The Love Trap

On New Year's Eve, the streets were packed with people. Couples were kissing at every corner.

I initially planned to pick Howard up at the airport, but something cropped up at work, and I had to work overtime. So, I told him to wait for me at the hotel.

When I finally got off work, I hurriedly picked up the gift I prepared for the occasion and headed straight for the hotel. I couldn't wait another second longer.

As I was meeting him, I purposely woke up early to put on my makeup with great care. I even bought the outfit I'd been eyeing online in advance.

I remembered how I looked in it when I tried it on the night before and couldn't help but smile.

Beneath the normal coat I wore was a fishtail dress that hugged my curves and nothing else. I intentionally bought it in a smaller size, so it wrapped nicely around my body.

Besides that, I wore a pair of three-inch black stiletto heels and, last but not least, black pantyhose, which was men's favorite.

My outfit was definitely attractive and caught the attention of the passersby. Under various gazes, I reached Room 808.

Almost immediately after I knocked, I heard the sound of someone walking around in hotel slippers from inside the room.

As the door opened, a dashing face welcomed me. The man at the door had a sharp nose and thick eyebrows—exactly how I imagined him to be.

Howard had never taken a proper photo of his face, but I imagined his facial features based on the pictures he sent me. When I finally met him, I realized that some people truly were even more good-looking in real life compared to their photos.

I was smitten.

"Sweetie, we finally met!" Without a second thought, I threw myself into his arms.

While we dated online, we couldn't even kiss each other. Therefore, I'd already planned to give him a deep kiss the moment I saw him.

I wasn't naive anymore. I had as many exes as the number of stripes on a tiger. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been so daring.

After that many relationships, I thought my kissing skills were good enough. To my surprise, Howard was better than me.

He was probably caught unaware at first and was momentarily stunned. But when he came to his senses, he dove right in.

My heart pounded against my chest. To me, he seemed to have some sort of magic that could make my heart flutter no matter what he did.

We could finally meet.

He wouldn't know how many times I'd visualized our meeting in real life, up to the tiniest details. This was the moment I'd been waiting for.

Right then, as his fresh woody scent enveloped my senses, I only had one thought, and it was to be intimate with him. I wanted to do it at that very moment.

We talked about the topic before. As we weren't physically together, we couldn't help feeling lonely. So, we'd frequently interact through video calls.

I was someone who'd do as I pleased, so I put my thoughts into action.

However, just as I slid my hands down from his neck, prepared for action, I suddenly felt a sharp gaze landing on me.

Instinctively, I opened my eyes, and my gaze met a pair of soulful eyes. The owner of those eyes was sitting on the bed, his arms folded across his chest in a composed manner. His face was identical to Howard's.

There was a teasing look in his eyes. I didn't know how long he'd been watching us. When he saw that I finally noticed him, he asked, intrigued, "Hi, babe. Are you done kissing my younger brother?"

Upon hearing that, I froze.

What did he mean? Was the one I kissed not my online boyfriend? Was Howard, whom I liked, actually the man on the bed?

I slowly blushed.

Had I been kissing Howard's younger brother?

Right in front of him at that. If I hadn't noticed something was off, I would've already taken the next step.

How could I make such a mistake?

Seeing that I was stunned and helpless, the man hugging me chuckled. He caressed my head in resignment.

"It's okay, babe. He's teasing you. You're blushing! Let me introduce you. This is my younger brother. He's single. When he heard I was coming to Amesville, he insisted on following me. I couldn't change his mind."

It seemed I didn't kiss the wrong person.

I looked at Howard and back at the man on the bed, sighing in relief. "You two are identical. Even your voices are alike…"

The man on the bed finally stood up. He extended his hand for a handshake.

"Ms. Yvette Quince, my name is Hector Webb…" He paused, looking at Howard and me meaningfully. Then, he continued, "Howard and I are twins. I'm sorry. I was just fooling around."

It turned out Howard and Hector were twins, born barely a minute apart. Aside from the slight difference in personality, they were practically peas from the same pod.

Staring at them, who even had moles at the same spot, I couldn't help but ponder. No one would've known who was who if they never clarified. Likewise, I wouldn't even know if I were going to bed with the wrong person.

