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Chapter 343
Chloe had always been a bit of a germaphobe. Since arriving here, the lack of a proper place to bathe had been driving her nuts. Sure, she could dunk herself in the sea, but it just wasn't the same.
Out of nowhere, she remembered that little stream they stumbled upon on their first day while foraging for mushrooms with Juztin and Connor. It was fresh water. Flowing down from a mountain, the waterfall created a deep, crystal-clear pool at its base. Chloe had been mesmerized by it the moment she laid eyes on it.
Determined to take a proper bath, she retraced her steps from memory. It didn't take her too long— about half an hour later, she found herself standing by the serene pool. By day, you could practically see the bottom through the clear water, but now it was shrouded in darkness. The moonlight flickered on and off, but you could still catch glimpses of the deep blue, shimmering water under its soft glow. The waterfall flowed down gently, the sound of the tumbling water a soothing symphony in the quiet night. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
Chloe couldn't wait any longer. She stashed her clothes in a hidden bush by the shore and stepped into the water, naked. It wasn't as cold as she had feared. Instead, it was pleasantly warm. As she submerged her body, a sigh of relief escaped her lips. She began to swim, the nighttime breeze rustling the leaves in the forest, the clouds drifting across the sky. The moon played hide and seek, sometimes disappearing behind the clouds, then reappearing above the treetops.
Swimming in the pool, Chloe's skin glistened like diamond under the moonlight, making her look like a mermaid bathed in its glow, wrapped in the embrace of the night. She felt an exhilarating sense of freedom, thoroughly enjoying the moment. But the peace was short-lived.
Out of the darkness, she faintly saw a figure and heard some noises. "Who's there!" she called out, quickly turning around and submerging her body, leaving only her head above the surface. As the clouds parted, moonlight poured down, and there he was—Connor, bare-chested, with his torso
half-submerged in the water. He leaned casually on a boulder, arms folded, watching Chloe intently. His gaze was deep, his expression unreadable. So quiet and brooding, he seemed to blend into the night.
Chloe's heart skipped a beat, quickly replaced by a surge of anger. "Connor, what are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice sharp. Connor's expression remained calm, his eyes as deep and unpredictable as the night sky. He didn't move, still leaning against the rock. His voice was a bit hoarse, "I should be asking you that."
Chloe's anger flared. "Connor, you were spying on me bathing," she accused, her voice rising. "I wasn't," Connor denied, but then a sly smile tugged at his lips. "I was watching openly."
That did it. Chloe's suppressed anger exploded. She swam straight towards him, ready to teach this scoundrel a lesson. She intended to grab his arm, maybe even dislocate it. But Connor was ready. Before she could reach him, he acted first. He stood up, stretched out his long arm, and in one swift motion, pulled Chloe out of the water, wrapping his arm around her waist. Then, with a smooth turn —