Chapter 137
The onlookers started making a fuss together. Someone in the crowd shouted, "Kiss! Kiss!"
After that, the scene got out of control. Everyone was yelling at the top of their lungs, "Kiss! Kiss!"
Ava was easily embarrassed. Just hearing everyone making a fuss made her face turn red. She didn't dare look at William, afraid he would actually do it. This kind of thing was fine behind closed doors, but standing on stage being watched like some kind of performance wasn't great.
Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds. Ava wished she could disappear into the ground.
William looked at her for a few seconds, wanting to laugh at how flustered she looked. She acted so tough with him at home, but she was just a little scaredy-cat.
He gently lifted her chin. Ava suddenly looked up at him, like a startled deer.
"You, don't..."
Before she could finish, William kissed her, soft and gentle, just a brief touch.
Everyone raised their phones to take pictures. Many hadn't even opened their cameras yet when they saw that the kiss on stage was already over.
Wait, what happened to the promised three minutes?
Ava's face turned purple like an eggplant. She didn't know where to look.
William, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened. He calmly took the microphone from the host.
"That's enough. Ava gets embarrassed easily."
Everyone sighed in disappointment. Since the boss said so, no one dared make more demands. Who would dare joke around with William? They'd probably lose their job at the Morgan Group.
Ava's face got even redder, and even her neck was burning. She regretted it—she should have stayed in her room. If she hadn't come out, she wouldn't have had such an embarrassing experience, and he wouldn't have teased her in public about being thin-skinned.
The moment was awkward for a few seconds—well, awkward for Ava alone.
The host raised the microphone.
"Let's say we barely passed the first round. Now we move to the third round. Mrs. Morgan can make any request of our Mr. Morgan, and our Mr. Morgan has to agree unconditionally. We're all witnesses here. Mr. Morgan, no backing out."
William naturally wouldn't embarrass her in front of so many people. Women just wanted jewelry and such—he was happy to give it to her. She liked going to jewelry exhibitions, so he'd let her go.
He raised his eyes slightly, signaling her to go ahead and ask. He'd agree to anything he could do.
Ava held the microphone, feeling troubled. Her first thought was of the babies in her belly. She wondered if she could get his unconditional approval, like a free pass, to ask him not to force her to get an abortion even if he didn't like these two babies.
Of course, she didn't dare say such things in front of so many people.
"Can I make my request in private?"
The crowd stirred things up again.
"Mrs. Morgan, don't treat us like outsiders. We want to hear too."
William didn't really care. Whatever she wanted was fine—he'd already agreed today anyway. A woman probably wouldn't ask for anything too extreme. With her gentle personality, she wouldn't make any unreasonable demands. He knew her best.
The host cleared his throat, remembering James's instructions before the game started—everything should focus on Ava's mood during the game. If Ava was happy, William was happy. If William was happy, everyone in the company had it good.
He immediately got the message.
"Let's not pry into the couple's secrets. Anyway, today Mr. Morgan has agreed to Mrs. Morgan's request, and we're all witnesses. Challenge complete! Now, please come claim our mystery grand prize together!"
Behind the prize table, two HR assistants were sweating bullets under James's pressure. The two of them worked together and finally managed to wrap up those three boxes of condoms and put ribbons on them. Just then, they heard the host's lines—it was time for the prize presentation.
The mystery gift box was brought onstage and handed to William.
He hadn't expected there would actually be a prize. As CEO, competing with employees for prizes seemed pretty pointless. Spending his own money to give employees prizes, only to claim the prize himself?
Looking at all the expectant eyes below the stage, he felt a bit bad.
"Why don't we give this prize to you guys instead?"
Backstage, James suddenly tensed up. He strode forward, trying to tell William—Mr. Morgan, no!
Unfortunately, he was a step too late. William had already torn open the wrapping in a few moves.
After seeing what was inside, a rare flash of embarrassment crossed his face. Ava also saw what he was holding and quickly pushed through the crowd.
The game was over. She had no reason to stay and continue being embarrassed with him.
William watched her flee, then looked at what he was holding, and couldn't help but put his hand to his forehead.
If he'd known this mystery prize was this thing, he wouldn't have opened it. He could have just let Ava take it back to the room—the size was even exactly his.
He gathered up the torn wrapping paper and stepped down from the side of the prize platform.
The people below were waiting to share the prize. Seeing William open the package only to wrap it back up and take it away, someone whispered, "Didn't Mr. Morgan say he'd share the prize with us? Why isn't he giving it anymore?"
"Right? I didn't even see clearly what the mystery prize was. Even if he's not giving it, at least let us get a look!"
"Stop asking around. It must be something good. Mr. Morgan doesn't want to give it to us—he wants to keep it for Mrs. Morgan."
Someone interrupted the chat.
"You really didn't see clearly? I saw it. It was a pack of condoms, extra-large size."
A group of girls blushed and said, "Who thought of this mystery prize? It's so embarrassing!"
"I never imagined our Mr. Morgan is excellent in every way. No wonder he's the man women in Emerald City most want to marry. Even his condoms are extra large. Mrs. Morgan is so lucky..."
"Stop it..."
While they were chatting, a new round of games started.
After escaping the crowd, Ava found a quiet corner with no one around. The sea breeze blew, lifting a few strands of her bangs. She thought about how she'd tell him about the babies once she got back to the room. She had to safely give birth to her two precious babies.
The night was a bit chilly. She hugged her bare arms, full of worries.
A suit jacket fell on her shoulders.
A faint tobacco scent mixed with pine—William's signature smell.
She held onto the railing with both hands and turned her head.
William didn't give her a chance to speak. He kissed her directly from behind.
He kissed her passionately, like a green boy tasting something for the first time, as if he could never get enough.
If Ava kept this position, her neck would get sore. She struggled slightly a few times, got a brief moment of freedom, and immediately turned around to face him.
William was still holding that mystery prize. His voice was incredibly hoarse.
"Ava, three minutes isn't up yet."
He leaned in again, one hand around her slender waist.
Ava backed away a bit and warned, "Someone might come."
William was getting impatient. Only she could find such a secluded little corner. He'd followed her for ages before spotting her. Who would come here?
"Who's going to come? Everyone's playing games."
As he finished speaking, everything went dark. Half the lights on the yacht went out, leaving only some decorative star lights.
Cheers came from behind. "Look, everyone!"