Chris gazed at her in astonishment and heard her speak, "You can let me go now. Since I called you a baby, that kiss is enough for you."
A chuckle escaped Chris's mouth. "Don't play smartly with me, Suzy," he said.
"You can't get rid of me, Chris. We both are going to stay together in this lifetime," Suzy stated with a confident tone. "Perhaps we might even find ourselves falling in love," she added, her smile tender and hopeful.
"I thought you had no interest in love. You always came across as ambitious," Chris remarked, a hint of suspicion in his voice. He couldn't help but feel like Suzy was playing a game with him.
Suzy hesitated for a moment, then blinked a few times as if searching for the right words. "The future is uncertain, Chris. What if you end up liking me? It's just a possibility I concluded," she explained with a thoughtful tone.
"Really? Then, let's make it a real kiss," Chris tempted her, leaning in as if inviting her to kiss him. His thumb remained gently caressing her cheek as he continued, "Soon, Grandpa will expect an heir from us. Have you considered the implications of the situation you've gotten yourself into?"
Suzy had never contemplated these aspects when she entered into the contract marriage. Her primary goal had been to save her company. "You're looking too far ahead, Chris," she argued.
"I'm just highlighting the realities of our privileged backgrounds," Chris asserted. "You didn't hesitate to kiss my cheek, so why the hesitation for a kiss on the lips? Don't tell me you'll fall for me with just one kiss," he added with a playful glint in his eyes.
Suzy closed her eyes and leaned in, pressing her lips against his in a surprising move that caught Chris off guard. When they separated, her eyes met his piercing gaze.
"Is that okay?" Suzy asked, seeking his confirmation.
"No," Chris responded firmly and reclaimed her lips. He gently nibbled on her bottom lip, repeating the motion a few times before transitioning to her upper lip. Suzy's grip on his arms tightened, and she passionately returned the kiss, unaware of the whirlwind of emotions she had unwittingly unleashed at that moment.
Suzy's lack of prior relationship experience was evident in her tentative kisses, but Chris paid no mind to it. Instead, he adjusted his pace to match hers, his fingers weaving into her hair as he drew her nearer.
Each time the cold metal of his piercing brushed against her lips, it sent shivers down her spine. Chris was a skilled kisser, and Suzy felt herself melting into the passionate embrace of their kiss.
After a moment, Suzy gathered her thoughts and reluctantly pulled away, gasping for breath as she tried to regain her composure. Suzy gently pushed Chris away and hastily left the bedroom.
"What was that? How could I actually enjoy it?" Chris wondered aloud.
Suzy paused at the top of the staircase, her hand on her chest as she tried to catch her breath. "I-I wasn't supposed to do that," she murmured to herself, her heart racing. The memory of his lips lingered in her mind, and her body still tingled with the sensations of the kiss, leaving her bewildered by her own response.
"Young Mistress, Master Arthur is just ten minutes away," Lionel's voice reached her ears from the bottom of the stairs, snapping her out of the trance induced by Chris.
Suzy swiftly regained her composure and descended the stairs. "Has Young Master Chris woken up?" Lionel inquired.
"Yes, he's getting ready," Suzy replied with a composed demeanor.
Lionel looked upstairs, watching for Chris, who finally emerged and descended the stairs quickly. He stood next to Suzy and asked, "Why are we standing here like this?"
"We were waiting for you. Let's head to the main door to welcome Grandpa," Suzy replied, taking the lead, with Chris and Lionel following suit.
Suzy scanned the road, her eyes searching for the approaching car, while Chris leaned against the wall. Turning to Lionel, Chris inquired, "Where's Grandpa?"
"Sir said he's ten minutes away," Lionel informed.
"That's Grandpa's car, right?" Suzy asked with a smile.
Chris stood straight and came forward, standing next to Suzy as he held her hand. She glanced at him, wondering why he did that. "Why not show Grandpa how lovely a couple we are?!" He remarked and the car stopped right in front of them.
Benjamin stepped out from the front seat and opened the door for Arthur, who came out of the backseat.
Suzy greeted him, followed by Benjamin, and welcomed them inside. Arthur noticed how Chris held Suzy's hand and it made him smile.
"Doesn't Chris look kind of smart and sophisticated today?" Arthur asked as he gazed at both Lionel and Benjamin.
"Suzy chose this formal outfit for me," Chris replied and let go of her hand. He put his hand on his grandfather's shoulder and took him inside. Suzy smiled to see that and followed them in.
"Are they both living in harmony?" Benjamin asked Lionel.
"I guess so," Lionel answered as they headed inside.
In the living room, they all took seats. Suzy handed the glasses of water to both Arthur and Benjamin and kept holding the tray.
"Have a seat, Suzy," Arthur said.
She sat next to Chris, placing the tray on the table. Doris, the house helper, also arrived at the living room and greeted both Arthur and Benjamin.
"I hope Chris isn't creating any trouble for you, Doris," Arthur said.
"Absolutely not, Sir. Young Master Chris is calm after getting married," Doris answered.
"Grandpa, Suzy has agreed on not to seize my cards anymore," Chris pronounced, making Suzy arch her eyebrow at him when he held her hand. He tilted his head to peer at her, "Tell Grandpa that you want him to unfreeze my cards." His demand was loud and clear from her.
He then leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Tonight, I'll demand more from you, so better fulfill my demand."
"Is that so, Suzy? Today, he created a bigger trouble for you, didn't he?" Arthur questioned Suzy, who glanced at him while Chris moved away.
"Chris did create trouble for me," Suzy replied. "However, I handled it at the right time. I hope the matter didn't come to the media's notice," she asserted.
"It didn't. Benjamin took care of the matter. I'm thankful to you for succeeding in making Nikolas agree to withdraw the charges," Arthur said.
"I couldn't risk the name of our companies tarnished, especially mine, Grandpa," Suzy truthfully replied.
"Learn something from your wife," Arthur reprimanded his grandson. "Brian has to listen to a lot of stuff because of you. Also, you should show respect to your father," he added.
"I don't respect men like him," Chris muttered. "I'm hungry. Let's have dinner for which Grandpa is here," he stated and rose to his feet.
Suzy found his behavior strange toward his own father when he recalled how Lionel told him what Brian did to Chris' mother.
"We should head for the dinner," Suzy said and led the way to the dining table.