64 Loving You (1/2)

\”Why do you look so terrified?\” Wen Jinkai worriedly asked her. A variety of emotions flashed across her face, at speeds he couldn't register. Xueyue stared at her hands, her eyes quivering. He could see the light inside of her eyes dim like stars covered by clouds.

\”Look at me,\” he softly said, lifting her chin up gently. He didn't know he was capable of such gentleness until he met her. He had never accommodated himself to anyone, ever. Yet, he sat before her, concerned about a woman who wanted nothing to do with him.

\”What's wrong?\”

\”Please stop,\” she whispered, shaking her head. She tried to push his hand away but he firmly gripped her chin.

\”Stop what?\”

\”Whatever you're doing.\” Xueyue's eyes widened, revealing its depths.

Wen Jinkai was mesmerized by her eyes. Her hazel eyes captured the shades of nature's glory, ancient trees, wise and profound.

He vaguely remembered seeing her eyes catch the sun, golden as honeycomb, but now, they were the darkest shade of brown, alluring and mysterious—filled with depth that he could not fathom. Why was there so much angst and apprehension within them? What was weighing her down? Who had harmed her?

\”I'm merely trying to talk to you.\”

\”Don't. Don't talk to me. Don't look my way. Don't touch me. Don't act like you know me. I want you to pretend as if we're strangers who never crossed paths with each other.\”

\”Why?\” he seethed, dropping her chin.

His fingers tightened into fists, his jaw ticked with indignation. He couldn't fathom the fact that she wholeheartedly rejected him. It was unlike him to care about women, but the first time he did so, he was brutally denied by her.

\”If you're unable to love me, then don't woo me. I don't need unnecessary distractions in my life. I don't care about your wealth, reputation, or title. I'm not a conquest that had to be shown to your peers. I don't want to be one of the many flowers in your garden. I want to be the sole wife of the house, not one out of tens of women in a harem.\”

Wen Jinkai blinked at her words.

\”Loving you means hating myself,\” she whispered. \”Unlike you, I'm not afraid of falling in love. I'm afraid of being the only one that falls.\”

\”Is that what you want, Little Fawn?\” he stood up to his full height, towering over her tiny form. He was an intimidating man whose ruthlessness knew no bounds.

She could never escape his clutches. The only thing she could do was express her animosity for him and pray he'd leave on his own will. This type of man was borderline dangerous. Someone with the potential to claim her against her will and keep her captive.

\”Unconditional love? Devotion to you and only you?\”