Chapter 46

"Do you still want to be with me?" remained unspoken. Stella pondered his words for a while before softly murmuring, "Are you confessing your feelings to me now?" Ethan's blue eyes remained fixed on her as he softly replied, "Yeah." His deep voice hinted at a subtle nervousness. But Stella just sighed in relief, then suddenly turned and walked out of the crowded street. The hotel wasn't far from the street. Ethan followed behind her, watching her all the way back to the hotel and opening the door to their room without looking back at him once. They both entered the living room in silence. It was then that she turned around and gazed quietly at him. Her silent demeanor left him unsure of her intentions. Furrowing his brows, Ethan tentatively asked, "Have you finished taking advantage of me? You said you wanted to compensate me for what happened last time. Are you trying to back out now?" He was referring to the incident when she had kissed him while drunk. Stella paused, momentarily lost in thought, then shook her head abruptly. "No..." After a brief pause, she added, "Have you thought it through?" "Do you think I'm joking?" Ethan tightened his lips. He had said so much, but her reaction was unexpected. Just moments ago at the bar, she had been chatting happily with other men. He suddenly felt a surge of frustration rising in his throat, accompanied by a hint of bitterness. Stella lowered her eyes, pondering for a moment before softly saying, "Ethan, I'm actually quite boring." She knew very well that she wasn't a particularly lively person. So she always tried to cover up her dullness with a gentle and caring demeanor. She hoped he would think it over carefully, not wanting him to act on a sudden whim. "It seems like you've misunderstood something," Ethan said softly, chuckling as he saw her raising her guard. He patted her head gently. "It's not a sudden impulse. I've been waiting for a long time." "Waiting for what?" Stella stared at him, bewildered. Waiting for what? The biggest regret of Ethan's life was realizing he had feelings for her when she had already set her sights on someone else. If only he had understood sooner that the awkward joy he felt around her was love, perhaps there wouldn't have been so many years of waiting. But unfortunately, when he finally understood his feelings, he couldn't bring himself to confess. At that time, she was trapped in a ridiculous engagement, and he was afraid that his confession would only push her further away. So he had to act as if nothing was wrong and continue to interact with her. But just when he finally got the chance, fate played a cruel joke on him. Twenty years of smooth sailing, all came crashing down. He couldn't abandon his ailing grandfather and the old man in prison who couldn't withstand any more shocks. He had to tear up the prepared application form outside the disciplinary office and watch her leave. At that time, he had to take care of his grandfather and deal with the creditors who kept coming after him. Liv had once offered to support him in studying abroad to avoid trouble, but by then, he had already given up all his pride. There was no point in dragging her into his mess. Yet in his desolate days, he couldn't give up. Unwilling to stay in such a situation, for over a year, he had almost staked his life on finding a way out. But just as things started to turn around, he heard from others that she was dating Aaron. Sometimes even Ethan himself felt that there was no such thing as fate between him and her. He knew Stella's seriousness in handling everything. Once she decided to start something, she wouldn't end it casually. But in the end, he was a step too late. What he had been waiting for all these years? Ethan pursed his lips, his deep eyes gazing at her, his voice choked up a bit. "I wanted to wait and see if there would be a day when you'd turn back and love me." With a bitter smile, he added, "Stella." "Yeah?" "Give me your hand." Still lost in his words, Stella hesitated, her expression blank as she reached out her hand. With indulgence in his eyes, the man reached into his pocket and pulled out something, placing it around her delicate wrist. "Returning it to its owner," he said softly. Seeing the familiar necklace on her wrist, Stella's mind raced with thoughts, finally understanding something in a daze, but unable to untangle the threads. "This necklace..." Ethan raised an eyebrow, seemingly teasing, "You were so lost in thought that I had to chase a thief for two blocks." After he spoke, his Adam's apple twitched slightly, but then he let out a breath and spoke warmly, "There's no one else, from then till now, it's always been you." Perhaps he had been too stubborn. The person he had been striving to reach, he just couldn't let go of. In countless moments of exhaustion, it was as if he could hear her earnest and gentle voice saying, "Ethan, you promised me that you would try your best." There was no one else, only him. Unable to hold back, Stella choked up, her nose tingling with bitterness, her eyes slightly red, sparkling with tears. She didn't know how to describe this feeling. It was as if her heart had been magically filled with soft cotton, smoothing out all the rough emotions. Her heart felt settled, but she couldn't control the sourness in her eyes and nose. Ethan sighed, indulgence in his eyes, as his warm fingertips brushed away the tears at the corner of her eyes, and after a moment, he asked slowly, "So, what about you?" With time passing, would she, now, be willing to be with him? "Yes," Stella responded softly. Pausing for a moment, she looked up at him and said earnestly, "Ethan, I want to be your girlfriend." She liked having three meals a day with him at the villa, liked that he was always by her side, and even liked his occasional stubborn arrogance and bantering with her. Even without all of that, she still really wanted to be with him. Ethan's lips curved slightly, casually raising an eyebrow, not sparing his admiration. "Well, that proves you have good taste." The man returned to his usual nonchalant demeanor, leaving Stella both amused and speechless, but not at all disliking it. Meeting his playful gaze, she remembered their first encounter after returning to Seattle. It was at the bidding site for the North City project, where Carlson Group unexpectedly won the bid. Perhaps from the very beginning, it was his subtle way of support. Carlson Group might have been able to compete with the other firms, but if Horizon Group exerted all his efforts, how could they not secure the North City project? She had her doubts, but his words as they dispersed were clearly aimed at dispelling her last bit of suspicion. He had considered all her circumstances, yet she had been unaware. After a brief pause, she asked softly, "Why are you so good to me?" "If I'm not good to you, who should I be good to?" Ethan lightly pinched her cheek, "Stella, I've told you, don't underestimate yourself. And maybe, I love you a little more than you think." So, there was no need for her to hold back in front of him. Stella's eyes warmed slightly, she bit her lip, and whispered, "Ethan, I want... to hug you." Such straightforward intimacy made her feel a bit embarrassed. The man raised an eyebrow and drawled, "Have I ever told you that when it comes to being affectionate with me, there's no need to hesitate?" Stella gently nodded her head. Ethan's intense gaze fell on her face, and he smiled lightly, "So, do you understand now?" The next moment, she was pulled into the man's broad embrace. Ethan's sharp jawline rested against her hair, and the scent of fresh pine mingled with a hint of light mint on his body, bringing a sense of relaxation. After a while, Stella heard his deep voice, "You still need someone to teach you how to act spoiled. It really gives me a headache." This statement from the man reminded her of her roommate from her college days. In the eyes of her classmates, she always appeared tough and mature, not one to easily give in. But whenever she answered her father's phone calls, she would naturally act spoiled, surprising those around her. She remembered how her roommate would casually reply when teased by others, "Even the strongest girl has the right to act spoiled with her father anytime, anywhere." Perhaps only children who grew up in love could have the confidence to act spoiled with their parents anytime. Stella felt that perhaps deep down, she also hoped that there would be someone to love her without reservation. After a brief silence, she was about to say something when an unexpected sound broke the quietness of the living room. "Grr—" A sound came from Ethan's stomach, making the atmosphere somewhat awkward. The man reluctantly let her go, meeting her still lingering smile, and grumbled, "What are you laughing at? I'm just worried about you. I've been following you for almost half the day. And what do you do? You go to the bar to attract trouble, huh?"