"I will never mess around with your things or plot against you again,'' Ella deliberately slowed her words to check his reaction but the man seemed to be far from moved.
''And I won't try to run away anymore.''
Adrian's gaze changed lightly.
Ella was enlightened suddenly.
This man... he did not really care about his company and all but he was moved when she said she wouldn't run away?
This enlightenment amused her but bewildered her all the more.
Ella slowly walked towards him.
In her previous life, she had never done that. Only when adrenaline hit her did she approach him out of rage, wanting to kill him.
At other times, he scared her as much as the devil would scare a human.
But now, despite the lingering fear that was ingrained in her, this man did not seem as scary.
''I won't ever try to run away again,'' She looked up into his eyes and said with conviction.
Adrian pinched her chin and looked at her with narrowed eyes as if he was trying to read her face and her thoughts.
''Things were different before. I was blind and insensitive. There were many things I overlooked but now, you should know that he is already engaged...'' the force on her chin increased, making her gasp for a moment, ''And I have no interest in taken men.''
Adrian released his grip on her chin wordlessly.
But the implication in his eyes was obvious—Even you were a taken woman when you were chasing after him before.
Ella nearly choked on the air. This man certainly said a lot without saying a lot.
''I never took our relationship for a real one.''
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room turned suffocating.
It became difficult to breathe.
''I always thought I caught your fleeting interest. After a while, you'd set me free.''
''You have not set me free.''
Ella shook her head, ''But it doesn't matter. Every human has their flaws. I don't blame you for this. At times, I can be insensible but I am a good catch. It explains why you'd want to keep me around with you by hook or by crook.''
''But Adrian, I am a human being. And I don't have Stockholm syndrome. If you think that locking up in this grand castle will make me fall for you, you are wrong,'' This time, her tone was serious.
Adrian did not say anything.
Ella was at her wits' end, ''Is it okay for you to only have me here? Don't you want anything else? Anything more?"
Ella nearly tripped. This rock!
She smiled sweetly, ''But what if I tell you that you can have more?" She took another step closer to him, ''And they might turn out to be better than what you already have?"
The corner of Adrian's brow twitched when the woman suddenly stood up on her tippy toes and placed a kiss on his cheek.
''I am willing to take our relationship seriously and give it a chance. I am already your wife but to this day, we have been like strangers living under the same roof. From now on, I am willing to know you more.''
Ella hooked her arms around his neck and continued, ''To love you and to stand by your side, I will try it all.''
Adrian gazed into the eyes that sparkled while looking at him. The warmth on his cheek had yet to fade.
''But I want you to not cage me anymore. I have a lots of things I want to do and I would love it if you stand by my side while I accomplish them all.''
When she was done speaking, the room went completely silent.
Ella sighed inwardly.
Persuading Adrian was not easy after all.
She dropped her arms that were hooked around his neck.
Just as she was about to step back, an arm snaked around her waist.
He pulled her into him. And his fingers dug into the side of her fluffy stomach, fondling her gently.
"Better things?" He spoke.
Ella doubted that this man really had taken her for his private soft toy.
At his words, she nodded slowly.
The man leaned in towards her in silence, not saying a word and not moving an inch.
Ella was bewildered. What now?
She looked at Adrian's slightly tilted face and his offered cheek.
And suddenly, it dawned on her. Was he... asking for another kiss?
Doubtfully, she leaned in and kissed his offered cheek.
And suddenly, the biting winters in the room converted to warm spring.
Adrian stood up straight and released her waist. He stroked her hair twice before leaving the room.
Ella stood there, thunderstruck.
Could someone tell her... had it always been this easy to coax this big devil?
A cheek kiss... was all he needed?
Her entire worldview changed.
Ella did not know how long she stood there before she slowly snapped out of her shock and went to the bathroom.
Only after she stepped in did she realize that she was still inside the Master bedroom since Adrian had carried her here last night.
She was about to leave right away but she saw something that made her halt in her tracks.