Kathleen knitted her brows. “I don’t know.”
“Samuel, why do you need to know? You don’t plan on waiting for Kathleen when she goes to the Macari residence, do you?” Christopher sneered.
He was hinting at Kathleen about Samuel’s plan.
Kathleen was still too young and innocent, particularly for a cunning man like Samuel.
Kathleen gave Samuel a sidelong glance.
He’s actually playing mind games with me, but unfortunately, I won’t fall for it! Never!
“I’ll visit her when I have time. I don’t need your intervention.” Putting down the plate, Kathleen grabbed Christopher’s hand and left with the man in tow.
Samuel watched her flee with a look of dejection in his eyes.
She made no secret of her distaste for him, which sent a sharp pain to his chest.
Kathleen left the banquet with Christopher and apologized, “I’m sorry, Chris. I—”
“You don’t need to explain.” Christopher understood her completely.
Kathleen was feeling aggrieved.
Reaching out to pat her on the head, Christopher comforted, “Don’t take it to heart, Kate. You haven’t gotten used to being around him yet. You’ll be fine after you get used to it.”
“I’m so useless.” She was frustrated.
Christopher smiled faintly at her. “It’s really fine, Kate. Take it slow.”
She looked at him. “Chris, thank you for comforting me.”
“You silly girl.” Christopher flashed her a smile. “It’s getting late. I’ll send you home.”
“Aren’t you going to tell Mr. Lawson first? Wouldn’t it be rude to leave like this?” Kathleen looked at him.
Christopher replied with a faint smile, “Wait for me here. I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay.” Kathleen nodded obediently.
Christopher then turned to go back in.
Standing by the window, Kathleen looked out of it.
The night view from the window was breathtaking.
All of a sudden, a tall silhouette appeared behind her.
Kathleen saw the reflection of Samuel on the window.
She tried to run away but was instantly hugged by him.
“Let me go!” She struggled to break free from his embrace. Feeling angry and anxious, she threatened, “I’ll shout for help if you don’t let go!”
“You’re a celebrity. Aren’t you afraid of being seen by others and getting yourself in a scandal? I won’t touch you as long as you don’t run away from me, okay?” Samuel’s voice was hoarse and deep.
“Let go of me!” Kathleen said angrily.
Samuel let her go.
Turning around, Kathleen shot him a death stare. “What do you want, Samuel?”
There was an incomprehensible emotion in Samuel’s eyes. “I have a question for you. You said you’ve loved me for ten years—”
“I used to! I don’t love you now,” corrected Kathleen.
Samuel smiled wryly. “I know. I just want to know, when did you start liking me? Was it when you first arrived at the Macari residence?”
Kathleen gave a dry laugh. “Samuel, I fell in love with you earlier than you knew.”
“Was it when you fell into the water?” Samuel knitted his brows.
Biting her red lips, Kathleen shook her head.
Samuel was baffled. Was it even earlier?
“Tell me.” Samuel stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. “Tell me, when did you fall in love with me?”
Kathleen was stunned for a moment before saying, “What’s the point of talking about this now, Samuel?”
She did not understand why he could not let it go now that they were already divorced.
“It’s not pointless. Tell me or I’ll kiss you right here until you do!” Samuel said with a clenched jaw.
“You!” With tears in her eyes, Kathleen took a deep breath and went on, “Your high school is right next to my middle school.”
Samuel frowned. “Is it?”
Kathleen glared at him. “Yes!”
Samuel was struck dumb for a while before asking with a smile, “So?”
“One time after school, a driver hit several people with a car. I almost got hit too, but you appeared and saved me by pulling me to the side and running away from the scene with me in your arms. That’s when I…”
I fell in love with you.
The fields of their schools were next to each other.
Coincidentally, she had gym class during her ninth grade at the same time as Samuel’s gym class.
She would secretly look at him from across the railing.
The basketball court where he played basketball was very far away from her, but she still went to see him.
Every time he scored, she would be excited, happy, and delighted for him.
Samuel thought of the incident she mentioned.
Saving her was the least he could do at the time, but she kept it deep in her heart.
It turned out that she fell in love with him that early.
If he had known it earlier, he would not have let her down for ten years or even longer.
“Kate…” Samuel’s dark eyes were as deep as the sea.
Kathleen had calmed down at that point. “I’ve told you not to pester me, Samuel. Do you still want to force me to death again?”
Her words made him freeze.
“Kate.” Christopher returned.
Seeing Samuel with Kathleen, Christopher was anxious.
“Chris, I’m fine. Let’s go.” Kathleen had gradually learned how to face Samuel.
Christopher gave his cousin a displeased look. “Let me give you a piece of advice, Samuel, don’t make a joke out of yourself.”
With that, he held Kathleen’s hand and turned to leave.
The look in Samuel’s eyes turned cold.
Make a joke out of myself? Ha! How ridiculous. We’ll see who’s a joke.
While on the way back, Kathleen remained silent.
Christopher said in a gentle voice, “Relax, Kate. To be honest, you will inevitably run into Samuel after you return to Jadeborough. You’ll also meet him when you visit Old Mrs. Macari at the Macari residence.”
Even if they avoided each other, they would still meet sooner or later, so Kathleen must learn to adapt.
“Chris, I’m actually clear-headed.” Kathleen looked at the neon lights outside the car window. “You don’t have to worry about me. I know how to get along with Samuel.”
Christopher pursed his lips.
Kathleen let out a sigh. “To be honest, I don’t love or hate Samuel now. Besides, there are Grandma, Mrs. Macari, and Mr. Macari between us, so it’s impossible for me and Samuel to be enemies forever.”
Christopher understood that it was a part of Kathleen’s personality.
“I’ll treat him in a calm manner, and I also hope he can be the same to me.” Kathleen pursed her lips. “Actually, it’s not only me who has to learn to get along with him, but also him. Both of us need time. We had an ugly breakup back then, and we feel a little resentful deep down, but it’s okay. We’ll slowly be at peace with each other when we meet again in the future. Then, it will pass.”
Christopher nodded. “I believe in you.”
However, he did not believe in Samuel, who had done such crazy things in order to see Kathleen.
He did not believe that the latter could move on from Kathleen.
He knew very well what kind of person Samuel was.
Samuel was ruthless and cruel, but it would be terrifying once he fell in love.
His affection included his possessiveness.
Christopher was afraid that Kathleen would not be able to resist it, which was why he tried so hard to make her his.
That way, he would not worry no matter how Samuel pestered her.
However, he had no chance at all in the past year.
If only I could have a few more years.
Alas, Kathleen could not wait as she had a reason that forced her to come back.
