Destroy Me Gently:Ex-Enemy Becomes My Lover! Chapter 136: Back to kiss

**OLIVER WEST**

"Wherever it is, as long as we go to the sa place, then it’s fine," He said, but sothing in his voice told he’d already given this considerable thought.

My heart leapt with hope that he’d included in his plans, but the happiness was imdiately crushed by reality.

"I’m not very smart, and you know that. It’s certain that I won’t get accepted to any university except maybe our local one..."

"I can pay your tuition fees for faraway colleges," Kieran said without hesitation. "We’ll be living together too. What’s there to worry about?"

The words hit like a punch to the gut. University fees, especially in big cities, weren’t as cheap as buying dinner. How could I rely on Kieran to support like I was so charity case?

Without a scholarship - which I definitely wouldn’t get - Mom could barely manage even the local college tuition.

"Be serious, Kieran."

"I am serious. A little bit of money can also pull so strings, you will get accepted anywhere you want to go."

The casual way he said it made feel worse. Like my entire education, and entire future were just sothing he could buy with his family’s money. Or maybe I was the one being difficult. It wasn’t his fault that I was not smart, he was just trying to help in a way he thought he could.

"I can’t let you do that." I whispered, "It will be a waste to spend on , even if I sohow got into a good university, I’d probably be too dumb to keep up with all the intelligent students anyway."

Kieran’s arms wrapped around then, pulling against his chest. The embrace was so gentle, so full of affection, that it made my throat tight.

"Don’t ever call it a waste. Besides, I’m also benefiting," He said and I stared at him in confusion.

"Because I get the chance to care for you and feel useful," He said and my lips twitched. This wasn’t a TV show, but those lines seed like it.

" Also you’re good at other things, even way better than I am,"

I knew he was just trying to cheer up. What could I possibly do better than him?

"For example, I’ve seen your drawings. You’re more than excellent at that - it’s sothing I could never do," he murmured.

I’d never really considered my art as anything important. It was just sothing I did for fun. According to Mom, there was no way I could make a living from it if I decided to take it further.

"You’re the only person I can draw so perfectly, otherwise..." I blurted out, then stopped when I saw the heat that flashed in Kieran’s eyes.

"Then draw more, Ollie, I will spend a lifeti purchasing each artwork,"

There it was again, he was making feel butterflies!

"Kieran, be serious!"

"You’re better than you give yourself credit for," he said, stroking my hair gently. "Jokes aside, you could pursue your talent and what you love further. But if you feel it’s too much, I could always stay here with you."

His lips curved in a half smile while I just stared at him with a tight chest and burning eyes. What did I ever do to deserve him?

It still wasn’t right though.

I could never let him give up on his dreams for . I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I held him back. A few years from now, he might regret the decision

"You don’t have to do that. I’m not going to hold you back from making the right choice."

The words hurt to say, but I knew they were true. He couldn’t throw away his future just because I wasn’t smart enough to keep up.

"And that’s what I’m doing - making the right choice. Staying wherever you are." His voice dropped to a whisper. "I love you, Ollie. I can’t imagine being anywhere without you. It would kill ."

My heart squeezed tight against my chest. The corners of my eyes stung intensely with tears. I wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his chest and holding him as tightly as I could.

I made a silent vow. I was going to try harder. I would do everything I could to et his standards and not drag him down with .

"You know, when you were unconscious, I got so ti to speak with my mom," he said quietly, his hand stroking my back.

I couldn’t hide my surprise. The way he said it - there was no anger or bitterness in his tone.

"I don’t know if she has truly changed. I feel so confused, I don’t know how to feel. What if I do hope and everything gets taken away from again? Do you think I should give our family a chance?"

"You already know the answer to that in your heart, don’t you?" I squeezed his hand.

Silence fell between us for a mont before he spoke again.

"I’m going to see him. My dad. The day after tomorrow. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I hope he survives..." He exhaled heavily, briefly closing his eyes and then he buried his face into my shoulder.

That was the day of his father’s surgery. It was hard for Kieran to express himself when it ca to sensitive matters like his family, I just wanted to comfort him. I also felt like a proud boyfriend to see his growth, he was no longer fed by resentnt, he was giving himself a chance to live without hate consuming him from within.

"We can only be hopeful. No matter how it turns out, just know that I’ll be here for you. Always."

I wound my arms around him even tighter as our faces slowly moved closer together. His minty breath caressed my face, making my heart drum with anticipation.

It was heaven when his lips slamd against mine.

With one hand on my jaw and the other in my hair, he walked his lips against mine, my lips parted and our tongues worked passionately.