Night Summer Trouble

Yeah, I supposed a dream would just stay a dream.

After all, I could not imagine something I had no experience with.

Hence, the dream came to an end.

When I woke up, the sun was already up.

I was in my room, and Zachary was not beside me.

I must have lost my mind.

I really thought that Zachary had come into my room last night!

As I remembered all that transpired in my dream, my cheeks burned.

How embarrassing.

I ran into my bathroom and washed my face with cold water. Only then was I able to calm my jumbled-up thoughts and emotions.

However, the moment I looked up, I noticed an obvious love bite on my collarbone.

My heart skipped a beat.

The embarrassing things that had happened in my dream rose to the forefront of my mind again.

Oh, no.

Had I been too thirsty and left a love bite on myself?

…

My thoughts were a mess.

When I walked into the living room, I met Zachary’s eyes.

“Come have breakfast,” he said coolly, as usual.

Since he was part of the embarrassing dream I had last night, I could not bring myself to look at him.

“Did you drink last night?”

I knew it. I could not run away from answering the question.

“It was a class gathering, and I drank a little.”

“Drink less next time, and don’t come back too late.”

I kept my head ducked and did not continue the conversation.

After some time, Zachary asked, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

I wondered if I should tell him that I wanted to move out.

After all, I was an adult, and Zachary did not like me very much because I was not his niece by blood.

If I continued staying at his place, I would only cause him trouble.

“Uncle, I’ve rented a place with a friend, and I’d like to move out.”

He froze before he looked at me. “You’re moving out?”

I nodded. “I’ve already graduated.”

His expression sank. “What’s this? You think you’re all grown up and no longer want to stay with family?”

I quickly defended myself. “That’s not it! I just… don’t want to be a bother to you anymore.”

“A bother to me? You talk as if you were never a bother to me in the past,” he said coolly.

…Yeah. I was a real menace when I was a kid.

“Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for a girl to live alone?

“Besides, you don’t even know how to cook. How are you supposed to survive?”

“I… I know how to cook.” I did not sound confident when I said these words.

Zachary did not even bat an eye when he said, “Alright. Fry an egg right now.”

He was underestimating me!

I entered the kitchen full of spirit, but half an hour later, I ruined the kitchen.

Zachary dragged me out.

As he stared at the charred mess that was supposed to be “food,” he snickered. “That’s what you meant when you said you could cook?”

This was his fault!

He never taught me these things. That was why I did not even know how to cook.

“When you learn how to make a full-course meal, you can move out.”

Zachary was basically putting me on the spot.

“But I can’t do it,” I said frankly. “Besides, I can order takeout, and I’m staying with a friend.”

“What friend?” As Zachary continued demanding answers, my phone suddenly rang.

When he saw the caller ID, he scowled.

It was Avalon Clark, my friend.

Zachary gave me a really intimidating glare, and I dared not ignore the call.

“I’ve found a place, Summer. Has your uncle agreed to let you move out?”