Love Like You Never Loved Before

Darius was amused by my questions as the corner of his eyes crinkled into a smile. I supposed he recalled something funny as he shook his head and said, “You girls really live for rom-com huh. A piece of advice though, it’s good entertainment, but don’t expect your life to turn out exactly the same.”

I chuckled and was intrigued. “Darius, it looks like you’re quite familiar with rom-com.”

“My wife enjoys them, and sometimes I will watch it together with her.” Darius ordered a glass of warm milk for me, and a cup of coffee for himself. “It’s better for women to take more milk.”

I noticed that like Chris, Darius had the tendency to order warm milk for women. The Lane brothers were more attentive toward their women as well.

Cupping the warm milk in my hands, I sipped on it and said, “Darius, you and your wife must be really happy together. I have to say I’m quite envious.”

He gave me an enigmatic look, which I did not really understand. However, I did not pay too much attention to it.

“Chris did not come home after getting back from overseas and stayed in the hotel instead. I even heard that he deliberately got close to the CEO of the Smith family. At first, I couldn’t quite understand what he was trying to do, but now I think I’ve figured it out. Have you made your decision?”

“What?” I asked in confusion.

“Have you and made the decision to finally be together with my brother?” Darius asked with a deadpan manner.

I nodded. “Christopher has done a lot for me. I’ve made my decision back when he pulled me out of depths of despair. I’ve promised myself that I will not leave him, unless he’s the one ending it between us.”

I did not say that to impress Darius so that he would go easy on me. Those were heartfelt words.

“It’s going to be a very difficult journey, and there will be a number of obstacles along the way. Are you sure you can make it through?” Darius sipped on his coffee and put down his mug. He traced the corner of his mug and tapped lightly on it as he looked at me.

“I don’t know how long I can hold out for with the impending crises. But one thing for sure is that I’m willing to have faith for this world again because of Christopher.”

I thought for a moment before looking straight into his eyes and said, “I don’t know how a man can be lying when he’s risked his life for me. Hence, I will persevere and keep on going until the day he decides we are done.”

Darius stopped tapping on his mug and let out a soft sigh. Surprisingly, a hint of sorrow fleeted across his face, and I could not help but wonder what kind of worries could trouble this man who seemingly did not have anything to worry about.

Darius had already regained his composure when I snapped out of my thoughts. I was almost questioning if I had been imagining things.

“Since you’ve already made the decision, it’s best to follow your heart. I do hope you and Chris will make it till the very end.”

Darius took his handkerchief and wiped his fingers. His fingers were better looking compared to Christopher’s. Darius had a scholarly sophisticated aura to him, as opposed to the stereotypical rigid mayor that I thought he was.

“I normally do not meddle in Chris’s personal matter, and he’s managed himself very well so far. But you guys had better take it easy as he’s quite badly injured this time. You have to refrain him from fooling around too much.”

I almost spat out the milk that I was drinking. Two men had voiced out their concerns about Christopher and my sex life. Could things get any more embarrassing than this?

I was at a loss for words and merely managed a stiff smile. However, at the thought of him saying that the path Christopher and I would have a hard time, my heart sank. It must have something to do with his family. My inferiority complex and insecurities came bubbling up inside of me again.

Why does Christopher have to be so damn rich?

Even though social statuses were no longer the yardstick for compatibility of marriage as in the olden times, it was still going to be a problem if the gap was too wide.

Darius fished out a paper from his pocket and starting to scribble something on it, and I was stumped. Didn’t he say that he wouldn’t issue me a check? What is he writing?

“This is for you!” Darius handed over the paper to me and I held my breath, hesitating if I should reach out and take it.

The man broke into a chuckle again and smiled. “You really do resemble your mother. Take it, it’s my phone number. Be sure to save the number, and you can call me if you encounter any problems in the future.”