Chapter 354 Going to the Hotel
Anna's words did nothing to improve Colin's mood. He stared at her intensely, his eyes filled with anger and frustration. "Anna, do you think of me as something you can just trade away? Is Lisa's situation something you can't get over?"
His voice was charged with emotion, clearly hurt by Anna's words. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
"Anna, I've realized that I love you. I'm not perfect, but you're the only one I want to marry. What's the point of holding onto the past? You're afraid I'll judge you, and I'm just as afraid you'll judge me. Otherwise, why didn't I say anything all this time?"
Colin seemed to have reached his limit, spilling out everything he had been holding back. He then picked up his glass and downed his drink in one go, the strong liquor making him feel even more clear-headed.
"I've always wanted you, not because of what you've been through, but because I want to face the future's storms and challenges with you. It's not like you said, trading a meal for your company."
Anna felt a deep fear and unease rising within her. She was scared. She knew that if she agreed to be with Colin, she would have to face his mother, Gia, in the future.
If Gia found out that Anna had been kidnapped and that there were videos of her, if she knew about all the terrible things Anna had been through, she would never be accepted into the Rivera family. She felt unworthy.
So, she gently pushed Colin away, her eyes filled with conflict and struggle. "Colin, I can't agree to this."
Anna grabbed her bag and almost fled from the place that had thrown her heart into chaos. For the first time, she felt so scared, unable to face Colin's deep, loving eyes.
Before, they could still laugh and talk, maintaining a delicate balance in their relationship, never breaking that unspoken boundary.
But once that boundary was crossed, she suddenly didn't know how to continue interacting with Colin. She feared that her past would become a thorn in his heart, and this uncertainty and fear almost suffocated her.
As she hurried away, memories of her time with Colin replayed in her mind. She suddenly realized that the reason she didn't want to marry Caleb so soon was because she already had feelings for someone else—Colin! She no longer felt the same excitement and passion for Caleb; instead, there was a faint sense of distance.
This realization shocked and confused Anna. She had always thought of Colin as just a good friend, someone she could confide in.
But now she understood that she had unknowingly developed deep feelings for him, feelings that went beyond friendship and reached the level of love.
Colin quickly caught up with Anna just as she was about to hail a cab. He opened the door and got in first, then pulled her in with him, telling the driver, "Grand Hotel!"
Anna was startled by his actions, her breathing becoming unsteady. "Why are we going to a hotel? I want to go home! Driver, please take me to Greenwood Apartments!"
But Colin ignored her request, pulling out a wad of cash from his wallet and placing it on the front passenger seat. He firmly repeated to the driver, "To the hotel!"
The driver glanced at the thick stack of cash, then at the two of them, seemingly understanding the situation. A couple's quarrel, he thought, and without saying more, he started the car and headed towards the Grand Hotel.
Anna sat in the car, filled with unease and confusion. She didn't know why Colin was taking her to a hotel or what would happen next. She tried to speak again, "Colin, what are you doing? I want to go home!"
Colin turned to her, his gaze deep and serious. "Anna, there are things we need to talk about. The hotel is a quiet place, without any interruptions. We can have a proper conversation."
Hearing this, Anna felt even more anxious. She didn't know what Colin wanted to talk about or what the outcome of this "talk" would be.
When they arrived at the hotel, Anna refused to get out of the car. Colin, with a determined look, used his strength to pull her into the hotel lobby and headed straight for the elevator.
Anna could feel his resolve, knowing he was serious this time. Though she was scared, she also understood that making a scene would only make things worse.
"Please, let's find somewhere else to talk. I won't run away," Anna pleaded softly as she was being dragged along, hoping to change Colin's mind.
But Colin seemed not to hear her, giving her no room for negotiation. He pulled her into the elevator and pressed the button for their floor. The elevator doors closed slowly, shutting out the noise of the outside world, leaving just the two of them in the confined space.
Anna looked at Colin's tense face, her emotions a mix of fear and confusion. She knew her earlier actions might have angered him and understood his current determination. She tried to speak again, hoping to ease the tension. "Colin, we do need to talk, but not here, not like this."
Colin still didn't respond, his eyes fixed on the elevator's floor indicator, watching the numbers change one by one. The atmosphere in the elevator was stifling, and Anna could feel her heart racing, her breathing becoming more rapid.
Finally, the elevator reached their floor, and the doors opened slowly. Colin didn't hesitate, pulling Anna out and heading towards a room. Anna stumbled a few times, struggling to keep up with his pace.
"Colin, listen to me..." Anna tried to speak again, but Colin ignored her, forcefully opening the door and pulling her inside.
The room's lighting was soft and warm, but Anna had no mood to appreciate it. She looked at Colin's serious face, her heart filled with unease and fear.
Colin locked the door behind them. The air in the room seemed to freeze instantly as he stepped closer, cornering her against the wall, his gaze intense.
"Are you still going to run?" His voice was low and powerful, carrying an undeniable authority.
Anna clutched her handbag tightly, as if it were her only lifeline. She looked at Colin with fear and anxiety in her eyes. "No, I'm not running. Have you had too much to drink? It's late, I need to go home."
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