A handsome teenage boy with top grades and a close bond with me—it was inevitable that my feelings for him would grow over time.
What’s more, as his only friend, I liked to think I held a special place in his heart.
So, after the college entrance exams, I confessed my feelings to him.
I was lost in these thoughts when the car suddenly came to an abrupt stop. The jolt threw me off balance, and I was tossed sideways.
Instinctively, I closed my eyes, bracing for impact, but instead, I felt something warm and soft cushion my forehead.
It was Edward’s palm.
Startled, I quickly pulled back, still trying to process what had happened, when the designated driver spoke with surprise.
“Sir, I’m so sorry. A cat suddenly darted out in front of us.”
We got out to check, and sure enough, there was a tabby cat in the middle of the road.
Its front left paw had been pierced by a nail and was bleeding. It was so thin that its bones were visible beneath its soaked fur, but its belly was swollen, indicating it was pregnant.
The rain falling on its frail body made the poor creature look even more pitiful.
Fortunately, the car hadn’t hit the tabby. It let out a low, warning growl and bared its teeth at us as if trying to intimidate us into leaving.
It seemed to want to escape, but it was too injured and starved to move much, resorting instead to feeble attempts to scare us off.
A pang of sadness welled up in my chest. I wanted to help, but faced with its defensive posture, I hesitated, unsure of what to do.
I glanced at Edward and noticed his expression had turned serious.
“Step back a bit,” he said to me.
Then, in the next moment, he lunged forward, catching the tabby with swift precision.
That was when I noticed he had removed his suit jacket at some point. Now, the expensive fabric was wrapped around the struggling cat, rendering the jacket completely unwearable.
“Yuna, check if there are any nearby pet clinics still open,” he instructed before turning to the driver. “I’ll compensate you for the trouble later.”
About half an hour later, we arrived at a pet clinic. Though it had been closed, the power of money persuaded the owner to come over and open it for us.
By then, the tabby seemed to have realized we meant no harm. It lay quietly, waiting for treatment.
Edward, who had just finished arranging things with the driver, walked into the clinic. I was about to say something to him when my eyes fell on his arm. A large patch of red had seeped through his sleeve. It was obvious he was hurt.
“Your hand…” I blurted instinctively, stepping closer.
As I moved toward him, he looked up at the same time, and at that moment, my forehead brushed against something soft.
I froze, my eyes widening as I realized what it was.
His lips.
