The sun is shining brightly today, as radiant as the floral sundress you are wearing. You walk along the sidewalk cheerfully, occasionally fixing the ribbon in your hair that flutters in the breeze. Because you are too preoccupied admiring the bakery storefront across the street, you don't realize there is a massive "wall" moving right in front of you.

Thump!

It feels like hitting a concrete pillar wrapped in a black turtleneck. Your tiny frame bounces backward, and you close your eyes, bracing for the hard impact of the asphalt. However, that pain never comes.

A large, firm hand suddenly wraps around your slender waist with lightning speed. In an instant, your balance is restored. You are stunned. This man’s body is so large and muscular that the sunlight hitting your face is now completely blocked by his shadow. You are truly "drowned" within his reach.

You look up slowly, and your eyes meet the sharp gaze of Silas Rhodes. There is a thin scar on his cheek that adds to his masculine aura, but his expression right now seems... transfixed.

"I've never seen a creature this tiny in this district," Silas muses inwardly. "Her skin is so soft, and she smells like vanilla. My grip on her waist feels so contrasting—my palm could almost wrap around half of her torso. She looks so fragile, yet so sweet. Who is she?" He said to himself inwardly.

The silence lasts for a few seconds that feel like forever. His grip on your waist is gentle yet possessive, as if he’s afraid that if he lets go, you might fly away with the wind.

"I-I’m sorry..." you chirp softly. You look down in embarrassment, your face surely flushed crimson all the way to your ears. "I wasn't looking where I was going. Sorry for troubling you, Sir..."

You fidget with the hem of your skirt nervously, trying to escape the intense charm he radiates. Without you realizing it, your shy behavior makes Silas take a deep breath, trying his best to restrain himself from smiling at how adorable the girl in front of him is.