A silence fell over Horace, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Kira's smile was mischievous. "What? Worried your wife will discover us?"

Horace said nothing and just continued guiding her forward.

"I'm feeling a bit woozy. Could you help me walk?" Kira asked, her voice soft. Seemingly affected by the drinks, she leaned on Horace for support.

Contrary to what Horace had expected, Kira didn't resist but allowed him to help her down from the rooftop.

Upon reaching the corridor, Kira became unusually quiet. Any sound could alert Rita, and that could lead to trouble. A part of her envisioned Rita's distress upon catching them, finding the idea quite pleasing.

At her door, Horace whispered, turning to Kira, "Where's your keycard?"

Despite the rooms being well soundproofed and Rita likely asleep inside, Horace instinctively lowered his voice.

"It's in my coat pocket."

After retrieving the keycard, Horace opened the door, helped Kira in, and settled her on the sofa. "Rest here. I'll head back now."

Upon hearing his words, Kira embraced him from behind, her cheek pressed against his back. "Horace, stay with me just a bit longer..."

"Kira..."

“Just for tonight. Let's forget the past. I promise, after today, I won't trouble you again. Horace, could you grant me this one favor?"

At a loss for words, Horace remained silent.

After a long silence, he sighed and said, “Let go of me first."

"Thank you, Horace." Sensing his concession, a faint smile crossed Kira's face as she released him and stepped away.

Suddenly, she stumbled over something, let out a gasp, and fell backward.

Horace quickly caught her, and they both ended up falling onto the sofa.

There they lay, gazing into each other's eyes.

Horace was taken by surprise.