Suddenly, a metal lighter extended from her side, causing Madelyn to jump and accidentally drop the sky lantern she was holding. She looked at Zach, who had appeared out of nowhere. Instinctively, she took a step back to create some space between them.

"Don't you make any noise when you move? What are you doing here?" she asked cautiously.

"Use this," Zach said, offering the lighter in one hand, while his other hand remained in his pocket.

Madelyn hesitantly reached out to accept the lighter from his hand.

But then, he suddenly caught her hand in a firm grip. With a swift motion, he pulled her back against him, her back against his warm chest.

She struggled, "What are you doing? Someone might see us!"

Zach's tall figure almost entirely shielded Madelyn, making it seem like he was protecting her. As he leaned in, his warm breath tickled her neck, sending a shiver down her spine as if an electric current had passed through that sensitive area.

"Let them see," Zach spoke from behin