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    M looked at Jasper, her face creased with worry. Her gaze held the same poignant mix of heartache and resignation as a mother watching her sone out of the closet.


    Feeling flustered under her gaze, Jasper hurried to exin, "Mom, I''m not gay. I''m straight,pletely straight. I''m interested in women, not men."


    Then, why don''t you have a girlfriend?"


    "I haven''t found the right person yet," Jasper replied.


    ''So, you''re not interested in women,'' M stated firmly.


    Jasper simply held his forehead and sank back onto the couch, uncertain how to reply.


    After pondering for a moment, M suggested, "How about I arrange a blind date for you?" Jasper let out a heavy sigh. "Mom, I''m only 26. Isn''t it a bit ridiculous to start setting up blind dates?"


    "You''re a 26-year-old man who hasn''t even held a woman''s hand. That''s what''s truly ridiculous, ''M retorted. "You''re a catch, and many women are interested in you, yet you''ve remained single all this time. There must be something wrong with you."


    Candice chimed in, "Yes, exactly, Aunt Chubs is right. There must be something wrong with you."


    Jasper straightened abruptly, his demeanor bing serious. ''Fine, set up the blind date. I''m curious to see how impressive this woman you arrange for me will be."


    "She''ll be beautiful, elegant, well-educated, graceful, and interesting." M replied confidently. Jasper smiled wryly. "I''m eager to see for myself."


    M felt a wave of relief with his agreement. Sorting out Elio''s marriage was her main task, and then she could focus on Jasper''s love life. The future was starting to look more promising.


    It waste at night, so Candice suggested that M and Jasper stay over.


    "We won''t be staying tonight. Leo might wake upter, and he''ll need you," M said with a faint smile.


    Thinking Elio was just intoxicated from drinking too much, Candice didn''t worry much and calmly agreed. After saying goodbye to M and Jasper, she returned to her room only to find Elio missing from bed.


    Candice heard the sound of running water in the bathroom. She assumed he must have awakened. Yet she was puzzled to see him showering even though he was drunk. There was a danger he could slip and fall.


    Candice hurried to the bathroom door and knocked. "Elio, are you showering? It''s not safe after drinking so much."


    There was no reply.


    "Elio," she called and knocked again, but silence greeted her. Worry mounting, she feared he might have fallen and lost consciousness.


    "Elio?" Candice hurriedly gripped the doorknob and turned it.


    As she pushed the door, it swung open abruptly from the inside. Before she could react, Elio, naked and still dripping from his shower, pulled her into a passionate kiss.


    Candice was utterly surprised by the kiss. Before she could gather her thoughts, Elio wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her effortlessly. She found herself carried toward the bed and abruptly pushed down.


    Panic fluttered through her, and she instinctively pushed against Elio''s chest


    He undressed her as they kissed. As his kisses moved to her earlobe, he whispered," Candice, I think I might have identally taken some kind of drug. I feel really out of it."


    Candice''s eyes widened in shock and her body tensed.


    ''Don''t worry. I''ll be gentle." Ello reassured her.


    Candice made a small, acknowledging sound. She closed her eyes and weed his approach, yet a wave of unease washed over her. She wondered which audacious scoundrel could have drugged Flio. Now, it all clicked why Jasper and M had personally escorted him home.