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Cosette didn't forget the reason she went to the dining hall before the suggestive interaction with Maxen. However, it was too awkward to stay in the same place as him when someone came in. Of all people, Asher had to come, but in a way, she was thankful it was Asher and not Luke. That would be a huge problem.

So Cosette stopped a staff on her way back and asked her to bring some food to their room nicely. Much to her surprise, the servant knew her name. Cosette was a little embarrassed to ask this favor, as she didn't want the servant to think she was acting like a princess. But alas, the servant happily accepted her request.

In the end, Cosette came back to where the girls were and planned to spend some time with them before they depart. When she returned to the room, of course, Sarah looked at her with curiosity in her eyes. But before she could ask, the servant came with a tray of food for the four of them. They even brought medicines for their hangover — just like what Cosette asked.

Fortunately, Sarah wasn't the type to probe and knew how to read the air, while Fay and Amie were too groggy to even notice the awkwardness dominating Cosette's face. An hour had gone by with just them snacking and talking about what happened last night, and when another classmate came to pick up Cosette, Sarah, Fay, and Amie waved her goodbye before resting again.

'I think I got used to their company...' Cosette leaned back on the seat by the window of the bus. Her classmates, who decided to come, were settling in their seats. 'Really... what am I thinking?'

She shut her eyes, telling herself not to think about what had just happened in the dining hall. However, the more she told herself not to think about it, the effect was the opposite. It kept replaying in her head over and over and over until she snapped her eyes open.

"Wait... he leaned forward, right? It's not me?" Cosette jumped from her seat when someone sat down beside her. She looked at him and her eyes went wide. "Max?"

As usual, Maxen wore his dull expression, casting her a side-eye. "Not a sound about it," he warned tonelessly.

"What..." She cleared her throat and looked away, eyes on the window. "I was just making sure if you're the one who leaned forward or me."

"You did."

Cosette gasped and looked at him in disbelief. "Max, you shouldn't push the responsibility on me!"

"Why?" he quirked a brow. "You don't want to take responsibility for last night and today, too?"

"What --" she nearly choked in her own breathing at his blunt questions. She thought Maxen would act just as awkward as her. But then again, he wasn't awkward this morning too. If anything, he looked dangerous, as if anything she would say would warrant her a death row.

Meanwhile, Maxen studied her in silence. If not for the fact he was worried about her and these kids, he wouldn't even come for today's trip. However, if something bad happened, he wouldn't forgive himself for letting her go all on her own. Not only that, but he wouldn't have a face to show to Conrad if Cosette was put in harm.

"Tell me." He adjusted his seat until he was facing her. "What do you want from me, Cozie?"

"Huh?"

"What is it you're aiming for that you're trying to help me even when I didn't ask for it?" he clarified, wanting to take advantage of the awkward situation than let it sit and devour them alive. He needed answers, and he was certain he couldn't ask her in the future. Or rather, he wouldn't have a chance to ask.

"That's so random," came out a muffled voice, leaning back, shrinking under his gaze. "Because why not? I mean, kindness is free, so it won't hurt to be generous about it."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, I am!"

"It's not because you're grooming me, right?"

"Hah! Of course! Not!" Cosette bit her tongue and opened her mouth at the pain that numbed her jaw. She instinctively covered her gaping mouth, feeling her bones wobble at the numbing pain of accidentally biting her tongue.

Maxen shook his head, watching her recover from accidentally biting her tongue. He didn't know whether that was karma for lying, but now, he was more suspicious of her intentions. Surely, it wasn't just as pure as it was out of the goodness of her heart.

"So, you are?" he asked, making her eyes pop open wider. "Is that the plan?"

Cosette raised a hand and swallowed the water in her mouth. "What? I said, of course not."

"And then accidentally bit your tongue?"

"Goodness, Max. Are you saying I am a predator?" she planted her palm across her chest, pursing her lips when his expression died. "Gosh... don't look at me like that. I bear no such intention..."

Maxen raised his brows, waiting for the rest of that sentence as it sounded like she just trailed off. "Unless?" he asked when she feigned ignorant.

"Unless you wanted to be preyed upon," she mumbled, making his eyes twitch. "Then I'll groom you happily and put you in a warm blanket where the author cannot touch you."

"Hah..." he pinched the bridge of his nose and laughed weakly, shaking his head before resting his back on the seat. The bus had started moving away from the mansion since everyone settled in their seats. His lips opened and closed, but his voice was stuck in his throat.

Who wouldn't be rendered speechless by her statement? Unless he wanted to be preyed upon? She'll groom him happily? And put him in a warm blanket? What was he? A baby?

The image she had in his head was completely shattering ever since last night. What she said just now was the last straw.

He raised a finger and looked at her. But in the end, he closed his eyes and shook his head. It was pointless. Or rather, today wasn't the best time to talk about it. He needed some time to let this all sink in. It was too abrupt.

Meanwhile, Cosette kept her lip shut. Her eyes were shaking, sneaking a peek at him. When he looked back at her but ended up saying nothing, her brows rose. She was too used to being honest with him, that she already blurted out the things that sounded misleading.

'That's not what I meant...' she muttered in her head and sighed secretly. 'What I meant by that is I want to raise him to be a good man and get his own happy ending. But well... I did sound like someone who had an evil plan. Great job, Cozie!'

Cosette glanced at him once again. The only thing she could sigh in relief for was that Maxen didn't seem repelled. That was what was important. She didn't want Maxen packing up his things while telling her he would rather starve than get defiled.

'That would be the worse, for sure.' She leaned against the window, eyes outside, watching the side road flash before her eyes. 'In any case, he seemed fine with what happened last night. He will come to terms with it. But then again... what was that tension in the dining hall?'

Her mind drifted to the feeling she felt in the dining hall, trying to understand what it felt exactly. It was strange, Cosette thought. During that time, her brain just went completely blank, bewitched by his eyes. Deep in her heart, she was anticipating something to happen.

Was that the effect of kissing someone? That it was addicting, and she wanted to explore it? The feeling of his lips was surely appalling in a way. It was too appalling she wanted to have an actual taste just so she could discern what it truly felt and tasted.

'Am I becoming a pervert after two consecutive kisses?' Cosette mentally facepalmed. Little did she know, she wasn't the only one who was having a personal dilemma.

'Do I want to be groomed by her?' Maxen asked himself for the umpteenth time as silence enveloped the two of them. 'Is that even legal? She knows what she's saying, right?"

He closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. 'Maxen, Maxen. Get a fucking grip.' When he reopened his eyes, they were calm, but the turmoil within remained just as chaotic.

'How can I do that when I can't even leave her alone?' he glanced at her, only to see her looking at the window. 'If only she chose to stay behind... did she think she can avoid me? Or... is this a part of her plan, knowing I can't stay behind if she comes? Damn... she shouldn't have misbehaved last night. If only she didn't, I will not know this part of her.' — because now, he was having all sorts of ideas in his head.

The two of them remained silent, thinking about their own dilemma. Little did Cosette know, she would have an encounter she had never fathomed to happen. At least, not this soon.