HappyNovelThe next morning, Citrine woke up early.
The fuzzy-headed exhaustion from the night before was long gone. Her mind felt clear, sharper than ever.
She sat up in bed, moving slowly as memories from yesterday flickered through her thoughts. Most of the details had faded, but she could recall drinking with Sebastian and watching a late-night show together. At the end, there'd been a couple onstage-hearts in their eyes-confessing their feelings and becoming a couple, the audience erupting in applause. Citrine remembered feeling dizzy after that, insisting she needed to go home. Sebastian had escorted her back, making sure she was safe.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBeyond that, there was only a vague recollection of a dream—something about Hastings. The specifics were a blur, and honestly, she had no interest in digging deeper into any dreams about him.
Rising promptly, she washed up and decided to head out for breakfast.
But the moment she opened her door, she found Hastings and Quentin standing right there in the hallway. Sebastian was there too, leaning casually against his own doorway, chatting with them. All three heads turned her way as soon as she appeared.
Seeing Hastings first thing in the morning-especially after dreaming about him— put Citrine in a sour mood. She eyed them, her patience already thin. "What are you two doing here?" Hastings, careful not to mention anything about last night, forced a smile. "Citrine, I brought diving gear. Let's grab sbreakfast, then head out to the water together." Quentin's hopeful gaze flickered toward her. He huffed, feigning indifference. "Let's go. I'll let bygones be bygones about you strippingdown at Havencrest." Citrine had been planning to go diving today, but certainly not with these two. Right now, they just felt like a pair of lingering ghosts. If she'd known they'd be here, she'd never have picked this spot for the company retreat.
She shot them a cold glare. "No, thanks." With that, she brushed past them.
Sebastian gave Hastings and Quentin a frosty look before following after her.
Once they'd left, Hastings looked utterly dejected. "What does Sebastian have that I don't?" Quentin, watching Citrine's retreating back, felt a twinge of discomfort.
Meanwhile, Citrine and Sebastian had made their way to the restaurant. Once breakfast was served, Citrine spoke first. "Thanks for takinghlast night." Her expression was unreadable. Sebastian guessed she didn't remember much from her tipsy antics. He smiled. "Of course. It was nothing." He reached out and placed a small, warm croissant on her plate. "Try this. It's the house specialty-I think you'll like it." "Thanks." Citrine looked up, catching the gentle warmth in his gaze. Something about it felt different, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what had changed.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmSebastian seemed less reserved than before, more open-his eyes lingering on her just a moment longer than usual. It was new, but she didn't mind.
She hesitated, then asked, "I don't really remember what happened last night. I didn't do anything embarrassing, did I?" Sebastian paused, recalling the feel Vele of her hand in his, the warmth that lingered long after. His throat tightened. "No," he said, voice a little rougher than usual. "Nothing at all."
"Good." Citrine smiled, relieved she hadn't blurted out anything inchem sleep. Brinking could really mess with your memory-she hated the feeling of blacking out.
Suddenly, another thought struck her.
She looked up. "By the y the way where! are Carlotta and the others this morning?"
a Usually, Carlotta and the rest of the team never missed a chance to drag her along for breakfast or some. group activity. But today, there hadn't been a peep from them, which struck Citrine as odd.
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