The Rise of the White Lotus

Ethan Lu stiffened as Lexi wrapped her arms around his neck and soon sent mild electric shock waves to every nerve of his system. Her breath touched his jaw and it immediately wafted his nostrils that made his heart go 'bathump' bathump' like crazy! Yes! Slowly, Ethan Lu was starting to go insane even before Lexi whispered her words.

"Ethan, what happened between me and him— that's all in the past. If he wanted to explain something to me, he should be the one to tell me not you…" Although Lexi's intention was pure, however, her actions showed otherwise because Ethan Lu barely got the gist of what she was implying due to her initiation. He had nearly had a heart attack earlier with her advances hence, why must she needed to take it to the next level?!

"Also, are you trying to sabotage us? Our relationship?" A playful smile formed on the side of her lips with her last remarks. When Lexi told her friend, Rika that she would reconsider it, she actually didn't mean that she would think about it now. However, seeing him like this— Lexi knew that she wasn't deciding on a whim but taking a calculated risk. After all, he's worth the shot. 

Meanwhile, Ethan Lu's mind short-circuited before it was fixed and then repeat the cycle.

'Relationship? Like a real relationship— lovers? Also, is she really hugging me…?' Questions like these filled his mind as his hand slowly raised to touch the soft arms that were wrapped around the neck. That very instant his hand made contact with her arms, Ethan Lu's already dilated eye widened even more.

"You-- you mean… you, uhmm, I mean…--" Due to overwhelming emotions of relieved, shocked, gratefulness and many more— Ethan Lu stuttered and sounded like a fool as always. 

God knows he quite abhorred himself when he could not get himself together before Lexi. He knew he must have looked like a buffoon or sounded like a clown every time. However, what could he do? It was not like he was purposely doing it— it just comes out naturally— it was as if she had this magical ability that caused him to stutter and make his heart flutter every single time.

"Haha," Chuckling, Lexi slowly loosened her embrace and eventually let him go. She then moved and sat on a chair next to him with her pair of but-brown eyes locked on his constant change of countenance. "Rika had been nagging me about this unlabelled relationship— Ethan… do you know why I didn't give us a label?" 

Lexi leaned her side on the edge of the dining table as she supported her chin on the back of her hand. Still looking at him, Lexi was unaware that Ethan Lu had heard her conversation with Richard Si as she comes clean with him. "Ethan, does having a label that important? I mean, even if a person is in an official relationship… even married ones too— if he wanted to cheat, he will." 

Lexi contemplated her words as she tried to avoid putting so much self-insertion as she focused on how she unbiased sees and understood things. Meanwhile, Ethan Lu slowly, like a rusted robot— turned his head to see her gorgeous front staring gently at him. 

Just one glance—one glance, and his heart skipped a beat as Lexi's gaze was too loving that his heart completely felt completely secured for the first time. He peered at her without a word and attentively listened to her point of view.

"So, that's why I never really put much thought about the title because what's important is, you and I, we know what kind of relationship we have but… Rika was right— having labels won't hurt as well." Subtly smiling, Lexi slowly fluttered her eyelids as she observed every change of his expressions.

"Lexi…" Unhurriedly sliding his hand over the surface of the table to reach for her free hand, Ethan Lu without faltering soon held her hand as he mildly rubbed his thumb on the back of her hand.

"I don't really mind, but I don't know…" Heavily sighing, Ethan Lu was moved that Lexi was willing to compromise. However, for some reason, he felt that instead of pushing her to the most important goals she wanted, she was being held back because of some petty insecurities of his.

"Ethan, I don't doubt your sincerity and your efforts that made me feel like I have something special. But when Mr. Si asked me why I'm not accepting you just yet— well, I guess it's because what you showed me was too real to accept without being real as well." Lexi never broke her eye contact with him as she gave him a piece of her thoughts. She wanted to remain adamant of giving her heart in a good condition; which she could not do at the moment. Still, for his peace of mind, she reassured. 

Initially, Lexi wanted to love him just as much as he loved her. However, with this label issue always resurfacing and Rika's words slightly got through her— Lexi thought maybe just for the sake of everyone's peace, she might as well consider having an official boyfriend— although she already considered him as her lover.

"Love…" Meekly smiling, Ethan Lu's confidence gradually returned to him as he listened to her. He was utterly moved that she was willing to give him the reassurance that he needed. However, as he listened to her insight regarding this matter he came to a decision. 

Indeed, was having a label could stop your partner from hooking up with others? Was it enough to make one stay with you? Of course not, but still, it gives a person a small piece of right to get jealous, be upset, or what other people experience with relationships. 

"I don't know what to say— thank you…" Sounding gentle, Ethan Lu muttered his words as a bitter smile formed on the side of his lips because of the sudden realization he had and the fact he doubted her. "And, I— I'm sorry… yeah, I'm sorry for doubting you. When I had a talk with Brother Mo, I was too threatened that I actually thought of avoiding you for the time being…"

This time, Lexi arched her brows upon hearing the word 'avoid'. She wasn't interested in what discussion he had with Morris Liu, however, now that Ethan Lu was dropping hints like this— she was curious. 

Nevertheless, she would rather hear it from Morris Liu himself and not oblige Ethan Lu. After all, Ethan Lu only came into the picture after her situation with Morris Liu. Therefore, he shouldn't worry himself with this matter she had with Morris Liu. 

"And--" The rest of Ethan Lu's words was put on a halt when Lexi swiftly leaned forward and owned his lips with her own accord! After a second, Lexi drew her head back as she mildly bit her lower lip. 

"Shh…" She shushed as Ethan Lu started to panic and tattled about how he failed her sounding he wronged the whole world and was repenting and reflecting on his foolishness and so on. She knew where this was going, hence, to make him stop, Lexi chose the easiest road to shut him up and put a brake on his seemingly mental breakdown.

"Ethan, what we have… us, I value it, I do. They can think we are friends, gym buddies, lovers— whatever they call it. But for me, you're the only man I wanted to kiss today and all endless tomorrows." With that said note, the side of her lips curled into a reassuring smile. "I can't be intimate with others… even if it's Morris. Nothing and no one can make me waver— that's how I am." 

Indeed, one of the reasons why Lexi remained by Morris Liu's side even after knowing Mia Chen was because she would not waver and have second thoughts. When she set her mind and heart into something or someone, she wouldn't just give up without fighting for it. But if she backed away and say she's done, then that only means she's really done. 

That is why after being revived by the system, although she still had lingering feelings for Morris Liu, she didn't beg him to return to her. Even though her heart was being pierced before his cold eyes yet still craving for his love— she didn't because she must give her broken heart some slack.