Chapter 84 Can You Give Me Another Chance?
Emma's mind went completely blank before rage flooded through her.
She shoved him away forcefully. "Nicholas, have you lost your mind?!"
Nicholas stepped back, steadying himself with a roguish expression that bordered on shameless.
"I saved you. Don't I deserve some kind of reward?"
His voice was quiet but carried an air of entitlement.
Emma found this man absolutely unreasonable. She rolled her eyes, too tired to argue with him, and reached out to close the door.
The door wouldn't close.
Nicholas's hand was faster, blocking the door panel, then his large hand reached out and pulled her directly from the doorway.
The force was considerable.
Emma stumbled, her wrist caught firmly in his grip.
"Come with me."
The man's tone brooked no argument.
Emma struggled, her wrist aching from his tight hold.
"Nicholas! Let go! Where are you taking me? What do you want?!"
She was both angry and anxious.
Nicholas pulled her toward the elevator, turning back to raise an eyebrow at her.
"Dinner, obviously. Unless you had something else in mind?"
His voice drawled teasingly.
Emma shot him another eye roll, mentally cursing "psycho."
But her wrist was trapped in his grip—she couldn't break free.
The elevator doors opened, and Nicholas pulled her inside. He pressed the button for the top floor's rooftop garden.
Only the two of them in the elevator, the space confined.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Emma turned her face away, looking at the blurry reflections on the elevator wall, refusing to look at him.
Nicholas seemed completely at ease, turning his head to study her.
She wore the white dress he'd had prepared for her, perfectly fitted, though her complexion looked poor—tired and resistant.
The elevator rose slowly.
Top floor.
The elevator doors slid open, and a fresh floral fragrance hit them.
The view opened up dramatically.
The hotel's rooftop garden had been carefully arranged, surrounded by blooming flowers of various species in brilliant colors.
The air was filled with rich, sweet fragrance, and melodious music flowed through the flower beds, subtle yet present.
Straight ahead, in the center, a square table held wine, crystal glasses, and lit candles.
Candlelight flickered, illuminating everything around it, creating an especially romantic atmosphere.
Nicholas finally released her wrist, gallantly pulling out one of the chairs for her.
Emma's wrist was finally free, and she rubbed the reddened area where he'd gripped her.
She didn't even glance at Nicholas's smiling face, unceremoniously taking the offered seat.
Whatever his intentions, she was genuinely hungry.
Nicholas seemed pleased by her cooperation, the corner of his mouth curving upward, his mood improved.
He sat across from her.
Soon, waiters wheeled over a cart, placing exquisite delicacies on the table one by one.
Steak, salad, soup... the aromas were enticing.
Emma picked up her knife and fork, immediately beginning to cut her steak.
She was starving and only wanted to fill her stomach, having no energy to deal with the man across from her.
She ate with focus, practically ignoring his existence.
Nicholas didn't disturb her, simply pouring himself a glass of wine and gently swirling it.
In the candlelight, his profile was sharp and beautiful, almost unreal in its perfection.
He watched her eat—quiet, well-behaved, not like her usual aggressive self.
This seemed to be their first time formally dining together.
Nicholas raised his wine glass toward her at the appropriate moment.
"Emma, I saved you again." His voice carried amusement. "Don't you think you should thank me?"
Emma picked up her water glass, graciously taking a sip. "Mr. Harrison, thank you for saving me."
The thanks sounded perfunctory, more like completing a task.
Nicholas didn't mind her attitude, continuing, "From now on, every time I save you, you owe me a kiss."
His tone became assertive, carrying undeniable dominance. "Whether you want to or not, I'll come to collect."
One life-saving favor for one kiss. The trade sounded fair, but it made Emma frown.
This man seemed to be getting more shameless by the day! She looked up, seriously studying the man across from her.
"Nicholas." Her voice was calm. "How did you know yesterday that I was exactly sixty feet from the fire?"
This question had been bothering her all day.
How could he have found her so precisely? Unless he'd seen the Laurent family's stealth technique before?
Nicholas's hand holding the wine glass paused.
Instead of answering directly, he raised his hand, lightly touching the left side of his chest.
Through his shirt, he felt the beating there.
"Because you're here." He looked into her eyes, speaking slowly. "I can feel where your heartbeat is."
The answer was deeply romantic, yet seemed evasive.
Emma rolled her eyes again, turning away, unwilling to entertain his romantic rhetoric.
Still, she remained grateful to him in her heart.
That was the truth.
If he hadn't appeared in time yesterday, she would have been kidnapped! Today, she might really have been trapped in that cabin.
In her most dangerous moments, he always managed to find her first.
This was undeniable.
She suddenly felt that Nicholas before her had genuinely changed somehow.
But he'd also become harder to understand.
Meanwhile, in the glass elevator, a figure in blue was slowly ascending, getting closer and closer to them.
The woman was on the phone, her tone determined and confident. "Don't worry, it'll definitely happen tonight!"
Nicholas's voice rang out again, carrying unprecedented seriousness and earnestness.
"Emma, can you give me another chance?"
He gazed at her intently, his eyes focused.
Emma's heart felt like something had lightly struck it, then quickly hardened again.
Her gaze turned cold, like ice.
"A chance?" She twisted her lips in what seemed like mockery. "I already gave you one. You just didn't want it."
Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, striking Nicholas's heart.
Nicholas's expression immediately darkened.
He knew exactly which chance she meant—the time he'd abandoned her.
The air fell silent again.
Candlelight danced, reflecting the changing expressions on both their faces.
Nicholas lifted his wine glass, taking a sip, his Adam's apple moving.
He set down the glass, seemingly having made a decision.
"Emma, I know I did many things in the past that broke your heart."
"But I can promise..."
"Nicholas." Emma suddenly spoke, interrupting him. Her voice wasn't loud, but it was firm enough.
"I'm full. Thank you for dinner!"
She didn't want to hear his promises, much less give him any false hope.
With that, she stood to leave.
Nicholas moved faster, rising the instant she stood, stepping forward to once again grab her wrist.
The same spot as before.
Emma jerked her hand, but this time couldn't break free.
She completely lost patience, her voice turning cold.
"Nicholas, what exactly do you want?"
She stared directly at him, her eyes showing undisguised annoyance and finality.
Nicholas gripped her wrist tightly, so hard his knuckles went white.
He looked at her silently, complex emotions churning in his eyes—pain, unwillingness, and a trace of... pleading?
After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse.
"Would you dance with me? Just one dance."
Emma looked at him, then suddenly smiled faintly—a smile shallower than ice and twice as cold.
"Nicholas, there's no point anymore. Stop wasting your time on me. We can't go back!"
Every word was like a small knife, stabbing into Nicholas's heart.
Nicholas watched her cold profile, his chest tightening wave after wave.
He refused to let go. "Emma, it's just one dance. What are you afraid of?"
The romantic music still floated through the air.
Nicholas bent slightly, his elegant hand extending toward Emma.
His movement carried an undeniable intent!