Chapter 24 - Bitter!
Chapter 24 - Bitter!
Despite their disagreements, they still managed to agree on one thing; they both liked to give their best in everything. Either it'd be work or a relationship. Both of them won't do anything half-heartedly.
This was the common ground that seemed to have brought them close without them even realizing it.
Just as Shui Xian had said, he paid for the coffee and now they stood outside the coffee shop looking at the people passing by. It seemed like everyone was walking and yet, only these two were standing right there without moving or talking.
"How about I take you home?" he offered gentlemanly. Actually, he didn't want to part just yet. It was strange. She was still really a stranger to him and yet, he found the company of this stranger to be quite amusing. Before today, he really never thought that coffee with a stranger could become such an interesting affair.
"Do you think I walked here?" she replied.
"No, I meant. You should ask your driver to leave and I can drop you off at home."
"I drove here myself. Grandfather sent the driver home for the holidays."
"Oh," he responded. "Then let me walk you to the car?"
Raelle didn't mind that and they walked side by side towards the parking. They were walking in silence but Raelle had been looking at his side profile. No matter how she looked at him, he was still handsome from every angle. This had already given Shui Xian a huge favorability boost in her mind. After all, in her opinion, if she was gonna spend her life with this man, he should be pleasing to her eyes.
"Why are you looking at me this time?" he asked. "And don't say, you're enjoying or appreciating the view."
"I was indeed admiring your beauty but that has helped me in coming to a conclusion," she replied and he raised his brow in question. "I think I won't get tired of looking at your face. You're pleasing to my eyes."
"Am I supposed to take that as a compliment?"
She nodded her head, "That's the highest compliment anyone has ever received from me."
Shui Xian turned his head to look at her look of satisfaction and shook his head. He didn't think there was a point in saying anything. As long as she was pleased. Whatever!
They had reached her car and Raelle said, "I guess it's time to say, goodbye?" She thought about it before shaking her head, "No, I should say see you soon. Because it's certainly not goodbye."
Before she opened the door of her car, he held her arm and asked, "Last time... Why did you kiss me?"
"That was me saying hello!" replied Raelle with an odd smile on her face.
"Is that how you say hello to everyone?" he questioned.
Seeing him staring at her face with an inquisitive look, she answered honestly, "Actually, I heard that kisses are sweet. I just wanted to test that. And since you're gonna be my husband anyway, I thought you're the most suitable person to perform my experiment on."
Shui Xian's lips twitched, "You used me for your experiment? Like I was Person A and you're the Person B in that experiment?"
She nodded and added, "But what's the point? The experiment failed miserably. I tasted nothing!" She looked into his eyes that flashed with a strange light and went on, "But I'm told it's my fault because what I did couldn't even be considered a kiss. Apparently, I need to have a deep kiss to taste anything."
He pushed her against the side of her car and stepped close imposingly. His figure towered over her as he stepped close and his arm went right past the side of her face. Raelle didn't feel bothered by the fact that he had stepped into her personal space. She had already come this close to him before, so it didn't feel uncomfortable.
She innocently looked up at his face and said, "Are you mad?"
"You tell me, am I?"
"How would I know?" she retorted. "I heard everyone likes kisses, so you can't possibly be mad about that. You got one without asking for it and that too, free of charge. Where else will you get such a bargain?"
Shui Xian really couldn't tell why he was feeling mad. It was maybe because he thought she was playing around. But her eyes showed that she was serious. Every word she said was true. Even if it sounded like a joke, it wasn't. She actually kissed him for an experiment.
"Don't worry, I won't try the second time until I'm done with my research on that 'deep kiss'." She patted his chest reassuringly. Thinking of something, she stopped and looked into his amber eyes that had darkened a shade, "Actually, my best friend said that instead of treating my life as a theoretical exam, I need to do some practicals as well. That brings me to the question if I won't look up about 'deep kiss' how would I know what that is..."
Her words got stuck in her mouth when his lips landed straight on hers. It was exactly the same as the last time until his lips moved against hers. His eyes were right before hers. She could even see her own reflection in those orbs. As for him, he could see her blank gaze.
The kiss was neither passionate nor could it be described as a deep one. In truth, it was a very gentle kiss. His lips were cold but she still felt a touch of warmth. That left her confused. Since she had no idea what to do, she let him take the lead.
No sparks flew, no butterflies were felt running amok. And yet, the kiss was very comfortable. It wasn't even that long either. He slowly pulled away and looked into her eyes, "How did that taste?"
Raelle licked up her lips and said, "Bitter!"
The corner of Shui Xian's eyes crinkled and a smile graced his lips. Raelle was left staring at his unrestrained smile. The soft smile seemed to make his handsome looks shine even brighter!
He ruffled her hair and said, "Blame it on your coffee!" With that, he turned around and left her staring at his retreating back.
She carelessly got in her car and buckled her seatbelt. Her finger went up to her bottom lip as she said, "At least, I tasted something this time."