CPT 10

Episode 10

Confused.

…And uncomfortable.

Even closer now than when they’d stood side by side on that narrow path near the dorms.
Back then, their hands had only brushed—
but now his hand was gripping her arm.

That was what you called real contact.

A powerful urge to step away crawled up her throat.
The worst thing about being aware of someone was how your senses suddenly sharpened. Everything—every minor thing—started to bother you.

Like…

His body heat against her skin felt too warm.

Yuha exercised every ounce of patience as she examined Geoffrey Hester up close.
His eyes were slightly flushed, his thick lashes casting long shadows.
The sharp, citrus scent she oddly remembered—
(why the hell did she remember that?)—
was now buried under the heavy smell of alcohol.

And yet…

His eyes were still clear.

‘So… he’s actually sober?’

Yuha ruffled her hair with her free hand.
It took her a moment to notice how neatly buttoned his shirt was, all the way up to the collar.
Even drunk, the man radiated sheer determination.

That kind of “I refuse to lose to anyone” pride.

She finished her quiet observation and asked politely,

“Are you okay?”

Jeffrey didn’t answer. He just stared—
intently, methodically.

“Sorry, but I’m busy too. Can you let go now?”

“You’re leaving?”

If I say yes, he’s definitely not going to let go.

Yuha didn’t bother to wonder why she felt that so strongly—
she just knew.

Jeffrey’s gaze only grew heavier, pressing into her like a weight.
He didn’t blink. Not once.

If there were a Staring Contest Championship, this guy would win first place.

Suppressing a sigh, Yuha shook her head.

Still, Jeffrey clung stubbornly, refusing to release her.

“Fine. I’m not leaving.”

Only then did his hand loosen slightly—
though he still didn’t let go completely.

‘Is he drunk or just obsessed?’

Just as she was about to call him out, footsteps echoed from the entrance of the wooded path.

Reacting on instinct, Yuha pushed Geoffrey into the bushes and ducked beside him.

She had to hide him—this guy who naturally drew every pair of eyes around.

Please, just walk past. Don’t come this way. Just go back to the quad. Please.

The footsteps grew louder.
Someone was coming closer.

Then—

“…Look this way.”

His voice, deep and elegant, brushed against her ear.

Without thinking, she turned her head—
and nearly screamed when his face was right there, inches away.

She flinched hard enough to almost fall backward,
and would have, if his hand hadn’t caught her by the neck to steady her.

She bit the inside of her cheek, fighting the urge to yell.
The footsteps didn’t stop. Someone was definitely approaching.

If we get caught like this, I’m doomed. My college life is over.

No. Absolutely not.
This looks like we’re entangled. Deeply entangled.

As the approaching voices grew clearer, Yuha made a split-second decision.

She moved—
half-covering him with her body, her shoulder and arm shielding his ridiculously handsome face.
With one hand, she covered his eyes.

“Stay still.”

She whispered sharply.

“Don’t move.”

“….”

Thankfully, Geoffrey obeyed.

It was an awkward, way-too-close position,
and then—

“Yo, yo, yo, man.”

“Dude, turn around. Let’s go.”

“Think they’re using condoms?”

“If not, their lives are over.”

Unbelievable.

Wh—Whhhhaaat the actual—!

Yuha clenched her teeth, holding in her frustration.
This one humiliating moment is still better than years of campus rumors.

The two nosy students finally walked off.

Only then did Yuha spring back, pulling her hand away from his eyes.

“Thank god voyeurism isn’t a campus sport.”

“….”

“Would’ve been a disaster otherwise.”

“….”

“Hey, Mr. Gentleman. You good?”

Seriously, I didn’t do anything weird. If he accuses me of harassment, I’ll riot.

She studied him closely.

For some reason, Jeffrey’s demeanor had changed.
Earlier, even drunk, he’d been sharp and cutting.
Now… the edge was gone, dulled somehow.

Yuha looked between his flushed eyes and the palm that had covered them.

His lashes had brushed her skin.

Why does that hand suddenly feel ticklish?

What the hell is wrong with me.

She muttered inwardly and stood up.

“Anyway, go find your classmates or head back to your dorm.
If it were me, I’d definitely run to the dorm.”

“….”

“But you don’t seem like the type to run.
So, uh, good luck surviving the night.”

“Marry me.”

Yuha blinked.

“…Huh?”

He repeated, frowning like a child denied a toy.

“Marry me. With me.”

“….”

“Just a college marriage. Don’t get weird ideas.”

“Would I?”

“….”

Nice. That shut him up.

Geoffrey’s silence gave her a petty sense of victory.

Wait.

Did he just… propose?

Well, it’s not like she couldn’t guess why.

Not to prove Daisy’s wild theories,
but because marrying a girl who clearly wants nothing to do with him would keep other annoyances away.

Yuha decided that was the most convenient explanation.

“Sorry, but no.”

“Why not.”

“Because bigamy’s illegal. I’m already married.”

“You are?”

The disbelief on his face made her grit her teeth and smile stiffly.

If you weren’t so good-looking, I’d have thrown you already.

“When?”

“Just now.”

Only after she said it did she realize how much that sounded like a lie.

‘Yeah, that definitely sounds fake.’

“I really got married. Just now. In the quad.
My college wife’s Lizzy Milligan. Theology major.
I swear I’m not lying.”

At the mention of a full name, Jeffrey seemed to accept it.
He blinked a few times, then said calmly—

“Then the solution’s simple.
Get divorced.”