Dave frowned, looking at the bag in his hand and then at Michael’s surprised face. “Why are you making such a big deal out of this?”
“Who are they for?” Michael, now curious, came closer to Dave, narrowing his amber eyes.
“Do you have someone special at home? Maybe Bianca?”
“Watch your words. Don’t pry into things that aren’t your concern,” Dave said sharply to Michael, preparing to leave.
He couldn’t afford to delay any further. Bianca was waiting for him at home.
“So, have you figured out what happened that night?” Michael caught up with Dave. “Is there something between Bianca and Blake?”
A shadow passed over Dave’s face. He didn’t want to delve into the details of that night. Trusting Bianca’s explanation that she and Blake were just friends, Dave chose to believe her.
Watching Dave’s expression, Michael pressed on, “Dave, you haven’t talked to her about it, have you?”
Dave ignored Michael and kept walking ahead.
Michael was bewildered. Dave’s behavior was unusually out of character. Having grown up with him, Michael knew Dave as someone who always dug deep into anything that interested him.
He couldn’t imagine a man who would be okay with his woman being alone with another man at night.
Especially someone like Dave.
Michael was puzzled by Bianca’s ability to persuade Dave, typically confident and proud, to go out late at night and buy her sanitary pads without seeming worried about her interactions with another man.
Gradually, Michael started to think Bianca might be more complex than he initially assumed.
Shaking his head, Michael watched Dave walk away and commented, “By the way, you haven’t mentioned the amount I should pay you for teaching me.”
Dave, still walking, raised two fingers.
“That much? We’ve been friends for years. Can you lower it to one finger?”
Dave waved his hand dismissively and continued down another street, disappearing from view.
Inside the apartment, Dave made his way to the bathroom door where Bianca was showering, steam filling the room.
He gently knocked on the door.
The sound of running water ceased, and Bianca’s silhouette appeared through the frosted glass. Her voice, slightly muted by the door, reached Dave, “Mr. Evans, you’re back?”
“Yes, I got them.”
The bathroom door cracked open, steam billowing out. Bianca’s arm, with water droplets glistening on it, reached out from behind the door. She shyly said, “Hand it over. Thank you…”
Dave took a packet from the bag and handed it to Bianca.
She accepted it, and as she withdrew her hand, Dave’s large, cool palm gently clasped hers.
Dave held her wrist firmly.
“Mr. Evans?” Bianca’s gentle voice echoed but received no reply.
“What’s going on? Is there something you need to tell me?” Confusion tinged her words.
Dave stood outside the door, his gaze lowered.
He had discovered why Bianca had spent that one night with him, ensuring she was never monitored.
Consequently, he remained oblivious to what had happened between her and Blake.
Avoiding thoughts of that night, Michael’s words haunted Dave’s mind.
Since his parents’ death, he had grown increasingly paranoid, cautious, and distant, fearing the consequences of any misstep.
After their intense night together, he relentlessly searched for her, hiding his identity as he approached. He deployed people to watch her every move and report back secretly. He was determined to uncover her true intentions.
He was used to using any means necessary to understand those he was interested in, a habit he knew was abnormal but couldn’t control.
Bianca insisted that she and Blake were just friends. Dave knew he should trust her, yet an uneasy feeling gnawed at him like a thorn in his heart, a sensation he hadn’t felt in a long time.
“You’re holding me too tight. I’m not feeling well… What’s wrong with you? What happened?” Bianca’s gentle voice brought Dave back to reality.
Realizing his mistake, he quickly let go of her hand and muttered, “It’s nothing.” He spoke quietly before walking away into the living room.
Bianca pulled her slightly reddened wrist away, feeling anxious, but she pushed the feeling aside and continued with her shower.
Outside on the balcony, Dave leaned against the railing, phone in hand, and dialed a number. In a quiet voice, he ordered, “Keep an eye on Bianca. Tell me everything you find out.”
After her shower, Bianca came out wrapped in a bath towel, drying her wet hair. She stepped into the living room and found Dave behind her, his arms around her waist.
He rested his head on her neck, ignoring the water droplets on her skin.
“Mr. Evans, let me go. I… I haven’t changed yet,” Bianca protested, her cheeks turning red. Dave’s warm breath teased her cool skin.
Instead of releasing her, he gently stroked her neck tenderly. “Can I hold you while we sleep tonight?”
A tingling sensation made Bianca shiver, causing her to tilt her head slightly, her face turning even redder.
They had recently confirmed their relationship. Was it too soon for them to share a bed?
“Don’t worry. I won’t do anything. I just miss you so much after all this time,” Dave whispered softly in her ear.
Bianca softened and nodded, saying, “Okay. I’ll come to your room after I change.”
“Alright. I’ll be waiting,” Dave replied, kissing her shoulder gently before letting her go.
Blushing deeply, Bianca hurried into her bedroom and closed the door, her heart still racing.
In the past, Bianca’s feelings for Haris had kept her calm, believing he was a good man worth being with.
But now, with Dave, she felt like a girl experiencing her first crush. Just seeing his handsome face made her heart race like never before.
His casual words disoriented her, making her feel dizzy.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Bianca adjusted her mood and picked out a pajama with a cartoon pattern from the wardrobe.
Was it too childish?
After a moment of uncertainty, Bianca chose a lace nightdress.
But… Was it too revealing?
She sighed. Why was she agonizing over her choice of sleepwear?
Searching through her wardrobe, Bianca found a comfortable outfit with light-colored patterns. Once changed, she walked to Dave’s bedroom door and knocked twice.
Dave opened the door, dressed in a dark blue silk pajama, giving off a dignified and refined aura.
His eyes fell on Bianca’s damp hair. “Why is your hair still wet?”
Bianca awkwardly touched her wet hair, realizing it just then. “I forgot to dry it…”
“Did you forget because you were in a rush to come to my room?”
Dave teased, leaning against the door with a gentle smile, the warm light casting a soft glow around him. “Sleeping with wet hair might make you catch a cold.”