Chapter 98 - Morning Struggles

"I don't think I can sleep," Lewis murmured to himself while staring at the ceiling before turning his head to his side where Devon was sleeping. 

His eyes immediately softened as a sigh of relief slipped past his lips. "How can you sleep after all that?"

Lewis rolled to his side, raising his hand to caress her cheek. Until now, his heart was beating so fast, making him catch up to his breath. 

"This is not a dream, right?" he muttered, staring at her peaceful, sleeping face gently. "I don't think I can sleep, you." 

In the past, Lewis hated how everyone could sleep while he had to struggle with it. But now, he just didn't want to sleep at all. The thought of what if, once he woke up, everything was just a dream? That none of this had happened? Lewis would lose his mind if that was the case. 

"What should I do?" he whispered, brushing a few strands of hair to her side. "More than the overwhelming happiness, I"m…" 

Lewis trailed off as his jaw tightened. More than the overwhelming happiness, it frightened him to the core. He had never loved nor did he let anyone in his heart. So having Devon in his heart alone where she could venture freely, he was afraid of many things.

'Take a leap of faith,' were the words she uttered earlier. 

'That's right.' He said, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths. 'She must be just as scared as I am.' 

When his eyes slowly opened and landed on her, a subtle smile appeared on his lips. Her worries of having her heart broken… Lewis wouldn't let that happen. 

"I might not know the future," He said, hooking his finger on a few strands of her hair, tracing it down to its tip, and then guided it to his lips. "But I promise you I will protect you, your heart, and us."

Those words, that promise, etched in his mind, heart, and soul. It was something he would never forget, would unconsciously and consciously honor that oath. 

"Good night, love," Lewis whispered, leaning closer and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "I'll love you more and better tomorrow." 

Lewis slid his arms under her neck, squeezing himself closer to her. "This feels better," he said before closing his eyes, feeling her warmth that soon made him fall asleep. 

***

Devon slowly opened her eyes from a good sleep. She instinctively turned her head to his side of the bed, but frowned when she saw it empty. 

'I should send him off,' she thought as she dragged herself up, rubbing her weary eyes before flinging her legs out of the bed.

Devon would normally wake up almost the same time as him, to watch him walk back and forth the house while he prepared himself for work. So this was the first that she slept a bit late.

"It will be a sad day if he left already," she murmured as she dragged her feet towards the door, not caring about her bed hair while rubbing her eyes. 

When Devon opened the door and went out, her eyes squinted into slits from the bright light. From there, she heard Lewis's voice talking to someone, so she walked towards the bar counter.

"Can't you just change the meeting location to my place?" Lewis inquired, still sounding like he was in a good mood.

"Young master, why don't you just tell me to send my resignation?" Derek, from the other end of the line, inquired in a solemn tone. 

Lewis clicked his tongue, gazing at the phone lying on the counter. "I need to make sure about something, though."

"Young Master, I will make sure you will arrive on time. I'm already outside." 

"Derek, you're getting more annoying than ever." Lewis scratched his temple in annoyance, as Derek wouldn't let him off easily. "Is this something about Grandpa?" 

"The Chairman said he will visit the company one of these days… and that must be today." Derek cleared his throat as he informed Lewis about it. 

"No wonder you wouldn't let me off." Lewis frowned and fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Alright. I'll be out in a minute." 

And the call ended with Lewis having a heavy heart to leave while Devon was asleep. He picked up the phone, sliding it inside his suit pocket before he turned around. 

Lewis flinched when he saw Devon was just standing silently, not far away from him. "You're awake?" 

"I thought you already left." Devon nodded, holding her hand behind her. 

"Well, I didn't want to, but Derek will drag me to work whether or not I like it." Lewis let out a deep sigh as he sometimes wondered which one was the boss between him and Derek.

Devon chuckled weakly, tilting her upper body to the side. "Then, shall I send you off?" 

He raised his gaze at her, studying her expression that had no trace of awkwardness, as if nothing happened between them last night. It was better this way, he thought, as he might really just cement himself in the house just so he could skip his work. 

Lewis grabbed everything he needed for work, and when he was by the door, he looked back at her. This had become their daily routine, but today, he felt more reluctant to go.

"About last night…" he trailed off when Devon suddenly clapped her hand. 

"Right!" she said, skipping her steps towards him. "Shall I send you off with a kiss?"

"No." Lewis instantly denied without a moment of hesitation, making her frown and disheartened.

The corner of his lips slowly curled into a playful smirk before he bent over, raising her chin up for a sweet kiss. "I'm kidding."

"That's not funny." Devon pouted while he drew his head away.

A sigh slipped past his lips as he stared at her. "How can I go to work like this?" 

His defeated expression made her giggle, as she was just as reluctant as him. However, she didn't want to be a hindrance or the cause of any problem if Lewis neglected his duties.

"Do you best today, and don't forget to be kind, alright?" Devon reminded with her finger up. "Call me whenever you have time and don't skip your meals!"

"En." Lewis nodded obediently, finding her nagging endearing. 

"Also, don't kill anyone, alright? Listen to Assistant Wang and don't cause trouble."

"Yes, I will." Lewis smiled and continued on nodding to her every reminder.

After a good five minutes, Lewis' smile died when he heard Derek's voice. "Sir, we have to go."

"Damn…" 

"Alright. Go now, don't give Assistant Wang a hard time." Devon chuckled as Lewis glared daggers at the person standing outside their flat. 

A devious smile resurfaced on Derek's lips for a brief second upon hearing Devon's words as if they were another power-up he could abuse.

"Let's go, young master." 

And so, the two of them left with Lewis, not knowing whether he was in a good mood or a terrible one.. He was losing his mind.