Chapter 372 Dating Him
Harper's face was so red, it looked like it might just explode. What else could it be? Francis was totally doing it on purpose.
She pouted and snapped, "Sleeping together? No way in hell."
"So, kissing and hugging are cool then, right?"
Francis raised an eyebrow and smirked, "Gotcha."
Why was Francis so damn good at twisting her words?
Harper was fuming. "None of it is okay."
Francis's eyes were intense as he murmured, "Look at whose lap you're sitting on. Maybe think before you speak, hmm?"
Harper glanced down and realized their position was way too cozy.
She was perched on his lap, and his hands were casually wrapped around her slim waist.
Their bodies were pressed together, and it was kinda warm, but it was Francis who was stopping her from getting up.
Her tone softened a bit as she mumbled, "You're so bossy."
"I'll listen to you from now on," Francis said.
Harper didn't buy it for a second.
As expected, Francis added in a husky voice, "I'll give you a heads-up before I kiss you."
Harper was speechless and decided to zip it. No point in arguing; she could never outtalk Francis.
"Are you mad?" Seeing her cold little face, Francis coaxed her softly, "I was just messing with you."
Harper wasn't really mad at him; she was mad at herself.
Only she could feel the changes happening in her heart. It seemed like her heart was slowly shifting, and it made her super anxious.
Seeing her stay silent, Francis said in a low tone, "Harper, I can't be that bad, can I?"
Harper didn't know how to respond for a moment. She bit her lip and said against her will, "Maybe it's because I don't like you."
Those words felt like needles pricking Francis's heart, causing a dense, painful sensation. He knew that the Harper who once loved him was gone.
But it didn't matter; he would put in twelve times the effort to make the amnesiac Harper accept him again.
"I can wait." He meant, "Until you fall for me."
Francis rested his chin on her hair, his voice no longer as carefree, sounding a bit low and melancholic.
In that moment, Harper felt a pang of heartache for him.
She didn't dare to think too deeply and quickly said, "I have to go back."
Time was running out; she couldn't exceed the time Jasper had set.
Francis lowered his head and croaked, "Just hold me a little longer."
The two of them quietly embraced, and in that moment, it felt like even time had stopped. The whole world consisted only of them.
Harper could deeply feel Francis's desire to merge her into his very being.
On the way back from the hospital, Francis insisted on driving her.
In the end, Harper couldn't refuse and got into Francis's car, with her family's driver following behind.
In the shadows, inside a black limo.
A pair of sinister eyes stared intently at the two getting into the car, filled with a bone-chilling coldness.
The two cars left one after the other, while the black limo remained in place.
Inside the car, a bodyguard in a black suit asked, "Sir, should we follow them?"
In the back seat, a mysterious figure with long fingers resting on his chin had skin that looked like it hadn't seen sunlight in a long time, like a vampire.
There was a hideous scar extending from the corner of his mouth upward, seemingly running across his entire face. The shape of the scar was even more terrifying.
It looked like his face had been torn apart and then stitched back together like a clown doll.
After a moment, the man said, "No need."
His voice was hoarse and dry, clearly indicating severe vocal cord damage.
"We'll meet again soon," the man said, his eyes deep and distant, as if he were talking to himself, and he curled his lips into a frightening smile.
"Go," the man ordered succinctly.
The car immediately started and drove off in the opposite direction.
When the car reached the villa.
Francis still had his arms around Harper's waist, unwilling to let go.
Even just sitting quietly in the car, he could feel an endless sense of happiness.
"Alright, I have to go now." Harper had been leaning on Francis's shoulder and had even fallen asleep for a while. She was way too unguarded around him.
Francis tightened his arms, holding Harper close, "You said nine o'clock; there's still five minutes left."
Francis wanted to savor every moment they had together.
Francis's deep eyes stared straight at her, unblinking, as if he could never get enough of looking at her.
Harper's earlobes grew hot under his gaze, and her heartbeat quickened as she said, "Can you stop staring at me?"
"I like you." His long, beautiful fingers traced her pink cheeks, outlining her features.
No matter how many times she heard it, Harper's face would always heat up at those words.
