Secrets of a Night

The adult movies I saved as bookmarks were discovered by my best friend's younger brother.

I was utterly embarrassed on the spot and went to a bar to drown my sorrows.

He came to look for me. I grabbed his collar and swayed as I was drunk. "I am a girl! I don't smoke or gamble. I just have a bit of a thing for... what's wrong with that..."

1

The living room was small and echoed with some unspeakable sounds.

I calmly closed the website and turned to the man beside me with a serious face. I said, "It's perfectly normal... Sir, we're all adults here. You understand, right?"

The man I called "sir" was, to be precise, a young man, dressed simply in a tank top and overalls. He looked every bit the part of a repairman.

His face was fair and youthful, almost excessively so.

After hearing my words, he pressed his lips together and hesitantly nodded. "I understand."

That was good.

I managed an awkward yet polite smile.

As long as I walked out of this door and left this incident behind, I would pretend that it never happened. "Thank you for understanding. I've already paid the repair fee through the platform. So if there's nothing else, you can leave." I was anxious and just wished he could leave as soon as possible.

But the young man in front of me frowned. He glanced at me pitifully. He seemed to want to say something but finally kept silent.

He was like a helpless puppy and looked utterly aggrieved.

I couldn't help but soften my voice as I asked, "Is there anything else?"

He hesitated for a moment and then said cautiously, "Well... I'm not really a mechanic."

His words were light, but they hit me like a thunderbolt.

My mind raced through all the dire consequences of letting an unknown guy into my room.

Appearances can be deceiving.

The cuter some guy looked, the more perverse he might be inside.

My voice trembled as I casually scooted back a bit.

I said, "You're not the repairman I called to fix my computer. Then who are you?"

2

Before the young man could respond, the doorbell rang.

I suddenly felt relaxed and rushed to open the door.

Outside stood the real repairman with a tool bag slung over his shoulder. His professional smile was as comforting as a father's. "Hello, I'm the technician here to fix your computer. The platform shows you've already prepaid for the service," the repairman said politely.

I nervously leaned closer to him and whispered in his ear, "Do you see that guy sitting on the couch? I don't know him. He pretended to be a repairman and snuck into my room with bad intent."

As I spoke, I pointed cautiously at the young man on the couch.

I hid behind the real repairman and felt like I'd found a protector.

The repairman was full of righteousness. He put his hands on his hips and scolded the young man. "Young man, what are you up to here? You look decent enough, but what are you planning in a young woman's home?"

After a few reprimands, the young man hung his head, rubbed his fingers, and was almost on the verge of tears.

Seeing his pitiful appearance, I began to wonder if I had misunderstood him.

Just as I tried to stop the repairman from continuing, the young man lifted his head and explained to me in a soft voice. "Emily, I'm Rita Hayes's brother, Cliff Hayes. My university hasn't started yet, and Rita asked me to stay with you for a few days... Maybe she forgot to tell you about it."

His clear eyes were brimming with tears.

I was stunned, and so was the repairman.

He turned back to me and asked tentatively, "Miss, what's going on here?"

Oh, Rita didn't forget. But I did.

As my memory returned, I looked at the repairman with embarrassment, then at Cliff.

I didn't know what to say at that moment.

Maybe it would be better if I just disappeared.

3

I mistook my best friend's brother for a repairman. And he even discovered the adult movie on my computer. In the end, I even accused him of being a pervert. I was so embarrassed.

After the storm, the outcome was

that I politely saw off the repairman.

Then I apologized to Cliff awkwardly. "I'm really sorry. Rita did mention you were coming today. But I was too busy to remember it. I misunderstood you just now and hope you don't take it to heart."

He smiled understandingly and looked innocent. "It's okay."

Impressed by his understanding, I patted his shoulder reassuringly.

Then I settled him in the guest room with his luggage and even brought him some fruit as a gesture of goodwill.

Back in my room, I received a message from my best friend, Rita. "My brother said he had gone to your place. He said you're really nice and even gave him some fruit."

After I read the message, I felt guiltier.

I remembered how Cliff had looked at me with that puppy-like expression when he said it was okay. I replied to the message. "Cliff is quite sweet."

Rita said, "I told him to be nice to you as he has to repay your kindness. Feel free to ask him for help. It's okay. You can take him as your brother."

Lying on my side in bed, I replied with a smile, "I'm not like you."

Suddenly, a new message popped up at the top of the screen. I clicked it open.

Someone without a note sent me several video links.

The accompanying message was very considerate. "I noticed you like plot-driven adult films. I've done some research and found some quality resources for you. Hope you enjoy them."

So it must be... Cliff. I didn't have to guess.

I could even imagine his innocent and earnest expression as he helped me look for resources.

My toes curled in mortification.

Was Cliff doing it on purpose?

4

It was past midnight. Usually, I went to sleep soundly at that time.

But I couldn't sleep. I couldn't control my mind to think about the details of what had happened that evening.

Something was normal, and adults could understand.

I had lost face completely in front of my best friend's brother. I was embarrassed to the point of my toes cringing.

Before I kicked a hole in the blanket, I changed out of my pajamas and went out.

I stood on the bustling street with my eyes closed in the wind.

Life felt meaningless right now.

I suddenly wished a car would come and end my life at that moment.

But the autumn wind was chilling, and I quickly sobered up.

Yet, I didn't want to go home.

So I turned to a bar by the roadside and sought solace in alcohol.

After three drinks, my phone buzzed with a voice message.

I picked it up and saw it was from Cliff.

My toes started to tingle with mortification.

I hung up.

He called me again.

I hung up again.

He called once more.

I was annoyed and finally answered it.

"Emily, where are you?" I heard from the receiver the sound of the wind and Cliff's overwhelming voice, full of grievance.

I immediately imagined that Cliff was biting his lip and was unsure of what to do.

"I'm drinking," I replied and was annoyed for no reason.

"Can I go and meet you?" He sniffled and said. "I went out and locked myself out... I don't have the key to get back in."

I raised my voice, "Don't you find a place out of the wind to wait? What if you catch a cold?"

How could he be so silly...

He said, "I'm scared. Couldn't I go and find you, Emily?"

Cliff was only 18 years old. How could he get into a bar? Plus, I didn't want to see him.

I was about to refuse him.

But I heard the wind through the receiver and realized that it was strong.

My heart softened. "I'm at the small bar on the street outside the apartment. You'll see it when you go out."