Chapter 161 This Night Was Beyond Gentle As Crystal reached the end of her sentence, tears welled up in her eyes, and she couldnât hold them back any longer.
After all, she had once loved him deeply, and perhaps, even now, there were remnants of those feelings stirring within her heart.
Despite the person before her having numerous flaws, a volatile temper, a reserved nature, and a penchant for intimate encounters, Crystal couldnât deny the truth of her feelings-she genuinely liked him!
Nevertheless, despite her fondness for him, Crystal remained steadfast in her commitment to exercise restraint and maintain control over her emotions. She was resolute in protecting herself from the potential pain that could arise from giving in to her feelings.
As Henry tenderly wiped away the tears from the corner of her eye, Crystalâs crying intensified. At that moment, she couldnât contain her emotions any longer.
He pulled her into a tight embrace as he leisurely lit a cigarette.
Henry leaned back on the couch, taking slow drags of his cigarette. His suave and charismatic demeanor was irresistible, enough to make any woman want to throw themselves at him.
Crystal maintained a wordless silence, finding solace in his embrace as tears cascaded down her cheeks.
As her tears moistened his shirt, the warmth and dampness created a subtle discomfort for him. Nevertheless, Henry chose to endure it. Understanding the significance of allowing her to release her emotions freely, he remained patient and accommodating to her every whim.
Having smoked over half of his cigarette, he finally asked in a gentle tone. âShall we give it another try? But this time, weâll take it slow. If youâre not comfortable with it, we wonât proceed. I just want you to feel at ease.â
Crystal remained silent.
Henry could sense her hesitation and was well aware of the reservations she had toward him.
Being a busy man, Henry had never been involved with any woman prior to Crystal. This fact shed light on his demeanor, as he never displayed a sense of urgency to surrender to desire.
However, when a woman he had developed feelings for continued to appear in front of him, it would be foolish for Henry not to seize the opportunity.
He had a rough idea of Crystalâs thought process. After all, he had witnessed her going on dates with Ritchie, attending art exhibitions, and admiring fireworks together. However, from Henryâs perspective, those activities held little meaning for him, and he couldnât relate to them.
He genuinely believed that only weaklings would choose such venues for their dates.
Nevertheless, Henry felt relieved knowing that Crystal and Ritchieâs relationship had only lasted ten days.
If Crystal had been dating Seth during that time, things might not have looked promising for Henry to win her over!
Being aware of her desires, he knew exactly how to fulfill them.
âShall we... go to a concert tomorrow?â Henry proposed.
Crystal was inclined to decline the offer as she had no interest in going out with him.
Henry, on the other hand, was well aware of her vulnerabilities. He lit another cigarette, took a long drag, and exhaled the smoke in her direction. âIf youâre not in the mood for a date, how about we go to a hotel instead?â
His suggestion sparked anger within Crystal.
She stood up abruptly, wanting to leave. Sensing her immediate reaction, Henry swiftly reached out and grasped her hand. âIâll take you home,â he said softly. âWait for my call tomorrow. Iâll have Jamie book our tickets.
This time, Crystal remained silent, but there was a subtle shift in her demeanor, suggesting that her resolve to reject him was beginning to weaken.
Henry felt a slight frustration as his desired outcome wasnât achieved, but he understood the importance of patience when pursuing someone.
He then sent her back to her condominium.
Since Henry had made it clear that he was willing to put in all his efforts to pursue her, he demonstrated great thoughtfulness toward her and was not afraid to show it The next day, when Crystal woke up, she discovered her white BMW parked downstairs. Henryâs driver had arrived without disturbing her sleep and patiently waited by the car. Crystal couldnât help but feel a twinge of guilt for keeping him waiting.
She took the car keys from him and thanked him.
Knowing exactly what to say in that situation, the driver informed her, âMr. Miller specifically instructed me not to disturb you, Miss Winters.â
Crystal acknowledged his words with a subtle nod and thanked him once again before getting into the car.
As she settled in, her phone rang, and it was Anna on the other end.
Anna informed Crystal that Henry had paid a visit and had brought along a collection of lavish supplements as a gift.
The purpose of her call was to inquire about the sudden visit and express her curiosity and uncertainty about Crystalâs relationship with Henry.
Crystal gently caressed the steering wheel and spoke in a soft tone. âYou can keep the gifts.â
Anna was delighted to hear that, for she genuinely liked Henry and hoped that he and Crystal would have a future together.
After ending the call, Crystal stared at her phone, a swirl of emotions coursing through her.
Henry was like a poison concealed within a deliciously tempting exterior, a seductive mix of danger and allure. Crystal was acutely aware of the potential toxicity that lay beneath his captivating facade, yet the intoxicating sweetness she experienced in his presence made it incredibly challenging for her to resist his charms.
In the end, Crystal mustered the courage to send a brief message to Henry on WhatsApp, expressing her gratitude with a simple: Thank you, Mr. Miller.
Over the course of the following week, Henry consistently demonstrated remarkable gentlemanly behavior.
He spent a week accompanying Crystal to explore Barnwood, indulging in refined art and dining at renowned restaurants. He also took Crystal to the Malarnorn restaurant she had previously visited with Ritchie.
