Free Web NovelChapter 30: Good Night
The second day at the villa passed far too quickly.
Everyone spent the afternoon swimming, playing games, watching movies, and taking countless photographs together.
By evening, the villa felt less like a gathering of idols and fans and more like a group of friends enjoying a vacation.
As the night grew deeper, most of the guests gradually retreated to their rooms.
The laughter disappeared. The lights dimmed. And silence settled over the villa.
Leo found Chris standing alone on one of the balconies overlooking the ocean.
The leader of Pulse leaned against the railing. "Can’t sleep?"
Chris glanced at him. "Not yet."
Leo nodded before walking beside him.
For a few moments, there was silence. Only the sound of waves filled the quietness of the night.
Then Leo suddenly asked,."Do you like Liliana?"
Chris almost laughed. That was not the question he had expected.
Instead, he answered honestly. "Yes."
Leo studied him carefully. There wasn’t even a second of hesitation.
Chris didn’t look embarrassed. He didn’t look surprised either.
He simply answered. Yes.
Leo chuckled.."That’s going to be difficult."
Chris raised an eyebrow. "Difficult?"
"Liliana told me she already has someone special."
The words made Chris smile. A genuine smile. One Leo didn’t quite understand.
"She did?"
"She did."
Leo crossed his arms. "Honestly, I feel bad for you."
Chris almost laughed again. "I see."
"But..." Leo shrugged. "I’m rooting for you."
That finally caught Chris off guard. "You are?"
"Of course." Leo looked toward the ocean.
"You’re a good guy. If anyone deserves a chance, it’s you."
Chris suddenly felt very guilty. Because the woman Leo was encouraging him to pursue was already his wife.
"Thanks."
Leo nodded. "No problem."
Then he walked away.
Leaving Chris alone with his thoughts. Hiding something from the people he was with for years was really hard.
He trusts them. But Pulse would be affected if his secret would be revealed.
And Pulse had other three members.
Near midnight, Chris still couldn’t sleep. He had tried several times. But every time he closed his eyes, he found himself thinking about Liliana.
About the photographs. About the anonymous message. About the danger that might be approaching.
Eventually, he gave up.
Quietly leaving his room, he walked through the hallway.
A few moments later, he stopped in front of a familiar door.
He hesitated. Then gently knocked.
Almost immediately, the door opened.
Liliana stood there wearing comfortable pajamas. She looked surprised, but only for a second.
"Can’t sleep?" Chris asked.
Liliana smiled softly. "You too?"
Chris nodded.
For a moment, they simply stared at each other.
Then Liliana stepped aside. "Do you want to come in?"
Chris wasn’t expecting that. "What?"
"Or are you just going to stand there?"
His heart nearly stopped. His wife had just invited him into her room.
Chris suddenly felt more nervous than he had while performing in front of thousands of people.
Slowly, he stepped inside.
Liliana closed the door behind him.
The room immediately became very quiet and very awkward.
Chris sat carefully on the sofa while Liliana sat on the edge of the bed.
Neither seemed to know what to say.
"So..."
"So..."
They spoke at the same time. Then both laughed.
The tension eased slightly.
"You’re exhausted," Liliana said.
Chris nodded. "A little."
"A little?" She pointed at him. "You’ve been working nonstop for days."
Chris smiled. "You sound like my mother."
"Someone has to."
The conversation continued naturally after that.
They talked about the concert.
About the villa.
About Emily’s endless teasing.
About River and Nicole.
About Aaron and Rose.
Even about Leo accidentally becoming everyone’s older brother.
The more they talked, the more relaxed they became. Until eventually silence returned.
A comfortable silence.
Liliana glanced at the large bed.
Then back at Chris. "You know..."
Chris immediately became alert.
"What?"
"You can sleep here."
His brain stopped working. "Here?"
Liliana nodded.
"We’ve slept in the same room before."
Chris stared at her. That was true.
Still, it felt different somehow. But rejecting his wife would be ridiculous.
After a few seconds, he finally nodded.
"Okay."
A few minutes later, they lay on opposite sides of the bed.
Chris stared at the ceiling. Very aware of Liliana’s presence.
Very aware that she was only a short distance away. And very aware that his heart was beating far too fast.
Then suddenly, Liliana moved closer, making Chris freeze. His entire body became rigid.
A moment later, he felt her gently wrap an arm around him and rest her head on his shoulder.
His heart nearly exploded. "Li-Liliana?"
She smiled without looking up. "I can do this much with my husband, right?"
For several seconds, Chris couldn’t answer. His heart was pounding too loudly.
Then he finally chuckled. A soft, helpless sound.
"Of course. But, you should know that I’m trying very hard to control myself."
Liliana closed her eyes, then smiled.
"Good."
The room became quiet again. The ocean breeze drifted through the balcony doors.
Everything felt peaceful. Safe. Warm.
Then Liliana spoke softly. "You should sleep."
Chris looked at her.
"I know you’re tired." Her voice was gentle. "I’ll be here."
Something inside him immediately relaxed.
For the first time since receiving the photographs, all the worries, stress and fear seemed to disappear.
Because his wife was here. She was beside him. Because she was his home.
Chris closed his eyes. A smile slowly appeared on his face. And within minutes, he fell asleep.
Still smiling, as he held the woman he loved.
Unaware that somewhere outside the room, Leo had witnessed Chris entering Liliana’s bedroom earlier and now sat awake in his own room.
Confused. Because as far as he knew, Liliana already had someone special.
So why had she allowed Chris into her room? But why didn’t it feel wrong?
A man entering a woman’s bedroom into the night. It doesn’t feel wrong at all.
And more importantly, why did it feel like there was a secret everyone knew except him?
