Chapter 161 This Night Was Beyond Gentle
As Crystal reached the end of her sentence, tears welled up in her eyes, and she couldn’t hold them back any longer.
After all, she had once loved him deeply, and perhaps, even now, there were remnants of those feelings stirring within her heart.
Despite the person before her having numerous flaws, a volatile temper, a reserved nature, and a penchant for intimate encounters, Crystal couldn’t deny the truth of her feelings-she genuinely liked him!
Nevertheless, despite her fondness for him, Crystal remained steadfast in her commitment to exercise restraint and maintain control over her emotions. She was resolute in protecting herself from the potential pain that could arise from giving in to her feelings.
As Henry tenderly wiped away the tears from the corner of her eye, Crystal’s crying intensified. At that moment, she couldn’t contain her emotions any longer.
He pulled her into a tight embrace as he leisurely lit a cigarette.
Henry leaned back on the couch, taking slow drags of his cigarette. His suave and charismatic demeanor was irresistible, enough to make any woman want to throw themselves at him.
Crystal maintained a wordless silence, finding solace in his embrace as tears cascaded down her cheeks.
As her tears moistened his shirt, the warmth and dampness created a subtle discomfort for him. Nevertheless, Henry chose to endure it. Understanding the significance of allowing her to release her emotions freely, he remained patient and accommodating to her every whim.
Having smoked over half of his cigarette, he finally asked in a gentle tone. “Shall we give it another try? But this time, we’ll take it slow. If you’re not comfortable with it, we won’t proceed. I just want you to feel
at ease.”
Crystal remained silent.
Henry could sense her hesitation and was well aware of the reservations she had toward him.
Being a busy man, Henry had never been involved with any woman prior to Crystal. This fact shed light on his demeanor, as he never displayed a sense of urgency to surrender to desire.
However, when a woman he had developed feelings for continued to appear in front of him, it would be foolish for Henry not to seize the opportunity.
He had a rough idea of Crystal’s thought process. After all, he had witnessed her going on dates with Ritchie, attending art exhibitions, and admiring fireworks together. However, from Henry’s perspective, those activities held little meaning for him, and he couldn’t relate to them.
He genuinely believed that only weaklings would choose such venues for their dates.
Nevertheless, Henry felt relieved knowing that Crystal and Ritchie’s relationship had only lasted ten days.
If Crystal had been dating Seth during that time, things might not have looked promising for Henry to
win her over!
Being aware of her desires, he knew exactly how to fulfill them.
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“Shall we… go to a concert tomorrow?” Henry proposed.
Crystal was inclined to decline the offer as she had no interest in going out with him.
Henry, on the other hand, was well aware of her vulnerabilities. He lit another cigarette, took a long drag, and exhaled the smoke in her direction. “If you’re not in the mood for a date, how about we go to a hotel instead?”
His suggestion sparked anger within Crystal.
She stood up abruptly, wanting to leave. Sensing her immediate reaction, Henry swiftly reached out and grasped her hand. “I’ll take you home,” he said softly. “Wait for my call tomorrow. I’ll have Jamie book our tickets.
This time, Crystal remained silent, but there was a subtle shift in her demeanor, suggesting that her resolve to reject him was beginning to weaken.
Henry felt a slight frustration as his desired outcome wasn’t achieved, but he understood the importance of patience when pursuing someone.
He then sent her back to her condominium.
Since Henry had made it clear that he was willing to put in all his efforts to pursue her, he demonstrated great thoughtfulness toward her and was not afraid to show it
The next day, when Crystal woke up, she discovered her white BMW parked downstairs. Henry’s driver had arrived without disturbing her sleep and patiently waited by the car. Crystal couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt for keeping him waiting.
She took the car keys from him and thanked him.
Knowing exactly what to say in that situation, the driver informed her, “Mr. Miller specifically instructed me not to disturb you, Miss Winters.”
Crystal acknowledged his words with a subtle nod and thanked him once again before getting into the car.
As she settled in, her phone rang, and it was Anna on the other end.
Anna informed Crystal that Henry had paid a visit and had brought along a collection of lavish supplements as a gift.
The purpose of her call was to inquire about the sudden visit and express her curiosity and uncertainty about Crystal’s relationship with Henry.
Crystal gently caressed the steering wheel and spoke in a soft tone. “You can keep the gifts.”
Anna was delighted to hear that, for she genuinely liked Henry and hoped that he and Crystal would have a future together.
After ending the call, Crystal stared at her phone, a swirl of emotions coursing through her.
Henry was like a poison concealed within a deliciously tempting exterior, a seductive mix of danger and allure. Crystal was acutely aware of the potential toxicity that lay beneath his captivating facade, yet the intoxicating sweetness she experienced in his presence made it incredibly challenging for her to resist his
charms.
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In the end, Crystal mustered the courage to send a brief message to Henry on WhatsApp, expressing her gratitude with a simple: Thank you, Mr. Miller.
Over the course of the following week, Henry consistently demonstrated remarkable gentlemanly behavior.
He spent a week accompanying Crystal to explore Barnwood, indulging in refined art and dining at renowned restaurants. He also took Crystal to the Malarnorn restaurant she had previously visited with Ritchie.
They even coincidentally ran into Ritchie and his fiancée during their visit, which created an incredibly uncomfortable atmosphere.
Crystal cast a piercing gaze at Henry, her voice barely above a whisper as she questioned, “Did you plan for us to run into them?”
Henry laughed heartily, his face filled with joy. “Yes! I brought you here to witness the true nature of your ex-boyfriend. Look at them. They seem so perfect together!” he replied with a hint of satisfaction in his
voice.
Ritchie spotted them too, and despite having a well-off and beautiful fiancée by his side, he appeared absent-minded when he spotted Crystal. It took him a while to snap out of it and respond to his fiancée’s words, his eyes lingering on Crystal for just a moment longer than necessary.
Crystal was at a loss for words as Henry’s childish behavior had started to get on her nerves.
On their way back, Crystal took a seat beside him, quietly observing his profile as he fastened his seatbelt. With a gentle tone, she asked, “What drives your concern for Ritchie? I’m curious.”
Henry turned to look at her.
After a prolonged silence, he responded in a low voice, “Because I am well aware that someone like Ritchie fits your ideal criteria for a husband. If it weren’t for his domineering mother, the two of you would likely be married by now.”
Crystal didn’t offer any counterargument, silently acknowledging the truth in his words.
The man, feeling a bit uncomfortable, didn’t want to delve deeper into the topic. As they arrived at Crystal’s home and she prepared to exit the car, Henry gently reached out to stop her.
“It’s Christmas Eve in two days. How about spending the night at my place? I’ll have Marie prepare a scrumptious meal for us.”
Crystal hesitated for a moment before replying, “I have a dinner event at the music center that I’ll be attending that day.”
In a gentlemanly manner, Henry reminded her, “Try not to drink too much. I’ll come pick you up once the event is over.”
The man rarely stooped to such humble gestures. As such, Crystal found it difficult to reject him and let out a soft hum of agreement in response.
Pressing her against the car seat, Henry leaned in closer, his breath warm against her skin as he gently pressed his lips against hers. Their kiss grew more intense, filled with longing and desire. After a while, he pulled back slightly, his voice husky with emotion. “Dress beautifully on that day. Crystal,” he whispered. “Let’s make it a memorable Christmas Eve, our first one together.”
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Crystal looked at him with surprise.
Outside the car, delicate snowflakes danced in the air, creating a picturesque winter scene. They fell gracefully from the sky, their ethereal beauty enchanting the surroundings.
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