Chapter 34 - Paying Attention

In his head, he didn't understand her, really. Whenever he showed kindness and concern, Devon would tear up.

Thus, it tore him into many pieces. When he was nonchalant and didn't pay attention, she'd be sad.

"Do you want me to be bad so you won't cry?" He asked in disbelief.

Devon didn't answer immediately. He wanted to wipe her tears, but she's already wiping her tears with both her hands.

"No." She shook her head. Her eyelashes still dampened with tears as she gazed up at him.

"I'm moved by your kindness." She breathed heavily, gulping down. "And the thought that you might change someday terrifies me."

That he would change once he figured out she's not the real Devon. She might be being selfish, knowing she was deceiving him and accepting his kindness without telling him about the truth.

Her conscience was being tugged by his actions. And her guilt continued to grow.

However, she was hungry for this type of kindness. Was it wrong to delude herself and enjoy everything she had sought in life? It was only until the real Devon found her way back in this body.

'And I'd give her it back to her.'

That was her plan. She just wanted a taste of this life, even for just a fleeting time.

Lewis' heart warmed up upon hearing her reasoning. Without thinking twice, he raised his hand, wiping the lingering tears from the back of his finger.

"I won't." He muttered under his breath. "Never."

He paid little attention to her before after their friendship became stagnant. But now that she was saying this, remorse clenched his heart.

Agnes was probably right, was what he thought. Devon might've not shown it in front of him, but there must be a reason.

'Even though her mind couldn't remember, her heart does…' He whispered internally. '… probably.'

"Do you swear in the name of Goddess Freya?" She asked, casting him an expectant look.

Lewis retrieved his hand back. "I don't know who that is, but I swear in the name of the Qin Family. Our family will receive ten generations of misfortune if I break my promise with no solid reason."

He was confident that he'd take care of her and pay her more attention. Well, Lewis had already planned to do that. Thus, he even brought his entire family's name on the line.

Devon pursed her lips in a thin line. With no solid reason, he said. But that was enough for her.

"Alright." She said, lifting her hands slightly and moved it for him.

Confused, Lewis furrowed his brows. He darted his eyes from the back of her hand to her eyes.

"What?"

"Won't you kiss the back of my hand?" Devon tilted her head to the side.

It was a tradition in her previous life. To speak promises, one shall kiss the back of the hand of the person they promised to.

"What…" Instantly, his ears flushed as his throat parched.

His reaction told her it was not also a practice in this world. Hence, she reluctantly withdrew her hand.

"Oh..." she muttered meekly. "My apologies."

"Wait." Lewis clipped his fingers at the tip of her middle finger. Devon raised her brows, blinking innocently.

"In here, kissing the back of someone's hand is to show affection." He said, guiding her hands to him. "You might not remember it, this is how you taught me how to seal promises."

Lewis carefully hooked his pinky finger around hers. He gazed up, the corner of his lips curled into a charming smile.

"Oh…" She nodded in understanding. It was a little strange for her, but it was somehow cute.

When she was about to withdraw her hand, Lewis suddenly wrapped his fingers around hers. He cradled her hand, leaning down, keeping his eyes on her.

He didn't say a word as he left a light peck on the back of her hand. Devon noticed the flames blazing in his eyes as he kept his eye contact. Those dark, dark eyes that were akin to a void, drawing her in... in his world.

'Kissing the back of someone's hand is to show affection.'

His words hovered in her mind as he let her go. With a sly smirk, Lewis feigned ignorant as he picked up the food tray and placed it over her.

As he did so, Devon felt her entire face burning, her body tingling. As if all her blood shot up to her face.

Her heart pounding against her chest, racing in an abnormal pace. In her previous life, gestures like this were normal.

However, after his explanation, she couldn't think otherwise. Hence, it made her flustered.

"You should eat… now." Lewis trailed off, seeing her slap her cheeks lightly.

"What are you doing?"

"Waking myself whilst calming my heart down." Devon answered honestly.

To her, affection had a lot of branches. She didn't want to jump to a conclusion.

Obviously, with such an honest answer, it put him in a great mood. At the very least, he had some impact on her.

A smug smirk appeared on Lewis' lips. Yet, he feigned ignorant about it. It was fun to see her flustered.

'I should tease her more later.' His smug grin grew into an evil smirk. But when she raised her head, he immediately sported a poker face.

"The food is best eaten when hot. It'll go cold if you don't eat now." He said, almost tonelessly.

"Yes!" Determined, Devon immediately picked up the cutlery and ate. It was to ease her heart, which was somehow effective.

As she ate, Lewis just stared at her in silence. He felt great satisfaction just watching her eat and enjoy the food. Although it was obvious that she had forgotten his action just now, he could just remind her from time to time.

After a while, Devon noticed Lewis wasn't eating. He was just staring at her, drilling a hole in her face.

Slowly, Devon raised her gaze and swallowed down the food.

"Aren't you going to eat, my friend?" She asked, out of curiosity.

"Later."

"Uhm…" Devon pursed her lips before asking, "Why are you staring at me?"

This time, Lewis remained silent momentarily. His eyelashes fluttered ever so slowly, tickling her curiosity even more.

"I'm paying attention." He explained. "I told you, didn't I? I'll pay more attention, so I am."

"…"