Chapter 2: An Unsuccessful First Time

"Why is your nose bleeding?" Mia noticed my nosebleed and asked, surprised.

I was super embarrassed and quickly made up an excuse to cover my awkwardness: "I overate tonight; maybe it was too packed with nutrients, so I got a nosebleed."

"Yeah, right. Someone like you is eating too much? Who are you trying to fool?" Mia scoffed.

I became even more embarrassed, grabbed a couple of tissues to wipe the blood, and then said, "Let's drop it. You should lie down on the bed."

I was getting impatient, wanting to go through it with the beautiful Mia.

The woman knew she had to do this tonight, so she obediently lay on my bed, gently closing her eyes and avoiding looking at me.

I nervously began to undress.

Once undressed, I climbed onto the bed, filled with overwhelming excitement.

Mia sensed my presence; her body trembled and clamped her legs tightly.

I could tell she was very nervous, maybe even scared.

To think that such a fierce woman was now frightened in front of me was pretty unexpected.

"Mia, try to relax. With your legs so tight, how am I supposed to proceed?" I had no experience and was completely clueless about what to do.

"Do whatever you want, but if you hurt me, you'll regret it!" Mia warned fiercely, keeping her legs squeezed tightly together still.

I was speechless, thinking, how could a first-time not hurt?

Hearing her warning, I became even more clueless.

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and finish so I can leave," Mia said, both shy and angry.

"Oh... here I come..." I said, mustering the courage to climb onto Mia.

Her body smelled terrific, with a unique feminine fragrance. The scent sent my blood racing. 

Feeling justified, I grew bolder, indulging in her presence.

"Stop dawdling and get to it!" Mia, unable to stand my hesitation, just wanted it over quickly.

I dared not linger any longer and obediently proceeded with the next step.

It was our first time, and we were clueless. Mia wasn't cooperating, keeping her legs tight. No matter how hard I tried, I was too nervous and couldn't find my way.

Mia seemed to have had enough of my fumbling and finally parted her legs slightly. 

But just as I was about to make my move, I couldn't help but lose control at the last moment!

"Mmm..." Even though it was over too soon, Mia moaned softly.

I also felt an unprecedented sense of comfort, even without fully succeeding.

Afterward, Mia opened her eyes and asked, "Is that it?"

"Yeah," I replied, utterly embarrassed.

"Get me some tissues to clean up!" Mia commanded.

I dared not disobey and handed her tissues to wipe herself.

After cleaning up, Mia took the tissues from me, checked them, and then looked at the sheets, finding no blood evidence. She asked, "Why isn't there any blood?"

"I don't think I managed to, you know, complete the task," I admitted, feeling deeply awkward.

"What were you doing all this time, then?" Mia accused.

"It was my first time being an Awakener. I have no experience. Let's try again later," I explained.

"Your bed stinks and I can't take it. I don't want to do it again. We've done it once, so it counts. I'm out." With that, Mia got up and got dressed.

I always feared Mia, and when she refused to let me try again, I didn't dare insist. I could only say, "If you don't let me, don't blame me if something happens to your husband!"

"Shut up with your jinxing!" Mia snapped.

I immediately held my tongue.

Then, Mia added, "You're so young and already an Awakener. If anyone's going to die, it's you. Just wait and see!"

I started sweating bullets.

Mia dressed, left a red envelope, and left.

After she left, I opened the envelope. Inside it was 200 dollars. She was quite generous.

I thought this gig wasn't bad at all. Not only did I get to sleep with women, but I also got paid. Sure, it might shave some years off my life, but at least it was exciting. Living to a hundred without being with women would be pointless.

I lay on the bed, inhaling the lingering scent of Mia, reminiscing about what had just happened, my blood boiling once more.

But now, the bed was empty, and I could only sigh alone. How frustrating it was not to succeed. 

My old grudge remained unavenged.

Thinking about not completing the task and Mia leaving, I was genuinely worried about her husband. If something happened, I'd be to blame.

But Mia wouldn't let me, so I could only leave it to fate.

That night, surrounded by Mia's lingering scent, I slept sweetly.

The next day was Mia and Dan Casson's wedding day—a grand affair. Wealthy families sure knew how to throw a celebration.

As the Awakener who helped Mia, I was invited to the wedding banquet without having to give a gift. 

It was basically a free meal, and they treated me as an honored guest, dining with other VIPs.

At dinner, I sat with my cousin Elena Cutmore.

Elena was also one of the three village beauties. She was the same age as Mia; the two were dear friends. Naturally, she wouldn't miss the latter's wedding celebration.

Even though the woman was my cousin, like Mia, she'd always looked down on me. After my parents passed away, my aunt took me in, but Elena hated me. She often lost her temper and even hit me.

Not able to take it anymore, I left my aunt's house, choosing to be a beggar over being bullied.

Now, sharing a table with Elena, we said nothing to each other, like enemies.

Just then, Marilyn, the matchmaker, said, "Hey, Caden, your cousin's getting married next month, too, and you'll have to do the Awakening Ceremony for her!"

Hearing this was like a bolt from the blue, and I dropped my cutlery. Seriously, are you kidding me?

Perform the Awakening Ceremony for my cousin? 

No way. 

I couldn't even begin to imagine such a scene!

"Marilyn, don't say that. He might not even make it to next month!" Elena said, blushing. Her words were as sharp as Mia's—truly a pair of besties!

"Elena, it's a happy day; don't say such ominous things," Marilyn quickly interjected.