「Half an hour later, at the hotel.」
Having mentally prepared herself, Rebecca Quentin gently knocked on the door.
"You're here."
The person who opened the door was Howard Geoffrey, his handsome face graced with a faint smile.
She had reminded herself on the way not to make a fool of herself in front of him again. Yet, when she truly faced him, she still found herself flustered and nervous.
Naturally putting his arm around Rebecca's waist, Howard apologized, "Sorry, I've been busy with work these past two days and haven't had time to be with you... But I promise, after we get married, I'll make more time to be with you."
Feeling his hand around her waist, Rebecca Quentin shyly lowered her head and said hastily, "Uh, it's okay. I know you're busy with work."
Howard then led Rebecca to the bedside. Unexpectedly, in the next second, he lifted her and sat her down on his lap.
HUFF!
She had never imagined they would be so intimate the moment they met! Rebecca's breath hitched nervously. Instinctively, she tried to stand, but found Howard's hands holding her firmly in his embrace.
"Uh..." She unconsciously struggled in his arms.
He held her tighter, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his handsome face as he softly murmured, "...Still avoiding me? You've been avoiding me for two days already..."
The word "avoiding" was simple, but in this context, it carried Howard's insinuation about certain matters. Rebecca naturally understood this. Her face flushed a deep red and felt burning hot, and she dared not look up.
Howard, seemingly unwilling to let Rebecca continue evading, gently lifted her chin. He looked into her clear eyes, which dared not meet his, and at her flushed cheeks, then softly said, "It's getting late, we should..."
No one expected Rebecca to interrupt Howard before he could finish, blurting out anxiously, "No... I haven't taken a bath yet! You go to sleep first!"
With that, she wrenched herself free from Howard's grasp and fled into the bathroom as if escaping.
Howard seemed taken aback, his brow furrowing slightly.
As soon as Rebecca entered the bathroom, she locked the door and turned on the faucet full blast, creating the illusion that she was showering.
Only when the gushing sound of water filled her ears did she slowly release a breath.
Her relief, however, lasted only a few seconds before Rebecca began to reproach herself.
What on earth was wrong with her? She'd been so thoroughly prepared mentally before coming. Why couldn't she control herself at the crucial moment? The awkwardness last time had already made him think she was "avoiding" him. If the same thing happened again tonight, she was terrified he would be angry... In truth, just as Isabella Joanna had said, given his status, what was there for her to hesitate about? Besides, they were about to become husband and wife...
After much deliberation and steeling her resolve with various internal justifications, Rebecca Quentin finally made a bold decision...
She first unlocked the bathroom door, removed all her clothes, and let herself sink into the bathtub. Then, closing her eyes, she took a few deep breaths and, in a seductive tone she had never dared to use before, said, "Howard, can you come in for a moment?"