The Rise of the White Lotus

"Cause my heart starts beating triple time 

With thoughts of loving you on my mind~"

This confusion and foreign emotions that he never felt to others, he could not express it by words. Hence, he expressed it by a song. Something with her honest words and Lexi's acceptance of her wrongs, made him see her how amazing she was as a person. 

Indeed, she might not be as perfect as she seems to be nor is the kindest human on earth but to him, a person like Lexi that would admit her selfishness was enough to be admired about. It's crazy with that simple thought could bring a powerful impact on him. 

"I can't figure out just what to do

When the cause and cure is you~" 

He slightly moved his gaze to her direction as if the words are directed to her. The corner of his lips curled upward seeing the ever proud Lexi was now slightly drunk and reckless as if she finally broke free from the invisible cage that limiting her to be herself.

"Woahhh, if I don't know any better, I'd think you're an angel chu…" Churu mumbled in awe as her attention was solely focused on Ethan's soulful singing. What's more? He was now looking at Lexi who was enjoying the song with her eyes closed and a satisfied smile on her face.

The next line, Lexi sang along with it and slowly opened her eyes.

"I get so weak in the knees

I can hardly speak

I lose all control

And something takes over me…" 

The moment she opened her eyes, it was welcomed by Ethan Lu's gentle gaze which stunned both of them a little. It was as if something in them sparked the instant their eyes met.

*BA THUMP*

For a second, Ethan Lu thought he heard his heart beat right in front of his ears. It's not a surprise that Lexi's voice was on point and could sing melodiously. After all, she rose to fame in the entertainment industry for being a triple threat.

Too bad she had gone half dimwit due to her intense love. 

'Aiya… I guess love is the greatest manipulator of all.' He thought inwardly as he was reminded of how Lexi wasted her talent pursuing the man she loved. Still, his opinion also pricked his heart because of it as well.

"Good song, hehe." Lexi smiled as she complimented. It's as if she received a pat on the back as a comfort from his song. Alas, she never had the thought of what was Ethan's implying because of the frigging reason of her, being lightheaded.

Meekly smiling, Ethan retracted his gaze from her and peered at the thousand stars illuminating above.

"Hmmm, it is..." He hummed a tune with an unreadable glint flashed across his eyes.

Unlike his calm and languid front, his mind and heart started a riot which made him more conflicted. His mind was sending red warning signals while his heart screamed its desire and rights. It was a total chaos!

Again, only the mild gust of wind could be heard between them as neither of them talked for a while; Ethan being sandwich between the war of his mind and heart while Lexi delved into her LaLa world. After some time, Lexi's subconsciously asked,

"Hey, Ethan… what's your reason why you befriend me?" She never asked this before or had any clarification of the reason behind why Ethan Lu would want to be her friend. It's not that she was complaining as she actually doesn't mind having him as a 'friend'. However, now that she's under the influence of alcohol, this question that she threw at the back of her mind resurfaced.

"No, reasons… I actually think I made the wrong step with that." Ethan answered but the latter part came as a murmur because of the ruckus between his should and shouldn't feel towards his best friend's former fiance.

However, since the surrounding was a quiet place, Lexi still heard his whole statement. Yet, instead of being offended, she giggled in humor.

"You did *hic*. Hehe, now, you're trapped with me. *hic*" 

Ethan lightly chuckled by the statement he would never hear on her normal state. Without looking away from the mesmerizing view above, he responded.

"I did dug my own grave…"