Crashing into an Old Flame
Chapter 226: Too brutal

Chapter 226: Too brutal

Maxim shrugged a shoulder, trying to appear calm while he studied her expression. It was not that he was taking advantage of her but it was just he was too mesmerized to keep his eyes, hands, and feelings to himself.

If given a chance, he would plaster her to him and never let go.

He did not how she felt about certain small things like sleeping together, waking up to the sight of each other’s face, stealing some time out for some random dates, or just plainly having a meal together. To him, they were all a privilege.

There was a time he held so many dissatisfactions with his life.

Back then, he had known she was special but he did not think that she was all that he wanted. He lived every day with his ambitions and he knew the things he wanted and the things he had to get in the future.

Yet now, as he watched her glare at him while trying to fight the small smile threatening to break on her face, he felt like he would willingly give up anything and everything for this woman. Just to wake up to the sight of her adorable glare, sweet smile, or her confused face, he was more than willing to flip his whole life around.

Those urges were so intense that they shook him, and terrified him that he would no longer be the same without her again.

And the thought of it suffocated his chest...

All those negative thoughts dispersed in thin air when Diana cupped his face and kissed his lips softly.

As the blanket fell, he could feel her lush curved against his body and the scent of roses enveloped his senses.

But her kiss was too short. Too fleeting.

She watched as a faint blush crept up to his cheeks, replacing the look of nonchalance that he always sported. Diana’s eyes lit up with joy. She realized that she liked seeing him like this. So flustered and not in control.

’’One more,’’ he begged in a raspy voice when she pulled back and clutched the blanket again.

Diana’s brows wiggled as she cautiously jumped down the bed under his burning stare, ’’I want to discuss something with you.’’

’’Hmm?" Maxim was uninterested in such talks where they had to keep a few feet distance between them. He’d rather have her in his arms while she talked about anything. Literally anything. Even though crazy books that suited her taste. He would willingly listen to her without complaints.

’’About future plans.’’

Maxim’s ears perked up immediately as he pushed himself to his feet.

Future plans? As in... their future plans?

’’I am listening..’’

Diana could not understand the sudden surge of his excitement as she turned around and walked towards his closet while he followed her like a lost puppy, ’’I think things can’t just go on like they are right now.’’

Maxim frowned. Was she dissatisfied with dating? Did she... Did she perhaps wish to have a married life?

He froze in his spot. Marriage was not something he had ever thought of.

Moreover, he had never been married to anyone...

Maxim’s lips twitched slightly.

But the idea of getting to have her bless his eyes every day when he opened his eyes... it did not sound bad at all.

It was more than what he could ever wish for.

Happiness came too suddenly and Maxim did not know how to react or how to act or what to say to her.

’’Do you want to go to...’’ Civil Affairs Bureau right now?

His question was left hanging in the air when her head snapped in his direction, ’’How do you know that I want to go somewhere?"

His eyes widened but in the next moment when she continued speaking, his face dropped.

’’I want to go back to Beijing,’’ Diana confessed, startling him immediately as the words left her mouth.

’’I...’’ refuse. The words got stuck in his throat the moment he tried to utter them.

She wanted to go back to her family. What right did he have to stop her from going home?

"You said you won’t go before you find Daisy,’’ his voice grew soft as he took a small step back.

But Diana did notice his expression as she was absentmindedly browsing through the wardrobe which he had filled with clothes for her.

When she heard his words, she froze for a moment, ’’I changed my mind.’’

’’Then...’’

’’I don’t belong here,’’ Out of the rows of black shirts that Maxim had, Diana grabbed a grey shirt before grabbing a grey knee-length dress for herself, the colors matched to some extent. She stretched her hand, holding the grey shirt towards him but he had never once looked at her hand till that moment.

All the while as she spoke, his eyes were fixated on her face. He wanted to look into her soul through the pair of emerald eyes.

’’I will go with you,’’ Maxim’s voice was even softer this time.

His words made her drop the shirt in her hand as she replied almost instantly, ’’No!"

Her rejection was too clear. Too brutal.

And it stung.

Despite trying to stay calm, to understand the situation that was filled with loopholes, his fingers trembled for a moment and he curled them into a fist. His gaze wavered.

Regardless of any doubts that he had, she had made a few things clear to him.

She wanted to go back to her home. And she did not want him to accompany her.

She wanted to leave him behind while she went ahead and lived her life in a place where he was absent. In her world.

’’We are getting late. Get changed first,’’ Maxim grabbed a black shirt and strode out of the changing room without looking back at her.

Diana snapped out of her daze and looked at his retreating back before tilting her head to look at the grey shirt that she had accidentally dropped on the floor.

She then looked at the grey dress in her hand. After hesitating for a moment, she did not put it back.