilderment. "Why did you drink so much? And why are you soaking wet? Where''s Sean?"


    With caution, Candice delicately retrieved the empty ss from his hand. Examining his drenched form, she felt utterly lost, her unease visible. Despite her worry, she refrained from reaching out to touch Elio.


    With no strength left, Elio''s hand fell to his side as he raised his head. His eyes, clouded and bloodshot, zed intensely as they met Candice''s gaze. Despite Elio''s distress, his focus remained unwavering on Candice, his chest rising and falling heavily as he remained still. Caught in the intensity of his stare, Candice''s body tensed with apprehension. Softly, she inquired, "What''s the matter?"