While Charlotte was drifting into a daze, Kingsley made a sudden movement.
He stepped back, pushed down the brim of his hat, and ushered her out of the bar.
But when they reached the outside, Kingsley only whispered, "Take care," and prepared to leave.
Charlotte quickly seized his arm, causing Kingsley to visibly flinch, looking back at her.
"Ah... Sorry..." she suddenly remembered that he despised physical contact.
Although Charlotte felt a bit embarrassed, Kingsley's attention had shifted from her hand to the figures quickly encircling them from the shadows.
"Oh no!" Charlotte exclaimed in shock. It was her family's bodyguard! No wonder Chris and Ian hadn't chased her—they had covertly dispatched someone to tail her.
Kingsley had evidently noticed them too. He withdrew his hand, ready to depart; he had no intention of revealing his identity to the Scott family so soon.
However, Charlotte's warm, soft fingers promptly clasped his palm. "Come with me!" she urged, leading him down a pathway.
Kingsley glanced at Charlotte's delicate and radiant profile.
Bewilderment and helplessness briefly flickered across his face. His actions outpaced his thoughts as, frozen momentarily, he found himself running alongside Charlotte at a brisk pace.
The streetlamp cast dim light, shadows sweeping past her face, yet her eyes remained as bright as stars.
Kingsley felt as though he could neither see nor hear anything else; his mind was blank, consumed only by the person holding his hand and leading him through the night.
Charlotte, his little princess, guided him through the crowds, evading the pursuers under the foreign starlight.
Kingsley had only one thought: let the street stretch endlessly, freeing him from all constraints except for her presence.
They ran for what seemed like an eternity until Charlotte pulled Kingsley behind the shade of a large tree.
"Have they caught up yet?" she panted. "OMG, I'm exhausted..."
Beads of sweat glistened on her bare forehead, yet her eyes sparkled like stars.
Kingsley's eyes softened unexpectedly, his breathing evened out. "Don't be afraid. They didn't come."
"Your endurance is impressive, running such a distance like it's nothing," Charlotte said, fanning herself with a tired hand, feeling as worn out as a wet rag.
As she calmed down a bit, she remembered, almost as an afterthought, what she had just done.
"I'm sorry..." Charlotte felt a sudden pang of embarrassment, explaining to Kingsley, "Just now, those people..."
"Don't worry," Kingsley reassured her in a lowered voice, gently brushing away the strands of hair that clung to her cheek. "I know."
Charlotte froze, blinking, uncertain how to react. Kingsley seemed so gentle now! Reflecting on it, his previous coldness seemed to be reserved for others, while he had always been very gentle with her.
Her heart raced uncontrollably, and Charlotte felt her face flush.
What was she thinking? Why would she feel that she was special to Kingsley?
Charlotte couldn't bring herself to meet Kingsley's eyes directly, panicking, trying to distract herself by fanning and pretending to cool down. "It's so hot..."
She had wanted to escape this confined space, but as she tried to move, a large, strong hand pulled her back.
"Watch out."
"Huh?"
Charlotte's feet slipped, and she stumbled forward, colliding with Kingsley's body. They fell together, but to her surprise, she felt no pain. Instead, she found herself enveloped in a firm, warm embrace.
Underneath her, Kingsley had used his body as a cushion to shield herself.
"King... Um!"
Charlotte started to speak, but Kingsley pressed his head back against hers and whispered in that familiar, low voice, "Wait, they're still out there."
Charlotte remained still, her face burning with embarrassment.
Did Kingsley even realize how close they were in this position?
Her lips brushed against the side of his neck, and she could feel the slightly cool touch of his skin. His pulse beat in sync with hers, strong and steady, resonating deep within her.
Kingsley's body tensed, yet she could feel the warmth of his breath beneath the surface, comforting and reassuring.
Outside, the air filled with the sounds of disorganized footsteps and anxious chatter; a little farther, street vendors yelled and bantered.
On one side sprawled a bustling street, where people bustled back and forth, while on the other, only verdant trees and grass swayed gently, with only the mingling breaths of the two of them.
The air between them gradually warmed.
Charlotte sensed Kingsley's attention return to her. His skin flushed, and the hand on the back of her head hesitated, refraining from applying more pressure. They remained frozen, listening to the murmurs and the breeze, feeling the heat rise.
“Charlotte…" Kingsley's voice was hoarse, husky, and restrained,"Charlotte, get up."
However, Charlotte refused to budge.
She had always followed her heart, and at that moment, she had no desire to move.
Kingsley's chest radiated warmth, a comforting embrace she craved.
She even entertained the thought of staying nestled against him for eternity.
It was then that Charlotte realized the depth of her feelings for Kingsley.
Why did she find it so hard to tear her gaze away from him? Why did his presence bring her such joy, and his absence such sorrow? And why did she yearn to kiss him the moment he appeared?
She seemed to have fallen for him long before she recognized it.
“Kingsley…" Charlotte murmured. Her lips grazed the side of his neck with each word, every movement akin to a kiss.
Kingsley dared not move, his breath even seemed to still, only the thundering heartbeat threatening to burst from his chest.
Charlotte lifted her head to meet his eyes. The night enveloped them in a haze, the streetlights obscured by the tree canopy, yet she could still feel the intensity, tension, and searing heat buried within those deep eyes. Her heart pounded so hard, she felt her blood begin to boil.
“Kingsley," Charlotte said, locking eyes with him,"I love you…"
Kingsley's pupils dilated. For a moment, the world seemed to hush. The emotions swirling within Kingsley's heart fought fiercely, and the carefully constructed barriers and restraints in his heart strained, on the verge of crumbling.
He watched as his other self, his darker, paranoid side, struggled to break free, yearning to seize control. He longed to pull her into his arms, to possess her completely. His eyes trembled, as if wrestling with his thoughts.
But instead of succumbing, Charlotte gazed at him tenderly."You don't need to carry this burden," she whispered,"It is my own affair. I won't disrupt your life, and I will…"
Before she could finish, Kingsley's eyes had closed completely. He wrapped his arm around her waist, and pressed his lips firmly against hers, leaving her eyes wide with surprise.