Chapter 36
"Emily, what were you thinking just now?" As soon as we got back to the room, Oscar looked at me with a serious face, demanding an answer.
"Thinking about what? I think about lots of things. Do I need to report everything to you?" I smiled and met his gaze. This guy's mood really changes like the weather—such a busybody.
Oscar realized his tone was a bit harsh and quickly said, "What I mean is, what were you thinking while looking at Gregory? Don't forget, you're my fiancée now. I don't appreciate being made a fool of, especially not being cheated on."
I laughed out loud. He said it like it was real. I quickly stopped laughing and casually took off my coat and tossed it on the bed. "Our relationship is fake."
Oscar moved closer and sat down beside me. "Fake or not, you're still my fiancée. And don't forget how Gregory treated you back then. Don't look at him like that again."
"Look at him like what?" I just gave him a slightly flirtatious look. Was it that obvious?
Oscar turned his head to look into my eyes. "Like this."
He suddenly leaned in close, his gaze so gentle it could practically drip water. I could feel his breath, faintly brushing against my cheek, warm, carrying his usual subtle scent.
I quickly snapped back to reality, not daring to look into his eyes anymore. I pushed him away with my hand. I don't know if my cheeks turned red, but I felt like the temperature in the room had risen quite a bit. "What are you doing? You're freaking me out."
Oscar grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his arms with one firm motion. His voice was low and magnetic. "Are you sure you don't know what I'm doing? Or do you understand what this means?"
I pressed my hands against his chest, not letting him get closer. "Keep this up and don't blame me for not being nice."
Maybe afraid I'd actually hit him, Oscar laughed and loosened his hold on me. "So, don't look at other people like that anymore. They'll get the wrong idea, and so will I."
My heartbeat finally settled down. So that's what this was about. A strange sense of loss crept over me like a little bug, silent and unnoticed. I tried to act like I didn't care, rolling my eyes at him. "I have my own plan. Don't mess up my rhythm. And when did I ever agree to let you come with me to look at office buildings tomorrow?"
Oscar lightly brushed his finger across his nose, not embarrassed at all. "Aren't I telling you now? Didn't my dad say that as a young woman, there are some things you don't understand or find convenient? When you need help, I, as your fiancé, should naturally solve things for you."
"Are you that free? Shouldn't your current project be more important? "Focus on your project. I'm still waiting to get my share of dividends."
"Whether I'm busy or free is up to me to decide. For your matters, I can make myself free. As for other things, I can also be very busy, with no time." His voice was low with a slight rasp—very pleasant to hear.
My heartbeat, which had just stabilized, suddenly skipped again. I instinctively wanted to step back, not realizing the bed was right behind me. I fell backward.
A large hand precisely caught my hand and pulled me back into his arms with one motion. My hand hit his solid chest. That feeling...
Realizing what I was thinking, I quickly stood up from his embrace, my face practically burning. I kept my head down, avoiding his teasing gaze. "Thanks... thanks."
"Did it feel good?" He suppressed a laugh, looking at me with smiling eyes.
"What?" I didn't quite understand what he was asking.
Oscar licked his lips, puffed out his chest, and raised his left eyebrow. "I'm asking if my chest muscles felt good. I've worked out specifically for them. I also have an eight-pack. Want to see? Come on, you can touch these too, free of charge."
Seeing him reach out to grab my hand and put it on his stomach, I backed away several steps in panic. Where are the boundaries? We're just working together—how can he have no sense of boundaries as a partner?
"Oscar, has anyone ever told you that you have a secret wild side?" I awkwardly dodged his invitation, somewhat speechless.
He puts on a flawless act in public—everyone sees a perfect gentleman. If he were just a wolf in sheep's clothing with a scheming mind, that's one thing. But I haven't seen any schemes; instead, I've discovered a surprisingly goofy side to him.
"You're the first to say that." He straightened his clothes and said with some regret, "I'm giving you a chance, and you won't take it. If you miss this opportunity, there won't be a next time. Are you sure you don't want to feel?"
I threw the blanket at him on the floor. "Clean up and go to sleep."
Oscar sighed. "Such a big bed, and you really have the heart to make me sleep on the floor every night. You don't trust me. Even if I sleep on the bed, what could I possibly do to you?"
A pillow was thrown at his head. "Good night."
But lying in bed, I couldn't fall asleep.
This wasn't the first time Oscar had said things like this. I didn't want to admit it, but I had to acknowledge that my understanding of Oscar had become increasingly unclear.
I felt inferior in front of him. He had seen me at my most miserable, and he knew that my current strength was just an act. So his seemingly caring attitude—I couldn't tell if it was real or fake. Or rather, I didn't dare to seek the truth.
I'm someone who's been hurt, who almost lost her life. Those days of hardship had left me without any enthusiasm for the future. What's kept me going until now is only hatred and revenge.
So someone like me won't try love again. Living this life alone, with friends and a career, is already enough. Oscar—he deserves better.
As for The Brown Family...
Now I'm finally standing in front of them, watching them look so pathetic before my eyes, but I feel no satisfaction.
The darkness before my eyes is nothing compared to being stuffed in that small wooden box. My eyes gleamed in the night. Since I feel no satisfaction, it can only mean I'm not being ruthless enough. They're not pathetic enough. I need to make them keep experiencing loss, keep experiencing failure, keep experiencing... the despair of seeing no hope.
They've already received the DNA test results. They've probably finally relaxed, knowing I'm not Emma, so they've been unusually quiet these past few days. This makes me dissatisfied.
I need to do something more to keep them from being so comfortable.