Nina: “Leo, where are you? I didn’t see you.”
Leo: “I went back to the car. There were too many fans, and it’s not convenient for me to show my face.”
Nina: “Alright, let’s meet at the hotel then.”
Leo sent an “OK” emoji.
Nina: “It’s been five years! I can’t wait to see you again.”
Tara let out a mocking laugh and went back to sorting through her belongings.
Leo returned home earlier than usual, the faint scent of alcohol lingering on him. His normally aloof and cold demeanor softened, with traces of a rare smile in his eyes.
He held a large bouquet of red roses in his hands and greeted her in a deep, magnetic voice. “I’m back.”
Tara was curled up on the couch, uploading pictures of expensive items to an online secondhand marketplace, planning to sell them and donate the money.
Hearing his voice, she closed her laptop and looked over.
Leo walked over, shoved the roses into her arms, and wrapped both her and the bouquet in his embrace. He kissed her lips lightly. “What’s wrong? Miss me?”
Tara pressed her lips together in silence, lowering her gaze to smell the roses.
Like a magician, Leo pulled a long rectangular box from the wrapping paper around the flowers and opened it.
He had these naturally expressive almond-shaped eyes and his glance were always tender and heartfelt. Right now, as he focused on her, his gaze was completely irresistible.
Tara glanced inside the box and saw the diamond necklace she had admired days ago while shopping with him. It was worth over three million.
She had only paused to look at it for a moment, but he had gone out and bought it today.
Noticing her daze as she stared at the necklace, Leo leaned in to kiss her cheek. “So happy you’ve gone speechless? Let me put it on you!”
Tara’s slender, fair hands gently traced the necklace as she said calmly, “Roses and diamonds… I almost thought you were proposing.”
Leo’s hands paused, and he gave her a sidelong glance.
His tone cooled slightly. “When I propose, it’ll be with something even better.”
Tara gave a bitter, sarcastic smile. “How much longer do I have to wait?”
The smile disappeared from Leo’s face, replaced by a coldness in his deep eyes.
Tara turned her gaze away and reached up to remove the necklace.
Leo grabbed her hand, leaned in, and pressed his lips to hers, pinning her against the sofa.
Her body went rigid, and she turned her head to avoid his kiss, placing her hand against his. “I… I’m not in the mood.”
Leo’s voice was commanding and icy. “Don’t play hard to get. Your period just ended.”
With that, he tightened his grip on her hand.
Tara’s heart skipped a beat.
At that moment, Leo’s phone started ringing.
Tara quickly pushed him. “Your phone is ringing. Answer it.”
