Chapter 99
Valeria tried to grab Sebastian’s hands that were undoing his buttons, but both her hands were full. A bunch of chocolates slipped through her fingers, but she couldn’t pick them up.
The two dogs lowered their heads to lick them, and Valeria scolded, “You can’t eat chocolate.
No!”
She fumbled to unlock the door, then hurried to steady the drunken, dazed man as they stepped inside.
It was already 10:30 pm, and Selena was asleep.
The two dogs had been extra energetic tonight, so Valeria had taken them out for a walk when it was quiet.
She hadn’t expected to find Sebastian at her front door.
Helping to support his tall frame, Valeria guided him to the couch, panting from the effort. Once she removed the leashes, the two dogs circled the man lying on the couch and sniffed him. Then they looked up at Valeria.
Potato let out a quiet whine, as if to say, “Mom, I know him.”
Valeria hushed them. She didn’t want them barking, as it would disturb the neighbors. Then she stepped outside and picked up the chocolates that had fallen.
She looked at the chocolates in her hand, unsure of why Sebastian had shown up. Maybe it wasn’t as complicated as she thought. Perhaps he was just drunk and got lost.
Valeria heard a noise from Selena’s room. She gently pushed the door open and walked in.
Selena was asleep and had kicked her blanket off. Valeria pulled it back over her.
Suddenly, there was a pattering sound at the door. Valeria knew that sound well. It was the sound of four legs trotting, paw pads tapping on the floor.
Sure enough, Pork Chop was lying at the door, whining softly. It seemed like he was trying to
say something.
Valeria remembered Sebastian in the living room and quickly stepped out.
Sebastian was sitting on the couch, and he looked like he was sober.
Valeria walked over. After some hesitation, she asked, “Since you’re awake, maybe you should head home. Do you want me to call you a cab?”
He couldn’t have driven here while so drunk. Even if he did, there was no way he could drive
her, one unsteady step at a time.
Valeria instinctively backed away, but soon, there was nowhere left to go.
Her back hit the wall, and she frowned. “Sebastian, it’s very late.”
Pork Chop seemed to sense her mood.
He bit at Sebastian’s pant leg, but at only four or five months old, he wasn’t of much help. Besides, Pork Chop wasn’t trying to bite Sebastian for real.
Potato, who had stayed with Sebastian for a few days, acted like the man was family and just wagged his tail.
Sebastian looked at the blurry figure ahead. He could just barely make out a fair face.
Perhaps it was the alcohol that made him want to do something he normally wouldn’t. In this unfamiliar, cramped space of the cozy little living room, that urge grew stronger and stronger.
Valeria turned around to open the room door.
Suddenly, she noticed a chair in front of Sebastian. He might have sobered up, but he wasn’t fully alert.
She called out on instinct, “Be careful.”
But Sebastian still tripped over the chair.
He was already unsteady and stumbled forward. As Valeria caught him, he pulled her into a hug. His breath was warm on her skin, and the hand on her waist slowly tightened.
By the time Valeria realized what was happening and tried to pull away, his lips were already on hers. He held her close, kissing her deeply.
Valeria’s eyes widened. Her mouth was filled with the taste of him, and her whole body went
weak from the kiss.
Their breaths grew labored and uneven.
