BRUK

Claire’s body collapsed fully onto mine, her weight pinning me to the floor. The impact brought her so close. I ca feel her breath, warm and shallow, ghosting across my dry skin.I could even hear the frantic. thrumming of her heart, a rhythmic echo of the chase that had just ended.

Claire’s eyes remained shut for a long, tense moment before she slowly opened them. Her amber pupils dilated as she met my gaze, her entire expression turning rigid.

In that moment, I was paralyzed. My mind urged me to move, to pull away, but my body refused to obey, anchored by an inexplicable stillness.

"I am sorry" I managed to say, the words finally breaking her trance. 

Her eyes rounded in surprise. "Could you please stand up first, Miss? I believe my legs have gone numb"

Upon hearing this, Claire—who had been staring at me with that frozen expression—scrambled to her feet. She turned her back to me immediately.

Whether she felt embarrassed or not was only human, given how close we had been. even the slightest nudge could have led to a contact I had no intention of inviting. 

I felt a dull ache spreading through my legs, and a sharp twinge shot through my back and waist as I forced myself to move

"I... I am sorry" Claire stammered, her voice low.

 "I did not mean to make you fall like that, Mr. Harrie. I just—"

I stood up and brushed the dust from the back of my clothes. 

"No"

"I am the one who should apologize for the error in the assignment I gave you. I understand why you were angry, searching for an answer that does not exist is a significant waste of time"

"Especially since it cost you your sleep and your rest. I truly understand your frustration. And because of that—"

I walked toward her and placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. 

"I will give you the opportunity to do whatever you wish today. Moreover, I am willing to assist you in any way you require"

"Is that offer enough to compensate for your lost time?" Claire slowly turned back to face me. The rigidity in her face vanished, replaced by a wide, radiant smile.

"Anything?" she asked, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.

"Anything, provided it remains within the bounds of your well being and your education"

Claire fell silent for a moment, deep in thought, before she finally looked up.

"Can I use it now?"

…

I let out a heavy sigh as I stood amidst towering bookshelves. It turned out that what Claire wanted to do today was visit her family’s private library to find a new book she hadn't yet read.

She explained that the library had belonged to her grandfather, who had a passion for collecting books from all corners of the world, complete with journals of his merchant travels across various lands.

 After his passing, the house was officially occupied by the eldest son of the Winston family, Richard Winston—Claire’s father.

Claire also claimed the library as her own, thanks to her grandfather’s will, which had bequeathed the room to his favorite grandchild.

My arms began to ache as thick volumes were piled one by one into my hands. Claire ran back and forth with a wide smile, clearly delighted to be in her element. I caught glimpses of the titles, nearly all were works of fiction.

 Though I couldn't deny there were a few volumes on adventure and history tucked between the classic romances.

I walked through the aisles of giant shelves, my eyes wandering over the collection. 

However, the further I walked, the more restless I became. The books were not organized by genre, fiction sat beside classic literature, and travel journals were shoved next to business texts.

I had intended to start tidying them myself until a small shadow caught my eye. Turning my head, I saw Claire hopping up and down, trying to reach a white-covered book on the very top shelf.

I sighed and walked over to retrieve it for her. Just as I reached up, she turned around and froze directly in front of me. I couldn't see her expression clearly at first, but once I had the book in my hand, I saw her looking up at me with an intense, unblinking stare.

The boredom I had felt earlier was instantly replaced by a sharp, suffocating awkwardness. The witty banter she usually offered seemed swallowed by the atmosphere. It only grew worse as she continued to gaze at me without uttering a single word.

The silence began to stifle me as well. Every thought I had to break the tension vanished from my mind. I tried desperately to break eye contact so this awkward moment wouldn't linger, but her amber eyes were mesmerizing, casting a spell that made it impossible to look away.

“Damn it” I cursed inwardly.

I tried to regulate my breathing as her small lips finally parted, her voice slightly hesitant. 

"I... I am sorry"

"Could you step back a little, Mr. Harrie? I cannot move at all" Realizing how close I was standing, I immediately took three steps back. I reflexively thrust the book toward her while turning my face away.

Claire took the volume before bursting out. "Pfft, ahahahaha!" Her crisp laughter shattered the tension instantly.

While I was left in a state of utter confusion, Claire could not stop laughing. From the corner of my eye, I saw her wiping away a tear from laughing too hard. Finally, I turned back to her, my brows knitted in a frown. "What is so funny?"

Claire struggled to find her voice, taking a moment to catch her breath before offering a small, playful smile. "Do you want to know what is so funny, Mr. Harrie?"

I still didn't understand, but Claire beckoned me to lean down so she could whisper in my ear. In a low voice, she explained her amusement. "Your face was as red as a tomato in my garden" She finished with a little giggle.

I was stunned. I didn't even dare to look at her, instead burying my face behind the stack of books I was still carrying.

Then, I heard the faint sound of a chair dragging across the floor. 

When I peeked over the side of the books, I saw Claire standing on a small stool, smiling mischievously at me. She began to take the books from my arms, one by one, until there were none left to hide behind. 

Now that her face was level with mine thanks to the stool, she found it much easier to maintain eye contact.

Claire looked into my eyes for a moment before her gaze drifted to the bandage still taped to my forehead. 

Her expression softened into one of pity, and she reached out to touch the wound gently. "Does it still hurt?"I shook my head slowly. "No. It will be dry soon. You have no need to worry about it"

Claire nodded and stepped down from the stool. She carried the pile of books she had gathered to a large wooden table in the corner of the room, near a glass window that offered a view of a small lake where swans and ducks were swimming.

"Of all the places in this estate, this is my favorite room" she remarked, opening one of the windows to let the autumn breeze drift in. 

Her loose hair fluttered, occasionally obscuring her vision, but she didn't seem to mind. She simply enjoyed the wind against her skin. Claire opened the white-covered book I had just retrieved for her. "Did you know, Mr. Harrie?"

"Actually, I have read every story in this book. I even remember all the best parts."

I turned to her, "Then why are you reading it again? Did you not just tell me you remember every detail?"

Claire chuckled, her eyes fixed on the small lake outside. "want to guess?"