What exactly is Mom up to?
All of a sudden, I remembered what Yvette said. She told me that Crystal had a close relationship with Mom. For some reason, I was flustered. No matter where I went, I could see Crystal as if I would never be able to get rid of her.
The question kept bugging me, and when I found Christopher in the garden, I was still immersed in my thoughts.
âIs there something in your mind? You look disturbed.â Christopher wrapped his arms around my waist, leaned against the tree trunk, and asked softly while gently tapping my nose.
âIs it that obvious? I thought Iâve done a good job of concealing my emotions recently.â Scratching my head, I smiled embarrassedly.
âIâve said so much, but you didnât even answer my questions. And youâre telling me that youâre good at concealing your emotions? In your eyes, do I look like such a stupid man?â He raised his head high and pretended to be furious. âIâm angry. Hurry up and coax me.â
âOkay. Iâm sorry!â I stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. As soon as I backed away, he held my neck and pulled me back. Then, he kissed my lips and pried them open, deepening the kiss.
Our tongues were dancing at his lead, and he was constantly sucking every bit of air in my mouth. My brain was fuzzy, and I suddenly lost the ability to think and allow him to hug me. The kiss continued to deepen, and there was basically not a gap between our bodies.
His dark eyes were soothing and gentle. The shimmering light deep in his eyes almost sucked me in. For a moment, I forgot where I was. My eyes were full of him and the happiness that belonged to us.
After our lips parted, I buried my head in his chest, panting. He leaned my head on his shoulder, and his tone was incredibly gentle. âDo you feel at ease now?â
In response, I nodded and grinned. âChris, Iâm blessed to have you by my side.â
âHmph! We havenât met each other for three days, and youâve already distanced yourself from me. Not only that, but you donât even talk to me about your concerns. Wait, donât tell me that youâve fallen in love with Zach. If thatâs true, Iâll abuse my power and send him on a mission to another city. Itâll be better if he can spend his entire life away from us so that I have one less love rival.â Christopher turned his head away and quipped with a smile.
âIf Sabby hears this, sheâll never let you off easily.â Rolling my eyes at him, I laughed when I imagined the scene and reached out to tickle him.
While standing on the spot, he kept trying to dodge my hands. In the end, he pinned me against the tree trunk and pressed on me. I tiptoed and gave him a peck. âItâs nothing special. Iâm a little lost, as Iâm not used to being the center of attention.â
âIâm the focus wherever I go, and Iâve never felt any discomfort. Youâre hopeless. Iâm right in front of you, but I canât make you feel at ease,â he muttered, pouting like a child throwing tantrum.
âNo, when I won in drawing contests back then, I also felt discomfort. But that kind of discomfort is totally different from the one Iâm feeling right now.â As I talked, I felt that my way of expressing myself was wrong, and I could not help but feel dejected.
âChris, Iâm really puzzled and anxious. All these happen suddenly, and they donât feel real at all. Do you think Iâm really Markâs daughter? Why do I feel so out of place?â Finally, I told him the doubts deep in my heart. Ever since Mark acknowledged me as his daughter, I had been feeling anxious.
âIs he treating you badly?â Christopher asked in a deep voice. Immediately, his expression turned serious.
âNo, heâs very good to me. Itâs just that everything feels so strange. Maybe I still canât adapt to it,â I answered after much hesitation.
âItâs my fault. I didnât notice that your mother was pregnant with you earlier. I can understand why youâre feeling anxious.â
Out of the blue, Markâs voice came from behind me. In an instant, I turned my head around.