Chapter 32 Unexpectedly Giving Gifts Again
Evelyn's POV
"Wow..." I couldn't help but exclaim.
My voice unconsciously dropped a little as I said, "Kane, your room... is so cool, but also a bit too cold, don't you think?"
"Then I'll turn up the temperature..." Kane's voice came from the bathroom and sounded a bit anxious.
"No need, I mean how it looks, not the actual temperature."
"That's good then." He said flatly, his voice particularly clear in the empty room.
"You don't have some special side job, do you? The room looks like a secret hideout."
Kane happened to walk out just then, wearing a black pajama set and looking a bit lazy. "Don't you like it?"
"You mean the room's style? I don't dislike it, and besides, it's your room. As long as you like it and feel comfortable, that's what matters."
Kane's tense expression relaxed, and he pointed to the large cushioned chair in the corner, "Sit wherever. I'll be quick-washing up and changing will take about ten minutes."
"Okay, no rush, take your time." I walked over and sat down on the cushioned chair. The chair was big, and the soft, fluffy cushion formed a stark contrast with the rest of the room.
I idly looked around the whole room, thinking Kane must really hate people touching his things. Just then Kane walked out, wearing a black robe.
My eyes fell on his back. The robe he wore was made of a special material that shimmered in the sunlight, with intricate patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs, making it look very mysterious.
He suddenly turned around and met my gaze. Before I could look away, I heard him ask in a voice carrying something I couldn't quite identify, "Does it look good?"
"It looks good, super handsome!" I quickly responded, somewhat stiffly giving him a thumbs up.
A slight smile curved his lips. He didn't say anything, but he somehow produced a box and stuffed it into my hands.
"What's this?" I held the wooden box Kane handed me. It was heavy and seemed to still carry the warmth from his body.
Kane didn't answer right away. He just stood in front of me, those deep golden eyes staring at me intently, with an overwhelming sense of pressure.
"Open it and see." His voice was low but carried an undeniable firmness.
I felt a bit uneasy and slowly lifted the lid of the wooden box.
Even in the bright morning sunlight, the dazzling brilliance bursting from the box made me gasp involuntarily.
Inside the wooden box, lined with black velvet, lay a complete set of jewelry.
There was a necklace, a pair of earrings, and a delicate bracelet.
They weren't made of ordinary materials, but crafted entirely from a dark red metal, studded with countless perfectly cut red gemstones.
Inside those gemstones seemed to be sealed flowing flames. As the light changed, fire seemed to flicker deep within the stones, as if they were alive.
"Is this... fire opal?" I could hardly believe I was actually holding real fire opals.
I had read books about gemstone identification on the bookshelf in my room. Fire opal, found only in the depths of volcanoes in extremely cold regions, was the Phoenix Clan's most beloved gemstone, not just for its color, but because it could soothe violent fire elements.
This entire set of fire opal jewelry, whether in terms of materials, craftsmanship, or the purity of the gemstones, was priceless. This wasn't just expensive, it was... a symbol of immense wealth.
I quickly closed the lid and shoved it back into his arms, "It's too valuable, Kane. I absolutely can't accept this. If I wore it out, it would be like telling people to come rob me. Even keeping it in my room wouldn't be safe. I think it should be stored in a safe or a bank vault."
I even felt my speech was as fast as my heartbeat, about to take off.
Kane didn't take the box.
He just stood there, letting me push the box back, then reached out and grabbed my wrist.
I could feel the heat from his palm, burning hot against my skin.
"It's for you." He said seriously, looking at me.
"No, I really can't accept it. You know, even though we're friends, if I accept this gift, it might cause you trouble." I was getting anxious too and stood up, trying to make him understand why I couldn't accept it.
"I know what I'm doing!"
Kane's tall frame completely enveloped me, trapping me within his space, leaving me nowhere to escape.
He lowered his head, emotions I couldn't understand churning in his deep golden eyes, like suppressed possessiveness, "This thing is indeed valuable, and indeed eye-catching. But I'm giving it to you precisely to be eye-catching."
He paused, then said firmly, "I want everyone at school to know that you're mine."
For a moment, I didn't know whether something was wrong with my ears or whether something had happened to Kane. I stared wide-eyed, my brain seeming to stop working. "Wha... what?"
"Today's dance, that damn 'random assignment' really pissed me off. I don't like you being in contact with others, and I especially don't like you carrying someone else's scent." Kane's voice carried intense disgust.
He pointed at the box in my hands, his tone like an unreasonable child, "You must wear this jewelry set to the dance so they won't come near you, and so they'll know my intentions."
"You're... claiming ownership?" I asked, stammering and thinking the idea was somewhat crazy.
"Yes." Kane answered straightforwardly, without hesitation.
"I want that so-called 'random dance partner' and everyone who covets you to see clearly. You're wearing my things, you're my territory. No one can cross that line."
Looking at Kane, I wondered if all Phoenix Clan members were like this. Was his possessiveness always this strong before?
I tried to calm myself down, trying to settle my emotions, "Kane, what exactly are you trying to say?"
"Or let me ask it differently, what exactly do you see me as? A weakling who needs protection or..."
Or do you like me?
The last half of the sentence stuck in my throat; I just couldn't say it out loud.
I didn't know what I was afraid of, and Kane didn't answer me either.