I Need Your Warmth (Original, English Version)

Chapter 9 - Allen Smith

I should've checked with her earlier today. I watched as she sleeps peacefully.

I remember the flowers I have in my car. I should've brought it with me. I could take it later before we have dinner. I closed my eyes, too, to take a nap. I guess going out during a work day isn't a good idea. I'm tired, too.

When the delivery came, I went to take it. Clara didn't seem bothered by the noise. I took the flowers from my car as well. I should've presented it to her when she opened the door. Oh, well. Next time. I let her sleep a bit more. I couldn't resist taking a slice of pizza, though. She woke up as soon as I finished it. She caught my guilty look.

"What?" She asked groggily.

"I ate a slice." I admitted and she only grunted before opening the boxes. She took a piece of chicken first, dipped it into some sauce and gobbled it up. I followed suit. With all the carb and protein, it was a heavy meal.

"Wash up and change your clothes." I poked her sides when I saw her dozing off again. It took a while before she stood up to mechanically do so. When she came back, she noticed the flowers. Her expression is easily readable.

"They're for you." I stood up to hand them over to her. She smiled as she receives them. I thought it isn't true that women would actually smell the flowers you give them. The roses do smell fragrant.

"I should get going." I stated, knowing she's ready for bed. She looked hesitant, though.

"Would you like to stay?" She asked.

"I don't have clothes, though." I noted, and she squinted.

"Wait here." She went to her room. Does she have men's clothing in her place? I frowned at the thought. She caught my expression.

"These are mine. I like them." She did hand me men's shirt and shorts.

"You wear them?" I asked, having not heard of women like her who wears men's clothes.

"Yes. They're comfortable." She shrugged.

I decided to tease her, "You're supposed to steal your boyfriend's clothes, not buy yourself your own."

She shrugged again, "If I waited for a boyfriend, I wouldn't have been comfortable."

"Are you saying I'm your first boyfriend?" I asked and she blushed.

"I've dated before. Do you want them or not?" She tried to act tough.

"I'll wear them." She showed me her washroom.

We slept next to each other. She slept like a log. I only get to kiss her for a few minutes before she drifted off to sleep.

When morning came, I stopped her from booking a ride.

"You don't have your car yet?" I asked and she laughed.

"It's still in the shop. It's an old one. I think they can't get the parts needed."

I frowned at her statement.

"Why don't you get a new car?"

She should consider getting a new one, it's been over a month already.

I saw her contemplate on it, "I'm a bit sentimental. My nanny gave it to me. She's like my mom. I still want my old car."

"What's her name?" I asked, she rarely talks about personal stuff.

"Sally."

"How often do you see her?" I shouldn't have asked. By her smile minutes earlier, I thought she's thinking of good memories. Now...

"I'm sorry."

She forced herself to smile again. "It's fine. She's one of the few people who truly cared for me, especially when I was younger. She's already old at that time. She could've been my grandma." She shrugged, and then, she stacked all her stuff into her work bag.

I drove her to work and I contemplated on my next actions. She needs a car, but she doesn't want a new one. I had my assistant look through it.

Unfortunately, repairing the car is both costly and risky. There's every chance it would continue to break down in the future. They already found some of the parts they needed but it's taking some time to get delivered. As for the others, they're still on the lookout. I had Jeremy provide me with a photo. Should I get her a car similar to it?

These last few days, I've been contemplating on what to give her as gifts. She doesn't come across as materialistic, so jewelries and branded items are out. She even prefers men clothes over delicate dresses. I shifted my focus on the car. She needs one. It isn't convenient and safe for her to continue commuting.

I had Jeremy finalize the purchase for me and to send the car over to her apartment.

"You what?" She frowned when I told her about the car.

I offered the keys to her, "This is for you."

She only stared at it for two seconds before narrowing her eyes on me. "You bought me a car?"

"Yes." I replied and she didn't seem happy about it. She clucked her tongue.

"I can buy my own car. I told you I didn't want a new one." From her tone, I realized she really isn't happy about it. I ran a hand through my hair. This isn't playing out as I expected.

"I know what you said, but it couldn't be convenient and safe for you to keep commuting. You need a new car. I had Jeremy check the repair status. They said your car could keep breaking down even after they repair the current issues."

"You checked with the shop?" She sounded incredulous. I may have overstepped. I bit my lip as I think of ways to turn the situation around. I sighed as I walked closer to her. I pecked her lips and it served to make her pause.

"I wanted you comfortable and safe. You can't refute that you do need a car." I explained.

She huffed, "You could've convinced me to buy a new car and I can do that myself. You shouldn't have bought it." It would seem we have different issues.

"I wanted to do it for you. I kept thinking what I should get you and nothing seems right to me. When I heard about your car, it seemed appropriate as you needed it. Please accept it."

"Allen..." She sighed.

"Just consider it as a gift. I wanted you to have it." I insisted but she rolled her eyes at me.

"I can accept a bouquet of flowers, a shirt, a scarf, a meal, a movie ticket... but definitely not a car."

It was my turn to sigh. "Just this once. Accept it."

"Give me the invoice. I'll pay you." She still didn't back down. I knew she could be stubborn.

"No. It's a gift. Just this once and I'll never do anything lavishly again." I tried to compromise and she seemed to consider it. My head is already running on loopholes.

She glanced at the car and her expression softened a bit.

"Did you see my old car?"

"I had Jeremy send a photo." I turned to survey the car with her and offered her the key silently.

She glanced to it, then back to the car.

"Just this once, but know that this is too much. I might have to get you something as expensive." She took the key but her words stopped me.

"You don't need to."

"If I say I want to?" She used my own words against me, raising an eyebrow in a dare.

I sighed, "Then, so be it. I'll trust your judgment." I kissed her again before pulling her towards the car.

"Try it out." I opened the door for her and went to get in on the other side. She ran a hand over the top of it, before getting inside. She smiled as she turned to look at me.

"It looks nice. My kind of car." She surveyed the interior before putting the key on ignition.