Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia blinked, snapping out of her daze just in time to realize Rupert had already stepped inside.

She whirled around at the sound of the door shutting, blocking his path.

"Look, I booked a regular queen room. There's really nowhere for you to sleep."

Rupert just shrugged, totally unfazed. "It's not like we haven't crashed together before."

He brushed past her arm with casual ease and wandered into the room.

Sylvia felt her cheeks burn. Suddenly she remembered her clothes were still scattered all over the bed. She rushed over and yanked the comforter over the mess, half panicked.

She flopped down on top of the blanket, gesturing awkwardly around the cramped space. "Uncle Rupert, you see how basic this place is. Why don't you just head back to your own room? I'm sure your cozy bed is waiting for you."

He quirked an eyebrow. "Cozy bed, huh? That's thoughtful of you."

Rupert leaned up against the TV stand, hands stuffed in his pockets, his tone unreadable.

Sylvia clutched the comforter tighter, then pointed to the door. "Uncle Rupert, there's the door. Don't let me keep you."

The air in the room went still for a moment. Then, the end of the bed dipped with a soft creak.

Sylvia looked up, and suddenly Rupert was right there-close enough for her to feel his breath.

He had one knee on the mattress, leaning in just a little.

She tried to scoot away, but before she could, he'd already caught her wrists and pinned them gently by her ears.

His face hovered inches from hers. She tried to dodge, but he was like a seasoned chess player, anticipating every move, closing in-until she had nowhere left to go but to meet his gaze.

The warm glow from the bedside lamp spilled across his face, but his eyes stayed shadowed and unreadable.

Noticing the red marks on her wrists, he loosened his grip.

"You wanna shower first, or should I?" Rupert's voice was low and restrained.

Sylvia blinked. It took her a second to register what he meant.

In her flustered state, she noticed what she'd failed to hide beneath the blanket- the nearly sheer slip Naomi had convinced her to buy. "It's basically invisible!" her friend had promised. And it pretty much was, just a whisper of fabric.

Rupert followed her gaze, glanced down, and his expression changed for a half- second.

He closed his eyes, then let her go and pushed himself upright.

"I'll shower first."

Only when she heard the water running did Sylvia finally let out a breath.

What is he even trying to do?

She barely had time to think. Quickly, she shoved her stray clothes into her suitcase and sat on the edge of the bed, feeling awkward andout of

place. out of

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Rupert

was

phone toning his shirt when his

Orson

buzzed. A message fro

flashed on the screen

"Someone's there."

Probably the guy who'd lost track of Sylvia at the night market.

Rupert pocketed his phone, stripped off his shirt, and stepped under the spray, Bracing one hand against the

sees as the hot water poured

over him.

Back in the room, Sylvia couldn't shake her unease.

Then, the bathroom door cracked open, letting out a wave of steam.

Rupert called out, his voice deep and rough, "Sylvia, can you hand me the bathrobe from the closet?"

She hesitated, turning her back. "Grab it yourself."

"Either I don't wear one, or you bring it to me." His tone didn't leave much room for discussion.

Sylvia didn't move.

Suddenly, the bathroom door swung wider.

Even with the bed between them, she could feel the heat rolling over her, like he was getting closer by the second.

"Fine! I'll get it!"noveldrama

She jumped up, yanked the robe from the closet, and hurried over to the bathroom door.

Rupert reached out through the gap-not for the robe, but for her hand. Before she could react, he pulled her inside.

The door clicked shut behind them.

Sylvia froze, caught off guard, as he gently pushed her under the shower.

She gasped, sputtering as the hot spray hit her, and looked up to find Rupert standing right in front of her.