Melissa turned to face him, her hands instinctively tucking loose strands of hair behind her ears. "Wh-why are you here?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. Her hands lowered, clutching the edges of her gown nervously.
Radulf's piercing gaze softened for a moment as he replied, "My work is finished. That's why." He took a step closer to her.
"Let's maintain some distance," Melissa said quickly.
Radulf halted briefly, but in the next moment, he was standing right in front of her. "I don't want to maintain any distance," he asserted. "I complimented you earlier, but you didn't give me the response I was hoping for."
Melissa remained silent, her eyes avoiding his. It wasn't until he gently lifted her chin, turning her face toward him, that she finally looked at him.
