Roxanne went silent for a few seconds before she relented. “Thank you, Mr. Farwell.” Lucian pursed his lips and bade goodbye to the other two men impassively before leaving with Roxanne.
Jack’s gaze gradually darkened as he stared at their leaving figures from behind. Their current relationship is genuinely baffling me. I can see that Lucian inclines to win Roxanne back, but I cannot figure out her stance.
Complicated emotions surged within Jack when he was reminded of Roxanne’s appearance as she stood under the lights earlier. She’s clueless about my feelings.
Along the way, Lucian wrapped his hand around Roxanne’s wrist tightly. He exerted a great force on her wrist and caused her to be in pain. “Let go of me!”
She tried to break free of his grip, but her futile attempt merely prompted him to grab her more closely and firmly. Lucian decided never to let go of her hand anymore because when he had done so earlier, Roxanne almost approached another man.
She had no choice but to give up after a few times of struggling in vain and having her complaints disregarded by Lucian the whole time.
As a result, she allowed him to drag her along to the roadside. The driver had already driven the car over.
The driver got out of the vehicle when he saw them walking toward the car. Then, he politely opened the door to the backseat and waited for Lucian and Roxanne to get into the car.
Roxanne hesitated, looking at the opened car door. Although the vehicle’s backseat was very spacious, she still thought she would be too close to Lucian if they sat together in the backseat.
However, before she could come up with an excuse to refuse, Lucian had already placed his hands on her shoulder authoritatively and ushered her into the car.
By the time she registered what had happened, she heard the sound of the car door closing. The driver swiftly returned to the driver’s seat. Lucian told the driver Roxanne’s address. Then, the car began to move and was soon heading in her house’s direction in no time.
Throughout the ride, dead silence filled the air inside the car. Roxanne thought he would say something, but unexpectedly, he remained quiet even after a long while.
She let out a sigh of relief inwardly. I can live with this. Since he’s quiet, I don’t have to worry about him spouting nonsensical words. A wave of drowsiness washed over her right after she put down her guard.
The temperature inside the vehicle was optimal, and the car’s interior was noiseless. In addition to being under the influence of the alcohol she had drunk earlier, Roxanne could not help but begin dozing off under such a conducive ambiance.
She dug her fingers into her palms to force herself to stay awake, but that method was ineffective. Soon, she fell asleep without realizing it. Even though the driver had tried his best to keep the ride steady, there were still some unavoidable bumps on the road.
Amidst her grogginess, Roxanne knocked her head against the car window and reflexively tilted her body sideways, causing her head to drop to Lucian’s side.
Sitting next to her, Lucian noticed her movements for some time, but he simply stayed silent. Lucian’s anger, provoked by Roxanne’s multiple refusals to his offer and her decision to walk up to the other two guys, had yet to dissipate.
Therefore, he was afraid of uttering any words he might regret if he spoke at that moment.
He frowned slightly when he saw Roxanne shifting her body weight to the other side due to her uncomfortable sleeping posture.
Judging by how her face flushed after she dozed off, she probably consumed alcohol.
The sight of her appearance jogged his mind, causing the scene at the hotel the other night to resurface in his mind for a moment. That night, she was caught up in a similar drunken, drowsy state, questioning him in a mumble about why he had failed to notice her good qualities.
Lucian felt a little heavy-hearted as he recalled the incident that night. Ultimately, he could not stop himself from reaching out and pulling her into his arms so that she could rest more comfortably.
He didn’t know if his accidentally exaggerated motion had startled her because, to his surprise, Roxanne, who had been sleeping soundly moments ago, suddenly woke up in a daze.
Sensing her movements in his embrace, Lucian knitted his brows slightly and instinctively stopped moving.
Roxanne felt a little disoriented and hot upon waking up. For a moment, she even forgot where she was. She struggled to sit up. Only after taking in her surroundings did she remember she was in Lucian’s car. What did I lean on when I fell asleep earlier?
She subconsciously glanced at the man sitting next to her. Lucian had already retracted his arms. Judging by his way of sitting, it was as if nothing had happened just now.
However, aside from his embrace, Roxanne could not fathom where else she could’ve been lying. She uttered guiltily, “I’m sorry. I dozed off earlier.”
As soon as she finished her sentence, she sensed Lucian shifting his pensive gaze onto her. She squirmed in her seat awkwardly, wanting to put more distance between them.
Lucian’s gaze darkened when he noticed her intention. “Ms. Jarvis, considering how soundly you slept earlier, I suppose you’re very satisfied with the environment inside my car.”
Roxanne’s body stiffened. Her eyes darted around the car’s interior as she lacked the courage to meet Lucian’s gaze. “I drank some alcohol just now, so I felt sleepy.”
Frustration surged within her as she spoke. I can’t believe I still fell asleep after my best effort to stay awake. Not to mention, I even snoozed in his arms.
She did not know if she had leaned over to his side in a stupor or if Lucian had pulled her into his embrace. Either way, her actions would cause her to appear mendacious.
After all, she had flatly rejected Lucian previously, yet, moments ago, she lowered her guard and drifted off in his car.
She feared to imagine how Lucian would perceive her if she had thrown herself at him when she was asleep.
At that thought, Roxanne braced herself and explained, “I nodded off and was in a groggy state earlier, so please don’t take it to your heart if I’ve done anything impolite by accident.”
He could tell she was trying to dissociate herself from him again. Reluctant to let her get her way, he uttered solemnly, “Of course. I understand your intention of selecting a cozier place to rest because leaning against the window was uncomfortable.”
Upon hearing that, Roxanne glanced at him anxiously and regarded him with an inquiring look.
Her eyes were slightly watery as she had just woken up. The dim lights in the car’s interior reflected off her eyes, causing her to look extraordinarily innocent.
Lucian was intrigued after seeing the look on her face. “If you’re blaming yourself for creasing my shirt, you don’t have to feel sorry. I can simply ask Catalina to take care of it when I get back.”
He casually reached out to tidy the hem of his shirt as he spoke.
Roxanne’s uneasiness intensified as she was clueless about what had happened when she nodded off.
She failed to wrap her mind around the situation while she took note of his action and even doubted the authenticity of his words. Why would I throw myself into his arms? But his shirt is indeed slightly wrinkled.
Roxanne did not know if her brain was lagging due to the effect of alcohol or because she had just woken up.
Lucian bit his lower lip in amusement at the sight of her frantic mien. She was watching him with unblinking eyes the whole time. Naturally, she did not miss the mischievous grin that flashed across his face.
After seeing that, the truth finally dawned on her. He’s toying with me. Recalling her panicky manner earlier, Roxanne reckoned she had played into Lucian’s hand.
Realizing that, she pursed her lips and sat upright in annoyance.
Pin-drop silence ensued in the car once again. Suddenly, Roxanne’s phone lit up. It was a message from Larry, asking her if she had arrived home.
Even though Larry was not physically in front of her at that moment, a courteous smile still spread across her face when she saw him showing concern for her. She replied: I’m still on the way back.
A second later, he responded back: Let me know when you’re home. Roxanne agreed while beaming.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.