But as her hand was held by the man, she couldn't walk back any further after a single step backwards. His arm remained casually hanging there, not letting go of her hand despite her retreat. Ava's face was a mix of panicked embarrassment. Maple Swallow raised his hand slowly and took a drag of his cigarette, still wearing that calm and matured expression. He gazed intently at the unsettled woman's face, and softly started, "I genuinely wanted to correct the mistake I made that day, and I hope you could give me another chance to make things right."
"What... what if I don't..." Ava managed to muster up the courage to say.
Maple was silent momentarily, looking at the woman's intranquilled face in front of him, he managed a rare smile, "I will not let a woman suffer any loss. Thus, you have to accept it."
"…" Ava was almost crying in frustration at his shameless demeanor.
