Chapter 318

Naomi's attitude was clear, and Hector gave up trying to persuade her. No matter what he said, it would be pointless. It was simply a case of one willing to give and the other unwilling to receive. Hector didn't know why he cared so much, but he'd recently noticed something was amiss.

At first, he just kept thinking about Naomi, questioning his own feelings. Then he found himself wanting to see Naomi all the time, inventing excuses to be with him. Despite this, strong feelings began to form in his heart. He was no longer satisfied with the status quo. Hector was a psychologist; he'd treated many unusual psychological issues and encountered similar situations—people falling in love with someone of the same sex but struggling with their sexuality. He would encourage them to understand themselves, explore their identities, and accept their genuine feelings. Lately, it seemed he was undergoing a similar process.

After wrestling with his internal struggles and examining his feelings, Hector had to admit he was in love with Naomi. This left him conflicted and torn. It was difficult to accept such things gracefully. He even felt unfamiliar with himself. He'd always considered himself firm in his beliefs, self-aware, and clear about his life goals. But meeting Naomi had turned everything upside down.

Of course, he harbored no prejudice against gay people. He could accept being attracted to another man. What pained him was the knowledge that Naomi could never return his feelings. He believed Naomi was straight and liked women; she was always surrounded by them, and he was sure she had feelings for Cynthia—the attraction was undeniable. He even felt a pang of jealousy toward Cynthia.

He'd always seen himself as a detached observer of love and heartbreak, maintaining composure while helping others. But recently, his beliefs were crumbling. He realized he was just an ordinary person, with all the desires and anxieties of anyone else. Ironically, the one thing he wanted was unattainable. This made him miserable. As the car sped along the overpass, Hector gazed at the flashing neon lights, feeling a heavy weight on his heart.

Soon, the car arrived at Azuregaze Mountain. Hector and Naomi were neighbors, their villas side-by-side. The gate between their yards was largely irrelevant; Naomi practically lived at Hector's place. Often, after a night out, she would stumble into his house, mistaking it for her own, and fall asleep. Hector, resigned to this, had grown accustomed to making hangover soup every night. After parking the car, a sudden irritation flared in him.

"Naomi, go home," he said, but received no response. Turning, he saw Naomi asleep against the car window. Even drunk, she looked beautiful. Her sleep was remarkably peaceful; she didn't snore or grind her teeth. Her breathing was even and gentle. He noted her unusually long eyelashes, casting small shadows under her eyelids. He found her different from most men, despite her smoking, drinking, and tattoos. She always looked clean and fresh, her skin fair and smooth.

A moment before, Hector's mind had been restless, but seeing Naomi asleep calmed him. He watched her for a long time, eventually moving closer until he could smell her fragrance—a light floral scent mixed with tobacco, surprisingly pleasant. His fingers brushed her cheek; it was warm and smooth. He traced her cheek, pausing at her lips—bright red and glossy, intensely alluring.

Hector's heart fluttered. His lips moved closer, driven by an irresistible desire. His heart pounded. He knew what he was doing but couldn't—or didn't want to—stop himself. That splash of red seemed the most alluring thing in the world. His lips met Naomi's; their noses brushed; they shared a breath. Hector almost held his breath.

The kiss was a shock, a jolt of warmth and softness that left him stunned and immobile. He closed his eyes, savoring the taste. Every cell in his body seemed to awaken, celebrating wildly. He opened his eyes as if waking from a dream, quickly pulling away and sitting up straight. His reflection in the rearview mirror showed a flustered man facing a great threat.

Even asleep, Naomi seemed to sense something. She opened her eyes groggily. "Hector, are we home yet?"

Hector stared at her as if she were a monster. He threw open the car door and rushed out.

Chapter 318

He slammed the door shut. Naomi, instantly awake, was bewildered. She wondered what had gotten into him; his recent behavior had been erratic. If not for their childhood friendship, she wouldn't bother with him anymore. Why the sudden coldness?

She got out of the car and headed toward the house, only to find Hector had locked the door from the inside. The password and fingerprint scanner failed. Naomi grew angry. Friends talked things out; why the secrecy? She climbed the tree, gaining access to Hector's balcony. He probably hadn't expected that. He'd only gone inside to check if she'd left. The balcony door opened, and they found themselves face to face.