Elisa softly murmured, “Mm, go ahead, hold her.”
Louis tensed up again, not knowing how to approach the situation. In the end, Elisa gently placed Mimi into his arms. His movements were stiff, as cautious as if he were holding a newborn baby, every action showing his carefulness, afraid of accidentally hurting the little creature in his arms.
Observing his awkwardness, Elisa couldn’t help but laugh, “You won’t hurt her. Go ahead, try petting her on the back. Mimi used to love being petted and scratched on the neck.”
Louis began earnestly grooming and scratching the cat in his arms, so focused that sweat began to form on his forehead. At first, Mimi was nervous, but after sensing that Louis meant no harm, she relaxed.
Elisa reached out and touched Mimi’s small head, her fingertips brushing over the injured ear, causing a sudden pang in her heart.
Louis sensed her distress, knowing she had many questions on her mind. Such as how the cat came to be here, and what had caused the burn marks on its body. He chose not to ask, understanding that these were sensitive topics for Elisa.
“Mimi means a lot to you, doesn’t she?”
“She’s very important, extremely important.” Elisa could never forget the day of the big fire. Mimi had tried to save her, kissing and licking her face, pulling at her clothes as it struggled to drag her out of the fire, its body covered in burns and blood.
Elisa had been engulfed in the ruins, Mimi’s front claws were broken, yet it tirelessly dug through the rubble, trying to find her body.
Mimi had almost not made it several times at the veterinary hospital, but it was Elisa’s support that had pulled her through.
Back at the villa, Mimi kissed every photo of Elisa and eventually sealed herself in the bedroom where Elisa had died in the fire.
…
Louis thought to himself, “If I want to pursue Elisa, I first have to win over Mimi.”
He held the cat, using both hands to skillfully massage her, finally leaning in to rub his face against her back, thinking, “Mimi, if I exert this much effort, will you agree to let your mom be with me? I promise to buy you plenty of treats. Whatever you want to eat, you can have it. If you can’t walk, I’ll carry you so your mom won’t get tired.”
Unaware of Louis’ thoughts, Elisa moved closer and asked with a playful smile, “What are you doing?”
Louis instinctively looked up at Elisa, but the proximity caught him off guard, nearly causing him to accidentally kiss her.
His heart raced at that moment, feeling not like a fluttering deer but a herd of elephants between his ribs.
Louis cleared his throat, feeling nervous with Elisa so close, “I… I’m… I’m petting the cat.”
…
The two didn’t linger long in the park; after all, they were public figures and couldn’t risk being recognized. They didn’t want to create any trouble for Mr. Kentala as the filming of “Revenge and Love” was approaching.
On the way back, Louis was carrying Mimi.
“I’ll drop you off, it’s on my way.”
Elisa thought for a moment and agreed, as the distance wasn’t too far.
Louis opened the passenger door and waited until she got in before moving to the driver’s seat.
In front of someone he liked, Louis couldn’t help but try to be cool, recalling an article about the most attractive traits in men he had read before. Besides cooking and flipping pans, there was driving with one hand. He pulled out of the parking spot with one hand on the door and the other on the wheel, stepping on the gas.
Just as he was about to start, he heard Elisa say, “You haven’t fastened your seatbelt.”
Louis hurriedly fastened his seatbelt, feeling that the cool image he was trying to project had vanished.
“Safe driving means both hands on the wheel.”
“Okay,” Louis obediently kept both hands on the wheel and smoothly drove out of the parking spot.
Elisa held Mimi, looking at Louis, keenly sensing his nervousness.
“How long have you had your driver’s license?”
“Two years.” Louis sat up straight, feeling like he was taking a driving test with an instructor beside him.
“I’m really good at driving.”
“Then I can relax,” Elisa replied.
Louis had intended to chat with Elisa more on the way, but with her beside him, all his attention was focused on the road, afraid of making a mistake and embarrassing himself.
Unbeknownst to even himself, although he was focused on driving, he couldn’t help sneaking glances at Elisa by his side.
As they approached Elisa’s home, Louis’sheart fluttered with anticipation. Would Elisa invite him in?
Louis licked his dry lips and then heard Elisa say, “I’ll get off here.”
“Here? Shall I walk you in? There should be a parking spot inside the complex.”