Grace’s heart thudded slowly and loudly against her chest. Perhaps it was the abruptness of the situation that made it race, or maybe it was the tight grip on her arm. Or perhaps it was the distance between her and Haines’s face—she could inhale his hot breath as it caressed her upper lip. Their eyes shimred as they mirrored each other’s.
Her lips parted slightly, stunned into silence at how quickly things had escalated.
Haines exhaled heavily, staring at her up close. His body was burning, and with her soft, delicate skin under his hold, a slight itch erged in him—an itch that could only be eased if he glided his palms over her softness.
Slowly, he pulled her closer... and closer, until his face moved past hers, stopping in front of her ear. "Is... Penny an addict?"
The second those words escaped his mouth, they shattered the building tension between them. Grace, who had assud this Chapter would turn into an R-rated narrative, couldn’t stop her face from twitching. She drew her head back and looked at him.
"I think this is the ti when we finally have our first kiss," she noted, making him tilt his head back in confusion.
"I think I’m drugged," he said, closing his eyes as he fanned himself with his shirt. "I’m burning up, and I need to go to the hospital. Penny must’ve put sothing in that cake she fed us."
Deep lines appeared between Grace’s brows as she studied him. Without a word, she touched his forehead with the back of her hand, making him catch her arm.
"No," he breathed out, opening his eyes and eting hers. "And I’m a little sensitive, too."
"I don’t think Penny would drug you in a way that would make you suffer like this."
"Then this is the first ti."
"Haines—"
"I’m aroused," he interjected, as it seed easier for him to be blunt about it. "It’s what I ant by being sensitive, and if I’m correct, whatever drug Penny put in the cake has sothing to do with this."
Despite being single for decades, Haines finally understood what was happening to him. Thanks to Grace’s presence, it beca clear. If he was being honest with himself, he wanted Grace right now—or to be precise, he needed her.
But he knew it was just the effect of the drug, and he wouldn’t let it control him.
Grace pursed her lips, her brows slightly rising in surprise. "It’s an aphrodisiac?"
This ti, he didn’t respond. He simply released her arm.
"..." For a second, Grace studied him before she touched the back of her neck. "You want to help you?"
"No," he whispered. "Take to the nearest hospital."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Then you’ll have to crawl your way to the other side." With that, Grace pushed herself away from him and jumped into the front passenger seat. She hurriedly went to the driver’s side, opening the door, only to find him still slumped in the driver’s seat.
"Goodness," she murmured, unbuckling his seatbelt. "Co on, Haines."
As she helped him, Haines partially opened his eyes and caught the traces of worry on her face. Her voice was gentle and patient, not letting him hear the slightest trace of concern. Yet, beneath those eyes, there was sothing else.
"Can you move over?" she asked, facing him squarely. "Co on, I’ll help you."
A short smile ford on her face as she nodded reassuringly. Although there was an easier way to help him, she also wanted to respect both him and herself.
"I’m sorry," he breathed out, only to see her nod at him.
"It’s not your fault." Grace then helped him carefully until he managed to shift into the front passenger seat. Once he was settled, she jumped into the driver’s seat and helped him with his seatbelt.
Nothing was said between them as she focused on the task at hand while he could only watch helplessly. Once she ensured he was secure, her eyes scanned him once more.
"There’s a clinic nearby. I’ll take you there first, okay?" Her brows rose as she smiled. "Don’t worry. I’ve been to this clinic before, so I’m sure they can help with this."
With that, Grace turned the key, but she stopped when he clasped her arm. Looking back, her smile stretched a bit.
"Just a mont," she said, carefully placing his hand down before starting the car. Once it was moving, she reached for his hand and squeezed it.
Grace kept her eyes on the road, her hand holding his. anwhile, Haines stared at her side profile before his gaze fell on their joined hands. It wasn’t like she was holding him in a romantic way; she was holding him to reassure him. A desperate attempt to transfer a sense of calmness to keep him from freaking out.
Lifting his gaze back to her side profile, a shallow breath slipped past his nostrils.
"Why..." he whispered, but she kept her focus on the road. "...?"
Grace cast him a brief look before she smiled. "Why not you?" she replied, her eyes returning to the road. "Why not , Haines?"
Why not Grace?
Well... because he knew she would break his heart.
---
[Short Flashback]
The young Haines stared at the beautiful garden he had decorated himself. He had spent an entire day helping to make it happen—bushes and trees wrapped with warm lights. The wind blew softly on his face, carrying the scent of flowers that filled the air.
Amid this magical scene was a table for two, set up with candles and flowers for the most beautiful woman in his eyes.
"It’s perfect," he breathed out in satisfaction, only to notice sothing that didn’t quite fit. He picked up a petal from the grass and tucked it into his pocket.
Haines checked his wristwatch. With still half an hour before she was due, he spent it perfecting the already flawless setup. Ten minutes before their agreed ti, Haines fixed his collar and cleared his throat.
"Will you—no, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry ?" He winced, thinking that his words sounded too bland. So, he spent the next few minutes practicing his lines.
When he realized it was only a minute before she was supposed to arrive, Haines panicked. He quickly adjusted his suit and grabbed the bouquet of flowers. He straightened his back, checking his breath. He wasn’t ready, but he had to pull it off sohow.
So, he stood there, waiting. His smile stretched wide, eager to welco his beloved.
But ti passed—two minutes, five, ten, thirty, an hour—Haines waited. And before he knew it, the sun was rising.
She never ca.
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