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chapter 31
“Come in first.”
After letting Kayla inside, he dragged his suitcase in behind her.
“Wow! This place is amazing!”
Kayla looked around the house with wide eyes of admiration, then quickly scampered over to the window. Seeing the view spread out before her, she literally started bouncing in excitement.
“Jayden, what is this view? This is insane!”
“Keep your voice down.”
“I want to live here too!”
He glanced toward the bedroom and gave her a warning, but Kayla, still absorbed by the scenery outside, only said what she wanted.
“Don’t even dream about it.”
“So cold. Can I at least look around?”
At his blunt words, Kayla pouted, looking a little hurt, then immediately began snooping around the place with curiosity.
“Is this your bedroom?”
“Wait!”
As Kayla started heading toward the bedroom, he quickly blocked her path. She looked up at him with a puzzled expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“I had airplane food, so I’m full.”
“Then at least watch me eat.”
He tried to forcefully lead her toward the kitchen, but Kayla narrowed her eyes.
“You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?”
“What would I be hiding?”
Her sharp guess made him flinch inside, though he pretended to stay calm.
“Then why won’t you let me in the bedroom?”
“It’s not that I don’t want you to…”
As they squabbled, the bedroom door cautiously opened. Out stepped Yeonha, fidgeting awkwardly, wearing nothing but one of his T-shirts.
She must have been looking for her own clothes, couldn’t find them, and ended up wearing the T-shirt that had been draped over a chair.
Kayla, who until then had naturally assumed her brother was alone, froze in shock as she saw the woman emerge from the bedroom.
“Who… are you?”
For a split second, her gaze flicked to him, then shifted to Kayla.
“I’m his neighbor.”
Her calm reply disappointed Dohyun, but he didn’t show it.
Kayla’s eyes swept Yeonha up and down, her brow furrowing hard.
“Why would a neighbor be coming out of my brother’s bedroom? And dressed like that?”
The T-shirt fell to mid-thigh, but Kayla quickly realized she wasn’t wearing anything underneath. Her tone was dripping with hostility.
“Well, that’s…”
“There was a reason for it.”
Yeonha trailed off, unable to come up with an excuse, so he stepped in. Kayla immediately turned her glare on him.
“What reason?”
“There just was. Leave it.”
He cut her off firmly, as if it was none of her business. Furious, Kayla pressed again.
“I said, what reason?”
“I’ll explain later.”
Seeing his resolute expression, Kayla bit her tongue. She knew well how frightening he could be when he was truly angry.
Turning away from Kayla, he silently took Yeonha’s wrist and led her to the dressing room. After ushering her inside and closing the door behind them, he checked her expression.
“Did that startle you?”
“Yeah… a little.”
She said “a little,” but the stiffness in her face betrayed that it was more than that.
“I’ll explain everything.”
“You don’t need to. I already overheard enough from inside.”
She pulled her arm free as she spoke.
“I’m sorry. I dragged you into such an awkward situation.”
“It’s fine. It’s not like you meant for it to happen.”
Thankfully, she didn’t misunderstand. Still, he could sense a faint distance in the way she was addressing him.
“Anyway… where are my clothes?”
“They’re in the wash.”
“Why would you…?”
“They seemed uncomfortable to wear again.”
Realizing belatedly that her pants and underwear had gotten soaked earlier in their heated moment, her face flushed with embarrassment.
“I’ll wash them and give them back later. For now, wear my clothes.”
Reluctantly, she nodded. He rummaged through his neatly organized wardrobe, pulling out a T-shirt and pants that seemed closest to her size.
“As for underwear, I can run to the convenience store and—”
“No, that’s okay. There’s no need.”
“Still—”
“No one will notice if I just run home quickly.”
She grabbed his arm to stop him, clearly desperate to leave as soon as possible. He couldn’t insist any further.
“Alright. Just change into these, then.”
When Dohyun stepped out of the room, Kayla immediately approached, ready to explode. But before she could speak, he raised a hand to silence her—this wasn’t the time.
Just as Kayla’s lips parted in protest, Yeonha emerged, now wearing the clothes he’d given her. Even the smallest sizes looked oversized on her, like a child playing dress-up.
“Here.”
“Oh, thank you.”
He handed her phone, which had been sitting on the sofa. She quickly snatched it up as if only now remembering it, then headed awkwardly for the door.
“Sorry for intruding. I’ll get going now.”
Avoiding his eyes, she hurried out before he had the chance to stop her.
As soon as the door shut, Kayla rounded on him.
“Jayden, who is that woman?”
“I told you. The neighbor.”
He answered flatly. Kayla planted her hands on her hips, frowning.
“Do you think I’m stupid? A woman walks out of your bedroom half-dressed, and you expect me to believe she’s just a neighbor?”
“Technically, she wasn’t half-dressed.”
“Jayden, are you serious right now? Fine, I’ll just call Mom and tell her you have a girlfriend.”
When he didn’t respond, Kayla whipped out her phone and began dialing. Only then did Dohyun finally speak, his voice low and warning.
“Kayla Rush, calm down.”
“Then you’ll tell me the truth?”
Squeezed by her threat, Dohyun shut his eyes tightly, then opened them again.
“If you promise not to tell Mother.”
Kayla eagerly nodded, and Dohyun let out a weary sigh.
“She really does live next door. But it’s not what you’re thinking.”
“So… you’re not dating?”
“No.”
“But you’ve slept with her, haven’t you?”
He couldn’t deny it. The kiss marks scattered across her neck made it too obvious.
“Sleeping together doesn’t always mean dating.”
“What? Then is this just a one-night stand?”
“No. We’re… friends with benefits.”
“Oh. My. God!”
Kayla shouted, throwing her hands in the air, eyes wide in disbelief.
“Jayden, you always said you hated relationships like that—called them animalistic, just chasing instinct!”
“I used to think that way.”
He admitted smoothly, lifting an eyebrow.
“Is it because you’re lonely abroad?”
“That’s not it.”
He answered seriously, making Kayla stare at him with confusion.
“Then… why?”
“I like her.”
The sudden confession made Kayla doubt her ears.
“Who? That woman just now?”
“Yeah.”
“You actually like that type?”
Kayla’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Why?”
“She looks way too young.”
“She’s older than me.”
“What? Seriously? By how much?”
Kayla’s jaw dropped.
“Four years.”
“Liar!”
“Have I ever lied to you?”
“This is unbelievable… you really can’t tell Asian ages at all.”
Kayla shook her head, still in disbelief.
“But if you like her, then why aren’t you dating?”
“She doesn’t want to.”
“But why not?”
Kayla couldn’t understand. Back in Australia, Jayden had been wildly popular—despite being Asian, his physique, handsome looks, and kind personality had girls lining up for him.
