Through Your Eyes — Chapter 25

RED'S POV

I asked Sean for one more round around the park. His revelation about Calla was suffocating me. I felt so silly for misinterpreting his kindness towards me. Perhaps, if only he had romantic intentions on me, I would supposedly move on faster from my breakup with Eric. Yet, this man was only seeking friendship or companionship, and probably, someone to talk to. But why me? Why not those elegant women around his business circle?

"Sean, I'm really wondering why you are good to me.  And why do you offer me the slot in your company?"

"Let's say it's like at first sight." Sean smiled and tilted his head to look at me. He was much taller than me, so I had to raise my head to see his face.

I melted again in those eyes, so I looked away and shifted my gaze on the path ahead of us. "Red, would you mind if I make a request?"

I stopped walking and looked up. "What kind of request?"

"Request for friendship."

"Sure, why not?"

"But I'm a selfish kind of a friend. I make friends one at a time," he said, glancing at the scenery ahead of us. Giant trees appeared in rows, and the lamp lights dimmed against its thick foliage.

"What do you mean?" I asked. His request seemed strange.

"Do you have many close friends?"

"No. Only Shirley. I have a good relationship with my colleagues, but they remain in the hospital setting. I was hesitant to make friends with anyone because I was afraid Eric might not like it."

"I want you to be my exclusive close friend if you don't mind," he said as he turned around and blocked my steps.

"I don't understand, Sean." I protested. I sensed that it was not only about plain friendship, and I wanted to make it clear from the beginning.

"Because, Red, I want our friendship to develop into something special soon."

I got taken aback at what he said. It was such an odd request. It seemed he was sure that he would still like me in the future.

"What if you won't like me anymore as your special friend  in the future?"

"It won't happen, I assure you. If only it wouldn't be shocking on  your part, I would have proposed marriage directly."

"What?!"

"Yes, Red. I'm serious. I want you to be my wife in the future."

"Sean, you're impossible," I laughed and did not leave my gaze at him. I didn't expect that this man thinks like a child. How does he view about marriage--a computer game?

"Red, am I too difficult to love?" he asked in a sulking voice, and I felt guilty. He held my chin, and his sad eyes pierced into my soul.

"Of course, not." Who would say no against this kind, romantic, and stunningly handsome guy?

"So, do you think we could work our relationship in the future?"

"I don't know, Sean, I'm afraid to promise something I am not sure I could keep."

Sean held my shoulder as we began walking again. "Red, how about helping you to forget Eric? Consider me as your new boyfriend. I wouldn't expect that you will love or like me. I will not demand affection. I will be willing to wait."

I stared at him. I could never understand why he seemed so possessive of me. I didn't know why he appeared to secure the future and see to it that I will not go to someone else.

"Sean, are you sober?" I asked, facing him and inhaling his breath. To my surprise, he held my nape and sealed my lips in a hungry kiss. He only stopped when I was gasping for air.

"Have you tasted alcohol? Red, I don't drink, nor smoke."

I got lost for words. I got dizzy of that sudden and possessive kiss. "Sean, what about Calla?"

Sean chuckled, but I saw a glint of bitterness in his eyes. "I felt so drawn to Calla because she was my first, but as she said, there is no relationship between us. Only memories of that sexual encounter that couldn't be misconstrued as love. Sex can be done without emotions involved, but since it was my first experience, that explained my initial feeling."

I nodded, but I felt sorry that I was not his first. I wouldn't have been insecure in thinking that in his heart, there was Calla, but I was a few days late.

"What does that nod means?' I heard Sean chuckled, distracting me from my mental argument.

I looked at him, unsure of what I agreed. Our last topic was Calla, so I was nodding to his explanation about their status. "About your status with Calla."

"Then how about being my girlfriend? As I said, I wouldn't demand anything except having me as your only close friend."

"Even female friends?"

"Even female friends."

"Why?"

"Because we are still about to work on our relationship. I want to be your only confidante as of the moment, your consultant, your adviser, and your companion. When the result is good, only then can you have a female friend."

"How about you?"

Sean's mouth curved into a wide grin. "Of course, there will be only you. You will accompany me in all my social functions, in my meetings, and everywhere I go."

I nodded again without saying a word. This agreement came too fast. A few hours ago, I was still grieving over my breakup with Eric, and now I am thrilled by this unusual relationship.

"So, that nod again means that officially tonight, we are a couple."

I did not protest because I realized I needed someone to help me move on from Eric. Aside from that, I felt strangely attached to him from the very beginning. I didn't know if it was because he was physically attractive or because he was good to me. What I knew was that I felt comfortable with his presence.

"Red, I have read an article saying that one of the secrets of a happy relationship is touch. Touching produces a love hormone in our body called oxytocin. It helps sustain a feeling of deep attachment to each other."

"Sean, what exactly do you want to point out?" I chuckled. I could already guess what he meant.

"I am just asking permission to hold and kiss you even if you still have no feelings for me. So that we will have a sense of attachment."

"You talk like you're not doing it yet." I rolled my eyes and looked away. The taste of his lips was still on my mouth.

"It's stealing and unofficial yet. So, I want to ask it formally."

Sean blocked my way again, placing both of his hands on my shoulders. He then bent down and brushed his lips on mine. I then felt my blood rushing to my temple as my heartbeats accelerated. To welcome him, I opened my mouth, and he claimed my lips like a bolt of lightning, even before I could take a deep breath.