I didn’t know the reason, but the words of rejection that had reached the tip of my tongue suddenly lost their footing;l then forcibly swallowed them back down.
It wasn’t that I was still caught in Ken’s shadow,but I definitely wasn’t ready to start a new relationship.
However,the man in front of me was different. He didn’t rush to show possessiveness, nor did he try to break through my defenses with sweet words. He just looked at me quietly while sitting steadily next to me,as if he wanted to say that he would be waiting for me and I did not need to rush.
That kind of gentleness and steadiness made it impossible for me to say no.After all,he was my future fiancé,the man my parents had carefully selected and were beyond satisfied with. What if love really could grow with time?What if feelings could slowly develop? Maybe…just maybe.
After dinner,l got into Charles’s car. He had made arrangements for today’s plans.
Inside the car,I watched his slender, strong hands gripping the steering wheel with his well–defined knuckles,elegant bones,his face focused and calm.
“I had a boyfriend,“I suddenly said. My voice was calm, but I couldn’t help but grip the hem of my shirt tightly.“We were together for seven years.”
Charles glanced at me but didn’t say a word.
“I’ll do my best to forget him,“I said as I lowered my head and smiled.“However, I don’t know if it matters to you.”
He was quiet for a few seconds,then said softly.“I’m jealous.”
I turned to look at him,a bit surprised.
He kept his eyes on the road. “I’m jealous of the fact that the man got to have you for seven whole years.”
I was dumbfounded.
He continued,“He got the chance to hold your hand,have breakfast with you, witness every unhappy moment and see you at your most natural.I could only look at your photos from afar,gather bits of news about you here and there. He had your past and I…I can only hope you’ll give me your future.”
He didn’t press me on why I had split up or make the atmosphere awkward. His tone was serious and gentle and,somehow,it soothed me.
“Thank you,”I said quietly,
“For what?” He smiled.
“For being willing to…understand me.”
He replied, “I don’t just want to understand you. I want to take care of you, stay by your side and build a future together.”
When he said that,his gaze was warm and it was directed straight at my face.It was so intense
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that I couldn’t look away.
The car finally stopped in front of a villa.
‘What’s this?“I asked,puzzled.
‘My private gallery,“Charles replied as he unbuckled his seatbelt and opened my door for me.” ented out the entire building. Everything inside is part of my personal collection.”
When the doors opened,it wasn’t the luxurious style I had imagined. Instead,the space was simple and elegant,with a clean,timeless feel.
The cement,gray and natural wood were mixed together. The walls were lined with framed art and display cases,with bookshelves and photographs that were neatly arranged.
He walked me through each room slowly with very light steps.
‘Here are materials from when I was a child studying in London and over there are project files ‘rom when I first returned home.”
He pointed to a glass cabinet.“This… is where I saw your photo for the first time.”
followed the direction of his finger. On the wall were several photos from my high school days.It was a group photo of me when I received a scholarship.I was standing among a group of >eople. My smile was so bright.
