57 Chapter 57

Khai and Ana made their way back to her room, but he didn't take her hand like he usually did. She found this strange, but was thankful anyway. It was becoming increasingly difficult for her to touch him without feeling overwhelmed by the sensations running through her body. She didn't know how it happened, but her underwear felt damp, and the ache between her legs made it hard for her to think clearly.

She finally understood why Meghan had given her the device. It was for women who single handedly ruined their chances of intimacy with their lovers. Ana frowned, wondering if going on this trip was a good idea after all. Khai's affectionate kisses and touches that used to bring her pleasure were now becoming a slow form of torment.

As they stopped in front of the women's dormitories and her room, Ana pushed her thoughts away and looked up at Khai.

He spoke before she could. "Why don't we sleep in my room today?"

Ana opened her mouth to retort, purely out of reflex, but she found no reason to refuse him. What difference would it make as to where they slept? Maybe a change of surroundings would do her some good. Perhaps an unfamiliar environment would finally stop her from having these wretched thoughts. She nodded hesitantly, unsure of what to make of his suggestion.

Ana sat in her bathtub for a long time that day, her brain nearly burning from all the stress she was feeling. Her own touch started to feel strange as her nerves threatened to snap when she rubbed soap on the delicate skin between her legs.

Desperate for a release, she hunched her shoulders, leaned her head against her knees, and let the shower's water beat against her back until the chill became too much to bear. Emerging from the bathroom, she felt a semblance of comfort.

The scab from her hand seemed to have fallen off in the shower, now leaving a faint pink scar that would fade in a couple of weeks' time. She pressed on the wound to check if it still hurt. The scar seemed to be tender, but the pain had mostly disappeared. Heaving a sigh of relief, she proceeded to dry her hair and get dressed to sleep at Khai's room tonight.

A soft smile curved her lips as she thought about sleeping in his room that night. She expected to feel uncomfortable or nervous, but being with him had made her feel at ease, and it was as if her life before him was a hazy memory that had been cleared ever since he entered it.

Time flew by as Ana immersed herself in Meghan's Herbology notes and tackled some Isometry problems. She was lost in her work when she heard a gentle knock on her door.

Khai stepped into the room and his eyes lit up when he saw her suitcase by the door. He enveloped her in a his arms and kissed the top of her head. "Are you ready for dinner?" he asked.

Feeling the pangs of hunger finally kicking in, Ana replied. "Yes, I'm starving."

"Let's leave your suitcase in my car." Khai suggested, grabbing her suitcase and hoisting it up effortlessly. "Wow, this is surprisingly light." he remarked, intrigued.

Ana raised an eyebrow, suddenly questioning whether she should have checked what Meghan packed for her. But she quickly brushed those thoughts aside, knowing that her friend was always meticulous with these things. "It's only a three-day trip." she said, smiling.

As they made their way through the quiet halls of the women's dormitories, Ana could feel the stares of the few students still around. The judgmental gazes made her feel like tiny needles were pricking at her skin. Trying to ignore the negativity, she huddled closer to Khai, hoping to hide next to his large frame.

All the looks she was receiving resurfaced a memory of Natalie leaving her stranded at her party, in Ana's mind. It had been a while since she thought about the incident with Sean. She still wasn't sure if Natalie had left Meghan and her in that desolate restroom purpose, as it seemed unlikely that she knew Sean. Not wanting to raise any trouble for Natalie, Ana kept the incident to herself. She also hadn't seen Natalie around in a while, and wondered if she was lying low out of guilt for what had happened to Ana.

"I haven't seen Natalie around these days. Have you?"

Khai's tone was nonchalant as he replied. "I don't question good fortune Ana."

Ana giggled at his words. Even mentioning her name seemed to tick Khai off. She was oddly satisfied with his indifference.

"I got us some food already. We'll eat in my room." He placed her suitcase in the trunk and closed it with a soft thud.

Ana was suddenly excited as this was the first time she was going to see his room. Although Khai had been to hers more times than she could count, Ana had never once taken a step towards his own room. A thought that she was taking more than she was giving in this relationship suddenly crossed her mind.

She was determined to be more present for Khai and be there for him just as much as he was for her. She was tired of feeling like the damsel in distress, always needing to be rescued. With a newfound determination, she vowed to turn their dynamic around.

Khai twisted the door knob to enter the room and quickly took a look around it. He remembered to clean up so it would look presentable to Ana. He even stocked up the refrigerator and cupboards with her favorite snacks and made sure his bed was neatly made. He watched her expression as she looked around his room.

"It's so neat and cozy." She muttered as her eyes took in every detail. His room, unlike hers, had sense of calmness to it. The layout of the room was the same as hers, but his bed seemed to be much larger than her queen bed. She walked in and took a seat on his bed, running her hands on the plush deep grey comforter. Unlike her room, Khai's entire room was adorned in shades of grey, giving it a sophisticated, monochromatic look.

She smiled as she looked up at him, already feeling more comfortable than she should in this room. Khai watched her intently, his eyes holding something unreadable. Ana tried to decipher his expression, but it was impossible to tell what he was feeling.

"I'll take a shower and be right back," he said, breaking the silence. "There are some drinks in the refrigerator and you can use my laptop if you want to watch something. It doesn't have a password."

With that, he disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Ana to explore his room. She opened the mini fridge and grabbed a bottle of pineapple juice, then wandered over to his desk. She flipped aimlessly through his binders, filled with training materials, trying to pass the time until he returned from his shower.