Chapter 416
Chapter 416
Chapter 416
"Desmond, I'd better get going. Goodnight and thank you for saving my life. I'll buy you a meal some other day." As soon as Amelia finished her words, she scurried away as though Desmond would shove her into the Mendelson Family's car if she was too slow.
Once she left Mendelson Residence, she heaved a sigh as she finally felt safe. However, she did not stop there and kept running so that she would not miss the chance to meet Ronnie.
She was well aware that their encounter was not pure coincidence; after all, Dylan had arranged it on purpose. She figured she should seize her opportunity since her best friends were helping her out.
After running for a while, she sensed something amiss. She then looked down at her feet, only to see she was running with only one shoe.
I have been running on the street while looking like this the whole time?
Amelia felt embarrassed after she realized that. Fortunately, it was in the middle of the night, and there was no one else around but herself and the street lights that lit her way in silence.
She took off the shoe and threw it into the trash bin by the road before heading on her way.
Meanwhile, Ronnie, who was waiting for her at the same old place, alighted from the vehicle and leaned against it. With his hands delved into his pockets, he stared at the entrance of the villa area. No matter what he and Dylan were up to that day, Dylan would always ask him to drive Amelia home around this time.
He was clueless about Dylan's intention at first, but he slowly figured it out as time passed.
Is Amelia a fine person?
Aside from her hobby of collecting pretty boys' pictures, she was a decent person. Unlike the other pretentious, rich young ladies, she was true to herself. She already had a bad reputation amongst the upper class due to her pastime, so she had no need to behave properly.
Although Ronnie did not hate Amelia, he bore no romantic feelings for her. As long as she did not confess, he decided to play dumb. And once Frank stopped venting his anger on her, Ronnie needed not to send her home anymore.
When their encounters dwindled, he reckoned that the admiration she had for him would wane as time passed.
What she has is pure admiration. I doubt that it's love.
At long last, he caught sight of the familiar silhouette, yet he did not budge. It was not until Amelia came out that he entered the car to drive toward her.
When the car stopped, she hopped into the vehicle and he glanced over her out of habit.
When the car stopped, she hopped into the vehicle and he glanced over her out of habit.
"What happened?"
She was wearing a man's shirt without buttoning it up and revealing her attire underneath it. Her hair was a mess and she was barefooted.
He frowned. "Did something happen? You're a mess."
"Don't bring it up. I mistakenly barged into the dog house and ticked off some fierce wolfhounds. They chased after me and bit off my clothes. My back is injured in the process too. Could you please take me to the hospital, Ronnie? I gotta clean my wounds and take a vaccine for rabies."
Ronnie started the car engine and hit the road toward the hospital. He did not question whose shirt she was covering herself with, and she did not mention it either.
Amelia had been receiving 'invitations' from Frank's subordinate these days, and both of them were aware of it. Still, they did not broach the subject and took it as a mere midnight coincidence.
Once they arrived at the hospital, she had her wounds disinfected and received a jab of rabies vaccine. By the time they were leaving, it was already 1.00AM. Ronnie then drove her home.
"Ronnie." Before she got out of the car, she asked, "What's your real name?"
She already knew his basic information through Kendall, but she wished to know if he was willing to tell her.
After a moment of silence, he replied nonchalantly, "You may call me Ronnie, Ms. Taylor."
That one single sentence of his was enough to tell her that they did not become closer for the past few nights, let alone having sparks fly between them.
"Ronnie, what kind of girlfriend are you looking for?"
"Smart and knows how to fight. She doesn't need to have a strong character, but she's not frail as well. No Mother Teresa syndrome, yet kind. Family background and looks are not that important."
Amelia's heart sank when she heard that. She had a feeling that it was his implicit way of telling her that she was not his type.
"Why does she have to be smart and know how to fight?" That was the bar she could not reach—she could not fight. Even if she started learning to fight right now, it was too late since she was already twenty-six.
He turned his head to gaze at her and explained solemnly, "My household is kinda complicated. There's unforeseen danger everywhere. If a woman without self-defense skills married me, she could die at the hands of the enemies at any time. Even though I can protect my partner, I can't stay by her side 24/7. So, it is important for her to be able to protect herself."
Amelia was stupefied. Kendall had told her about Ronnie's family history, which sounded no less different from other families. However, she did not expect it to involve so many perilous imponderables.
She met eyes with Ronnie and asked in a straightforward manner, "Is this the reason why you've been staying single?"
"That's one of them. The other reason is that I still haven't met the person that strikes my fancy."
A chill shrouded her heart as she heard those words.
He doesn't like me.
She bit her lip with downcast eyes before raising her head to look at him seriously. "Ronnie, I like you. Could you consider it? No matter how your family is, we can stay in Orapolis forever."
He did not mention their residence after marriage with her since it was something so far-fetched. Not to mention the fact that he did not have feelings for her.
"Thank you, Ms. Taylor. You are a nice person, but I'm not a good match for you. I hope that you'll meet someone better that will treat you better. It's late now. You should head inside and take a rest."
Amelia's head hung low as she stared at her feet, which was wearing a pair of sandals. He bought them from a convenience store nearby the hospital.
Despite taking pictures of so many hot guys, he was the only man who made her heart flutter in a completely different way. Yet, she had to stop her feelings without ever starting it as he did not even give her a chance.
Ronnie knew that his refusal would upset her, but it was for the best instead of dragging it longer. Before she fell deeper for him, he should refuse her coldly and make her relinquish him in order to mitigate the pain. Then, she would be able to get over it in the shortest possible time and it would not be awkward the next time they met.
Besides, he was very clear of his feelings; he did not like her. Since he could not give her hope, it would be best for him to be honest.
"Ronnie, we can try dating each other for a period of time. If you still have no feelings for me after that, we can break up and I promise not to get in your way again," suggested Amelia as she lifted her head to meet his eyes once again.