"Because I intended to still try to pursue you, even if that turned out to be the truth. I wanted YOU, but I still didn't want my conscience to hurt."
Pausing here, seemingly pondering if he should say his next statement, Christian took a moment before finally continuing… admitting, "Because I'm a coward who tried not to face things head-on."
"So, Eva Carter, I had always just wanted you."
"You should already know that, but it seemed you momentarily forgot."
"So, I will remind you."
"Entirely mine… always at my side, in the morning when you wake up, with my face the first thing you see, and when you sleep, my face the last thing you see."
Christian, who didn't know where all this courage had come from, found himself silently praising his own boldness as he continued.
"Now that things are becoming transparent, I will say it."
"I don't like that we live separately, and I want to be a lot closer, in every possible way."
Taking a moment to calm his racing heart and steady the nervousness creeping in, he said.
"I intended to take things slowly, but with your situation, and now that things have taken a turn , there's no need for that anymore."
"I've already got my hands deep in the matter related to you. I've gone too far to go back."
"I don't mind breaking the cage you told me about, nor protecting you."
"Just stay by my side… just think of me."
"Give me your heart, your mind, your body… I want your everything."
Christian wasn't sure if what he was saying was coming across as too heavy, especially with Eva still wearing that blank, vacant expression. Still, he continued, pouring out things he had always tried not to mention, hoping to score some points with her.
He even felt like he was exaggerating some of what he said, but in his mind, it was for the best. It would at least make her downgrade her expectations of reality later, after they got through this current problematic situation.
"You said I'm childish."
"I also like to always take things easy."
"With you probably doing everything and me just enjoying the fruits of your hard work, if you were to be at my side."
"I just want to be pampered and spoiled by you."
"In the first place, do you really think I was attracted to you at first just because of your beautiful appearance? If that was the case, Olivia was already beautiful, but I never had any intentions toward her."
"There was something unique in you that attracted me."
"Maybe it was that motherly warmth you exuded when you were with Olivia, and I just want that now… in a much more lewd way, of course."
After saying the last sentence and grinning at her, Christian also added, "Well, I can't be sure anymore."
While feeling embarrassed by his last sentence, Eva was still at a loss for words. She had always thought that in relationships, people would argue about who loved the other more. But the man-child in front of her did things differently, where she was needed to be always the one who loved, the one who gave more.
But while she felt troubled, that was the extent of it, she actually didn't mind. His hunger for love was something she had noticed long before.
It was just that she hadn't expected him to say things so blatantly… so attractively and impressively.
'Wait… did I really think what he said was cool?'
'Is there something wrong with my head? How did I suddenly feel he seemed cool when he said all these absurd things?'
While having an internal battle in her mind and discovering her strange taste in men, Eva still didn't plan to reveal that… she also didn't plan to easily agree.
"So, you want me to be your slave?"
'Why did the conversation suddenly turn out ?' Christian couldn't help but wonder when he heard Eva's question.
"Like really, you said it. You want me to work while you stay sitting at home, taking things easy."
"You also want me to give my everything. If that's not slavery, then what is it?"
Looking at her, Christian suddenly extended his hand and began caressing her cheek, taking a moment to calmly reply.
"You're looking at it from the wrong angle."
"Don't they always say that the one who falls in love first will be the one to lose, as they'll be compelled to always listen to the other side?"
"I want that from you, for you to love me more than I could ever love you."
"That doesn't mean that I don't have a huge amount of feelings for you, though."
"So, that's what makes the situation different."
"In the first place, even if I say I'm taking things easy… if something were to happen that requires my assistance, do you really think I won't give you a hand?"
"I want to make our situation one where I don't have to work hard, but, before that, I won't irresponsibly take things easy."
Looking into his captivating green eyes closely and hearing what he said, Eva finally sighed and said, "I was wrong."
'What wrong?' What is she admitting her fault about now? Christian felt a slight panic before Eva continued.
"I actually shouldn't have given you these two choices previously. Instead, I should have asked you a question."
"Despite my difficult circumstances, do you still want to be with me?"
"When everything could be ruined?"
While still locking gaze with Christian, who was focused more than on the question but on her intention, as if he had already made his decision long ago, Eva, noticing this, chuckled and said.
"I shouldn't have just tried to involve you so you could save me."
"Instead, I should have asked about your resolve, and if you were prepared to face everything together with me!"
"If I had done that, and you demanded the same things you did now, it would probably have made things a lot easier for both of us."
'So, what does that mean? That you're okay with what I said?'
While he merely gave her an exclamation in response to what she said, not letting on what he was truly thinking, Eva now placing her hand over his, gently rubbed her cheek against his palm as she continued.
"Please take care of me from now on."
It was a simple sentence, spoken in a low voice. But hearing it, Christian couldn't help but pull Eva into his arms, hugging her tightly, feeling as if he could finally truly say she was his lover… his woman!