"Stella, wake up! It's almost 9 AM. We need to be at the reception by 10 AM," Riana called out to Stella, trying to act as if nothing had happened the night before.

Stella struggled to open her eyes, still in a daze, trying to grasp her own presence.

Then she asked Riana, "Where am I? Oh God, why is my head so heavy?"

"How can you not remember, Stella? You are in a fascinating hotel in one of the most beautiful places. It's Aerobi, dear!"

"Oh no... yeah, I was drunk... and that creepy guy offered me some shots, and I was so upset about Mike that...," Stella burst out from her thoughts. Riana came and held Stella's face in both her palms, saying, "Just relax. Nothing bad happened. Once you get ready, we'll talk later. Just drink this lemon water; it will help with your hangover."

"Sorry, Riana, for whatever happened yesterday. But how did I end up here? The last thing I remember is Mike at the restaurant, and then what happened next? Yeah, I had some argument with Mike... then..."

Riana interrupted and said, "Stella, don't be hard on yourself. Nothing bad happened, and nothing will. I'm here, okay?" Riana's voice was filled with concern.

"Yeah. Sorry about yesterday. I didn't know what happened to me, and it made you worried."

"It's okay, Stella. Let's get ready. We'll be late. Before taking a shower, don't forget to drink that." Riana gestured toward the glass of lemon juice on the small table near the bed.

Stella got up from the bed, sipped the juice that Riana had left for her, and then went for a bath. As she relaxed in the bathtub with her eyes closed, suddenly, for a second, everything from the previous night flashed back, and she could vividly recall her conversation with Mike.

Stella felt a deep sense of shame as she thought about how she had cried in front of Mike and later confessed everything, even the kiss, to Riana.

"Oh God, what have I done!" she muttered to herself. She couldn't understand why she had drunk alcohol in the first place and why she had said things about her feelings for Mike that weren't even true. She realized she needed to talk to Riana.

Stella came out and Riana was not there but she found a note from Riana on the bed.

"Stella, come soon. I am waiting downstairs for you. Don't worry, gotta go. Some work to finish. See ya!"

Stella hurriedly got ready, knowing exactly where Riana would be. She put on a simple t-shirt and jeans, quickly combed her hair, applied some lip balm, and headed out to find Riana. Despite the lingering heaviness in her head from last night's drinking, she was determined to catch up with her friend before she could do anything.

Riana immediately walked to Mike's room. Mike was in the bathroom, so Robin opened the door.

"Where's Mike, Robin?" Riana asked, raising her voice.

"What are you doing here?" Robin had no clue.

"Nothing, just tell me where Mike is. I have something important to tell him."

Mike emerged from the bathroom, wearing only a towel, water droplets glistening on his well-defined muscles. Riana stumbled slightly in her place, taken aback.

"Yeah tell me, Riana?" Mike asked casually as he continued getting ready, acting as if nothing had happened.

Riana found it hard to avert her gaze from him. Before she could say something that she might later regret, and to diffuse the tension in the room, she quickly shifted her focus to the reason she had come there in the first place.

"What have you done with Stella?" Riana questioned, her concern evident.

Robin interjected, saying, "Whoa, take it easy, Riana. Your response should be apologetic because Mike actually saved Stella."

Riana disregarded Robin's comment and said to Mike, "Yes, I'm aware, and I'm grateful for what you did to save Stella. However, what occurred yesterday might make me doubt your previous actions towards her."

Robin intervened, exclaiming, "Oh God, not again! Riana, I'll explain everything on the way. You need to leave now."

Riana insisted, "Stop it, Robin," and then turned her gaze towards Mike, asking, "Did you kiss her?"

Suddenly, Mike froze in place. Robin, looking at Mike with confusion, asked, "Kiss?"

"Who told you?" Mike asked Riana, his shock mirrored by Robin, though their reasons were different.

"Who told me?" Riana responded, "Well, that's not the answer to my question. Why did you play with her emotions? Listen, Mike, I'm with her, and just to make sure, that was your final chance to hurt her, or you'll definitely meet a different side of me, which Robin is well aware of. Right, Robin?"

Robin was at a loss for words, as this was unexpected and beyond his knowledge. He nodded and finally managed to say, "Riana, we will talk."

Riana left the room, leaving both of them stunned in their places.

Mike wasn't particularly concerned about what Riana had warned, but unknowingly, a smile crept onto his lips as he thought about the fact that Stella still remembered their first kiss.

"A kiss? Why didn't you tell me, bro? And hold on! Is there anything else you're keeping from me?" Robin was somewhat upset with Mike for keeping this information hidden.

However, Mike remained silent, wearing only a smile.

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They all gathered at the reception, where Stella was attempting to persuade Riana that what she had said the previous night wasn't true and how embarrassed she felt.

Riana reassured her, saying, "It's okay, Stella. There's nothing to be embarrassed about; we're all human, and such feelings are natural. I'm more concerned that you went through so much, and you didn't share any of it, even your feelings, with me as your best friend."

Stella was at a loss for words, feeling a mixture of confusion about what Riana had mentioned regarding feelings and concern over Riana's hurt feelings.

"Okay, guys, let's pair up with your partners soon," Mr. Edmerd announced to the entire class.

Before Stella could say anything else, Riana consoled her, "Be strong. There's no need to worry; I'm with you. Just promise me you'll never hide anything from me."

Stella made the promise, and then Riana moved in with Robin, and together they searched for Mike.

Suddenly, a deep, soothing, and seductive voice came from behind Stella. She instantly recognized it as Mike's. She was afraid to make eye contact with him, recalling what had happened the previous night – how she had cried in front of him. She worried that he might be mocking her.

Despite her anxious thoughts, Stella looked at Mike and replied, "Yes, unfortunately, you are my partner," forcing a smile while inside, she felt a strong sense of guilt.

Mike genuinely smiled, seemingly enjoying her moment of relief after a stressful night.

Stella looked back at him, but Mike remained silent.

"Alright, everyone, we'll be heading to the enormous cave, and this will be your first assignment to study this remarkable location. I'm now introducing someone who will be your guide and is incredibly knowledgeable about these places," Mr Edmerd announced as he introduced their guide to the entire class.

"Say hello to Aiden Jefferson," Mr. Edmerd declared.

The class erupted in cheers, although a few remained silent.

Mike exchanged a shocked glance with Robin, and Stella and Riana were visibly disturbed by the introduction.

"What on earth is he doing here, man?" Robin reacted with a touch of frustration.

Aidan was the strange guy who had offered a shot to Riana, and now he was looking at Mike with a devilish smile.

"You bastard!" Mike muttered to himself.

Stella was furious and voiced her concerns, "What if he tells Mr Edmerd what happened yesterday?"

"You don't have to worry as long as I'm here. Nothing will happen to you," Mike reassured Stella.

Stella glanced at Mike and felt somewhat reassured, but she couldn't shake her anger, thinking that all of this had happened because of him. She was still dealing with a heavy headache and a swirl of thoughts from the events of the previous night.

"So, guys, let's begin our journey today to one of the remarkable historic sites in Aerobi, the Humung Cave," Aiden cheered.

Stella was cursing herself, reflecting on her misfortune. She had always dreamt of visiting Aerobi, but not under these circumstances.

Everyone proceeded towards the bus, but as they were about to board, Aiden approached Mike with a devilish grin and said, "I know what you guys are thinking, and you should be. It's going to be quite an adventure, I reckon," Aiden grinned and left them with their thoughts.

Robin and Riana joined Mike and Stella, sharing their concerns and reactions.

"Let's go, guys," Mike reassured everyone with his firm, reassuring voice.

#Thanks for reading this chapter