Chapter 1608: Should I stay over tonight?

Meanwhile...

Grace had to cancel her birthday dinner because she had to settle Haines’s situation first. Since Haines, for some reason, was driving far away from the city, she knew she couldn’t make it.

Well, it wasn’t like that was a big problem. If anything, celebrating something every day could be tiring. She was just too prideful to take it back without a proper reason.

As she drove, Grace glanced at the quiet passenger in the front seat. Since Haines had crashed on the side of the road, his car was towed and he was arrested. She shook her head, thinking that Haines was the least person she would expect to get into such a situation. But then again, Penny must’ve gotten that trouble-magnet personality from someone, right?

Haines remained quiet from the beginning, keeping his eyes on the side window.

"So?" she cleared her throat, finally breaking the silence between them. "Are you just going to give me the silent treatment?"

She arched a brow playfully, sneaking a look at him before refocusing on the road. "I’m not asking you to thank me until the heavens hear it or worship me, but at least let me know you’re okay."

No answer.

Grace frowned, sighing. "Fine. Just talk to me when you’re ready."

This time, for some reason, Haines finally cast her a quick look.

"I just had a lot of things on my mind," he said, his voice quiet. "I’m sorry."

"I know," she chuckled, giving him a slight wink. "I’m just kidding. I know you’re thinking about something. Besides, you’ve almost gotten into a terrible accident. Must be shocking."

That wasn’t it.

Haines might’ve gotten into a minor road accident, but it was not enough to traumatize him. He had been through worse than that. Not to mention, was there anything more shocking than the fact that he had just learned his first love was already dead the same year she left him?

The minor road accident was nothing compared to that.

Another heavy breath escaped Haines as he cast his eyes downward. Just then, her hand reached out to him, resting on his lap. Looking up, all he saw was the soft smile on her face.

She didn’t say anything, but that subtle smile she offered softened his heart.

Haines slowly clasped her hand, his fingers slipping between hers. He kept his eyes on her, still thinking about the illness she was hiding. Sadness flickered in his eyes, and his heart clenched. His breathing caught in his throat.

"Don’t leave," he whispered.

"Hmm?" Her brows rose, eyes still on the road. "I’m not going anywhere."

Another moment of silence fell over them, with him still staring.

That was not what he meant.

Haines let out a shallow breath, peeling his eyes from her. Keeping her hand in his, he stared at the flashing roadside. His mind had been filled with many thoughts. Earlier, he had been thinking of cutting Grace off—not because of his first love, but because he felt exhausted from trying.

However, while he was mustering the courage to do so, she had just reached out to him, holding him with such a comforting touch. The softness of her palm sent a wave of warmth and consolation through his heart.

Looking back at her, he couldn’t help but wonder:

Was this his fate?

To love someone, only to end up alone?

If so, was this relationship with Grace—and how their bond had suddenly turned the way it did—life’s way of giving him closure from his first love?

It was a cruel chance, but it was still a chance for him to love, to be loved, and to be there until the end.

"Where are we headed?" he asked after a quiet moment.

"Where else?" she raised her brows briefly. "My place, of course."

Her lips curled up mischievously as she cast him a playful look. "Or if you’re too tired, we can make a stop at a nearby inn that will tell us they only have one room with one bed available."

"..." Haines scoffed faintly, almost like a weak, short laugh. "Do you really need it that much?"

"Huh?" Grace furrowed her brows, pulling her hand from his abruptly as she steered the car to the right. Pulling over to the side of the road, she turned to him, her tone much louder now. "HUH?"

"What?" he asked, clueless. "Did I say something strange?"

Wasn’t he just asking?

Grace scoffed, hand on her chest. "Mister, no matter what, don’t you think asking me such a question is questionable in itself? Are you saying I’m thirsty?"

"..." He blinked, knowing that wasn’t what he meant. But then, his stupid mouth just had to open and say, "All this time, I thought my body was the only thing you wanted."

"Hah!" she scoffed again, rendered speechless. Her face slowly turned beet red, lost for words at that remark. As someone who always felt like she should have the last word, being driven to this level of speechlessness was talent. "Excuse me?"

"Isn’t it true?" he blurted out, biting his tongue as he pressed on his temple.

Haines must be losing his mind for running his mouth without thinking. If this was his defense mechanism, it was surely working—but not in the way he wanted.

"..." Grace opened and closed her mouth, her eyes darting to his distressed face and then his body. ’Well—’

Ahem!

She cleared her throat aloud and brushed her hair behind her shoulder. "Well, would you if I said yes?"

Haines peeked at her from one of his eyes open. "What?"

"I mean, don’t get me wrong. Your body is not what I’m after, but it’s one of the bonuses," she lectured in a matter-of-fact tone. "I’m a woman, and I have my needs. Like a flower needs its water, I need to be watered too."

Haines: "..."

Grace: "..." (Then with an added blink of innocence.)

For several seconds, there was only silence between them. Her lips slowly curled up into a triumphant smirk.

"Do you think you’re the only one who can render someone speechless..."

Much to her surprise, the rest of her words rolled back into her throat when something pressed against her lips. Her eyes slowly widened, her breath stopping. On her lips were a pair of soft yet firm lips, pressing gently against her plump ones.

While she was still shocked, Haines drew his head back slightly. He smiled subtly, chuckling at the shocked look on her face. Cupping her face and brushing her cheek with his thumb, he asked under his breath:

"Should I stay over tonight?"