No longer a pushover

Chapter 106

As Noelle reached for the seatbelt, it wouldn't budge, no matter how hard she tried.

Cedric watched for a moment before leaning over to help. At that moment, the two were unusually close. He could smell the faint scent of beer on her while she noticed the length of his eyelashes. Noelle held her breath, and in a moment of impulse, she hugged his arm. Cedric froze, turning to look at her. His throat tightened as he softly asked, "What are you doing?"

Noelle didn't answer. Instead, she leaned in and kissed him. As soon as she pulled back, Noelle felt a wave of nervousness.

Cedric remained still. The dim street lights outside illuminated his side profile, making his expression hard to read.

Noelle, feeling flustered, stammered, "Sir, if you don't have a girlfriend, what do you think of me?"

For a split second, Cedric's gaze deepened. It was as if an electric current shot through him. He quickly pulled away, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "You're drunk." Without another word, Cedric started the car and drove toward the apartment. The ride was silent. It took Cedric a long time to suppress the strange tugging in his chest. At a red light, he finally spoke. "You're still young. You don't understand what love really is."

When Cedric glanced over, he saw that she

entire drive overthinking, yet she had passed out without a second thought. He could only hope she wouldn't remember any of this in the morning. As they arrived at the

swatted his hand away and

before sighing. In one smooth motion, he lifted her out

on the bed, he carefully removed her high heels and pulled the blanket over her. He stood by the bed, looking at her with a

moment later, he returned with a glass of water. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he gently helped her

wrapped her arms around him. "Mom, I miss you. You're the only

know how to respond. For the first time

glow of the city

through the window, casting shadows

shake the feeling that something between them had

with a pounding headache. She groaned, rubbing her temples. She must've drunk too much