Chapter 114: VIVIAN

VIVIAN

Vivian slowly opened her eyes. She remained still, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling of the cave.

The air was cool, and the faint sound of water dripping somewhere nearby echoed through the darkness.

She blinked, once and twice

Then she suddenly sat upright.

"Ah!"

She looked around frantically, her eyes widening as she took in her surroundings.

A cave!! She was in a cave!

Vivian lowered her head and glanced at herself.

Her clothes were scattered nearby, and she was barely dressed.

Her eyes widened.

"What the hell happened?"

She quickly grabbed her clothes and dressed herself, moving so fast that she nearly stumbled over a rock.

Once she was dressed, she stood still for a moment. She was still disheveled. Her trouser side was torn. She wore a coat hanging there to cover it.

Then her lips slowly curved into a smile.

A smile that grew wider and wider until she could no longer contain her excitement.

"I’m back!"

She threw both hands into the air.

"I’m finally back!"

She jumped excitedly, almost bumping her head against the cave ceiling.

Her heart was practically dancing in her chest.

She was back to this hellish but fun world.

Vivian pressed a hand against her chest, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.

Then she burst into laughter.

"Oh, my goodness! I can’t believe it!"

She spun around, unable to contain her happiness.

For once, she didn’t care about the questions waiting for her outside the cave.

She didn’t care about the trouble she might have caused or the people who might be searching for her.

Right now, she simply wanted to enjoy the feeling of being herself again.

After taking a few moments to compose herself, Vivian straightened her clothes and headed toward the cave entrance.

The moment she stepped outside, the sunlight fell across her face.

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.

"Beautiful."

The forest stretched before her, filled with towering trees, colourful flowers, and the distant sound of flowing water.

Vivian smiled.

Everything looked wonderful.

Even the air seemed sweeter.

Then she spotted someone standing near the cave entrance..

Her eyes lit up. "Handsome male!! I want him. He has white hair. White lashes. He is so tall!! I want to see him twerking for me!!"

He turned at the sound of her voice.

The moment he saw her, his expression changed from concern to disbelief.

"Vivian?"

Before he could say anything else, she rushed toward him.

He barely had time to open his arms before she threw herself against his chest.

Serial staggered backward from the impact but quickly wrapped his arms around her.

"Where have you been?" he demanded, his voice filled with concern. "Do you have any idea how long I’ve been looking for you?"

Vivian didn’t answer.

Instead, she patted his back gently.

Then she lifted her head and stared at his face.

His handsome face.

His beautifully defined jaw.

His silver colored eyes.

His lips.

Goodness! This man is ridiculously handsome!

Before Serial could react, Vivian grabbed his face and kissed him.

Hard.

Serial’s eyes flew open.

For a brief moment, he stood completely frozen, his mind struggling to catch up with what was happening.

Vivian was kissing him.

Vivian!

The same Vivian who usually had a sharp tongue for every occasion.

The same Vivian who is shy to hold hands. And their kisses were only perks on the lips.

And now she was kissing him as though he were the only man in the world.

When she finally pulled away, Serial stared at her in utter bewilderment.

"Are you okay?"

Vivian blinked innocently.

"Of course I am."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

She reached up and patted his cheek.

"As long as I can see your handsome face, I’m perfectly fine."

Serial froze. His ears turned red. Then his cheeks.

Then, to Vivian’s great amusement, even the tips of his ears became bright red.

"Y.. You..."

He struggled to find the right words.

Vivian tilted her head.

"Me What? Do you want a kiss?"

Serial looked away. "Nothing. I don’t want."

She giggled.

Oh, this is wonderful!

She had never imagined that making Serial blush could be this entertaining.

Unfortunately, while Vivian was busy admiring her handsome face, Serial was becoming increasingly suspicious.

Something wasn’t right.

Vivian had never been this affectionate.

Not even on her best days.

Usually, he had to work hard to get her to admit that she cared about him. Sometimes, he suspected she would rather swallow a handful of thorns than say something sweet to his face. And she was suspicious of him so she didn’t go too far.

But now?

She had kissed him without warning and called him handsome.

Twice.

Serial narrowed his eyes.

Something is definitely wrong.

He glanced at her again.

She was smiling at him.

A bright, sweet smile.

One that made him feel as though he were looking at an entirely different person.

His expression grew serious.

Did she hit her head?

Did she lose her memories?

Or did something happen inside that cave?

He had too many questions and absolutely no answers.

Rather than confronting her immediately, Serial decided to send a discreet message to the others.

He activated his communication device and quickly typed.

Serial:I found Vivian. She’s injured, so I’m leaving with her. Don’t worry about us.

He sent the message before Vivian could notice.

Unfortunately for him, she noticed something else.

"Handsome"

He looked up.

"Yes?"

"Let’s explore the forest!"

Serial stared at her. "What? What forest?"

"The forest!" Vivian repeated excitedly. "Look at all those beautiful trees and flowers. I want to explore everything!"

Serial’s expression darkened. "You’re injured."

Vivian looked down at herself.

"Am I?"

He stared at her in disbelief.

"Of course you are! Have you forgotten what happened? You shouldn’t be wandering around in your condition. Some of the poisonous flowers in this forest can release toxins that enter your bloodstream through open wounds."

Vivian waved a hand dismissively.

"Then I’ll avoid the poisonous flowers."

"That’s not how it works."

"Then I’ll be careful."

"No."

Vivian stopped smiling.

She slowly turned toward him.

"What do you mean, no?"

Serial sighed. "Vivian, we need to leave this place and get you somewhere safe."

"But I want to explore the forest."

"We can do that another time."

"I want to do it now."

"And I’m telling you that you can’t."

The moment the words left his mouth, Vivian’s expression changed.

She frowned at him. "What exactly do you mean, I can’t?"

Serial blinked. He felt fear hearing her tone. "I mean... "

"Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do?"

He stared at her.

For a moment, he wondered whether he had somehow wandered into a nightmare.

Was this really Vivian?

The woman who had just kissed him was now glaring at him as though she were considering whether to tear his head off.

Serial rubbed his forehead.

"I’m your fiancé, Vivian. We agreed that we would. .."

"Then shut up!"

Serial’s mouth snapped closed.

Vivian folded her arms across her chest.

"I’m the one who is supposed to talk, not you! My word is final, and you’re supposed to obey me!"

Silence. Serial stared at her. She stared right back.

For several seconds, neither of them moved.

Then Serial slowly lowered his head.

"...Okay."

Vivian nodded with satisfaction.

"Good."

She turned around and began walking toward the forest path.

Serial remained where he was for another moment.

Then he lifted his head and watched her retreating figure.

His expression was complicated.

What on earth has gotten into her?