Chapter 199 Baby, Can I Kiss You?
Michael glanced at Kevin, who was still reeling from the shock, and spoke with a calm that carried weight. "I've always believed that words alone are a fragile way to prove love.
"I told you before—Amelia will always be free with me.
"Before I met her, I'd never truly loved anyone. After I met her, I knew—now and for the rest of my life, the only person I will ever love is her.
"So whether she keeps feeling the way she does now or whether our future takes a different shape, it will never change my decision to spend my life protecting her.
"That is why I wrote that will."
Kevin's gaze fell back on the document, his eyes locking onto Michael's signature. He took a deep breath, processing the implications.
Minutes ago, he had walked into this conversation full of suspicion, ready to measure Michael's sincerity—expecting polished words, perhaps an expensive gift, maybe some clever persuasion.
Instead, the will had hit the table like a stone breaking still water, sending ripples through Kevin's guarded mind. A man who had spent years in the business world, who had seen countless calculating players, found himself unsettled.
The wealthier and more powerful a man becomes, the tighter he locks his fortune away, guarding it against every possible threat.
Michael had done the opposite. He had made it legally binding in writing that as long as he lived, he would give Amelia everything she wanted, and if he died, every asset would be hers.
He didn't care if she ever married him. He didn't care if their relationship changed. He had placed his entire life in her hands without a second thought.
Kevin had to admit, even if he one day loved a woman beyond reason, he wasn't sure he could do this.
In their world, men like Michael were rare—maybe nonexistent.
Michael pressed on, sensing Kevin's hesitation. "A will's just paperwork, Amelia's got other gifts coming."
"Last week, in her name, I purchased an undeveloped private island overseas.
"She loves roses. The island's climate is warm, the air clean, the soil perfect for them.
"I plan to cover that island in roses and build her a rose estate with my own hands, as her gift for turning eighteen.
"Day-to-day, Mr. Martinez, you can bet I'll make sure she's got everything she wants, everything she needs."
Michael paused, then added, "I also heard you've been concerned about the upcoming listing of one of the Martinez Group's subsidiaries.
"I can arrange for the Johnson Group to inject capital into that subsidiary to ensure a smooth listing.
"The Martinez family's business will be my business.
"So, Mr. Martinez, no need for all that. Just ask if you need anything from me or Johnson Group."
Kevin's hand trembled again.
Other men courted women with handbags, jewelry, or perhaps a car. Michael's gesture was a private island.
Not just any island, though – this one's a treasure, worth millions, with a view that's priceless.
Adding the estate's construction, the value of this coming-of-age gift would climb into the hundreds of millions. And then there was the offer to invest in the Martinez Group.
Kevin couldn't deny it—Michael was willing to give without restraint.
That line, "No need for formality," carried an unspoken promise—the Martinez Group's future would stand on the Johnson Group's shoulders.
Compared to the usual cold, transactional marriages in their circle, this was something real.
One heavy revelation after another, Kevin felt his mind ringing.
If this wasn't proof of sincerity, what was?
Twenty minutes later, Kevin and Michael stepped out of the study together.
In the kitchen, Amelia had just soothed Tobias's storm of emotions.
Now Tobias was sitting on the couch, feeding her apple slices with a fork. Her earlier words had eased his hostility toward Michael, but he knew—of all her brothers, Kevin was the hardest to win over.
If Kevin refused to approve of Michael, Tobias would never be friendly with him.
Then Tobias looked up and saw Kevin and Michael walking side by side. Michael said casually, "Kevin."
Then, "Amelia told me the staff have the day off. Why don't we go out for dinner? I've already booked a private room at Orchid Restaurant."
Tobias froze. Before going into the study, Michael had called him "Mr. Martinez." Now it was just "Kevin."
What shocked him more was Kevin's smile as he answered instantly, "Sure. I'm guessing Amelia's hungry too—make the arrangements."
Tobias stared, perplexed.
Kevin had been cold to Michael earlier. Now they looked like old friends.
Even Amelia was surprised—Kevin wasn't the type to be swayed easily.
If Kevin's walking out calm, means he's okay with Michael and Amelia together.
She couldn't help wondering what Michael had said in there to win Kevin over so fast.
She glanced at Michael. He met her eyes, and there was a warmth there that made her chest tighten.
Kevin, knowing Michael had been abroad and away from Amelia, decided to give them some time alone. On the way to the restaurant, he told Eric to drive them together.
In the car, Amelia naturally settled into Michael's lap. His arms wrapped around her without hesitation.
From the driver's seat, Eric raised the divider, shutting them off from the outside world.
"So… what was in that envelope?" Amelia looped her arms around Michael's neck. "What did you show Kevin to win him over so quickly?"
"Nothing much. Just a promise," Michael said, his fingers brushing her cheek, his gaze dropping to her lips. His voice lowered. "A promise that no matter what happens, no matter if you stop loving me one day, I will love you forever."
The will was heavy. He didn't want her to feel burdened, so he didn't mention it.
But Amelia knew—if it were just a promise, Kevin wouldn't have let his guard down so quickly.
Still, if Michael didn't want to say it, she wouldn't press.
She caught his chin between her fingers, her eyes serious. "Do you remember the meaning of the rings I gave you?
"The thornbird spends its life searching for the most beautiful rose. In the end, it lands on the longest, sharpest thorn and sings its heart out.
"And that rose… has been waiting for the thornbird to arrive, to share the most beautiful moment of its life.
"So this isn't one-sided devotion. It's two souls meeting halfway."
It was a promise.
Michael's chest tightened.
Hours ago, their kiss at the doorway had been interrupted. Now, with the divider up and the tinted windows keeping the world out, the car was theirs.
His hand cupped her face, his thumb tracing the curve of her lips.
His eyes locked on hers, darkening. "Baby… I want to kiss you. Can I?"
The voice was low, rough.
She tilted her head, a smile touching her mouth. "Of course. My family's already agreed to us."
He drew a deep breath, then closed the distance, kissing her with a hunger impossible to resist.
Breath mingled, tongues tangled.
She leaned into him, small against his tall frame.
Michael wanted to pull her into himself, to erase the space between them entirely. The kiss was deep, lingering, reluctant to let go.
It wasn't until Eric tapped the divider to signal they were arriving that they broke apart, breathing hard.
Her hair was mussed, her eyes hazy, her cheeks and lips flushed.
Michael's chest rose and fell sharply. The sweetness was lethal.
By the time they stepped out, they had both smoothed themselves back into composure. None of her brothers suspected a thing.