Chapter 54 Under the Fireworks

Chapter 54 Under the Fireworks

She paused, looking at his still tense face. Gathering her courage, she reached out and carefully tugged at the corner of his shirt, her voice softening even more: "Besides, we already bought the tickets. You can't just let me go alone, right? There'll be so many people there—I'll get lost."

That pitiful yet righteous look was like a little animal who knew it had done something wrong but was fearless because it knew its owner would spoil it anyway.

Shane's tense jawline finally showed signs of relaxing.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he forcibly suppressed the smile that was about to break through at the corners of his lips, keeping that impatient expression on his face.

"You have ten minutes. Go pack." He turned to the side, making way for her, his tone stiff, as if granting a very reluctant favor.

Monica's eyes instantly lit up with delight, like a sky that had been overcast for ages finally clearing up.

She immediately jumped up from the floor. Because she got up too quickly, her vision went dark for a moment and her body swayed.

"Thank you!" The words burst out, her joy almost overflowing. Afraid he might change his mind the next second, the moment he turned to go back to his room, Monica instinctively reached out and grabbed his wrist.

Shane's footsteps stopped abruptly.

His wrist was hot, and through the thin fabric, that burning temperature transmitted clearly.

Monica's heartbeat skipped a beat too.

The air instantly became somewhat charged.

Only then did she realize how impulsive her action was. Her cheeks flushed red with a "whoosh," and she quickly tried to let go.

But the moment her hand moved, the large hand she was holding suddenly turned the tables, flipping over and firmly wrapping her slender fingers in his palm.

His palm was dry and warm, with an undeniable force, holding her entire hand.

Monica completely froze. She looked up and found herself staring into his bottomless dark eyes.

In them, the frost had completely melted away, leaving only deep ink-black depths and a trace of burning heat she couldn't understand.

"Disneyland gets crowded," he looked at her, his voice returning to its usual low, magnetic tone, speaking matter-of-factly as if merely stating a fact. "Stay close to me. Don't get lost."

Monica's heartbeat skipped another beat.

This domineering yet caring remark was like a feather, gently tickling her heart.

Monica lowered her eyes, looking at their clasped hands, that burning warmth spreading from her palm all the way to her heart.

She didn't struggle anymore. Instead, she obediently gave a gentle squeeze back.

Like some kind of silent response.

The two of them walked hand in hand through the crowds surging toward the park, like any ordinary couple.

Around them were bustling voices and cheerful music, but between them existed a small, quiet, and strangely harmonious world of their own.

Monica had never imagined that one day she would appear with Shane in this way, at this place known as the happiest place on earth.

Those girlish fantasies she had once buried deep in her heart seemed, in this moment, to have a chance of coming true.

Disney at night was decorated with countless colorful lights, like a fairy tale wonderland.

When huge fireworks burst brilliantly above the castle, the surrounding crowd erupted in gasps of amazement.

Monica was also captivated by the dreamlike scene. She looked up, her eyes reflecting the dazzling light, instinctively raising her phone to capture this beautiful moment.

But she wasn't tall enough, and there were people in front of her, so she could only stand on her tiptoes, trying hard to find the best angle.

Just as she was holding up her phone, her arms getting sore, her wrist suddenly felt warm as the phone was taken away by a large hand with distinct knuckles.

"Let me." Shane's voice sounded by her ear, with an undeniable authority.

He was more than a head taller than her, easily lifting the phone above the crowd and finding the perfect shooting angle.

Monica looked at his focused profile. Under the flickering light and shadow of the fireworks, those hard features seemed to soften a bit.

She stared, somewhat mesmerized, until he finished taking photos and lowered the phone.

"Done." He said quietly.

Monica instinctively turned around to take it back, but forgot how close they were at that moment.

With this turn, she crashed completely unprepared, straight into his solid chest.

His clean, pleasant scent filled her nose, and through the thin fabric, she could even feel the strong heartbeat in his chest.

"Bang—" Another firework exploded in the night sky, brilliant light filling the heavens. That light also fell into each other's eyes.

Monica looked up, staring right into his deep eyes, which surged with intense emotions she couldn't understand, like a deep sea threatening to pull her entire being in.

Time seemed to freeze in that moment.

After who knows how long, Shane suddenly let out a low laugh, the sound coming from his chest with a hint of hoarseness. He raised his hand, curled his knuckles, and tapped her smooth forehead lightly.

"What are you looking at? Staring into space?"

Monica instantly snapped back to reality, heat rushing to her cheeks with a "whoosh."

She hastily backed away from his embrace, her eyes darting away, but refusing to admit defeat, mumbling quietly: "Who was looking at you? You're full of yourself."

That stubborn yet soft-hearted look made the smile in Shane's eyes deepen even more.

He didn't tease her further. Instead, he looked around, his gaze landing on a young woman with a backpack who looked barely over twenty.

He walked over and politely said something.

Monica was looking down, straightening her slightly disheveled collar, and didn't hear what they said.

When she looked up again, she happened to see the girl holding Shane's phone, pointing it at them with a kind smile on her face.

And Shane had somehow returned to her side, one arm naturally draped around her shoulders.

Monica's body instantly stiffened.

"Smile." He whispered in her ear.

Monica could only force out a somewhat stiff smile, cooperating to finish the photo.

"Thanks." Shane thanked the girl.

The girl returned his phone, her cheeks slightly flushed, waving her hand somewhat shyly, but her eyes couldn't help lingering a few extra seconds on his exceptionally handsome face before she turned and ran off.

Just those few seconds.

Monica watched the undisguised shyness and admiration on the girl's face—the kind that belongs to young girls—then looked at her youthful, energetic outfit. Suddenly, something seemed to block her heart, stirring up an indescribable sourness.

Shane was several years older than her, and he'd never lacked admirers.

And she was no longer at that age where she could be carefree and bold.

Did he... also prefer young, lively girls like that?

Once this thought emerged, it grew like vines wildly spreading in her heart.

The sweetness that had just bloomed from their intimacy was instantly washed away by this sudden insecurity.

The fireworks show ended, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

Monica's mood clearly dropped. She no longer chattered away like before, just silently following behind Shane, deliberately keeping a small distance from him.

He walked ahead, she followed behind, like two planets unable to draw close.

Shane seemed to notice her change. Several times he slowed down, turning back to look at her, his brows slightly furrowed, but she just kept her eyes down, avoiding his gaze.

The evening breeze carried late autumn's chill, feeling somewhat cold against the skin. Monica was only wearing a knit dress, and now, blown by the wind, she couldn't help but shiver.

Suddenly, warmth enveloped her.

A black windbreaker carrying his body heat and familiar scent gently draped over her shoulders from behind.