âSince I took the subway with you last time, I have a little understanding of the cityâs subway line planning.â Theo bent down to retrieve his subway card from the ticket gate, then took Ellinorâs hand, turning her around to swipe his card and head towards the waiting area very naturallyâ¦
Ellinor, a little puzzled, even ignoring the fact that her hand was being held by a man, asked, âWhy would you need to know all this? With your status, you have a private car for transportation, itâs not necessary, is it?â
âI remember a girl tell me last time she wanted me to kick my lavish lifestyle to the curb?â
Ellinor was speechless.
She recalled that she did say those words. It was during their last encounter at the horse field.
At that time, she was just trying to contradict Haillie, to make a point. She didnât really want him to change anything!
âI was just speaking off the cuff then, you seriously decided to experience regular folksâ life because of what I said in passing?â
âAm I not a regular folk?â
âOf course not, youâre the greedy businessman type!â
âDid I exploit you?â
Theo chuckled at her words.
âOf course you did!â Ellinor declared confidently, âYou exploited three precious months of my time and got me tangled up in all sorts of trouble!â
Theo suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her, âIâm sorry.â
His sudden serious apology made Ellinor feel a bit uncomfortable.
âErr⦠letâs forget it. I kissed you first, then you exploited me. Weâre both to blame. As long as you stop exploiting me once the three months are up, thatâs all that matters!â
âNo can do.â
*Didnât we agree to end it once the three months are up? Youâre not thinking of extending it, are you?â
âAre you that scared of an extension?â
âOf course! I canât possibly be stuck with the Blanchet family forever, taking orders from you, right? I expect you to keep your promise and give me back my freedom when the time comes!â
âEllinor, Iâm letting you go now and giving you your freedom.â Theoâs gaze darkened.
Ellinorâs eyes lit up, âReally?â
âMmâhmm.â
âThank you, then Iâm leaving! We might never see each other again!â
She eagerly broke free from his grasp and turned around to make her escapeâ¦.
But her wrist was firmly caught by him and she was pulled back!
He frowned at her, âDid I say you could leave?â
âDidnât you say you were letting me go? Youâve already gone back on your word this fast?â Ellinor looked puzzled.
âIâm letting you go, no fonger forcing you to play the role of Mrs. Blanchet. But, I hope you would consider becoming the real Mrs. Blanchet Ellinor stared at him in shock, questioning whether she heard wrong. Did he just ask her to become the real Mrs. Blanchet?
If sheâs not misunderstanding, is this gentleman indirectly proposing to her?
âAre you spacing out?â Theo rubbed her stunned face, hoping to get her attention back on him and stop her daydreaming.
Ellinor snapped back to reality, but still seemed a bit dazed.
âWerenât you just asking me why I wanted to learn how to take the subway?â
âIâll tell you now. Itâs because Iâm worried that you might leave me one day, taking the subway alone.
What if I canât catch up with you because I donât know how to buy a ticket?â
As he spoke, Theo tightly held her hand, as if truly fearful that she might leave him at any momentâ¦
Ellinorâs heart was instantly touched. Every word, every action of Theoâs left her confused, at a lossâ¦
She even instinctively looked around, wondering if the elders of the Blanchet family were watching them, which is why Theo was putting on this show with herâ¦
Seeing Ellinor looking all around, Theo knew she must be imagining some irrelevant things again.