Chapter 60 - Quentin

Why did Lewis and the old Devon didn't work out despite clicking in their first meeting? It was because they had taken everything for granted. They stood on the starting line, but both never took a step forward nor a step back.

But with the new Devon, he sprinted with his eyes ahead, focused on reaching the finish line. Her words were like a tap on the shoulder, making him look back and see that she was just behind him, jogging and smiling. 

And that was the answer. It was not a race. It was not a matter of who reached the finish line first. It was a matter of how they would both enjoy the journey together until… the end of time. 

*****

Lewis and Devon exchanged questions until the effects of the wine hit them and decided to sleep. As usual, Devon fell asleep first while he was staring at her in silence.

He raised his hand, cupping her flushed cheek and caressing it with his thumb.

"I can never win against you, can I?" he mumbled helplessly, chuckling as her words kept repeating in his mind. "I'll wait for you then… no rush, my lady."

That's right, no rush. Why was he so in a rush? Or was he? No, he was not. He just didn't know what he'd do with the foreign and strong attraction that kept growing in his heart.

These feelings crept up in his mind, clouding his judgment that made him think of foolish things. Her words, filled with pure intention, were akin to the sunlight peeking through the thick clouds.

Devon didn't know, but she had straightened his thoughts and cleared his mind. Because of her words and deep understanding, Lewis had finally got a grip on himself.

"Fun and childish at times, but mature when it comes to life," he muttered, smiling subtly as she amused him even more. "Now that I know you don't close your mind to that possibility, let's take it slow."

'Slow, huh?' he whispered internally as he closed his eyes, warming his hand with the warmth of her hands. He never thought he'd ever agreed to take things slow. 

A man who valued every second of his life would never say to take things slow. But there was no sense of guilt or regret in it. For her, he could wait patiently while giving her reason to like him.

"Quentin…" 

Lewis furrowed his brows when he heard her whisper and how her hand gripped him tightly. He slowly opened his eyes, a bit taken aback as soon as he set his eyes on her anxious expression.

"Don't…" she murmured, breaking out in cold sweats as she gritted her teeth tightly. "… stop… no more… please…"

"Miss Lin?" Lewis tugged her shoulder, attempting to wake her up from her nightmares. "Wake up, Miss Lin." But to no avail.

"Hey —" Lewis suddenly froze when she muttered, "it hurts…" and his eyes darkened, as he felt something ominous of whatever she was dreaming.

"Wake up," he ordered firmly, shaking her shoulders until she snapped her eyes opened, and sat upright, gasping for air. 

Devon panted. Her throat felt parched and saw a pair of menacing eyes staring at her. A sense of dread and trauma instantly crept up on her spine as she immediately turned pale. 

Devon couldn't see much as the lights in the room were off, but her entire body uncontrollably shuddered when she saw his hand reach out to her. He stopped midway, frozen on the spot, as he didn't expect her to look so terrified, as if she was staring at a monster.

"Don't hurt me…" she muttered under her breath as she hung her head low, clutching her chest. "If my body is what you want, I…"

"Lin Devon."

Devon's eyes snapped as her breath hitched. She blinked as her mind processed her current reality. When she realized it, she immediately raised her head, only to see the murderous glint flickering across his eyes. 

"Who is Quentin, and what do you mean if he wants your body?" His voice was deep and intimidating as if the devil himself was talking to her.

She gulped as she realized she spoke in her sleep. She had too much wine and forgot that she was free from her shackles in her past life. 

"It's…" She gazed down, averting her gaze away from him. "No one."

How could she explain it to him? That Quentin was the man who made her life a living hell? And that person was not in this world? 

"No one, huh?" Lewis uttered under his breath, closing his eyes as he stretched his neck in a circular motion. That name and what she said brought this deep and strong emotion that just angered him to the point he thought he was capable of murder.

Should he press about the matter? But she seemed terrified and reluctant to give him an answer.

'Calm down,' he said internally, 'murder is a crime… but, Quentin, huh?'

Lewis stabilized his breathing before he collapsed on his back. Just when he was about to sleep, and they had a good time together.

'Quentin,' he repeated in his mind, and repeated it over and over, etching that name in his mind while unconsciously staring at the ceiling.

Meanwhile, Devon stared at him and pursed her lips. She had never seen Lewis looked so dangerous, as if capable of doing a mortal sin.

'I shouldn't drink too much,' she told herself, clutching the sheet tightly. 'I'll just worry him if I keep this up.'

Why didn't she just lost her memories in her past life as well? Devon wondered, thinking it would be better to live this life without her memories as the princess. 

Devon jolted when Lewis suddenly spoke. "Quentin," he paused and slowly shifted her eyes to her. "He won't touch you ever, and never again."

Although she knew he meant something else, the anger in his voice justified the fury she had hid in the past. For someone to feel the same fury in her stead and was able to reassure her warmed up her heart.

She gritted her teeth, holding back her tears. Devon just stared at him, hesitant, but still asked, "Can you embrace me?" 

Lewis quirked a brow and said nothing as he crooked a finger. His wordless response still made her smile as she slowly laid on his side, resting her head and fist on his chest.

"Your warmth calms me," she whispered as she listened to his racing heart, pounding loudly and quickly against his chest. To be fair, Devon didn't think Lewis was the only one who was being treated in this contract, but her as well. 

She didn't like being touched, but for reasons unknown, she didn't mind his touches. "Thank you and I'm sorry for worrying you."

Lewis didn't answer and only remained quiet, but that night, he didn't sleep a wink.. If she didn't sleep in his embrace, all hell will break loose.