Chapter 1067: Why did I do that?

"Wow..." Nina was in awe, staring at the article she had been reading. "Wow."

Slowly, she turned to her side, where Finn was seated. His arm rested on the headrest of the couch, stretching over her. Her body leaned against him comfortably, giving him the warmth he needed.

Nina slowly showed him her phone, her mouth gaping open. "Have you heard about this?"

Finn glanced at the screen, which displayed an article about Charles and Atlas — talking about the Bennet men as these two had been making headlines.

"Mhm." He nodded. "I was there during Atlas’s appointment. I voted for him, of course."

"..." She blinked, her mouth still parting wider. She then pointed at her phone, saying in disbelief, "That — that’s my brother."

"Uh-huh." He nodded. "He is... oh, did I not mention it?"

"No...?"

"Oh, sorry." He smiled wryly. "I swear I didn’t mean to keep it from you. It just slipped my mind. Next time, I’ll let you know."

"No... I mean, you don’t have to apologize for something like this." Nina finally closed her mouth and shook her head to recompose herself. "I’m just saying... this is shocking. My brother Atlas is now the COO of Pierson Corporation."

Finn blinked and nodded. "He is now."

"It’s Pierson Corporation, Finn."

"Yes, it is, babe."

"The Pierson."

"..."

Nina blinked away and looked at the article again. "Just not long ago, I heard he was kicked out of Global Prime Logistics. How could he — right. Penny’s husband is the CEO of Pierson Corporation. I feel like I’ve been forgetting about that huge detail waving in front of me."

"Pfft —"

"Huh?" She narrowed her eyes at him, her lips curving downward. "Finn, why are you laughing at me? Anyone who opened the business news would be just as shocked as me. Even though, unlike them, I am aware of Penny’s marriage."

"I’m not laughing at you because you’re surprised, but because you’re adorable." He pinched her cheek lightly. "Had I known you’d have such a cute reaction, I would’ve asked someone to write a bigger story — even bigger than this one."

"Tsk. Don’t be mean," she slapped his chest lightly, only to see him wince in return. She panicked. "Oh, sorry, sorry. I didn’t mean to slap you that hard."

Finn forced a smile, holding the hand she used to rub his chest to soothe him. "It’s okay. It’s not that hard, just... it’s fine."

"Tsk." Nina pursed her lips, pushing herself away from him to sit up. "This is why I said you should’ve stayed in the hospital. You haven’t fully recovered!"

"But I’m alright."

"How can you be alright when I didn’t even slap you that hard, and you’re already in pain!" Frustration laced her voice, but there was also genuine concern. "Finn, if you’re worried that you’re burdening everyone, you’re not!"

She reached out to hold his hand, nodding at him reassuringly. "I’ll take care of you... happily."

His eyes softened as his mouth curved upward. Squeezing her hand back, he shook his head.

"I’m already fine," he reassured her, continuing before her mouth could open to interrupt. "The doctors can’t do anything else, even if I’m there. If anything, I’d just feel lonely."

"But I’ll stay with you."

"Wasn’t it better for me to stay with you instead?" he returned kindly. "I know you’d take care of me, but I can’t stomach seeing you traveling back and forth from the hospital to your work and then to your place. The doctor told me to rest, so I’m going to rest."

Finn nodded at her reassuringly once again. "I promise I’ll get better in no time."

"Goodness." Nina frowned, sighing in defeat.

"Can I stay here for a while?" he asked, knowing that they hadn’t really discussed their living arrangements. Finn had just been discharged today and told her he’d visit her place once everything was done in the Pierson Corporation. Even so, he didn’t know if she’d want him to stay at her place for a while or if he should just visit her every day.

Deep lines appeared between Nina’s brows. "Isn’t that the plan?"

"Hmm?"

"I thought that’s what you meant when we parted this morning," she explained innocently. "I thought you’d be staying here for a while."

"..."

For a moment, silence fell on them as they looked at each other. After a minute of pure silence, her face started to turn red, and thin steam seemed to rise from the top of her head.

"Oh! That’s not — that’s not what I meant!" Nina shook both hands in front of her, trying to clear up the misunderstanding. "Of course, I’m not thinking of us living together before marriage! I just thought, since I have an extra room for you, it’d be more convenient for you to stay here while you’re recovering! It’s not like we’re sharing the bed or anything, but I just thought it’d be best for everyone!"

She laughed nervously because the more she thought about it, the more misleading it sounded. "What I’m saying is, you don’t have to feel uncomfortable. You’d have your own space, though we’d have to share a bathroom, but that isn’t a prob..."

The rest of her words trailed off as he suddenly leaned over, sealing her lips with his. Nina’s eyes instantly went wide as her entire body froze, feeling that the kiss... wasn’t just like the other short pecks they’d had before.

It felt different, sending light shocks all across her body. She knew he felt it too.

When Finn drew his head back, the words she had been trying to say slipped past her lips automatically.

"... problem, because we can just take turns." Nina blinked, staring at him, who seemed just as shocked as she was. "Uh, Finn. It’s late now. I’m going back to my room first — ha ha!"

After saying that, Nina jumped off the couch, hiding her hands as her fingers curled. Finn, on the other hand, just stared at her with wide eyes.

"It’s okay!" she reassured in a hurry. "I’ll just go this way. Your room’s that way. Good night!"

Having said that, Nina dashed off to her room while Finn was left seated on the couch. He opened and closed his mouth in disbelief, watching her figure disappear.

"Why... did I do that?" he breathed out, pinching the bridge of his nose. As he lowered his head, the tip of his nose looked beet red, just like his face.

How could he live with her when his future wife was a walking temptation?