"What are you talking about?" All of a sudden, Hazel felt like things happened so fast. "Are you even serious about saying that?"
She asked James to make sure he wasn't just poking fun at her, leaving her heart hoping it was true.
"I'm serious. However, you must be concerned with our age gap. I know you wanted to build your career, and I don't want to be a hindrance to reaching your dream. Also, I will be busy guarding Hailee, so I could not date you often. We probably seldom meet."
"Why are you already thinking of all these issues?" asked Hazel. Now she was frustrated. 'Do men think apprehensively before they enter a relationship, or was it just James? He is suddenly too straightforward now!'
Hazel pulled herself back to her senses when James replied to her. She looked at him and keenly listened to every word that came out of his mouth. At that moment, she even knew the other side of James.
"That's why I am asking, what do you want? What if we are in a relationship and you demand my time, and I can't meet it?"
Hazel fell silent and contemplated. Afterward, she retorted, "What if I was the busy one and I can't give time to you?"
At that time, it was James who pondered. He replied,
"I am a mature man. I would not demand as much when I knew I could not completely do my role as your boyfriend either way. It will be a long-distance relationship. So can you bear it?"
"How about you?" Hazel asked in return.
"That's why I'm asking you if you want to try it out."
Hazel bit her lower lip. James is giving her every imaginable situation in their relationship, and she didn't find it bad. Of course, deep inside, she wants to try if it will work out.
"I would not demand a frequent date. I moved to France, and I will travel often with Miss Vera to endorse the new products. Also, I will be busy then and possibly only see you occasionally."
"What if you meet someone the same age as you?" asked James further.
Hazel took a step backward when James strode closer to her.
"I have many friends the same age as me." What Hazel wanted to tell James was that she didn't find them as attractive as him in her eyes.
James' mature look attracts her so much. She realized she doesn't like baby-faced men, but someone like James' facial profile.
People usually pay attention to James' comical character. But Hazel never fails to see that solemn look in James' eyes. That sharp glare when he was vigilant to his surroundings. She noticed many times already when Hailee was around, especially when they were in crowded places.
"So?"
*
Hazel snapped herself back to the present. She squinted her eyes, looking surprised because James was now standing in front of her.
Last night, James told her to think about it first, and he would not hurry her to decide. But why is he asking her now?
James confessed he wanted her to be his girlfriend, but he also laid down on the table that there would be many issues between them.
First, James was worried about their age gap.
Second, James dedicated himself to protecting Hailee; it means it was his priority at the moment. It was a job he would die for.
Third, James thinks the relationship might be a burden to reach her dreams. James wants her to fulfill whatever career she wants.
Fourth, they would spend less time with each other.
And fifth, countless issues between them, and Hazel doesn't want to think about it anymore; might it drive her crazy.
'Fine! Whatever!' She finally made a decision.
"Just one thing I wanted…" Taking a deep breath, Hazel began. "Don't flirt with other women."
She must be crazy, but there are so many girls around James, although she trusts him. But it made her insecure thinking about the distance between them. What if???
Hazel was still in her own world when she felt a knock on her head.
"You were thinking too much. The only other female I'm around lately is Hailee's dogs."
Hazel burst out laughing when James mouthed that. Of course, she knew James was different from Jake.
She was just childish and inexperienced, so she wants assurance. Besides, she doesn't want to play around. The love of a lifetime is what she always dreams of. She is not a person who would deal with an unconventional relationship one after another.
She only set her eyes to dedicate her love to one person, and she always prayed that her first boyfriend is her forever.
But at this moment, she doesn't want to think about the walls she put up to protect her heart. It doesn't anymore. She just wanted to gamble everything with James. And she would try to change as the better version of herself.
"Would you bear my childish behavior?" Hazel asked coquettishly. Instead of a reply, James pokes her forehead.
"Would I be this patient with you?" said James.
Upon hearing that, Hazel's eyes gleam with delight. She's glad that James is one of those men who would not take relationships for granted, but everything is just a game.
"Can I ask you about something?" Hazel still wanted to assure one thing.
"Hit it."
"Why are you too serious when we are alone?" She witnesses how James would jest and laugh with other women. They are Hailee's friends, but she also wanted to joke around with James and have a fun conversation.
Seeing the genuine curiosity in Hazel's bright eyes, James curled his lips into a smile. He lifted his arm and held Hazel's chin.
Looking at her eyes lovingly, he told Hazel.
"It was because you are the person I want to take seriously in my life."
Hazel's mouth was agape. She wanted to retort. But the feelings James conveyed to her through his words overwhelmed her whole being. She understood what James wanted to tell her.
She is special among all the women he meets.
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