Chapter 157

Gilmore blinked, wondering what Gerald and his sister meant by telling him not to be disturbed. He was just giving Elaine CPR. "What were they thinking?" he wondered. "Oh my god! That's disgusting!"

He realized something was wrong. His gaze fell on Elaine's face. He hadn't noticed she'd woken up. She was staring at him, her beautiful eyes wide open. She didn't scream or speak, but her pretty face blushed like a peach blossom in March. She was indescribably delicate and charming.

"Gilmore," Elaine whispered, avoiding his gaze, "can you move your hands?"

Gilmore finally understood her blush. He quickly removed his hands from her chest.

"You're awake?" he asked, hoping to change the subject.

"Yes," Elaine replied, nodding. She sat up. "It's getting late. Take a shower and go to bed."

Gilmore retrieved a guest bathrobe from the wardrobe and gave it to her. She took it and went to the bathroom. After showering, she recalled Gilmore's mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR, his hands on her chest. The steam filled the bathroom as her fair face blushed again. Tonight, she'd experienced so many firsts: expressing her feelings to a man, being kissed by Gilmore, and having her bosom touched by him. She felt shy but overjoyed, realizing she'd fallen in love. It felt like a beautiful dream.

Twenty minutes later, she emerged, her skin radiant and smooth, her long hair still damp. She was a perfect blend of innocence and sex appeal. Gilmore was captivated. She lived up to her reputation as Oakhaven University of Foreign Languages' Aphrodite and campus belle.

Elaine noticed Gilmore's gaze sweeping over her. Her heart overflowed with joy, but she felt uneasy under his stare. She handed him a bathrobe. "Stop looking at me," she said softly, "Go take a shower."

Gilmore, sensing her awkwardness, smiled. "Sure, I'll shower now."

Ten minutes later, he emerged to find Elaine on the couch, drinking water. He sat beside her.

"Oh, you finished your shower?" Elaine asked.

"Yes," he replied.

"Gilmore," she said, "why did we survive jumping from the building's roof?" She believed only immortals could do that.

He simply said, "Magic. It's all magic."

Elaine grabbed his arms, shaking them playfully. "Please tell me how! I need to know!"

Gilmore hadn't expected such sweetness and flirtatiousness. He felt weak but pleased by her charm.

"Okay, okay," he conceded, unable to resist her, "Windwalk. I used that skill to bring you back." He possessed mana, which was stronger, but chose a more common term, knowing Elaine wouldn't understand mana. Many people knew of Windwalk from martial arts films.

As he expected, Elaine understood immediately. Still surprised, she asked, "Gilmore, you're skilled in martial arts?"

"I picked up some skills," he replied, "but I didn't expect to use them today."

Elaine recalled being held and flown down, arriving safely at the hotel. She realized he wasn't just skilled, but highly proficient, as nimble and powerful as the professional martial artists she'd seen on TV. A newfound sense of security washed over her. She rested her head on his shoulder. "Gilmore, you're awesome!"

That night, after Gerald and Everly left, they remained at the hotel, but slept in separate beds in the room's double beds. It was their first meeting as a couple, and Gilmore, wanting to make a good impression, decided against intimacy. There would be future opportunities. He aimed to be a gentleman, different from Tobias. He knew she was madly in love with him.

Elaine was surprised and impressed by his restraint, feeling more secure and trusting. Before falling asleep, however, she warned, "Gilmore, don't sneak into my bed."

"Do you think I'm that kind of person?" he replied. He wasn't, and slept soundly.

In the middle of the night, he felt a soft body under his covers. He awoke to see Elaine there. "Didn't you tell me not to sneak into your bed?" he thought. Before he could react, they were entwined. They spent a passionate night together.

The next morning, they awoke, Elaine gazing at Gilmore with unconditional love. She'd lost her virginity to him, the only man she'd ever love. Gilmore, captivated by her beauty, kissed her forehead.

"Gilmore," she murmured, "I need to go to the station."

"Sure, I'll drive you," he replied.

They dressed and left the hotel room, leaving behind a crimson stain on the mattress, like a full-blown plum blossom.