Chapter 97 Try Again
Regina struggled to push open the bathroom door. She turned on the shower, and water cascaded from above. She seemed to forget she was still wearing her coat and pants, her eyes vacant as she walked toward the shower.
Douglas grabbed her wrist from behind.
"You haven't taken off your clothes," he said, looking down at Regina, trying to calm her while also restraining himself.
Regina was limp, feeling exhausted from the alcohol. She struggled to lift her hand, took off her coat, and then lowered her head to unbutton her jeans.
She fumbled with the button for a long time without success.
Douglas couldn't help but recall that time at the club during a company gathering. Regina had also drunk too much and played Truth or Dare. She had clumsily tried to unbuckle his belt, her hands trembling, and couldn't get it undone for a long time.
Douglas smirked helplessly. "Let me help you."
Regina wasn't completely unconscious; she at least knew she shouldn't let just anyone take off her pants. She muttered that she didn't need help and continued to fumble with the button.
Douglas gently moved her hands aside and reached for the button on her jeans.
"Regina, you've unbuckled my belt before, so it's only fair I help you with a button, right?" As he spoke, Douglas assertively unbuttoned her jeans.
In fact, Douglas knew he couldn't do anything tonight.
Previously, he had taken advantage of Regina's drunken state, leaving her with a bad memory.
This time, even though he felt he could make her feel better, he knew it couldn't happen while she was not sober.
Regina looked at Douglas through a haze.
Suddenly, fragmented memories rushed into her mind, crowding together as if they were about to explode.
She frowned as a searing pain shot through her head.
Meanwhile, Douglas asked, "Do you want me to help you?"
His soothing and enticing voice was both comforting and persuasive.
Regina felt conflicted. She knew who was standing in front of her. She wanted to get closer to him, but her legs felt like they were nailed to the ground.
"No, I can... I can do it myself," she stuttered.
Douglas didn't say much more. He adjusted the water to a suitable temperature and walked out. However, he stopped at the door and looked at the unsteady Regina, saying, "I'll be right outside. I'll call you every minute or two. If you don't respond, I'll come in. You can only soak for twenty minutes, okay?"
Regina, her eyes dazed, obediently nodded.
Once the door closed, Regina finally took off all her clothes and soaked in the bathtub.
Outside, Douglas knocked on the door every minute or two. Even in her dazed state, Regina responded each time.
Gradually, the regular knocking cleared her mind a bit.
As she soaked in the tub, she couldn't help but recall a certain night.
It was on the night of Century Group's annual banquet. Douglas had also drunk a bit too much and soaked in the bathtub after.
He had been unresponsive for a long time, and Regina, worried, had barged in.
He had then mischievously pulled her into the tub.
Regina's chest heaved violently. 'Am I going crazy? What am I thinking. I'm sure I hadn't drunk any strange alcohol this time.'
She forced herself to shift her focus.
She lifted her hand and used a bath sponge covered in rich foam to scrub her body.
Twenty minutes later, Douglas reminded her from outside to rinse off and get dressed, saying that soaking too long wasn't good for her.
Regina took a deep breath, braced herself on the edge of the tub, and shakily stood up. She walked to the shower to rinse off.
She tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and felt the water flow down her face.
Under the influence of alcohol, her wildly beating heart seemed to reach its peak.
Douglas stood outside, listening intently.
Suddenly, the sound of water stopped.
After a while, Douglas saw Regina walk out of the bathroom, wrapped only in a towel.
Seeing Regina's flushed face as she approached him step by step, Douglas couldn't quite gauge her intentions.
Just as Douglas was pondering, Regina suddenly stood on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Regina thought, 'Just once. Let me try it again.'
While she was 'not sober.' She kissed Douglas, the taste of alcohol in her mouth turning sweet like honey.
Douglas was momentarily stunned, not responding as she clumsily explored his mouth.
Soon, Regina felt dizzy.
Her body was already weak, and as she leaned into him with all her strength, without his response, her strength suddenly drained, leaving her unsteady.
Just as she was about to collapse, a strong hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her tightly against Douglas's chest.
Douglas's sharp, deep eyes fixed on her, unsure if she was drunk or truly wanted this.
He gazed into Regina's eyes, and asked in a low voice, "Tell me, what's wrong?"
Regina's face was flushed, possibly from the alcohol or the long bath.
In his arms, her body trembled slightly, whispering, "I'm drunk. I want..."
Douglas's breathing became rapid, his eyes bloodshot as he asked gently, "Are you serious?"
Regina's mind was chaotic, but the intense, restless feeling in her body was clear.
She bit her lip and softly hummed in agreement.
Her voice was light, with a hint of post-drunk allure, yet it hit Douglas like a heavy blow.
The veins on his neck bulged.
After a long silence, his tense body finally relaxed.
He chuckled hoarsely, full of indulgence and affection. "Alright. I'll give you what you want."
