Chapter 42 Examination Period
Caroline furrowed her brow. "Why are you just standing there like an idiot?"
The wind softened around her, delivering snowflakes to Leopold's head, cheeks, and shoulders. Every word she spoke sounded like concern and nervousness to him—that particular brand of caring disguised as casual remarks that only happens when someone genuinely likes you.
Leopold wasn't sure, but he stepped toward her until they were face to face, close enough to see the snowflakes clinging to her eyelashes, close enough to count each flake settling on her shoulders.
They were being dusted by the same snow—was it possible they were developing the same feelings?
Leopold stared at her, his attraction growing by the second, the words he'd been harboring threatening to spill out.
A long breath escaped through his nose, turning to mist before disappearing. He couldn't name the emotion swirling inside him, only that his blood was rushing unusually hot and his heart was racing faster.
"Something else you need?" Caroline noticed his strange expression.
Leopold licked the snow from his lips—cold and instantly melting against his tongue.
Caroline couldn't help but notice the unconscious gesture. His tongue was pink and moist as it traced his lips, and for some reason, her heartbeat stumbled, heat creeping up her neck.
She moved aside, awkwardly pointing toward the complex entrance. "You should go. The snow's getting worse."
Leopold suddenly asked, "Were you worried about me? Afraid something might happen on the road?"
Caroline feared he'd see through her, feared being mocked for her feelings. "Of course I was. It's coming down hard out there. You only came over because I called you. If something happened to you on the way, that would be on me."
Leopold exhaled. "So you're saying you'd worry about anyone in this situation? You'd be just as concerned?"
Had he caught on to her feelings?
Caroline panicked. "Obviously. I'd do the same for anyone."
Leopold's momentary excitement deflated. He felt annoyed at himself for reading too much into the situation.
"Fine. I'm leaving," he said coldly.
She followed him, guilty about making him come out in this weather. Leopold said, "Don't bother seeing me off. Go back inside."
His impatience was growing more evident.
"This whole mess today was my fault," Caroline said.
Her apology seemed sincere enough—couldn't he just let it go?
Leopold could hear the remorse in her voice. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it. I got a free meal out of it, didn't I?"
He really did know how to comfort someone.
"That's one way of looking at it, but who wants to drive all the way over just to pretend to be someone's boyfriend?" Caroline was deeply embarrassed. "We agreed I wouldn't bother you, and here I am causing trouble after just two days."
Leopold smiled without a word.
Caroline noticed his expression. "What are you smiling about?"
Leopold shook his head. "I don't know. Something about you just makes me want to smile."
"Am I that funny-looking?" Caroline was exasperated. Not only had she failed to attract him, but apparently, she was some kind of comedic figure to him.
"What are you talking about? I never said you were funny-looking."
Even Leopold himself hadn't noticed how slowly he was walking.
"When I see you, I smile. Couldn't that be because you bring me joy?" He said.
Caroline's heart skipped. The atmosphere between them was shifting into dangerous territory, their conversation taking an unexpected turn.
Some things fell apart under scrutiny—think too hard and you start noticing all the little details.
She decided to test Leopold. "Why would someone smile at the mere sight of another person? When they're not even doing anything special?"
Leopold pressed his lips together. Because I liked you, he thought, but couldn't say it aloud.
His prolonged silence hung between them as they reached his car.
"You should go," Caroline said, feeling deflated.
Leopold drove away without hesitation.
Headlights flickering, she watched his SUV merge into the snowy traffic and disappear.
Caroline turned to walk home, her mood sinking, her emotions as chaotic as the snowfall around her.
The sound of hurried footsteps crunching through snow approached from behind. Caroline looked up to see Leopold standing there, catching her by surprise.
"Did you forget your phone at my place?" She asked.
Leopold ignored her question. "There's something I need to say. It's killing me to keep it in, but I'm afraid you'll be upset if I say it."
Caroline could feel the unusual tension radiating from him, the restrained intensity. Her heart began to pound, wondering if this was what she thought it was.
She forced herself to stay calm. "What do you want to say?"
Leopold wasn't a coward, especially not when it came to matters of the heart.
"What do you think of me?" He asked bluntly.
Caroline's eyelashes fluttered. "What do you mean?"
She swallowed hard, perfectly aware of what he was getting at.
Leopold stared into her eyes without blinking. "Asking you to water my plants was just an excuse. You're the only one who has my security code. When you called, I came running. You asked me to play along with your mom, and I did. I wouldn't go this far for just anyone. Everything I said at dinner was real, not an act."
"You keep insisting we're just friends, so I've been holding back. I'm afraid of disrupting what we have."
"I worry that once certain words are spoken, I might never see your face again."
"I wasn't pretending with you. I was being genuine."
He never used the word "like," yet every sentence conveyed his affection.
Not once did he mention love, but every word was drenched in it.
Caroline felt her heart might burst through her chest. Her cheeks burned—from the cold wind or his confession, she couldn't tell. She pressed the back of her hand against her face.
"Caroline, what are you thinking?" Leopold asked. "Were you just pretending, or are you serious too?"
They'd only known each other for such a short time. Wouldn't defining their relationship now be rushing things?
Seeing her hesitation, Leopold blamed himself for being too impatient.
Noticing her face reddening from the cold, he pulled her hood up and carefully adjusted it over her head.
"Let's go back. It's freezing out here."
His subtle acts of care and favoritism were what made her fall even harder. Caroline looked up at the tall figure before her.
"Are you serious about this?" She asked.
Leopold's pupils contracted. Finally, a direct response from her.
He nodded solemnly. "Yes."
Caroline tried to appear casual. "Let's take it slow. Get to know each other better first."
This ambiguous answer left Leopold feeling ice-cold with disappointment.
Such a vague response was almost unbearable.
For once, Leopold couldn't contain himself. "When you say 'take it slow,' what kind of relationship are we talking about?"
Caroline thought for a moment. "A probationary period."
With her acknowledgment, Leopold found his confidence again, along with the courage to move forward.
His lips curled into a satisfied smile, gentle and warm. He was even in the mood to tease her now.
"Alright. I promise not to let the boss down. I'll complete my probation and wait for the day I'm officially hired."
Caroline felt self-conscious under his gaze, her eyes darting toward the road across from them.
"I never expected this," she said.
Never expected their pretense to become real, their act to develop into genuine feelings.
Leopold understood. "Neither did I."
Was he just mimicking her words?
Caroline's eyes narrowed. Was he teasing her?
She stared into Leopold's eyes. "You never expected to suddenly run back and ask me this?"
Leopold smiled. "Am I not allowed to ask?" He studied her face. "Are you embarrassed?"
Caroline pushed at him playfully. "I don't have your thick skin."
Leopold had dated before. He could tell the difference between genuine anger and playful banter.
"Fine, I have thick skin," he conceded with a smile.