Redmption 243


    His face wore a smile that was both helpless and affectionate. “You’ve done this before. You have a


    history of it.”


    I was left speechless. My cheeks flushed red, and I felt a mix of embarrassment and irritation.


    He really was something. He should have just kept it to himself instead of spelling it out. His


    emotional intelligence was so low.


    “Mae,” Brandon said softly, “you were so bold when doing something wrong, but now you’re acting


    all timid. You haven’t changed a bit from when you were a child.”


    I was about to retort when I suddenly realized something was wrong. “Doing something wrong?”


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    Last night, when I opened the door in my nightgown, he didn’t think it was an ident. He had seen


    through it. He knew it was deliberate.


    Oh my god. This was incredibly embarrassing.


    The car keys I was holding felt like they were about to be crushed. I was flustered and retorted,


    “Who’s doing something wrong? It’s clearly you. You’re just… mmm…”


    My words were cut off as Brandon leaned in and kissed me. Perhaps because he had just finished


    running, his lips were cool, but also soft.


    I stood there frozen, not moving at all. I could see him closing his eyes, his darkshes, and his high


    nose bridge…


    As I was lost in the daze of his kiss and captivated by his striking features, Brandon let go of me but


    still held my hands.


    “From now on, I’ll take care of the bad things…”


    I was blushing so hard that it extended from my face to my ankles. I kept my head down and didn’t


    say a word.


    “Did you really have no business with Dr. Carline?” Brandon asked again.


    I shook my head, remaining silent. I just couldn’t find the words. I didn’t understand why I felt so shy


    about this.


    When I was dating Chris, people often teased us. Chris would asionally pinch my cheek, put his


    arm around my shoulder, and even kiss my cheek in front of others.


    I never felt this shy back then. Now, I felt like a shy young girl experiencing her first–hand–holding


    with a boy. But before, I had been acting like a veteran in front of him back when I was at Amaty. It


    seemed that pretense and lies could never withstand the test of reality.


    “I originally nned to make you some spaghetti, but it seems that’s not needed now. Be careful on


    the road, Brandon said with concern.


    I remained silent, and he smiled. “Mae, do you know what you make me want to do?”


    “What?” I asked this time.


    He leaned in, his cheek brushing against mine. His soft lips intentionally grazed my earlobe. “I want


    to kiss you more because the more I kiss you, the less shy you’ll be.”


    I felt even more embarrassed, and I tapped his back twice in response. Brandonughed, and his


    laughter made me even more self–conscious.


    2/2


    “Don’tugh!” I covered his mouth with my hand.


    But instead, I felt a tickling sensation on my palm. He had kissed my hand! I recoiled slightly, and


    he


    chuckled.


    “Alright. I’m done teasing you. Go ahead, and drive safely.”


    I bit my lip, and my face flushed like a boiled shrimp. Then, I hurriedly got into the car. Brandon


    stood outside, watching me with a smile. He rarely smiled. But now, his grin was as bright as the


    sun rising over the horizon.


    My heart warmed and fluttered at his smile. This was what real love felt like–exciting, heart–racing,


    and asforting as a spring breeze mixed with sweetness.


    I started the car, preparing to leave because I still felt uneasy under Brandon’s gaze. Even after I


    drove a considerable distance, Brandon stood where he was. He watched me the entire time.


    ncing in the rearview mirror, I suddenly remembered his words fromst night at the amusement


    park. He had mentioned that he was leaving today, but I hadn’t asked where he was going.


    I quickly mmed on the brakes.