The atmosphere was quiet—almost too quiet. A tinge of awkwardness hung in the air.
Evan Lee pressed his lips together, glancing briefly at Chloe Grace before turning to Blaine Jackson. His tone was serious as he asked, "Mr. Jackson, what exactly do you mean by that?"
Blaine's gaze was sharp, carrying a hint of disdain. *What an idiot,* he thought. *It's such a simple implication, and yet he still needs me to explain it.* "Chloe didn't say she was willing to return to Korea with you. Obviously, she's not your girlfriend."
"But she didn't refuse just now. That makes the answer pretty clear!" Evan insisted, unwilling to back down.
Blaine raised a brow, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "So, is it a common habit for Koreans to take someone's silence as consent?"
Evan's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Mr. Jackson, I'm curious—what's your role in stopping Chloe and me from being together?" His question came out of nowhere, catching Blaine off guard.
Blaine turned slightly to look at Chloe, who was staring at him intently. For a brief moment, he wasn't sure why his heart tightened. He didn't know why he was so irritated—why he felt a burning need to stop this Korean man from holding Chloe's hand or taking her to Korea.
"Mr. Jackson, Chloe mentioned that you're just her sister's senior from college. Don't you think you're overstepping your bounds with just that kind of connection?" Evan pressed further, his confidence rising as Blaine remained silent.
Blaine furrowed his brow, a sharp ache beginning to throb in his temple.
Sensing the growing tension, Chloe gave a small, apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Evan. Blaine might've caught my cold and isn't thinking clearly right now. Let's not talk about this anymore. Tomorrow, you're leaving, and we're all here to celebrate. Let's enjoy the evening and have a few more drinks." She forced herself to down another glass of wine, her throat burning with every sip.
The others exchanged uncertain glances. Evan slumped his shoulders, his mood visibly dimmed.
"So, Chloe, does that mean you're not coming back to Korea with me?" Evan's voice was softer now, his eyes filled with quiet hope.
Chloe took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. She stepped closer to him and gently wrapped her arms around him in a polite hug. "Evan, you deserve someone better. I… I already like someone else."
Her words landed squarely in Blaine's ears. His body stiffened as he snapped his head up to look at her, but she avoided his gaze.
*She likes me?*
"Chloe… so you never liked me…" Evan's voice dropped, thick with emotion.
"I'm sorry…" Chloe's voice was barely above a whisper.
Before the atmosphere could turn heavier, Kyoko chimed in with forced cheerfulness. "Oh, come on, everyone! This is no time to be sad. Even if you two can't be a couple, we're all still friends, right? Evan's leaving tomorrow, so let's be happy for him! Chloe, you have to drink with all of us—no exceptions!"
"Yes, let's toast together!"
Chloe smiled faintly as the mood lifted. Evan managed to smile back at her, and she felt a weight lift off her chest. She didn't resist when the group insisted she keep drinking.
But Blaine wasn't pleased.
Watching her down glass after glass, her face flushing with a mixture of alcohol and exhaustion, he felt a pang in his chest.
"Chloe, stop drinking," Blaine said in a low voice, snatching the glass from her hand when no one else was paying attention. Pulling her closer, he murmured, "Are you trying to make yourself sick?"
Chloe, now visibly tipsy, looked up at him with a drowsy smile. "Blaine, I'm just my sister's little sister to you. Aren't you overreacting?" She laughed softly, her words slightly slurred. "You know, I think these friends are actually pretty nice. I've decided to move back with them."
"I don't think so," Blaine replied sharply. The words escaped his mouth faster than he realized, surprising even himself.
"You don't think so?" Chloe pouted, her lips trembling slightly. "You don't even like me. If I move out, shouldn't that make you happier?"
Blaine hesitated for a moment, struggling to find the right words. "But I promised Lily I'd take care of you. So… so you can't move out."
Deep inside, he corrected himself: *She can't leave me.* The thought startled him, leaving him momentarily frozen.
What did it mean that he couldn't bear the idea of her leaving?
"Blaine, stop being so nice to me. I already like you so much I can't stop myself…" Tears welled up in Chloe's eyes. "Do you want me to be completely dependent on you? So I can't live without you?"
"I… I'm sorry. Please don't cry." Blaine gently wiped away her tears, his chest tightening painfully.
"I don't need your apology." Chloe pushed away from him, staggering to her feet. She turned to Evan and said weakly, "Evan, let's drink…"
"Chloe Grace, try drinking again, and see what happens!" Blaine growled, finally losing his composure as he grabbed her wrist.
"Blaine… you're yelling at me…" Tears spilled over once again, rolling down her cheeks like tiny pearls.
Blaine sighed in surrender, his heart aching at the sight. "I told you to stop drinking, but you didn't listen." His voice softened. "Come on. Let's go home."
"No!" Chloe slurred, swaying on her feet. Her drunken state was taking over.
Without another word, Blaine scooped her up in his arms.
Evan, finally snapping out of his daze, blocked Blaine's path. "Mr. Jackson, where are you taking Chloe?"
"She's drunk, and I'm taking her home to take care of her," Blaine replied coldly, his patience wearing thin.
Kyoko stepped forward as well. "Mr. Jackson, Chloe's drunk, and it's better if we take care of her here."
Blaine shot her a sharp look. "She's going home with me. I'll take care of her myself."
Kyoko narrowed her eyes. "Mr. Jackson, your relationship with Chloe doesn't seem so simple, does it?"
Blaine smirked, his lips curling mischievously. "You're right—it's not simple. Chloe and I live together. What do you think our relationship is?"
A wave of gasps erupted from the group as Blaine carried Chloe out of the room.