Bailey's body tensed slightly as the smile on her face slowly disappeared. “Did you misspoke, Edmund? Or are my ears playing tricks on me?”
Edmund stepped forward and grabbed her arms, staring straight into her eyes. “I didn't, and your ears aren't playing tricks on you. I love you, Bay. I want to marry you. If you think organizing a wedding is too sudden, we can get engaged first.”
Subconsciously, she avoided his passionate gaze. Her stiff lips twitched before she uttered in a shy voice, “I-I'm not ready yet, Edmund. I think... I think you should give me more time.”
That made him quite panicked.
He didn't really want to force her, but if Simon returned and she learned the truth, then a relationship between him and her might be impossible.
“Bay...” Gently holding her face, he slowly moved his lips closer to her scarlet ones.
Right before their lips came into contact with each other, Bailey suddenly put her hand on his shoulder and pushed him away slightly. “I-I'm still not completely used to this kind of intimacy, Edmund. Can you give me more time? How about a month? No, half a month. If you wait half a month, I'll definitely agree to your proposal.”
Edmund brushed his finger past her tender lips gently.
Day and night, he thought about kissing her lovingly. Her existence had been rooted deep into his soul.
However, he knew he mustn't force her because it would only achieve the opposite effect of what he wanted. If he appeared to be too unreasonable, she would be scared away.
“Very well. I'll wait for you for another half a month. I truly do love you, Bay. There's no one else in this world besides you who I want to marry.”
Bailey's mind blanked, leaving only a ringing in her ears. Edmund wasn't like this in the past. He always knew how to conduct himself appropriately and has never stepped over the line. I feel like he's changed ever since he returned to Hallsbay. I can see he's anxious, too. Did something happen?
“I'm not familiar with a lot of men, Edmund. You're one of them, while Xavier is another. There's also my superior. While I have never met him, I often talk to him on the phone. From my perspective, your relationship with me is the strongest one. If I do marry someone in the future, you'll probably be my first pick,” she said.
Joy filled Edmund's heart as excitement colored his face. His grip on her arms was getting slightly tighter, though unintentionally so. “Really? Is what you said true, Bay?”
She gently patted his back with a smile. “Of course, so there's no need for you to be so anxious. Marriage needs to come naturally. When the time comes, even if you don't mention it, I'll still take the initiative to bring it up.”
“Okay, good.” His excitement was unconcealable as he pulled her into his embrace.
She was still pretty tense and didn't at all relax, even for a moment.
That was because she didn't like men getting close to her, even if it was just Edmund.
“Caridee is still young, Bay, and she was spoiled by the Luther family. Most of the things she says are nonsense, so don't take her words to heart, okay? I saw that design. It utterly amazed me. Women love beautiful things, so I'm sure Caridee will love that dress.”
A faint smile formed on her face, though she didn't speak.
In reality, she didn't really care. Ever since she experienced the pain of losing her son, there was no longer anything in the world that could get a rise out of her.
Two days later, on the top floor of Luther Group, the door to the CEO's office was pushed open.
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