The soft glow of candlelight felt warm, as warm as your gaze tonight.
Evan pulled out a chair for me, and his gesture only made me more nervous.
I seemed to have forgotten how to smile. The wine and dinner looked ordinary, but his gaze and the ambiance made everything extraordinary.
A kiss on the back of my hand made my cheeks flush. When was the last time I got such a sweet gesture? My father adored me before my stepmother came along. Ah, forget it. Thinking about it only makes me feel worse.
"Let's toast, Lucia. Just a little, because this wine is strong."
"Alright!" I lifted my glass and took a sip. The bitterness quickly turned into a sweet and tangy flavor, making it easy to drink.
"Lucia, there's something I need to tell you. Do you want my honesty or my mask?" His question puzzled me, and I tried to understand with a questioning look.
"Have you heard it's better to hear a painful truth than a sweet lie?"
"Tell me more," I said, watching Evan's calm face, which looked more handsome and mature tonight.
"How do I say this... I'm actually nervous." His admission made me blush.
"Me too. I don't know why, but sitting with you tonight makes me nervous." He laughed, tilting his head back. We were both nervous and embarrassed, feeling awkward and unsure of how to sit comfortably.
"Lucia," he said with a trembling voice, rising from his chair to adjust my position so I faced him as he knelt. My heart pounded harder.
"I want to be the man who can protect you, take care of you, and who you can trust. Can I?" His question made my eyes widen, and I gently touched his shoulder.
"What do you mean?"
"Lucia, that night, you might not remember it clearly. It could be considered an accident, the night when you and I did something unexpected, and I feel responsible for you, for your future, for your life."
I grew more confused. "That night, what night are you talking about?"
"Someone brought you to my room that night. I opened the door and guided you in, asking who you were, your name, and where you lived, but you—" His cheeks reddened in the flickering candlelight as I tried to recall hazy memories.
That night, the night I felt touches that gave me chills, the heat that burned my body, the faint pain that made me bite my lip and moan continuously, the small kisses that explored my mouth and soaked my skin. That night, I tried to wake up. "Wait!"
Our faces turned red at the same point like freshly boiled shrimp. "Could it be that the night you're talking about is the night at the hotel ho—"
"Unfortunately, that's the night I mean." His words made me stand and turn away. I was so embarrassed recalling the incident and realizing that the man was Evan. I hit my head, realizing how foolish I had been, and the wine tonight was not my first drink.
"I know you must be disappointed in me, Lucia, and about that recording, I promise you I will handle everything legally." He vowed, trying to approach me, but every step he took made my heart race. I stepped away. "Lucia! I know you're disappointed in me, but I—"
Yes, I was disappointed in him, but more than disappointed, I was embarrassed! That's why I stepped back because the closer Evan got to me, the more it felt like my heart would explode.
"Lucia!" His touch on my shoulder made my breath catch. The feelings from that night seemed to linger inside me, strange emotions I couldn't explain. "I beg you, let's resolve this properly. I'll accept it if you slap me, hit me, curse me, but whatever it is, let's finish this right. Lucia, I beg you."
I closed my eyes for a moment. I deeply regretted that night, but in some way, I was also grateful that it was Evan who was my partner that night. For some reason, there was a sense of relief.
"Lucia, say anything, and I will comply with you."
Gathering my courage, I turned around. Evan's face looked so remorseful, and his fingertips felt cold on my shoulder. He stood there, breath held.
"Sorry—"
Evan's words were cut off as I quickly stood on tiptoe and kissed his trembling lips. I kissed him passionately, as if wanting to relive that night again because it still felt like a dream. A bad dream? I didn't know, so I wanted to make sure whether it would turn into a nightmare or not.
It might have taken Evan a few minutes to process my kiss. I smiled, looking at his stiff face, as if he was asking, what!
"That night, I didn't know what happened or what we did." I said, and he then smiled with blushing cheeks. His hesitant hands embraced at my waist.
"Shit, Lucia! You're driving me crazy!" He said with a wide smile, making my heart flutter and my stomach fill with butterflies. Was I falling in love with him?
I couldn't speak, only smile, seeing Evan's beaming face. He hugged me tightly, and I wrapped my legs around his firm waist as he lifted me to sit on the edge of the table. "How's the dinner?" he asked.
I turned for a moment, picked up a fork, took a piece of steak, and fed him, then cleaned his lips with mine, tasting the savory and tempting flavor.
"Lucia, do you want to know what happened that night and what we did?" He asked, placing his hands on either side of me, his body leaning in so that our noses occasionally touched. I didn't answer but gave him a kiss on the cheek, signaling a clear green light.
Evan carried me to the bedroom, and this time I was aware of how hot his body was, how strong his muscles were, and how intense his play was. This was not a dream, but a dream come true.
"Ahhh! Evan! Ahh~~ give me a moment!"
"I want to make sure you won't forget tonight, so I'm working hard."
"Mm~ Evan~ I, I know, emh~ but, don't you like mature and sexy women?"
"I like you, and do you like this?"
"Don't ask that, what do you think my moans mean? You're embarrassing me!!!"
"Lucia~"
*******
At the gala without Evan's presence.
Han watched Adrian holding Emily's hand and introducing her as his partner.
Everyone knew Adrian was going to marry Anderson's daughter, but who would have thought that in just a day, he would move from Lucia to Emily.
Emily accidentally bumped Han's arm as they passed, and Han turned to her.
"Hey, sir, be careful." She said with a fake smile.
"Ah, Mr. Han, sorry my girlfriend wasn't paying attention." Adrian said, embarrassed.
Emily pinched Adrian's arm and protested, "Why are you apologizing to him? He's the one at fault."
"It's okay, Emily," He tried to calm his girlfriend in front of Han, whose face remained expressionless. "Please continue with your evening, sir. Sorry again for bothering you."
After bowing politely, he led Emily away from Han.
Despite the distance, she continued to complain about her boyfriend's behavior.
"Why did you do that? Doesn't he know who I am?"
"Enough, Emily, stay away from people like him!" Adrian whispered.
After Emily and Adrian disappeared into the party crowd, Han called his boss.
"Hello, he brought that girl to the gala. Do you want me to do something about it?" Han asked.
"Hello Han, hmm, you're on your day off!"
"Huh! What do you mean, boss?"
"Take a break and go on a holiday. I'm happy, very happy!"
"?? I don't get it!"
"You don't have to understand me, as long as I'm happy!"
Han pulled the phone away, suspicious of his boss's behavior, then spoke again, "Boss, don't forget to take your medicine!"
"Heh! Do you think I'm crazy! I'm happy!"
Han just shook his head and ended the call. He turned on his smartwatch and communicated with his people. "Give them a shock."