Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Isabella suddenly pulled back her gaze, her ears involuntarily burning hot.

How could anyone not like someone like William?

It's just that she and William weren't from the same social class. If she really harbored feelings she shouldn't have, she would only end up getting hurt.

Besides, she just wanted to live a peaceful life.

Catching Isabella's flustered expression, William's thin lips curved into a barely perceptible smile.

Sometimes, he really felt that Isabella was like a rabbit that could be startled at any moment.

Was he really that scary?

Why did Isabella always look at him like he was some kind of demon?

They drove in silence, and half an hour later, William dropped Isabella off downstairs at her place.

"Mr. Brown, thank you so much for driving me home!"

Isabella smiled awkwardly and pushed open the car door to get out, but William suddenly grabbed her arm.

At this unexpected move, Isabella froze slightly, instinctively pulling her hand back, then looking at him with confused eyes.

"Mr. Brown, is there something else?"

She didn't know why, but now whenever she had physical contact with William, it felt too intimate.

It seemed like even just looking at William a few more times made her blush and her heart race.

William's gaze fixed on her intently, as if weighing something.

After a few seconds, he finally spoke calmly.

"I drove you all the way home. Shouldn't you invite me up for a cup of coffee?"

Isabella blinked, thinking that made sense.

But the next second, her face showed difficulty, and she said very sincerely.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Brown, but I don't... have any coffee at home."

William's brow twitched hard, clearly speechless.

"No coffee? Water is fine too."

Since he'd already said this much, Isabella naturally felt too embarrassed to refuse, so she could only invite William to come upstairs with her.

Isabella's rental was on the third floor. During the climb up, neither of them spoke.

At her door, Isabella took out her key to unlock it. In the dim hallway light, William stared at her intently.

Isabella had fair skin, and when she smiled, she looked bright yet charmingly innocent in a way that made people like her.

But suddenly thinking of something, William's brow furrowed.

"There's no one else at your place, right?"

Isabella was confused by William's question.

Who would be at her place?

"Mr. Brown, I've always lived alone."

As she spoke, Isabella had already opened the door and made a welcoming gesture to William.

"Mr. Brown, please come in."

William seemed pleased. After entering, his eyes surveyed Isabella's studio apartment.

This studio was less than half the size of his villa's bathroom, but though the place was small, it had all the furniture and had been decorated by Isabella to feel especially warm and cozy.

Being here, William felt a long-lost sense of warmth and comfort.

Isabella changed her shoes and invited William to sit on the sofa, then poured him a glass of water.

"Mr. Brown, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit my humble home."

William was really acting strange today—first insisting on driving her home, then wanting to come up for water.

If she were the overthinking type, she'd really think William was trying to stick to her.

Isabella pushed all the bad thoughts out of her head, then pulled up a stool and sat down across from William, watching him carefully.

"Mr. Brown, I wonder how long you'll be staying? It's already past eleven, time for rest."

Isabella thought she'd hinted quite tactfully.

After all, at this hour everyone should be sleeping. William should leave after sitting for a minute or two.

But William held the glass of water, staring at the clear surface, seemingly lost in thought, saying nothing and clearly not taking her words to heart.

The atmosphere froze for a few seconds. Just as Isabella was feeling extremely awkward, William suddenly looked up.

"Isabella, would you be willing to be my girlfriend?"

William's voice was soft, yet it exploded like thunder in Isabella's ears.

Isabella's pupils slowly dilated, staring at him in disbelief, almost thinking she'd misheard.

Was William actually asking her to be his girlfriend?

Was she dreaming, or had William gone crazy?

Isabella instinctively pinched her palm, trying hard to suppress her wildly beating heart, forcing a smile.

"Mr. Brown, I don't think you should make jokes like this. I'm your employee—we have a boss-subordinate relationship."

William's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at her, his cold eyes containing a hint of deeper meaning and complex emotions.

"I'm not joking. I think we don't have to be in a boss-subordinate relationship. Actually, I really like you. If you're willing to be my girlfriend, I'll definitely try my best to be a good boyfriend."

Isabella's mind exploded, still unable to believe what was happening.

Was she sure she wasn't dreaming?

Her boss had just confessed to her!

Isabella secretly pinched her palm. It hurt badly, and only then did she feel pulled back to reality.

A man like William—few women wouldn't like him. She was no exception, especially since William had helped her so many times.

It's just that they weren't from the same world.

Even if she agreed in a moment of impulse, when William stopped liking her later, she would be cast aside.

By then, her situation would only be worse.

Isabella was silent for a long time. Only after her emotions calmed down did she gather the courage to look at William.

"Mr. Brown, although I don't know why you would say something like this, I can tell you very clearly that I have no plans to date right now. My mother hasn't woken up yet, and even when she does, I just want to take her traveling. I don't want to think about anything else."

Isabella carefully said these words, then cautiously observed William's expression, afraid that if William got angry, he would fire her.

After all, the person in front of her was her boss!

William's face tensed, his palm clenched, seemingly thinking about something.

The next second, he suddenly stood up and walked over to Isabella.

As William's tall figure loomed over her, Isabella's brain short-circuited for a moment, but before she could react, a cool touch pressed against her lips.

Faced with this sudden kiss, all of Isabella's nerves began screaming wildly. She even forgot to breathe.

Was William actually kissing her on purpose?

The previous two kisses between her and William had been accidents, but this time, she was certain William was sober and deliberate.

Now, Isabella didn't know what to do.

If William was serious, and she had rejected him, would William retaliate against her later?