THE HANDSOME DOLL

CHAPTER XXXV

"Do you think the university will still accept me?"

"I think so. Its just the first two weeks." he answered.

I look at my recommendation letters and sigh. "This is all your fault..."

We laugh softly and then get back to minding our own thoughts.

Not getting enough sleep during the past few weeks slowly makes me drowsy and since we're still two hours away from town, I told him I will drift off to nap as he drives. He push a button and the back of my seat automatically lowers down.

What will happen when I get back to town? Will his parents change their mind of me?  I was anxious regarding those things and when I'm like that my brain gives off a dream to comfort me, but during the ride it was different. I dream that I am alone in place full of red roses. The wind was cold and harsh and when I stoop down to pick up one, the red rose on my hand slowly turns black before it withers away.

"..ythe.." he kiss my forehead. "We're here."

I opened my eyes and realize that he carried me back to the house. The clock reads 10:45pm. "You can put me down now." I said. I told him I'll just go on a nap but I slept at the ride apparently. How embarrassing.

We're back!

I'm back, to the place I thought I'll never be within anymore.

"Let's go to the bedroom.." his lips curve into a naughty smile and grab my hand to come with him upstair.

"Boss.. if you're thinking of... I'll run!" I protested.

When he open the door, my eyes widen as I took a deep breathe. The room is full of colorful balloons stuck at the ceiling and hundred bouquets of red roses are at every corners. Our room was literally transformed into a garden of red roses.

"I hired your lady at the flower shop for this..." he explains.

I step forward, lean over a bouquet on my feet and pick up one rose. Its real. The thorn pricks my thumb. I'm not dreaming.

Boss Cheston must have notice my unusual silence. "Hey, did you not like it?"

"I don't like it..." I murmured.

"Why? Isn't red roses very romantic? and the balloons, you love that before... on your birthd--.."

Before he can explains more I walk over and put my arms around him. He's tall but I tried my best to hug him tight, just as what he always do to me.

"Hey.."

I love the flowers, the balloons, his effort to get me back and I love him, but I cannot seem to think of any word that will suffice the happiness and gratitude swelling within my chest.

He push me away and cup my face on his hands as he smiles, then I close my eyes when he start to lean down and kiss me. It was a long and lingering kiss. My head's spinning when he part.

"You're getting good at it.." he tease.

I feel my cheeks turn warm but I look away in irritation of his remark.

He laugh.

Silence.

"Little doll... from now, I want you to rely on me more than you rely on yourself.."

I meet his gaze. "You make it sound like its the easiest thing to do." I shrug. "You know Boss, after our father's funeral and we've been left at our home to fend for ourselves, starving to death a week later.. that's my first lesson when I learned the pain of being left behind. Then as if some tragic joke of fate, Gregory was killed, leaving us again, not knowing how to take care of ourselves... Bliss and I, we tend to believe that everyone will leave us, except one another. Everyone will leave but not him, I thought, and everyone will leave him except me. So when your father threaten me, I felt an unimaginable terror right at that moment. I hope you understand why I did what I did... but," I paused. "I'm sorry Boss... For hurting you, for being so selfish and insensitive. I'm so occupied by all the things I've heard that I forgot how you will feel.."

For a second his expression soften and I almost laugh because he looks adorable when he's that but he looks away sensing that I'm holding back my laughter.

"Yeah.. laugh all you want, all I know is that this self serving narcissist in front of me is mine.. Blythe, I have no plans on leaving you behind.." and with that he drag me to the bed and cuddles me all he wants.

-----

I spend the entire morning cooking his favorite foods and all the effort are paid when he eat everything I serve him. Boss Cheston's not the type of person who eats enthusiastically like all the men I knew, but I think he finds my cooking delicious since he ask for another plate.

I chuckle.

"What?" he says.

"Never seen you so hungry before."

"Who the hell's talking.. I cannot eat during the days you're enjoying yourself elsewhere."

I laugh more.

"Hey Blythe... let's get married."

I know I should be happy with that but I found myself wishing he's just joking and I'm not sure what expression to wear.

"Do you need more chili sauce?" I ask.

"I'm being serious here... let's get married."

I turn away.

Marriage. Unlike every girls out there, I never dream of getting married someday.

"I.. I'm not.. We can't."

He put the utensils down. "Why not? Is this because of my parents.."

"Yeah." I answered and head to the sink to start washing the dishes. The house was a mess so I'll spend the day cleaning.

Neither of us spoke for a while.

"You're going all selfish again."

"And you're being immature!" I yelled, hurt by his words so I look around and face him. "Marriage. Its an absolutely ridiculous idea. We have vows to our Family. Marriage from rival family? that's absurd. And besides..."

"And besides.."

"Besides, didn't I told you I can bear no child."

To my surprise, he only smile. "Who said about wanting any kids here, Blythe."

Every word he utters, every smile he gives me, I felt like I'm being succumb more and more to his spell I'm afraid I'll die for real if I'm torn away from him again.

"Every man wants to have a child.." I said.

"I only want you."

Geez, where did he get that idea anyway? Now that I think of it, I'm sure I'll be suffering from his persistence because of this. For half a year knowing him, I came to know that he's the type of person that isn't bounded by reasons. If he knows he can get it, he won't stop until he gets it.

This is kind of bad for my heart.

I get back on washing the dishes only to be stop by his constant cuddling from behind.