Chapter 1537 Don't Avoid Me
"I don't need to rely on any woman," Derek said with a grin, holding her hand. "Laura, remember when I told you people think I might be the youngest president? Honestly, I don't care about that. For me, having a steady job, a house, a car, and being able to support my loved ones is enough."
"You're oversimplifying things. You were born into the Jude family, and a lot of things are out of your control," Laura said stubbornly. "You told me this yourself, just like Julia. Isn't she the perfect example?"
Derek gently touched her hair. "Laura, I'm not the same as Julia was. I wouldn't say I love you until I'm sure. You've been hurt before, so I need to be careful. I can't just win you over; I need to treat you right, marry you, and make you my wife."
Laura was stunned.
She had just heard him say he liked her, and now he was talking about marriage.
"Are you shocked?" Derek asked, seeing her innocent and surprised expression. He couldn't help but smile and pinch her cheek.
Laura blushed and pulled away, feeling flustered.
She admitted to herself that Derek's words had moved her.
She knew exactly what they would face if she nodded ; it was something she shuddered to think about.
She didn't want to be dragged back into the Jude Estate, nor did she have the same confidence in herself and her feelings as before.
Derek was amazing, but she was scared to be with him.
He had a prominent status and a bright future, while she was divorced and had a child.
Her ex-husband Michael was also Derek's cousin.
"Stop it. This is absurd to me. I finally got out of the Jude Estate, and I don't want to go back," Laura said.
She pushed him hard again, afraid that if she listened any longer, she would agree.
She was still young, but life had worn her down, and she had lost the courage to venture into a marriage.
"Laura, don't avoid me," Derek said, grabbing her shoulders and pressing her against the cabinet.
Laura's gasp hadn't even escaped her throat when he kissed her fiercely.
There were many people outside, and the door wasn't locked.
Laura was scared, pushing him, hitting him, and even biting him.
"Bite me," Derek laughed indistinctly. "It's just the two of us in here. If I go out with a bitten lip, everyone will know you did it."
Laura glared at him angrily, suddenly unable to continue biting.
So annoying, why hadn't she noticed how annoying he was before?
"You're shameless," she mumbled while he kissed her.
"Yeah, I'm shameless. But only with you," Derek said, his lips leaving hers as he gently caressed her tender lips with his fingers. "Laura, I know I scared you today. It's normal to be afraid. It's okay, I'll give you time. I'll pursue you and treat you well, not as a relative or friend, but as a suitor. I'll give you a sense of security and let you understand that I'm not your first love, nor am I Michael. You've been hurt too much and can't take any more. In my lifetime, I'll make you understand that you're the best girl I've ever met, and you deserve to be cherished."
Laura was still a bit ticked off about the whole forced kiss thing, but seeing the look in his eyes and hearing his gentle voice, she couldn't help but get emotional.
Derek really got her.
He knew her fears and insecurities better than anyone else.
If he were just a regular guy, she might give it a shot.
But he wasn't. The gap between them was just too big.
"Derek, please don't do this, okay? I need to calm down," Laura said, her eyes red.
"Take your time. I'll head out first. We'll leave together tonight. You've had some drinks, so I'll have the driver pick us up," Derek said.
Derek didn't push her any further. He'd said what he needed to say, and he knew Laura was scared.
Before leaving, he gently kissed her forehead, then turned and left, closing the door behind him.
Laura stood there like a statue until there was a knock on the door.
"Laura, it's me," Cassie's voice came through.
She quickly adjusted her dress and wiped her lips with a tissue before opening the door.
Cassie stood there in a stunning red dress. "Bernice had to leave early, so I came to check on you. Are you okay?"
Her last question was loaded. Laura and she exchanged a knowing glance, and Laura suddenly got it. "Do you know something?"
"Looks like Derek did something to finally make you understand his feelings," Cassie said with a half-smile, closing the door behind her. "You weren't doing something in the room, were you?"
"No," Laura blushed and quickly interrupted her. "We didn't do anything, just talked for a while."
"Talking made you lose your lipstick?" Cassie teased.
Laura was embarrassed, but since they were old friends, she just glared at Cassie. "Did you know it all along?"
"I asked you before, right? You said he couldn't possibly like you," Cassie shrugged. "Even for relatives, it's rare to be so close. Chatting on Facebook all the time, sending you gifts when you're down, cheering you up, having dinner together after work, standing up for you when someone bullies you, taking care of you when you're sick, and even looking after your kid. Don't joke, you two have no blood relation."
Laura suddenly realized how good Derek had been to her all this time. She was so dumb to think Derek liked men.
Actually, she should have realized it that day when he almost lost control while kissing her.
"Cassie, he said he loves me and wants to marry me," Laura still felt like it was a dream. "Do you think he's crazy? His biological parents are also my Godfather and Godmother. He's the president's son. Even if my Godfather and Godmother treat me well, they can't accept a divorced woman with a daughter being with Derek. This would be a scandal for the Presidential Palace. The Jude family wouldn't accept it, and the public wouldn't either. No one would bless us; they would only use hurtful words to attack us."
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