Chapter 172 Shall We Give It a Try?
On the crowded subway, Katherine was completely flustered by Alex's words.
Although there was noise on the subway, his voice was so low that only she could hear it.
But she still blushed with embarrassment!
She didn't look up at the man, kept her head down, and scoffed lightly, "I didn't save your life, so I can't ask for anything!"
Alex tightened his hold on her. "Who said you didn't save me? I know you were saving me on that rainy night."
Katherine's heart skipped a beat. Bringing up that night still made her feel embarrassed.
"That day, I was kidnapped, and didn't you rush to save me too? So we're even, and I don't have any aftereffects that you need to take responsibility for!" answered she.
At this point, she was still eager to clarify their relationship. Sometimes, Alex thought Katherine was too smart, and sometimes, she was so foolish that it made him grit his teeth.
"Are you silly? You're clearly a good kid, but you insist on acting like a bad one!" Alex rubbed the back of her head somewhat sternly and then said in a gentle voice, "You speak so lightly now, but I know you struggled internally for a long time to save me that night. It wasn't easy for you; I truly appreciate your help."
Katherine was stunned, and her nose suddenly felt a bit sour.
No one had ever cared about her feelings like this, but Alex tried to understand her mood at the time, seeing through her protective facade without mocking her.
When she was young and couldn't fight back, some people thought she was insignificant and bullied her for fun , not caring about her feelings at all.
When she grew up and could protect herself, people around her thought she was so strong that she had no vulnerable side, which led her to ignore her own feelings, believing she was fearless and without weaknesses.
Alex had pierced the protective shield she had built around her heart.
He suddenly sighed deeply and whispered, "It seems I'm destined not to be romantic. The sea of flowers I prepared for you that day was in vain; you didn't even take a second look before leaving. And now, I'm saying these things to you in such a noisy, casual setting."
Katherine looked up in surprise. "What? You said the tulip field at Moonlight Manor was prepared for me?"
Alex looked at her with a proud expression. "Who else would it be for?"
Katherine thought for a moment and then frowned. "Don't lie to me. How could the flower field be for me? That day, you directly named Scarlett during your public confession at Whispering Ripple!"
"That wasn't me." Alex looked deeply at her, not angry at being wronged but patiently explaining, "I've been investigating that matter these past two days. I wanted to see who did those things behind my back and made you misunderstand me."
Katherine listened and blinked.
He leaned in close to her ear and said seriously, "Katherine, you need to know that my identity is quite complex. I can't make public confessions, and I won't publicly confess to anyone. Public confessions mean exposing my vulnerabilities, and putting my beloved one at risk of being kidnapped to threaten me. So, I would never do such a thing."
Katherine suddenly understood. The last time she was kidnapped, the kidnappers used her as a tool to threaten him.
He continued, "I've already investigated it. The name on the LED advertisement that day was 'Sarah', and it just so happened to have an 'S' in it, just like Scarlet's. It was all just a coincidence and had nothing to do with me. If you don't believe me, I can take you to see their transaction records."
Was that so?
Alex's low, husky voice drilled into her ears again. "When you were sitting alone at the waterfront watching those things that day, were you cursing me in your heart?"
Katherine was embarrassed at first, then honestly nodded.
Yes, she cursed him.
That day, she thought he called her to Moonlight Manor to watch him confess to Scarlet, which was really upsetting!
Now that Katherine knew it wasn't true, she felt a bit guilty.
Alex could understand Katherine's thoughts, but he helplessly rubbed her head and advised, "If I ever do something that upsets you again, ask me directly. Don't jump to conclusions on your own."
Katherine knew she had wronged Alex and obediently said, "I got it."
With the misunderstanding cleared up, Katherine no longer resisted or guarded against him as much as before, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
That day at the tulip field, he couldn't reach her after she quietly left Moonlight Manor.
He looked for her the whole night, but her phone was off, and it was left at the police station. She didn't go home either, leaving no clues.
This made him worry that Katherine might disappear without a trace someday.
He cupped her head and pulled her into his arms, wishing he could hold her so tightly that she could never leave.
The crowded subway was not a suitable place for talking.
At the next stop, Alex took Katherine off the subway, planning to take her to a meal.
Katherine, however, chose a nearby fast-food restaurant because she was starving and couldn't wait another minute to eat.
Alex thought the food was nonnutritive but let her have it, allowing her to eat a bit to tide her over.
Katherine ordered a meal and added a few sides. Alex didn't eat and just paid the bill.
While eating, Alex sat across from her, watching her leisurely.
Katherine was almost done eating and sipping a soda. She had been thinking about something and asked, "Alex, when you chose me as your wife, was it because you saw I had some skills, and thought I was tough enough toprotect myself, so I wouldn't be easily manipulated?"
Alex paused, somewhat surprised she figured out the initial reason and didn't deny it. "Indeed, I didn't want to involve anyone innocent. My first pick was grounded by a flight issue, but fate intervened, and I realized you were the ideal candidate with your bravery and skills. But don't worry, I'll protect you from now on."
Katherine wasn't worried at all and casually said, "You've been unusually talkative today. Aren't you thirsty?"
Saying that she had handed her soda to him.
Alex was somewhat surprised but pleased. Katherine rarely offered him a drink, so he took a sip through the straw.
Katherine took it back and continued drinking, naturally.
His heart warmed, and he squinted at her. "You don't mind sharing a drink with me anymore?"
Katherine pouted. "Even if I did, we've already cross-contaminated as you said!"
Alex chuckled, "So, would you be willing to give me a chance to start over?"
Katherine raised an eyebrow. "Let's give it a try!"
He frowned slightly. "Try?"
Katherine nodded and then stated, "Let's see if we can really get used to each other. If we can, we'll continue; if not, we'll end this relationship when the time comes. Alex, some things seem simple in thought but are different in practice. We grew up in completely different worlds and have an age gap. We might not be that suitable together! So let's leave some room to avoid awkwardness later on!"
What a hard-to-please girl!
Alex pinched her chin and asked, "So, during this trial phase, can I kiss you?"
Katherine blushed, "Ahem, that depends on my mood!"
"And now, how's your mood?" asked he.
Katherine answered, "Average!"
Alex asked, "Why just average?"
Katherine huffed, "I just got released from the police station with handcuffs. If it were you, would you be in a good mood?"
Hearing this, Alex felt a bit distressed. He pulled her hand over to check, making sure there were no marks on her wrist and that her allergic reaction had completely subsided, then he was relieved.
At this moment, his phone rang.
He glanced down and saw it was Leander calling.
After answering and listening for a few seconds, his expression darkened. "When did this happen?"
Katherine sensed something was wrong and looked at him curiously.
Alex stood up and said to her, "I'll take this call outside and be right back. Stay here, don't wander off, and eat a bit more."
Katherine obediently nodded but was curious about what happened on the call. Was it about Scarlet's health?
Alex went outside to take the call, and Katherine was left alone, drinking her soda and watching the street outside.
At this moment, two passersby walked by her with trays, discussing the latest social news.
"I can't believe it! A jobless loser and her elderly family are working togother, making a living by extortion!"
"How dre they! Aren't they afraid of karma?"
"Wait! Look at that person... is that her?"
"Yes, it's her!"
"Everyone, look! The extortion girl from the trending news is right here!"
Before Katherine could react, a group of people in the restaurant surrounded her, all shoving their phones in her face to take pictures.
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