Chloe was unaware of the dark thoughts swirling inside Vernon's head. Because she still felt his warmth, the arms around her waist started getting too tight, making her wince a bit.
But she truly believed that Vernon would never hurt her.
So she relaxed and gently put her hand on Vernon's big veiny hands wrapped around her waist. She snuggled and rested her head on his chest.
She slightly tilted her head to look up and stared at Vernon's strong jawline.
Even from this angle, Vernon still looked magnificently handsome.
"Well, that's what my logic told me, Vernon," Chloe said. "But I'm a woman, and a woman also uses her heart more than a man does."
"And what does your heart tell you to do?" Vernon asked. His tone was cold and somewhat carried heavy possessiveness that came out of nowhere in Chloe's mind.
Chloe smiled. She lifted her left hand and pinched Vernon's chin, forcing him to look down until their eyes met.
Chloe nestled comfortably in his chest. She looked relaxed, unlike Vernon, whose eyes were deep and full of unknown thoughts.
"My heart told me to give you a chance," Chloe replied. She said it lightly as if she was already certain of her answer. "Despite your problems, your blood relation with the Gray family, and all the difficult situations surrounding us as individuals, and us as together."
"My heart told me that you're a good guy who can give me happiness, so…" Chloe released Vernon's chin, and her hand wrapped around his neck instead. She pushed his neck down, so Vernon naturally leaned toward his beloved and…
Chloe closed her eyes. She took the initiative to kiss Vernon on the lips. It wasn't even a peck.
It was a deep kiss that lasted a long time. Chloe was bold enough to open her mouth and took the lead to nibble Vernon's lower lip a little before she finished the kiss and opened her eyes.
"So… should I follow my brain or my heart for this one, what do you think, Mr. Phoenix Gray?" Chloe teased.
"Stop thinking and follow your heart instead," Vernon replied quickly. "I will not allow you to think about it. Just use your heart."
"Even if it's dangerous?"
"Doesn't matter if it's dangerous or not," Vernon started getting desperate. He wanted Chloe to be by his side no matter what. "Even if we have to fight the whole world, I will never let you leave me, Chloe."
Chloe's smile bloomed beautifully. She stared at Vernon with eyes glazed with tears, "Alright, Mr. Phoenix Gray, I shall follow my heart and give you a chance."
"As you should."
Vernon took the initiative to kiss her now. Unlike the usual kiss full of passion and lust, this one felt so gentle. Yet, it gave Chloe even more satisfaction than usual.
She felt loved, and Vernon was even happier to give her more than a kiss.
Even though everything about their relationship was dangerous, Vernon wouldn't mind jumping into the warzone if he could steal one kiss from his woman.
**
They spent the night embracing each other, sharing warmth by making out. They didn't have sex, though Vernon was willing. He felt that sex might make him go wild and rough. He just wanted to spend the night embracing his woman.
Thus, he fell asleep spooning Chloe from behind.
Vernon suffered from insomnia before, and he couldn't sleep unless he used sleeping pills, booze, or mind-numbing sex.
But because Chloe was by his side tonight, his mind was relaxed, and his anxiety was suppressed. He fell asleep quickly, leaving Chloe, who was trying hard to reach the AC remote in the drawer.
Because it was stuffy!
Vernon was like a big teddy bear with an automatic heating system turned on to the max. His body was naturally hot, so she needed that air con.
"Ugh— just… a little more…" Chloe stretched her hand until she reached the AC remote. "Got it!"
After she caught it, she turned on the Aircon and was relieved.
She nestled back deep inside Vernon's embrace comfortably and gently caressed Vernon's strong arm.
"It went well, thank god," Chloe murmured. She got the text from Dorothea this evening, about an hour before Vernon returned home.
Dorothea said she would continue texting Chloe until Chloe answered her text, even with a simple yes or no.
Dorothea said that she was worried for her and Mackie's safety. She was afraid that Chloe would make another wrong choice by staying with another wrong man after her son.
'Well, I'm staying with her other son. But I don't think Dorothea will admit Vernon as her son,' Chloe thought. 'The animosity between them is just… too thick.'
'But the more I try to ignore Dorothea, the more I can feel her desperation…' Chloe sighed. 'Vernon told me to use my head, and if I only used my head, I'd leave him soon after I got my salary. I will never give him a chance.'
'So I have to use my heart for him, and I should give the same chance for Dorothea as well. If my heart can make the right choice by staying with Vernon, I'm sure that my heart can also make the right choice by forgiving Dorothea and giving her a chance.'
Thus, Chloe planned to text Dorothea tomorrow morning. Hopefully, they could start opening up and maybe set up a meeting somewhere once Chloe had trusted Dorothea enough.
Chloe looked over her shoulder and saw Vernon sleeping peacefully while spooning her from behind.
Chloe mumbled, "You might not appreciate what I'm doing right now, Vernon. But I'm doing this for you as well. I believe that you deserve a closure with your real mother, maybe there will be that day when you can make peace with Dorothea."
"But for now, I have to hide this from you. I'm sorry, big boy, you have to be kept in the dark for a while. Please don't blame me, I'm just following what my heart tells me to do."
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