Natasha's eyebrows furrowed as she stared at Zachary's hand that was grabbing her wrist.
Zachary didn't notice her discomfort and asked her impulsively, “Do you really feel nothing toward me, Nat?”
She stared at him. Feelings?
He was handsome, caring, thoughtful, genuine, gentlemanly, and polite.
Everything that he had fitted with the image of what a perfect man could be.
However, she didn't see him that way at all.
“Zachary...”
“You only need to say the word. I can bring you far away from here. I promise you that I'll treat Old Mr. Watson nicely and see the children as my own. One word, and I'll arrange a happy life for you and your family.” Zachary spoke with emphasis on his every word. His crystal-clear eyes would make it hard for anyone to reject his offer.
But Natasha wasn't just anyone, and her eyebrows furrowed as she stared at him.
“I know I may come off as a little too hasty to you, but I've thought this through already. From the very first moment I saw you, I've been thinking about this thoroughly!”
Natasha tried pulling her wrist again, but Zachary had no intention of letting her go.
She said, “My wounds haven't recovered yet, Zachary.”
He looked as though he remembered something when he heard that and immediately let go. “I'm sorry, I forgot...”
Natasha flexed her wrist a little and gazed at him with hesitation. “I'm honored to hear you like me that much, but I'm sorry, Zachary. I'm not as... easy-going as you. I can't do what you do.”
Zachary's eyebrows furrowed. “I know I was too hasty, but it's all right. I can give you time to consider—”
She shook her head. “No. My answer will remain the same. I won't leave with you nor
will I leave this place.” “Why?”
“Because I only see you as a friend. I don't like you romantically. There are also still things that I want to do here.”
Zachary's gaze was fixed on her as he grew silent.
Natasha didn't sound apologetic at all as she said, “You're a good man, Zachary, but I hope we only stay as friends. I believe you'll meet an even better woman one day. I hope you do, really.”
In response, he smiled bitterly at her.
To him, her last sentence sounded like she was mocking him.
“Are you rejecting me because of Kenneth?” Zachary asked.
It was the second time he mentioned Kenneth that day.
Natasha shook her head. “No.” “Then, do you like him?”
That gave her pause because she didn't expect him to ask that question. “I don't know why you keep mentioning Kenneth. These are two different things.”
A dark gleam shimmered in Zachary's eyes. “You have no idea how much I hope what you're saying is true, Nat.”
“I don't have a reason to lie to you.”
A faint, bitter smile hung on his lips again.
After a long while, Zachary raised his head and took in a deep breath to readjust his mood. “I understand. So, are we still friends?”
“We always will be, as long as you're willing to.
“What if I never stop chasing after your love? Can we still be friends then?”
Since she wasn't saying anything in response, he spoke up again. “You can reject someone, but you don't have the right to strip away someone's love for you, do you?”
Natasha replied, “You should pay attention to the people around you. I can tell that the lady from earlier really likes you.”
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