"You sure you're okay?" Wu Chen asked the little woman in his arms. His voice trailing off, entranced by her enigmatic green eyes, the golden luster glistening under the sunlight, drawing him in. While Evelyn was dazed by his gentle touch.
The distance between them was so close that they could feel each other breath, the rise and the fall of their chest. She could trace every nook and cranny of his face line. The beads of perspiration rolling down his forehead. And his ink black eyes staring down at her like he was going to drown her whole.
"I...um..." she stuttered, gulping down nervously.
The hand which had been stroking her hair was now on her cheek, caressing it tenderly. She was a little startled. His hand felt rough but somehow she thought it was the softest touch she had ever felt since eight years ago, before everything in her life fell apart.
It felt...good.
It had a different kind of feeling than before. This one sent her heart quivering and wanting more. Electricity struck her core and her stomach tightened. It was far too overwhelming as she felt the electric current coursing to her heart, shocking it hard, pumping the blood straight to her head.
And BOOM!
Her cheeks reddened like a roasted crab.
Evelyn gulped. She couldn't handle this foreign explosive feeling. It was too much! Her little heart was racing madly, galloping like a crazy-ass horse, while her skin tingled with every touch he left on her.
She grabbed Wu Chen's hand and in haste moved it away from her cheek. "I'm fine, thank you," said Evelyn, squirming out of his embrace.
Wu Chen knitted his eyebrows as he felt the emptiness in his arms. He looked at her pale face and became even more displeased. Evelyn sensed his emotion shifting and couldn't help but took a step back. But Wu Chen swiftly snatched her arm.
"You're not. You look very pale," he stated, his voice laced with suppressed anger.
Evelyn raised an eyebrow and wiggled out of his grasp to wipe her sweat off her forehead. "I'm really fine. It's just low blood pressure."
"Let's go to a nearby cafe then and order some tea."
Evelyn waved off his offer. "No, that's okay. I'm just gonna go back to the hotel."
"I'll accompany you then."
"No," she raised her voice suddenly. "Sorry, no, I'm fine by myself."
Wu Chen was starting to lose his patience at her constant rejection. Her stubborness would be the death of him. Why was she so hell-bent in pushing him away?
It was cute at first because he thought she was just being shy or playing hard to get. But now, shit, he wished she would just stop talking. "I insist! You can't go alone in that condition." By the end of the sentence, it sounded more like a prohibition set by him rather than a polite offer.
Evelyn narrowed her eyes. "You're such a busy body, Mr. Wu."
His eyes instantly darkened by how she addressed him. He didn't like it. He didn't like it one bit. It sounded distant. "I'm taking you home."
With his stern voice, it was no longer a discussion. His face showed that he was not taking any objection at all.
"Oh God, is that a command I'm hearing? You need to learn to mind your own bus-"
Before Evelyn could finish her sentence, Wu Chen had already yanked her by the hand and walked forward.
"Hey!"
"Okay, be quiet now, sweetheart. Save your energy." He didn't bother to even look at her as he led her towards the highway to haul a taxi.
Ugh.
She hated it. Why? Why with just one simple word, he was able to disturb her heart and sent her anger to oblivion?
'Sweetheart.'
Fuck! Why did it have to sound so right and beautiful in her ears?
He was probably just saying it casually and here she was, feeling bubbly like a stupid high school girl.
Fine, she admitted, his attractive face and adult charm got the best of her. She was undoubtedly and irrevocably charmed by this man who was currently holding her hand.
Even his hand felt good. She felt this sense of security with him. It was like for the first time in her life, she thought it was okay if she wanted to depend on this man, shared the burden in her heart or her deepest darkest secret. He would guard it safely and made sure she would never get hurt.
Evelyn smiled bitterly while staring at his back as he led her away.
But that was it, right? It was just an illusion. An imagination that she created herself. After all, they were just strangers who accidentally met in a club.
--------------------------
Hotel de Crillon
Evelyn and Wu Chen arrived at the hotel in the evening. Carefully, he escorted her out of the cab and towards the lobby.
"I could never guess that you're such a gentleman. It was smooth." She flashed a smile that was not a smile at him. "I bet you did that routine many times before."
Evelyn fixed her eyes ahead as if she didn't notice his twinkling eyes and that joyful smile on his face. She knew what was the problem. At her last sentence, she sounded like a jealous woman.
Ugh. She messed up.
Wu Chen tried to act like he didn't notice anything and answered her casually, "That's what you'll expect from a businessman."
She let out a condescending chuckle. "I'm not asking about your job."
"And I'm just sharing it with you because I want to."
Evelyn glared at Wu Chen. Meanwhile, the receiving party was smiling naughtily, not even paying attention at her.
'This man! One moment he's sweet and romantic and the next, he's suddenly fucking annoying.'
She sneered quietly. He should pray with all his heart that there wouldn't be a day when she found out about his bussiness or she would make sure he would never get a good rest for the rest of his life!
With all the bickering, Evelyn didn't realize she was still holding hands with Wu Chen until they were in the elevator.
She immediately tried to shake him off. But instead, his grip only became more tighter.
"Oi, Mister!" She fumed. "I think it's time you let go off my hand."
Hearing her words, his anger shot up to his head. He really wanted to punish that little mouth of hers with a bite.
Mister?!
Why did she have to make it sound like he was already so old??
In the end, he ignored her and kept her hand in his. She was mine anyway, why would I let go?
Wu Chen was dumbstruck by this thought. What's with the possessiveness?!
Technically speaking, she wasn't...really...his.
With that realization, his heart tightened all of the sudden. His expression gloomy.
He didn't want to let go.
Evelyn was already so tired and the headache wasn't exactly helping either. Therefore, when she once again tried to pull her hand from his, it ended up with her swinging his hand back and forth. Watching this scene, Wu Chen bit his lower lip, holding back his laughter.
'How can a person be this cute when she wasn't even trying to act cute??'
Wu Chen had this unsatiable urge to squeeze her cheeks and smooched the little bunny 'till she was out of breath.
Evelyn was literally pouting and childishly swinging their hands in a fast motion, frustrated from not being able to free herself. Not that Wu Chen had any protest. In fact, he quite enjoyed playing with her.
Tired of her futile effort, she finally stopped after a while. She surrendered herself in his hand.
"Tired already?" he asked with a loving voice which went unnoticed by the currently absent-minded Evelyn.
She nodded as she rubbed her watery eyes with her free hand.
'Ugh. So cute!'
However, it unknowingly broke his heart to see her extremely pale face now. She looked completely drained and could probably faint in any given moment.
Thus, as soon as the elevator arrived at the fifth floor, he swept her off her feet, carrying her like a princess.
If Evelyn was in her usual condition, she would very likely blow up in his face and demanded Wu Chen to put her down this instant. But, presently, she didn't give a shit! Might as well sleep in his arms if she could.
"What's your room number?" Wu Chen asked.
In her half-asleep state, Evelyn chuckled. "Yeah, not a chance, Mister." She might be lightheaded by now but she was not going to fall into his sneaky trap.
"What are you thinking about? I only want to get you there."
"Yes, but then..." you'll know my room number.
Evelyn didn't get to finish her sentence as she drifted off. He could hear her steady breathing crystal clear in the silent hallway. She was lying peacefully in his arms, her head leaning on his broad chest.
Wu Chen chuckled. This little bunny had finally calmed down and not jumping around randomly.
His face softened. He gazed down at her long eyelashes setting down on her fair skin.
She was beautiful...
He bend down and kiss her eye tenderly. Then, he strode down the hallway towards his room.