Chapter 30：How they met

Lewis just stared at her for a very long time. She looked so peaceful when asleep. This was their second night sleeping together.

Last night, she held his hand despite telling him she was not ready for physical contact. Tonight, she slept before him, trusting a man who hasn't shown proof about their contract or anything.

In the past, Lewis had been wondering whether he was the only one who actually sleeps between them. Why? Because he would fall asleep first. And whenever he woke up at dawn, Devon was still awake.

She would usually stare at the ceiling in silence. Lewis had asked her one time about it, but Devon's answer was just a nonchalant shrug.

'I wonder…' His thoughts trailed off as a faint sigh escaped his lips. '… if you're watching me back then, just like what I am doing right now.'

'What were your thoughts back then, if you did?'

It intrigued him. He knew Devon was an oddball — even now she was. If they gave him a chance, he would like to see what's going on inside her mind.

'Did you also thought about how long my eyelashes are? How thick my brows? What about my nose? And my lips? I wonder if you noticed them too. Because I just noticed yours.'

Lewis kept mumbling inside his head, finding it harder to fall asleep. He was confident with his looks, but now that he thought about it, his curiosity arose.

'I'm being weird, am I?' A bitter smile resurfaced on his lips.

Even Lewis didn't know what he was doing. He never had such strange thoughts, just like right now.

Now, he just kept on wondering about what's going on in her pretty creative mind. What was her thoughts about him? And the list goes on.

There were too many questions. Alas, only the old Devon had the answers.

'You know, you shouldn't ask for marriage first.' He whispered in his head as he slowly closed his eyes. 'I would've reconsidered if you proposed dating.'

After all, there was not a written rule in the contract not to fall in love. Nor there was a written rule in the contract they couldn't date others.

Feelings come out naturally and just developed. Both Devon and Lewis weren't immature enough not to consider that.

However, there wasn't a chance for their relationship to welcome the freshness of spring. They barely spend little time together and Lewis would sleep most of the time.

Therefore, their relationship was at a standstill.

But tonight, as he closed his eyes and slowly fell asleep, Lewis knew it would never be the same. The way he would see her wouldn't just be a strange woman.

She'd be someone who would drive him crazy. And that worried him.

*

[September 10, 2019]

EIGHT MONTHS FROM THE PRESENT TIME. Lewis stared at the glass of whiskey in his hand. The soothing music in the background of the bar resonated across the establishment.

"It's been a while since your last visit, Mister Qin." The bartender smiled, catching Lewis' attention.

Slowly, Lewis raised his head and set his eyes on the bartender behind the bar counter.

"How many months has it's been, Marl?" Lewis offered a weak smile, in contrast to the bright grin plastered on Marl's face.

"Five months?" Marl pondered as he looked up briefly. "Around five months, I guess."

"Ahh…" Lewis let out an airy chuckle. "How time flies."

This bar wasn't one of those high-end bars elite would come. It was just a bar near the city that anyone could come in.

Despite that, Lewis somehow liked the simplicity and ambiance of the place. Thus, he would occasionally go here for a few drinks.

"Are you alright, Mister Qin?" Marl asked, making Lewis look up. "You look a little down tonight."

Marl chuckled awkwardly. Lewis was always the silent type of man. But, because of Marl's friendly nature, he could force out a few more words from Lewis.

Still, he could feel that Lewis' aura had grown gloomier. Lewis looked tired as well — although it wasn't noticeable since he's handsome.

"Mhm." Like usual, Lewis only let out a low hum.

After some time, Marl served him another drink after Lewis chugged and emptied his glass. Confused, Lewis gazed up.

"Marl, I didn't —"

"On the house, Mister Qin." Marl smiled, nodding encouragingly. "They said free drinks alleviate one's mood. I hope this treat will help."

This was one of the reason Lewis came here. Not the free drinks, but the warmth of this place. Marl was a good man and didn't treat Lewis differently despite knowing his position and status.

"Hah." Just like what Marl hoped. Lewis chuckled as he shook his head lightly.

"Really… thank you, then."

"It's my honor."

"Marl, don't you plan to double your honor for giving me a free drink too?" Suddenly, a woman chimed in from beside Lewis.

Slowly, Lewis turned his head to his right. A woman wearing loose shirt, and a simple sweatpants; her hair was tied up in a messy bun.

"Miss Lin, you always ask for free drinks." Marl sighed as this not-so-regular client had come out from her cave.

"Have you even eaten anything yet? You look so pale."

Marl added, sounding as if scolding her. But Devon only rolled her eyes as he leaned against the bar counter.

"Marl, successful writers are all alcoholics. So, I am planning to spend all my savings." Devon tossed her account book with her card intact towards Marl.

Fortunately, he had fast reflexes and caught it.

"I will drink until I'm broke. I think inspirations will flood me if I faced poverty." She added with determination.

Marl frowned as he sighed, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, but I ca —"

"Hey." Before Marl could finish his refusal, Devon tapped the surface of the bar counter. "If you don't serve me, I'll take this guy as my hostage."

Devon pointed at Lewis. The latter was just staring at her and Marl in silence.

Lewis furrowed his brows as Devon leaned closer to him. The corner of her lips curled into a mischievous smirk.

"What are you doing?" He asked cautiously.

"Are you not sleeping? What's the secret?" Devon asked, staring at the dark circles around his eyes.

"Is this your way of flirting?" Lewis arched his brow as he drew away.

"Devon, leave my customer alone, please? I'll serve you every drink you like until you're broke." Marl sighed as he shook his head, defeated.

Devon was a regular, and not at the same time. She only came in here at least once a month or two. However, since Marl was friendly by nature and Devon was shameless, the two clicked.

"Thanks, Marl." Pleased, Devon glanced at Marl and saluted.

She then turned her attention back to Lewis. "I don't flirt, Mister. But I'm really curious about your secret of not sleeping. Sleep is only for the weak."

"So, you're saying, you're weak?" Lewis cocked his head to the side.

"I wouldn't ask for the secret if I consider myself strong." In a matter-of-fact tone, she answered with a shrug.

Lewis' lips parted, but he pressed them close once again. The side of his lips turned up slightly.

"Strong people never admit they are strong." He muttered as he picked up his glass. His eyes on her as he sipped from his glass. "I think you're strange."

"Now I think you're flirting." Devon shrugged as she grinned. Lewis chuckled as he thought he actually tried to charm her a little.

That night, no one really thought that their fated encounter would turn out into something else.