The Rise of the White Lotus

Every millisecond seemed to take longer than it should be. When he saw her slowly closed her eyes and was giving her the permission of one his long-awaited dream—his heart melted to a thousand degrees.

Just as his lips were an inch away from hers, he stopped and whispered in a hoarse, struggling tone, "You are driving me crazy…" Ethan Lu then raised his lips direction and placed a soft, gentle kiss on the apex of her pointy nose.

His action snapped her back to reality as her eyes slowly opened. Looking at his flushed and charming profile, Lexi was rendered speechless—not because she was displeased about not being kissed but rather, surprised that he didn't despite having her silent permission.

"Let's do it when we're both sober," His voice was low as a meek smile formed on the corners of his lips.

God knows how much he wanted to kiss her right there and then. However, being reminded that she had a few drinks earlier, Ethan Lu didn't want to take advantage of it. 

Also, what he wanted was her heart and if kissing her right now would lead to something that she'd regret tomorrow, Ethan Lu preferably not cross the line.

Upon hearing his remarks, Lexi's eyes softened as another scattered piece of her heart was placed back to where it originally was. She appreciated his thoughtfulness and hence, the more she spent more time with him, the more she felt safe.

In retrospect, it was the system's fault that Lexi was forced to entangle herself with him. All those earliest encounters with him, Lexi only corresponded because of the system and her 'task'. However, she wouldn't go this far if not for him. 

Lexi had always had this thought in mind that if Ethan Lu—the so-called 'Mr. Main task' was a complete jerk, there's no way she'd abide. After all, the system had no due date and even if she didn't complete it until she grows old, it wouldn't do anything to her.

But, he proved her wrong. Because, before her, he wasn't the man she suspected him to be. He wasn't also the jerk he claimed to be. Or at least, for her, he's the most kind-hearted, thoughtful, and a real gentleman in this modern era she had ever met.

Moving her arms and wrapping them around him—she ended up going back to his embrace without a word. She could not say anything as her heart was utterly moved. Thus, at the very least, she hoped that her hug could tell him how she felt.

On the other hand, Ethan Lu smiled before returning her soft hug. Burying his face on her shoulder, he audibly grumbled.

"I missed my chance," Of course, somewhat some ways, he still regretted missing the opportunity. After all, he had fantasized the day that they would share a romantic kiss. Still, he wished it to be done without the influence of alcohol.

Lexi chuckled hearing his regrets, "Too bad for you," she humored.

"Can we do it tomorrow?" Still burying his face on her shoulder, he pleaded.

"Nope, Mister." Softly rejecting him without batting an eye, Lexi giggled as she could feel his frustrations. 

They stayed like that after some time as Ethan Lu kept on pleading for a kiss tomorrow, but to no avail, she would mercilessly veto it.

More minutes had passed, Ethan Lu finally conceded defeat. Regardless, he cheered himself up that there would be more chances in the future when she fully accepted him as her lover and husband.

"Say, how many seconds you think of me in a day? Five? Ten? Maybe, 30?" Being reminded of her challenged 'let me think about you 24/7', Ethan Lu treated it as a gauge to measure his progress.

Lexi pondered for a second before she responded to the anticipating puppy, "Ten..."

"Ten seconds? Hmmm, not bad. I still have 23 hours 59 minutes and 50 seconds to catch up to fill a day.." Indeed, Ethan Lu was already happy to make a little progress with his courtship—even if it was just a second, he'd be delighted. To him, making her think about him just for ten seconds was already an achievement.

"...minutes," She resumed which made him abruptly pulled away from her and looked at her with a stunned expression.

"I-is that for real?" He stuttered as he forced himself to clarify what he heard; hoping that he didn't hear her wrong.

"It's just an estimation. Don't overreact," Chuckling, Lexi rolled her eyes as she slightly shook her head.

"Ahhh… how can I not?" Going back to her, Ethan Lu happily buried his face on her shoulder as he didn't expect to make such huge progress.

Both of them teased and continue the night doing random things. They watched a movie together inside the seemingly enormous yacht and moderately drink wine.

Since it was late and both have them had a drink, Lexi agreed on staying for the night—sleeping in different rooms. However, in the middle of watching another movie, Ethan Lu fell asleep.

Staring at the man next to him that was still in a sitting position while his back and head comfortably leaned on the enormous, customized lounge sofa—she smiled.

Lexi's gaze traveled to the details of his side profile and she must admit that he was really good-looking. In the past, aside from Morris Liu, all other men were all ugly in her eyes. But now, she could appreciate his dashing looks matched with a good personality.

Subconsciously, her hand raised and she mildly poked his cheeks for no good reason. "You must be exhausted." She murmured as he didn't wake up.

Thinking about his stories earlier, Ethan Lu shared that he was now working in their family business and said 'it was crazy!' in a joking way. But, Lexi knew how draining it was working in a big company even if he had the privilege of being an heir. 

Moreover, Ethan Lu's position in the Lu family seemed it was already set in stone thus, he needed to work harder and smarter than anyone else.

That is why Lexi understood if he suddenly fell asleep. After all, it was already past midnight and the fact that he has told her that he was working nonstop in a silly way— she recognized how tough it actually was. Furthermore, he drove for several hours straight earlier.

Therefore, just thinking about it, she could not help but be moved again as he could still make time for her and for her family. 

"Ethan… don't change—or, maybe you can, but I hope in a good way." She whispered as her eyes were fixed on his side profile.

Indeed, that was probably the last thing she wanted to happen: seeing Ethan Lu change into someone she could not recognize anymore just like a certain someone.

'You are already fine just the way you are… I hope one day, having enormous power won't change you.' She stated inwardly as a subtle smile plastered across her face. Even if she said that, for some reason, she put all her faith that he wouldn't disappoint her.

Behind them, Churu slowly descended from the upper floor like she was the second coming of Jesus. She wanted to check their current status, alas, seeing that Ethan Lu fell asleep, she had the urge to bite him in the face to teach him a lesson for falling asleep in the middle of a date.

But when her gaze moved to Lexi and her gentle front, Churu relaxed a little. Knowing her host, she must have understood and got the gist behind his exhaustion. Well, that's Lexi anyway; a mature woman who could be needy and understanding at the same time.

'I'll bite him if he did this again.' She threatened inwardly before slowly ascending to god knows where.