Her skin felt a bit itchy from his touch, and she pushed his hands away. "No touching."
In the process, Francis's hands brushed against Harper's lips, the soft touch sweet and tempting.
Francis's eyes deepened as he lowered his head slightly and kissed her lips.
It wasn't a deep kiss, just a gentle press of his lips against hers, treating Harper's lips like a precious treasure, with an intimate and loving touch.
Harper blushed and was about to push him away when Francis lowered his head and nuzzled into her neck.
He murmured, "Harper, I can't live without you."
Harper's heart trembled, and before she could think of what to say, she heard Francis confess, "When you ignore me, I can't sleep or eat. I really feel like I'm dying, so please don't leave me."
Francis's eyes showed a hint of vulnerability, and his words were filled with a deep sense of insecurity. He was genuinely afraid that one day Harper would leave him.
Harper was a bit shocked, thinking her eyes must cheated her, but she clearly saw the humility and helplessness in Francis's eyes. He seemed to really, really like her.
Francis looked at her with hopeful eyes, but Harper still couldn't promise him anything.
Other than family, anyone else could become a stranger at any time. No one could guarantee they would always be there for another.
So even though Francis might be disappointed, Harper couldn't say she wouldn't leave.
Her lips moved under Francis's expectant gaze, and she mumbled, "I need to go home."
Bitterness spread, and Francis's eyes grew darker.
He knew it wouldn't be easy to win her over, but his heart still ached.
He gave a defeated smile, "Alright, I'll take you."
Harper wanted to say it wasn't far, just a few steps, and he didn't need to take her, especially since he hadn't fully recovered yet.
But Francis had already gotten out of the car and walked around to open the door for her.
Harper got out of the car and immediately saw Jasper standing with his arms crossed, leaning against the doorpost.
Harper's face changed instantly, and she lowered her head, "No, no, you should get back in the car. Jasper is here."
Saying that, she pushed Francis back into the car and ran off without looking back.
Francis's handsome face darkened instantly. What made him so embarrassing that she had to run away from him?
Watching Harper run off, Jasper's icy eyes softened slightly.
Harper clutched her chest, slightly out of breath. "Jasper, you haven't left yet?"
Jasper didn't answer but instead looked at his watch and said, "Eight fifty-nine, you made it."
So he was just waiting to catch her. If he was so worried, why did he agree to Francis's request?
"Jasper, what did Francis say to you?" Harper asked curiously.
Jasper looked down. "That's not for you to worry about. Go inside."
How was it not her business? Wasn't she part of their conversation?
Harper stomped her foot in frustration. "If you don't tell me, I'll date him."
"We're not dating?" A magnetic male voice came from behind.
Harper thought it was Jasper speaking and was about to retort when she realized something was off.
Turning around, she saw Francis standing right behind her.
Her beautiful face turned red instantly, and she gritted her teeth, warning him, "Don't talk nonsense."
With that, she quickly went inside, almost tripping over her own feet under his gaze.
Francis's eyes followed Harper's retreating figure.
Jasper saw this and said in a deep voice, "If I find out you've bullied Harper, don't blame me for being ruthless."
That will was essentially Francis's lifeline, and now, his lifeline was in Jasper's hands.
Jasper was about to take some actions and couldn't always be there to watch over Harper and Agnes.
Francis's influence in Northfield was undeniable. Having him look after Harper was more reassuring than leaving her to someone else.
"Don't worry, Jasper." Francis's eyes were serious as he promised, "I'll protect them with my life."
The determination in Francis's eyes satisfied Jasper.
He had investigated the past and knew that the real trouble was caused by that woman named Chloe.
Although Francis had initially indulged Chloe out of a sense of gratitude, he had eventually come to his senses and disposed of her.
Chloe being sent to a mental hospital and the subsequent drugging incident had been handled to Jasper's satisfaction.
However, Jasper's protective nature towards Harper meant that these actions were not enough to forgive Francis for failing to protect her.
If it weren't for Agnes, he wouldn't have given Francis any chance at all.
So, he was still in a state of continuous observation and assessment of Francis.
As he was about to leave, Jasper felt a bit uneasy and asked, "Is Chloe really dead?"
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