“Yesterday, didn’t you say you’d come to my house today?” he asked, his brows furrowing, his voice tight with irritation.
“I did—itisthe next day,” Emma replied, tilting her head slightly, a trace of confusion in her voice.
Harold’s frown deepened, and a faint crease appeared between his brows, as if he’d been personally offended. “Next day doesn’t mean theendof the day,” he muttered, a hint of irritation in his tone. “I’ve been waiting for yousince this morning.”
Emma gave him a questioning look, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “Why were you waiting for me all day? You didn’t have to.”
“Of course I had to,” Harold said, his eyes softening for the briefest moment before hardening again. “You’re coming to my house for the first time—I have to greet you properly. I wouldn’t be a good host otherwise.”
Emma’s smile widened slightly as she watched him. The more she looked at him, the more she noticed the subtle signs of nervousness—tight jaw, fingers flexing, posture stiffening—and it made her lips curl into an amused, quiet smile.
“My bad,” she said softly. “Packing my things took a little longer than I expected.”
Harold’s frown softened just a little. “It’s fine,” he said, then gestured toward the maids waiting nearby. “Let them take your luggage inside.”
Once her suitcase was carried off, Harold turned back to her. His posture was stiff, his hands clenched lightly at his sides, but hiseyes stayed fixed on hers, as if he were trying to hold himself together. His voice grew firm again.
“Remember what I said yesterday? I don’t love you.”
“I remember,” Emma replied calmly, folding her hands in front of her.
Harold’s jaw tightened. “We’re not officially together. So… I don’t have any obligations to you. It’s not a real relationship. It’s just for show. You insisted on dating me, so I agreed—but I’m not interested in you. And since this isn’t real, you can be with whoever you want, and I’ll do the same.”
He said the words with absolute seriousness, trying to sound cold, indifferent, even arrogant. His eyes flickered with a hint of tension beneath the carefully controlled expression.
Emma’s lips curved into a small, confident smile.
“Alright… if that’s what you want,” she said softly, her tone smooth, almost indulgent. “That’s fine with me.”
A faint pause.
“I’ll give you whatever you want.”
Without another word, she turned and walked inside the house.
Harold’s brow furrowed further. Confusion, frustration, and a touch of disbelief flashed across his face. “Why… is shehappy?” he muttered under his breath. “I didn’t say I’m going to be with her! I said we can be with whoever we want…”
Then a sudden realization hit him, eyes widening. ‘Wait… does that mean—even if I’m her boyfriend—she’s going to be with other men?’
His expression changed instantly. The arrogance cracked, replaced by shock and disbelief. He rushed after her.
“Hey—wait! That’s not what I meant!” he shouted.
But Emma didn’t stop.
She walked straight into the house without turning back even once.
Harold halted at the entrance, jaw clenching hard. A sharp breath escaped him as irritation flared in his chest.
“The moment you got me, you’re already ignoring me?” he muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing.
Emma stepped into the house, glancing around calmly.
The interior reflected Harold perfectly.
Sports.
Movies.
