Chapter 197 Mutual Rush
“Why aren’t you asleep?”
Myron toweled his hair and made his way to the desk.
"What... what did you want the other day?" Luann gazed at his silhouette and asked tentatively.
"Just dinner,” Myron said without turning, his tone even. "After you texted, I went home."
The drone of the hairdryer filled the room, muffling the other sounds.
Luann grew restless.
"I'm going to step out for a bit."
Myron glanced at the clock on the wall, a hint of displeasure in his tone. "Where are you headed this late?"
"I'll be right back." Luann slipped on her shoes and walked toward the door, pausing briefly. "Wait for me."
After Luann left the house, Myron set down his hairdryer.
"Okay, I'll wait."
Luann rushed out to the garage, hopped into a sports car, and zoomed off at 120 miles per hour.
Luckily, it was late, and the roads were nearly empty.
She arrived swiftly at the Western restaurant she and Myron had agreed on, pushed open the door, and switched on the lights.
The flower petals on the floor had wilted. They were shriveled and scattered about.
The balloons on the wall were deflated.
"Huh?"
A puzzled voice suddenly echoed in the room.
Someone poked their head out from the kitchen.
"Are you... Luann Weaver?"
Luann nodded, taking in his staff uniform.
"You're here, but... at this hour? Are you here to eat? I can make something for you..."
Luann asked softly, "What exactly happened that day?"
The staff member sighed. " Myron had arranged everything that day, probably to propose to you. We even saw a huge, beautiful diamond ring in his hand!"
"But you didn’t show up..."
"Myron was distraught. He sat here all night long. When I arrived in the morning, he still hadn’t left."
When Luann heard that, she felt her heart twist in pain. He sat here all nightP?
That must have been exhausting.
"That’s..." Luann’s gaze drifted toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.
"Myron set up fireworks on the open ground outside and said he’d light them when you were dining."
Luann closed her eyes, picturing the joy and excitement he must have felt preparing everything and the loneliness and sadness when he learned she wouldn't come.
She didn't even remember how she got home.
She snapped back to reality at her front door.
Luann got out of the car and slowly climbed the stairs.
She gently pushed open the bedroom door. Myron was already asleep.
She crept into the room, undressed, and carefully lay beside him.
"Why did you want to propose?" she whispered.
Myron's eyelashes fluttered, but his eyes remained closed as he spoke tenderly, "I wanted you to have what other girls have too."
Luann felt as though her heart had been struck.
"Thank you... I'm sorry I didn't make it that day..."
Myron smiled slightly. "It's okay. Even if you had made it, you might not have said yes."
"I..." Luann was at a loss for words.
"You don't like me, I know that." Myron's voice was soft, even gentler than a spring breeze.
Luann lowered her head as her interactions with Myron flashed through her mind. He had always stood up for her, protecting her in front of the Curtis family, ensuring she never felt slighted.
Biting her lip, Luann's clear eyes filled with a bashful tenderness.
"I... I don't dislike you..."
Myron's eyes widened in disbelief. Following a brief surge of joy, disappointment settled in.
"The 'like' we're talking about is probably not the same."
Luann fell silent. When Myron saw her lack of response, the flicker of hope in his heart dimmed again. It was as he had suspected.
She only had eyes for Adolph.
"It's late. Let's sleep," he finally muttered.
Turning his back on her, Myron presented a broad and stoic stance.
Complex emotions whirled within Luann—a tangled mix of turmoil and shyness. She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him from behind. Her slender hands slid across his waist, gripping his firm abdomen tightly.
Myron's body went rigid, like a plank of solid wood. This intimate gesture was unprecedented...
"Myron Curtis."
Her face was buried in his back, her voice so deep it was nearly inaudible, but Myron hung on to every word.
"I have feelings, too. I can feel the good you've shown me... I'm not made of stone..."
As he listened to her, Myron couldn't help but tremble. He couldn’t tell if he was feeling anxious or satisfied. Luann could feel her face burning up through the thin fabric, threatening to incinerate all her reason.
At that moment, all thoughts of family leadership and missions had been tossed aside. She knew only one thing: she didn't want to let the man in front of her down. She didn't want him to wait patiently for her in vain.
P
She should have realized it before. She had developed feelings for Myron Curtis. Otherwise, why would she miss him? Why would she be so concerned about him? Why did her heart ache when she learned that Myron had planned to propose to her and waited all night after being stood up?
Myron attempted to turn around, but was held back by Luann's frail touch.
"Don't... Just stay like this, with your back to me," she whispered.
She feared that if she faced him, words would fail her.
"Myron Curtis. The ‘like’ we’re talking about... must be the same..."
PMyron stood transfixed, his heart thundering so loudly it seemed to drown out Luann's words. Each syllable warmed him like a gentle stream flowing into his heart, thrilling every cell with joy and excitement.
"The engagement... I'm so sorry. If it’s possible... Could I greedy and ask for your proposal again?"
It took Myron a moment to reply, his voice rough in a way he didn't notice.
"Of course you can. Can I turn around now?"
"Mmhmm."
Luann's voice was barely audible.
As Myron turned, he saw Luann burying her face in her hands, her ears and the base of her neck a remarkable shade of red. He gently pried her hands away and wove his fingers through hers. At that moment, Luann felt a jolt as if she had been electrified, too shy to meet his gaze.
"I'm so happy," Myron quivered.
"So very happy."
"Luann Weaver, I love you."
Luann finally summoned her courage and looked up firmly into his eyes.
"I..."
Before she could finish, Myron leaned down swiftly, sealing her rosy lips with a fierce kiss.
