Chapter 58: Chapter 58
"You've been training more than forty hours a week, Khai. That's insane! How do you manage to survive this?" Ana was fascinated by Khai's training regimen. She was lost in thought, wondering how he was able to keep his eyes open past 6 PM every day.
"It's not so bad once you build up your endurance," Khai replied as he emerged from the bathroom, smiling at Ana who was absorbed in his training plan. She was a voracious reader who was fascinated by any information she could find under the sun.
He handed her a chicken sandwich from his desk. "Here, Ana. You were starving, remember?"
Ana looked up from her reading to take the food, but her hand paused mid-air. Khai stood before her, looking down at her expectantly. His hair was still damp from the shower, creating a soft halo under the room's lighting. Drops of water clung to his eyelashes, cascading down his sharp cheekbones, angular jaw, and broad neck. He was now shirtless, revealing his god-like muscular physique. A pair of pajama pants hung loosely from his waist, exposing his broad shoulders, defined chest, and washboard abs that looked like they had been sketched to perfection by a professional artist.
Ana swallowed hard as her gaze traced the lines of his abs, which pointed downward like an arrow towards his pants. With his appearance, Khai looked like a water deity who had just stepped out of the ocean to bless the world with his stunning presence.
The dreadfully familiar throb that she had struggled to suppress started to make itself known again. Ana focused all her efforts on closing her mouth and steadying her breathing. She closed her eyes, afraid that her gaze would give away the indecent thoughts that were flooding her mind. Anger started to overshadow her lust as she realized what was happening.
This was a thirst trap, it must be. He was slowly but surely driving her insane. Even if he wasn't doing this on purpose, his actions seemed unfair to her. Her anger seemed to spill over onto herself, as she was ashamed of how racy her thoughts had become.
"Ana, are you okay? Are you dizzy?" His voice called her out of her aimless frustration.
She opened her eyes and focused her gaze on his. Snatching the sandwich from his hands, she turned around to face the wall as she ate it.
"Ana, what's wrong?" His voice held confusion.
"Nothing, it's nothing." Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she tried to tackle her helplessness. She felt like she was ambushed and defenseless by his looks.
Khai tugged on her shoulder so she could face him, but she stiffly stayed put, keeping her eyes on the wall. Her sandwich started to taste like cardboard. Nothing was going her way that day and she wondered if Meghan saw this coming when she gave her the present. She wished to run back to her room so she could figure out how that pathetic toy worked.
Avoiding her gaze from moving to him, she got off his bed and placed the sandwich back on his desk. "I'm not hungry, my stomach feels weird."
"Ana look at me, what is happening?" His tone had now turned concerned, which only made Ana feel worse about her actions.
She quickly climbed back on bed and pulled the comforter over her face. Inside the protection of the plush blanket, she seethed at her cowardice. She could feel him climb the bed and move close to her. She held on to the sheets tightly, sparing no effort to conceal her face.
He pulled her closer to him, sheets and everything. "You're worrying me baby. Tell me you're okay." His voice was filled with pleading.
The fight inside Ana faded away at the sound of Khai's voice. She peeked out from under the comforter and saw his brows furrowed in concern. Guilt washed over her as she realized how she had been treating him.
She wanted to ask him to put on a shirt, but her body seemed to be fighting against her own thoughts. Was there a part of her that wanted to see him like this? Actually, it seemed that her whole body wanted him with more clothes off. But she was too embarrassed to admit this, even to herself.
"I'm okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Just dry your hair, you're getting the sheets wet."
Khai pressed his lips together, studying her. He suggested they sleep in his room that night to gauge how comfortable she would be sleeping next to him if she was in her own room. She seemed to be doing just fine until a few minutes ago. He wondered if the trip was a bad idea. "Do you still want to leave tomorrow? We can go another weekend."
"NO!" Ana almost screamed before she could even think of a response. "Let's go tomorrow." She wanted to sound confident but she was afraid she ended up sounding like she was convincing herself more than him.
"I asked for the trip. I want to go. I need a change of space." She forced a smile at him. Luckily, Khai seemed reassured as he got off the bed to put on his t-shirt.
Ana ignored her heavy heart and focused on her mind. She watched him finish his sandwich and her thoughts slowly seemed to be clearing from the relief she felt. She was making a huge mess out of the whole situation. He seemed to want her and she wanted him to a point of insanity. Wouldn't it just be easier if she surrendered to her desire?
Taking a deep breath, Ana stretched her arms out, reaching for a hug. Khai, who was still watching her with concern, let out a relived sigh as he pulled her across his broad chest.
Throughout the night, Ana struggled to sleep as thoughts of a shirtless Khai haunted her. It was only when exhaustion took over that she finally drifted off. She knew she had a big day ahead of her and a conversation with Khai that she couldn't put off any longer.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone