"Janet, I've always only liked you."
Peyton's eyes burned with intensity, and after a moment, he began to regret.
"If I had realized earlier that you would misunderstand, I would have explained it more clearly. It was my fault for being so slow to pick up on it."
"When I saw you at the wedding, I was so happy."
He got lost in his memories, a soft laugh escaping. "But by nightfall, you handed me the marriage agreement, and I nearly broke."
"I thought it was fine. I'd slowly make you like me." I laughed as well. The world's coincidences were truly absurd.
He suddenly became careful. "And now? Does your heart feel the same as mine?" Peyton was still half-kneeling by my bedside. I quickly reached out and pulled him up. "Let's talk while standing." The moment he stood up, a gust of wind blew past me, and then he pressed me back onto the bed.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he spoke apologetically. "My leg's asleep..." Who knows if it was real or fake.
Peyton's arms pressed into the bed beside me, pulling him slightly away from me.
I Janeted at him, and before I knew it, I reached out to hook my arm around his neck, tilting my head to kiss his lips. He froze for a second before pressing me back onto the mattress.
He murmured my name between kisses, his voice even more intoxicating than the night before, when it was mixed with alcohol. I cupped his face, and between our lips was just enough space to fit a finger.
I said:
"Tomorrow, we will still be us."
He smiled, gripping my hand and pressing it onto the bed, his heated breath sweeping from my ear to the side of my neck. His cold collar touched my collarbone, only to be replaced by his warm skin in an instant. His hand slid up the edge of my shirt, setting fire to every inch of my skin. The heat radiated from the outside in, making me tremble uncontrollably. He found my lips again, sealing my sobs within his kiss. It hurt. I felt like I was being torn in two.
I sobbed, trying to hide my tears in the pillow, only for them to be hastily wiped away by his hand.
"Don't cry, I won't be able to hold back."
His hand stopped, gently or firmly stroking, sweat dampening his short hair, sliding down the side of his face. The chandelier above his shoulder flickered in and out of view until I completely ignored it. In the warm embrace, he stroked my long hair and softly said:
"Janet, marry me again."
This time, not to save face, not for a marriage alliance, but solely for Peyton and me, for us. I smiled slyly, speaking in the most casual tone, but saying something extraordinary:
"Okay, darling."
Peyton's breath grew lighter, and his muffled voice came from above my head.
"Don't tempt me."
I obediently closed my mouth, my smile not fading as I found a comfortable spot in his arms, hoping to catch some sleep. But then he came back, kissing me senseless, softly coaxing:
"Janet, say it again."
Extra Story 1 (Peyton POV)
I like Janet.
I don't know when it Janetted.
I just know that I love hearing her speak, and I'll do anything she asks. But she doesn't like me.
I'm not sad because it seems she doesn't like anyone. Watching my brother and her sister always together, sometimes I wonder, why isn't it me who has the engagement with her?