They even coincidentally ran into Ritchie and his fiancée during their visit, which created an incredibly uncomfortable atmosphere.
Crystal cast a piercing gaze at Henry, her voice barely above a whisper as she questioned, âDid you plan for us to run into them?â
Henry laughed heartily, his face filled with joy. âYes! I brought you here to witness the true nature of your ex-boyfriend. Look at them. They seem so perfect together!â he replied with a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
Ritchie spotted them too, and despite having a well-off and beautiful fiancée by his side, he appeared absent-minded when he spotted Crystal. It took him a while to snap out of it and respond to his fiancéeâs words, his eyes lingering on Crystal for just a moment longer than necessary.
Crystal was at a loss for words as Henryâs childish behavior had started to get on her nerves.
On their way back, Crystal took a seat beside him, quietly observing his profile as he fastened his seatbelt. With a gentle tone, she asked, âWhat drives your concern for Ritchie? Iâm curious.â
Henry turned to look at her.
After a prolonged silence, he responded in a low voice, âBecause I am well aware that someone like Ritchie fits your ideal criteria for a husband. If it werenât for his domineering mother, the two of you would likely be married by now.â
Crystal didnât offer any counterargument, silently acknowledging the truth in his words.
The man, feeling a bit uncomfortable, didnât want to delve deeper into the topic. As they arrived at Crystalâs home and she prepared to exit the car, Henry gently reached out to stop her.
âItâs Christmas Eve in two days. How about spending the night at my place? Iâll have Marie prepare a scrumptious meal for us.â
Crystal hesitated for a moment before replying, âI have a dinner event at the music center that Iâll be attending that day.â
In a gentlemanly manner, Henry reminded her, âTry not to drink too much. Iâll come pick you up once the event is over.â
The man rarely stooped to such humble gestures. As such, Crystal found it difficult to reject him and let out a soft hum of agreement in response.
Pressing her against the car seat, Henry leaned in closer, his breath warm against her skin as he gently pressed his lips against hers. Their kiss grew more intense, filled with longing and desire. After a while, he pulled back slightly, his voice husky with emotion. âDress beautifully on that day. Crystal,â he whispered. âLetâs make it a memorable Christmas Eve, our first one together.â
Crystal looked at him with surprise.
Outside the car, delicate snowflakes danced in the air, creating a picturesque winter scene. They fell gracefully from the sky, their ethereal beauty enchanting the surroundings.
The softness of the snowflakes brought a touch of gentleness to the night, and at that moment, there was a connection between them, as if the falling snowflakes were bridging the gap between them.
Henry had a knack for setting boundaries.
After escorting her upstairs, he didnât insist on staying. As he descended the stairs, Crystal felt an irresistible pull to the window.
She approached it and gazed out, watching Henryâs retreating figure.
On a wintry night, with the sky blanketed in snow, the air turned frosty and mist formed with each exhale.. The soft glow of streetlights reflected off the glistening snow, casting a dreamlike ambiance over the scene.
Under the faint glow of the streetlight, Henry leaned against his sleek gold-colored Bentley Continental, a faint plume of smoke curling from the end of his cigarette. Every breath he took exuded an undeniable air of masculinity.
As Crystal cradled a warm cup of cocoa in her hands, her gaze fixated on him in serene silence. She couldnât help but note that the night seemed to be adorned with an air of tranquility and tenderness.
After finishing two cigarettes, Henry flicked the cigarette butt away and extinguished it under his shoe As he lifted his gaze, his intense stare locked onto Crystal.
Caught off guard, she didnât manage to hide in time and found herself locked in a gaze with the man.
Henryâs gentle laughter echoed in the quiet night, his smile carrying a touch of mischief and masculine charm.
He waved at Crystal before stepping into his car The car engine purred softly, but the gold Bentley Continental didnât leave immediately. Moments later, Crystal received a text message from the man: Missing me already?
Even though the message contained only a few simple words, it had a captivating effect on Crystal, leaving her restless throughout the night.
If it werenât for the memories of the tumultuous night, she might have impulsively thrown herself into his arms without hesitation.
She had tasted the sweetness of love in the past, and despite her fears and reservations, she couldnât deny the desires that stirred within her as a woman. The tantalizing anticipation created by Henryâs actions and the lingering chemistry between them had ignited a growing temptation inside her.
After their intimate encounters, Crystal could sense that Henry wouldnât simply let her off the hook on Christmas Eve.
She wasnât sure if she was anticipating the day to come, but she did take her time to carefully select her outfit and adorn herself with accessories.
She wore a champagne-colored silk gown that gracefully draped over her body, enhancing her alluring figure. The gown accentuated her curves in all the right places, exuding an air of elegance and sophistication. Over the gown, she draped a lightweight, white down coat, adding a touch of sophistication and warmth to her ensemble. The coat could easily be removed to unveil her graceful curves and add a hint of allure to her appearance.
As she delicately applied her makeup, Crystal felt a slight flush on her cheeks, mingled with a tinge of self- reproach. She couldnât deny the fact that she had been enticed by Henryâs irresistible charm and seductive ways.