Chapter 977 Brandon, I'm Not Worthy of Your Actions
The door eased shut, barely making a whisper.
"Hold up," Penelope stepped back, shooting Kelvin a knowing glance. "We shouldn't barge in right now."
Kelvin raised an eyebrow. "What'd you see?"
"Let's just say it's something we shouldn't be seeing."
Kelvin eyed the closed door. "Kissing? Is that it?"
Penelope's eyes went wide. Wow, that was fast! How'd he guess that so quickly?
Or maybe guys just moved romance fast!!
"Not that?" Kelvin tried again, seeing her reaction. "Hugging?"
Penelope shook her head. "Nope."
"Then what is it?" Kelvin said, a bit more relaxed. "Did they, uh, go all the way?"
"You're way off. But Brandon did take his shirt off."
Kelvin raised an eyebrow. "Why'd he do that?"
"To show Thessaly his injuries!" Penelope replied, matter-of-factly. "That heavy equipment fell on him; he's probably all bruised and swollen."
No wonder she backed out.
"Let's bounce then." Kelvin shrugged, not really interested in the drama inside. Thessaly would fill him in later, and he'd help her figure out what to do next.
But Penelope stayed put, as if her feet were glued to the floor.
"What's up?" Kelvin turned back, confused.
"Leave? No way we're leaving now!"
This was prime gossip material!
Only a fool would walk away!
"So, what do you wanna do?"
Penelope stuck out her tongue, turned, and pressed her ear to the door. "I'm gonna eavesdrop... Kelvin, keep it down and make sure no one else comes by."
Kelvin just stood there, arms crossed, leaning against the wall. What do you do with a partner who loves gossip? You let them have their fun! His job was to keep watch and make sure no one caught Penelope in the act.
Penelope held her breath, straining to catch the conversation inside.
Thessaly's eyes were on Brandon's back. He was fit, with a healthy skin tone, not an ounce of extra fat. But now, his back was swollen, bruised, and purple. No bleeding, but it was an internal injury that'd take time to heal.
"How can it not hurt with such a big swelling?" she murmured, reaching out with her fingertips.
At her touch, Brandon let out a pained sound.
"Does it hurt?" Thessaly quickly pulled her hand back.
Brandon shook his head. "Nah."
Listening to his bravado, Thessaly's eyes darkened.
If only this were real. If Brandon had truly saved her, truly cared for her...
But it was all fake.
If there was even a hint of sincerity, Thessaly thought, she might just give it a shot with Brandon.
"Quit the act," Thessaly said, "You're gonna be stuck sitting up straight for days; leaning back's gonna be a no-go."
Brandon shrugged, "I'm a man; I can handle pain. If it had hit you, that would've been a whole different story."
He chuckled, "Would you have cried?"
"Totally," Thessaly nodded.
"Good thing it hit me then. I can't stand seeing women cry; it leaves me clueless."
"If the equipment had fallen on the actress next to me instead... Brandon," Thessaly asked, "would you have saved her?"
The question hung in the air, loaded with meaning. Was he willing to risk himself for anyone, or was it just because it was her?
Brandon wanted her to ask this.
So Thessaly obliged.
He was trying to move romance forward, define their relationship, and she had to follow his lead, giving him a way forward—not too fast, but not too slow either.
Outside, Penelope was on edge, her hands clenched tight.
Brandon had to say he'd only save her!
Girls love feeling special!
Silence.
After a moment, Brandon's voice broke through, "If it were someone else... I'd save them too."
Thessaly's heart sank.
Penelope shivered.
What was going on?
Such a perfect chance to express his feelings, and Brandon missed it?
Thessaly nodded, "...I get it."
"No, you don't," Brandon said, "Saving someone is instinctive for me. If I see someone in danger, no matter who, I'll instinctively try to help. But whether I can help is another matter."
Thessaly looked at him, puzzled.
Brandon continued, "If the equipment had fallen on someone else, I'd step in. But I wouldn't be as fast, I wouldn't shield her with my body, and I wouldn't risk injury to save her."
"What I'd do is check the situation, move the equipment, and ask if she's hurt. Thessaly, that's my full answer!"
He asked softly, "Do you... understand?"
Thessaly looked at him steadily.
She understood.
He'd save anyone, but the treatment was different.
For her, Brandon would hold her close, risk his safety. For others... it was just basic courtesy.
Their eyes met.
There seemed to be a subtle electric charge in the air.
After a moment, Thessaly looked away first. "Brandon... honestly, right now, I'm not worth that."
Brandon immediately replied, "...Of course you are. How could you not be?"
Thessaly turned away, her back to him.
Her expression was too complex to control, and she didn't want Brandon to see it.
Besides, facing away might make him think she didn't know how to face him.
"If it were before that night at the hotel, I'd feel worthy," Thessaly's voice was soft, "I wasn't lacking in any way. I was accomplished and independent, beautiful and disciplined, clean and sensible. I was worthy of any man."
"But Brandon, you know what happened that night."
"You're Paul's investor, and I... with Paul..."
Thessaly lowered her head. "We're not right for each other anymore."
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