Chapter 134: The Hotel Invitation
The food arrived hot and fragrant. The grilled skewers were perfectly charred, glistening with sauce, and the truffle fries looked crispy and golden. Hope immediately reached for a skewer with an eager smile.
"These are really good! You have to try them while they’re still hot," she said, already taking a big bite.
Andrey and Lisa began eating as well, but it didn’t take long for both of them to notice something.
Hope was eating... a lot.
She wasn’t just nibbling politely. She was genuinely enjoying the food, finishing her skewer quickly and reaching for another without hesitation. She also kept picking at the fries in between bites, clearly having a big appetite.
Andrey watched her quietly for a moment, then felt a small sense of déjà vu.
’The last time we ate together... she also ate this much. I remember thinking it was surprising back then too.’
He didn’t say it out loud, but the corner of his mouth lifted slightly in amusement.
Lisa also seemed to notice. She glanced at Hope’s plate, then at her own, and smiled softly.
"You really like this place’s food, huh, Hope?" she said gently.
Hope nodded happily, cheeks already slightly full. "Mhm! The flavors here are really good. I can’t help it."
They continued eating and drinking at a comfortable pace. The conversation flowed naturally, mostly light topics about the food, the atmosphere, and small things that happened during the day. Hope kept recommending different drinks from the menu, and before long, another round was ordered.
Time passed quietly.
By the time they were halfway through their second round of drinks, Lisa’s cheeks had turned noticeably pink. Her usual gentle and composed expression had softened, and her eyes looked a little unfocused. She was smiling more than usual, and her words came out slower, with a slight slur.
Hope, on the other hand, was still cheerful, but her face was flushed and she was laughing a little louder than normal. She rested her chin on her hand and stared at her drink with a dreamy look.
"Waaah... this one’s really strong tonight..." Hope mumbled, swirling her glass. "Or maybe I’m just... lighter than usual today..."
Andrey, who had been sipping his drink at a steady but moderate pace, remained mostly clear-headed. Years of drinking with colleagues back when he worked in an office had given him a decent tolerance. He watched the two girls quietly, a small, slightly helpless smile on his face.
Lisa, however, was clearly not used to drinking. She leaned a little to the side, then suddenly turned to Andrey with a loose, warm smile.
"Andrey... you’re really... calm, huh?" she said, her voice softer and slower than usual. "Even when everything was so tense earlier... you always look so steady. It’s kind of... reassuring..."
Hope giggled from across the table, her cheeks bright red. "Right? He’s always like that~ Even when Sarah called in a panic, he just went straight into action mode. So cool..."
Andrey let out a quiet sigh, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. He reached out and gently took Lisa’s half-finished glass away from her.
"I think that’s enough for both of you," he said calmly. "You’re both starting to get drunk."
Lisa blinked at him slowly, then pouted something she almost never did when sober.
"...Just a little more?" she asked, her voice small.
Hope, meanwhile, was already resting her cheek on the table, looking at Andrey with half-lidded eyes and a silly smile.
"Hehe... Andrey’s scolding us... It’s kinda nice..."
The atmosphere at the table had become noticeably warmer and looser.
Lisa, whose face was now flushed a deep red, had slowly inched closer to Andrey throughout the conversation. Before he realized it, she was leaning against his side, her body pressing softly against his arm. He could feel the gentle, warm weight of her chest, small and soft resting against him through her clothes.
Andrey stayed still, trying to keep his expression calm even as he felt the warmth of her body so close.
Lisa looked up at him with hazy, slightly unfocused eyes and asked in a soft, drunken voice.
"...Andrey. Be honest, okay? Between all of us... who do you think is the prettiest?"
Hope, who had been lazily swirling her drink, suddenly perked up at the question. Her cheeks were also flushed, and her usual bright smile had turned into a curious, slightly mischievous grin.
"Oh? That’s an interesting question~" she said, leaning forward with interest. "I want to know too. Who’s the most beautiful in your eyes, Andrey?"
Andrey let out a small breath. He could feel Lisa still leaning against him, her body warm and her gaze fixed on his face as she waited for his answer. He chose his words carefully, trying to stay neutral.
"You’re all beautiful in your own ways," he said calmly. "Lisa, you have a gentle and comforting presence. Sarah is bold and striking. Sein has a strong, fiery charm. And Hope... you have a bright, radiant energy that draws people in. It’s hard to compare."
For a moment, the table was quiet.
Then Lisa pouted, a rare expression on her usually gentle face and lightly tugged on his sleeve.
"That’s not fair..." she mumbled, her voice slightly slurred. "You’re just saying nice things to everyone. I want you to answer honestly... Who do you really think is the prettiest?"
Hope watched Lisa’s clingy behavior and suddenly burst into soft laughter, covering her mouth with one hand. Her shoulders shook as she giggled.
"Lisa... you’re so bold when you’re drunk~" Hope said between laughs. "I’ve never seen you act like this before. It’s kind of cute."
Lisa didn’t seem to hear her. She was still looking up at Andrey with that hazy, expectant gaze, waiting for a real answer.
Andrey sighed quietly. He could feel the warmth of Lisa’s body still pressed against his side, and the atmosphere was starting to get a little too dangerous for a public place.
"...That’s enough drinking for tonight," he said firmly, though his voice remained calm. "Both of you are clearly drunk. We should head back before things get out of hand."
He gently placed a hand on Lisa’s shoulder, trying to create a bit of distance between them.
"Lisa, can you sit properly? We’re going back to the apartement."
Lisa blinked slowly, then gave a small, reluctant nod. She slowly pulled away from him, though she still looked a little dazed.
Hope let out another small laugh and raised both hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright~ You’re right. I think I’ve had enough too..." She stood up, slightly unsteady on her feet, and smiled brightly despite her red cheeks. "Let’s go home before I say something embarrassing too."
Andrey paid the bill quickly, then helped both girls stand. Lisa was still a little wobbly, while Hope was giggling quietly to herself as they walked toward the exit.
The night air outside felt cool against their skin as they made their way back to the van.
Andrey kept one arm around Lisa, who was still leaning heavily against him, while Hope walked on his other side, her steps slightly unsteady.
They were only a few meters away from the van when Hope suddenly tripped over her own feet. She let out a small surprised sound as she lost her balance and started to fall forward.
Andrey reacted quickly. He let go of Lisa for a moment and caught Hope by the waist, pulling her close before she could hit the ground. In an instant, Hope found herself pressed against his chest, her face only inches away from his.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Hope looked up at him from such a close distance. She could clearly see his sharp eyes filled with worry, the slight tension in his jaw, and the faint shadow of fatigue on his face. Her already flushed cheeks grew even hotter. Her heart beat faster.
Andrey looked down at her with genuine concern, his arm still firmly holding her waist.
"Hope? Are you alright? You almost fell."
Hope stayed in his arms a little longer than necessary. She could feel the warmth of his body through his clothes and smell the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the night air. After a few seconds, she lowered her gaze slightly, her voice coming out softer and a little shy.
"...Andrey," she said quietly. "You’ve been driving a lot today too, right? You must be tired..."
She looked up at him again, her blue eyes slightly unfocused from the alcohol. Her face was still red, but there was a gentle, almost caring tone in her voice despite how drunk she was.
"Let’s stop by a hotel first... before going back. Just to rest a bit."
