Chapter 248 Heart-to-Heart Ambiguity
Anna remembered Colin's reputation as a playboy. Colin chuckled, "Can't a guy just want to settle down and live a committed life?"
Anna laughed too, "Do you even believe yourself when you say that? You're not Sterling, don't go messing with other people's lives."
Anna spoke casually, but for some reason, she felt a pang of sadness. Her eyes stung, and she had to close them, pressing her face into her arms.
She muttered, "Maybe this time I've really found true love."
Colin knew she was talking about Caleb. Anna's words were so sincere that Colin could almost picture her in a wedding dress.
He sat up on the couch, feeling like he had just woken up from a nightmare.
Seeing Anna gave Colin a sense of reality. She wasn't married yet; there was still a chance for them.
Colin said, "I'm going to the bathroom."
Anna waved him off, "Go ahead."
Colin walked into the bathroom in a daze, turning the cold water on full blast. He submerged his face, the icy sensation tightening his scalp.
He lifted his face from the water, gripping the sink's edge, staring at his wet reflection in the mirror.
The cool-toned light cast a serene midnight glow, making everything seem surreal.
A knock on the door.
Anna's voice came through, "Colin, I'm tired. I want to go home."
Colin quickly dried his face and opened the door. Anna leaned against the doorframe, half-drunk, feeling the chill as he opened the door.
She noticed the water on his face and his damp hair, along with the redness in his eyes.
Anna seemed to sober up a bit, realizing she probably shouldn't be here tonight.
She wiped her face, trying to cover up, "Hurry up, I can't take it anymore. I need to go home. Wait, you drank too, you can't drive me."
Colin said, "You're drunk. How are you going to get home? Just sleep here tonight."
Anna resisted, not wanting to stay. She had a psychological aversion, but Colin led her to the largest guest room on the first floor, letting her sit on the bed to rest. He brought her a pillow and blanket.
"This pillow is too soft. I don't want it. Get me another one," Anna tossed the pillow aside.
"All the guest rooms have these pillows," Colin said helplessly.
"I don't care, figure it out," Anna, having drunk, showed her true spoiled side. She lay down, almost pouting.
Colin had no choice but to go upstairs and get one from his room.
Anna took the pillow, sniffed it, and said, "Yep, this is the right smell."
Colin stood by the bed, smiling, then asked, "Do you want to freshen up a bit, or what?"
After a while, Anna said, "You go out, I'll handle it myself."
Colin left her door slightly ajar and slept on the couch in the living room, thinking that if anything happened, he would know immediately.
Anna wasn't so drunk that she was completely out of it. With the door closed, she thought Colin had left. She lay with one hand under her head, reflecting on her earlier words, feeling a deep sadness.
Colin was a playboy, never sticking around for anyone. And now she was tangled up with Caleb too. She didn't know what to do.
Anna realized she did have feelings for Colin, but she knew it wouldn't end well. So many people had come and gone in his life, but who had really stayed?
Colin's personality destined him to be a wanderer. She didn't want to be just another fleeting presence in his life.
When he was old, people might talk about Colin's youthful escapades and mention her. "Oh, that Miss Powell."
If she was lucky, they'd just mention "Miss Powell". If not, she might end up being his ex-wife or one of his many exes.
She was a well-bred young lady, even if she had fallen on hard times, she was still excellent. Why should she be a mere footnote in his life?
Thinking this, Anna almost convinced herself. She sighed, sitting up in bed, wanting to get a glass of ice water from the bar to clear her head.
Colin was lying on the couch, lost in thought, when he heard footsteps.
Anna, holding her ice water, walked to the end of the couch and sat on the armrest.
Colin stared at her back, stunned. Did she not notice him?
Colin hesitated for a moment, then tentatively said, "Anna."
Anna, half-asleep, was startled by the sound behind her, screaming and spraying water from her mouth.
She turned around, shocked to see someone sitting behind her, and fell backward.
Colin quickly moved to the end of the couch, grabbing her arms from behind.
Anna, still shaken, turned to see Colin. She was terrified.
Colin steadied her, pulling her back to sit on the couch, then sat behind her.
Seeing the water in her hand, Colin held the glass, "It's late, don't drink something so cold."
Being so close, Anna felt his gentle breath on her ear. She turned and took another sip.
Colin, amused by her stubbornness, took the glass from her hand, grabbed a tissue, and gently held her chin, wiping the water from her face.
Her chin tickled, and Anna tried to swat his hand away but missed. She steadied herself and grabbed his wrist, pulling it down, "What are you doing?"
Colin's arm rested on Anna's waist, hearing her slightly annoyed voice, he couldn't help but feel a bit distracted.
He touched her face with the back of his hand, softly asking, "Can't sleep? What's wrong?"
Anna shook her head, reaching for the ice water to take another sip.
Colin's arm tightened slightly, holding her close. Anna frowned, looking back at him, "What are you doing? Are you crazy?"
Colin laughed, "Wait, let me turn on the light. Don't hurt yourself."
He said this but didn't move to turn on the light. Anna said, "Go turn on the light, stop dawdling."
Anna's complaint was barely audible, as Colin felt her breath more clearly, not just in his ear, but as if it was touching his heart.
Anna bit her lip, turning away, her eyes shifting before she calmly tried to push his hand away.
But both her hands were held. She turned her face, meeting his deep gaze.
Even in the dim light, she could imagine him looking at her, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
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