"Babe, will you get mad because I brought Hector along without your permission?"

Howard pinched my cheek. His fingers seemed to hold the power to ease my awkwardness with a mere touch.

The date I expected was interrupted. However, seeing as how Hector was as striking as Howard, I naturally told Howard not to worry.

After what happened, I no longer had the desire to do anything. Just then, I felt hungry, so I suggested we eat dinner together.

I said, "There's a place nearby that sells splendid stews. Let's have dinner and come back to have a good rest—"

Before I could finish, Hector, who'd been staring at me, said, "I heard there's a countdown event at Amesville's Sky Palace. Why don't we join in the fun after dinner? I think you'd like it, Yvette."

Upon hearing that, I subconsciously looked at him.

Sky Palace was the best place to be for the New Year's Eve countdown event every year. It was a particularly suitable place to hang out for couples, as many of the activities held there could help increase intimacy.

I originally planned to visit the theme park with Howard. It was a romantic place and a good choice to meet up for the first time.

Besides, couples would give in to their inner desires in secluded spots around the theme park. Under the influence of the atmosphere, I believed Howard and I would go along with the flow.

However, with Hector tagging along, that plan was no longer a priority.

I mentioned that theme park to Howard once, but right then, he seemed baffled, as though he'd never heard about it.

I was puzzled, but I put that feeling behind me soon enough as he started groping me around the waist.

Although I really wanted to be intimate with him, we still had to figure out a way to kick Hector, that third-wheeler, out of the picture.

However, Hector was staring intently at us as Howard and I made eye contact. It was truly very awkward.

There was a brief moment when I even saw a flicker of intense passion burn in Hector's eyes. He was staring at me as though I were prey. My chest tightened, and I couldn't refrain from taking a step back.

…

As expected of the largest theme park in Amesville, Sky Palace was crowded. It was fortunate that the theme park covered an extensive area and could hold a great number of patrons.

Many activities were being held tonight. Shouts of joy could be heard all over. We chose to visit a booth with less crowd—the haunted house. It was huge. 30 people were allowed to enter each time.

The moment I stepped into the facility, I screamed at the sight of a female ghost with long hair. Howard and Hector immediately shielded me behind them.

Standing on either side of me, they protected me like my guardian angels.

"Don't be scared."

I instantly felt secure with two handsome men almost six feet tall protecting me.

It could be that they had such strong presences that I could sense the envy in the gazes of the women around me.

"Wow, those hunks are protecting the same woman!"

"Good lord, she must be so happy… They are twins!"

"I wonder which one is her boyfriend. But if I were to choose, I'd have them both," someone said, laughing.

Another giggled. "In your dreams!"

Shrieks sounded throughout the haunted house. Those women must've thought I couldn't hear them when they'd lowered their voices.

I calmed down and glanced at the man on my left. Then, I looked at the one on my right, who was closer to me. Tentatively, I called out, "Howard?"

I thought the one on my right was Howard, but a voice answered me from the left, "What's wrong?"

The moment he answered, his face stiffened for a second. Then, he tilted his head at the other man. "She's calling for you, Howard."

Finally realizing we were in an odd position, they adjusted their standing positions.

Unexpectedly, a large, screaming crowd flocked toward us the moment they stepped further away. The crowd separated us.

Before I could look around for them, a headless ghost covered in blood staggered toward me.

At that moment, large hands wrapped around mine. "Run, babe!"

Without hesitation, I ran after him.

We ran for at least three minutes and only stopped when we were sure nobody was around.

Howard found a secluded room around the corner and took me inside. I tried to calm down my pounding heart. Only after a while did I realize Hector wasn't with us.

"Where's Hector?"

"Forget about him. He's a grown man. He can't get lost in here now, can he?"

Howard might've thought that Hector had interrupted our date, too. Looking aggrieved, he bent forward and rested his head on my shoulder.

"Oh, babe, I finally get to spend time alone with you."

I gently punched his chest with a smile. "Why would you bring him along, then? Otherwise, we would've still been in the hotel room…"

I was straightforward, so he naturally understood. Something seemed to play in his mind as his gaze dulled for a second. Then, he hugged me.

"It's all his fault, that third wheel. He interrupted our date. But it's fine. We can pick up where we left off…"