Eleonora. 

Upon hearing the witch’s name, Park Noah was able to grasp the situation. The blond stranger across her was related to Eleonora Asil. She scanned the man from head to toe, lifting her ‘funny’ glasses.

To think that a man as handsome as he was involved in Eleonora’s life…

The man tilted his head and patted the empty seat beside him, “What are you looking at, Ellie? Come and sit down.”

“….”

“What are you doing? Come on.”

Park Noah tried to recall the witch’s memories for the man’s identity but it was almost impossible. All she was certain about was the witch was close enough with this man to be called by a nickname.  

Whether it was because of immense anxiety filling her nerves or simply because she did not belong to the body she possessed, Park Noah could not find any memory of him no matter how desperately she rummaged through her mind.

Was he an ally or an enemy?

“Are you sure you’re going to break up with me? If that’s the case, I’m a little upset, too. I’ve kept your neck safe a few times, haven’t I?”

There seemed to be no malice in his words, but his gentle eyes did not seem pleased either. Park Noah’s intuition warned her. Meanwhile, the stranger had fixed his eyes on her.

What measure should she take at the moment?

One, pretend to be Eleonora Asil and agree to whatever he says. But I don’t know his personality or his job, including his name, so he’ll figure it out. Reject.

Second, not Eleanora, but Park Noah. Simply confess like what she did to Kyle Leonard.

“You have to answer back, Ellie.”

While she was immersed in her thoughts, the man’s patience seemed to have thinned. Then, he extended his arm towards her. Naturally, Park Noah frowned. She thought, “Am I a dog that places my paw on someone’s palm?”

“….!”

But before she could express her displease, her body was suddenly pulled forward. In a blink of an eye, she had lost her balance and collapsed on top of the man.

He removed the glasses, which had been covering her eyes, while his hands were wrapped around her waist.

“What, what…” 

“How long are you going to ignore me, Eleonora. You know best that I don’t have a lot of patience, right?”

Park Noah barely supported herself as her arms pressed against the back of the seat. The man’s grip on her waist tightened, pulling her closer. What appeared like an angel a while ago transformed into a sly beast from the underground.

“Long time no see, Ellie.”

He’s crazy. He’s crazy. 

Park Noah quickly rejected the second idea and resorted to the last one: pretend to be Eleonora Asil who is suffering from amnesia. 

She took a deep breath and faked a smile, “Sorry, who are you?”

The man stiffened. Park Noah continued her act, gritting her teeth. “Who’s the one who broke into another’s room?”

The best part of her amnesia pretense was she could act however and still likely remain unsuspected. The crude in her leaped in joy.

“I’m already tired, and you’re getting on my nerves.”

“….”

“Let go of me, will you?”

The man’s gaze deepened. He cupped Park Noah’s face, muttering under his breath. “That can’t be…”

“Is it polite in any country to speak informally upon first encounters? Even more so when you are an intruder. Who are you? How old even are you?”

The answer came after a short pause. 

“Your friend, your lover, your life’s savior, and the man who knows you best in the world. Probably more than Kyle Leonard.”

The man smiled softly but he flinched at the investigator’s name he unconsciously muttered. “We were good partners, weren’t we?”

His hand trailed above her waist, staring intently at Park Noah. She could only glance below and see their bodies close together as an arm dangerously wrapped itself around her back.

“…How?”

Is it okay for Eleonora to sleep with one or ten people? It’s not even in my wildest dreams. 

“So what… Ugh.” As soon as Park Noah responded dryly, a strong hand gently pressed the middle of her waist. A chill erupted in her spine. Unfortunately, Eleonora Asil’s body seemed to be quite sensitive. Or was the body merely reacting because of a familiar touch? 

Or just because he’s a player?

Either way, it wasn’t very pleasant for Park Noah to be trapped in the current situation. As she felt his hand inching down, she immediately slapped his arm away.

“There’s quite a lot I’ve forgotten, but I can’t even remember it, so it must have been pretty bad, you.” 

“You won’t be able to say that once you experience it.” 

“Why should I do something unpleasant with you in this small room?”

“If you say you don’t know me, wouldn’t that be the most efficient way to refresh your memory? Human instincts tell you more than your mind does.”

The man smirked, unbothered by Park Noah’s protest. At that moment, Park Noah knew what kind he was — a typical “pretty trash.”