Kevin wanted to hold Anne tightly in his arms so he reached out his hand. He had always dreamed of
doing that but when he thought that she would resist, he restrained himself.
He didn't want to hurt her anymore. Instead, he lay down beside him and settled on just staring at her.
Seeing her beautiful face, he felt so happy.
He smiled when Anne moved towards him and sought for warmth under the coldness of the room. He
really wanted the moment to last forever.
He was about to touch her but his hand was under her body. He didn't dare to move.
After midnight, the hotel was very quiet and the silence made everything audible.
Anne opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was Kevin's face. She blushed at the proximity of his
face to hers. Realizing how close he was, she got angry immediately.
"What are you doing here?" She clenched her jaw.
She already made it clear to him but he was still shameless and took advantage of her She ignored the
messy hair that covered her eyes and grabbed his collar.
She was unaware that it was loose, and his robe started to come undone, revealing his toned chest.
Both were surprised at the turn of events. A strange sexual tension arose between them.
"See? It was you who crossed the boundaries," he reminded her.
She felt like lightning struck her with the surge of embarrassment.
She frowned when she realized that it was, indeed, her that pushed him. However, she didn't do that
intentionally.
"Sorry, it was a mistake," she apologized unwillingly.
"If that's the case, then get up. We're leaving," he commanded.
"Okay!" she exclaimed.
Although Maldives was a beautiful place, it was uncomfortable to be here with a man who she hated
before. She found it hard to get used to a 'Kevin' that tried to be considerate.
"Good, France is our next stop." As if he figured out what ran in her mind, he quickly burst her bubble.
"Do I have to go with you? Can I just go back ahead of you?" she asked hesitantly.
Was he planning to travel the world with her?
"No, you cant. We're supposed to go there together," he insisted.
"I see,"
Anne answered awkwardly. She knew that it was impossible to beat him in an argument. At least not in
a foreign land. He had a lot of tricks to deal with her if she rejected him.
Kevin used his time efficiently and wasted none of it. On the afternoon of the next day, they arrived in
France.
It was autumn and the empress trees bloomed in all their glory. Their leaves helped to block the
dazzling sunlight.
Anne inhaled the fresh air as they walked with their suitcases. It was such an elegant place that even if
there was no one around, they could still feel its nobleness.
She regretted not changing her clothes when she felt the chilly air against her skin. It was hot in the
Maldives so she decided to wear thinner ones. If she had known better, she would have worn a thicker
garment.
She rubbed her arm subtly but halted when she felt something cover her. "Here," Kevin said as he put
a coat on her.
"So that you won't catch a cold." She looked at Kevin and found he wore a coat too.
It was a casual coat. It was an unusual sight for her because she was used to him wearing a suit and
tie. She wondered if it was because he felt very relaxed in Maldives that he changed his style.
The two walked along the street. She looked around and was fascinated by the ancient building in
every corner of the street. Paris was the most beautiful city in France so she couldn't help but be in
awe.
Kevin stopped on his track and walked inside a simple-looking restaurant.
For a restaurant, it was too quiet that it made her restless. The attendants only smiled at them as if they
didn't want to disturb the few people who were eating.
"Are you hungry?" she asked in a low voice, afraid to disturb others.
The man shook his head and went inside.
They headed towards a place where vines where planted. Anne saw a graceful lady who sat near the
autumn flowers.
She had long, chestnut hair and brown eyes. She looked beautiful and gentle.
They sat a few seats away from the elegant woman. Kevin ordered a cup of black tea and glanced at
the woman from time to time.
'Perhaps, he came here for the woman and not for leisure purposes,' she thought.
She wasn't familiar with her but she was sure that she was not a business partner. If she was, she
would have known.
Several hours later, the woman looked up at Kevin unhappily. He stood up upon the eye-contact and
approached her with a smile.
"Are you a businessman?" the woman asked.
"Yes," he answered.
"If you want to talk about business, I suggest that you leave now," The woman ignored his presence.
"I heard that you like stories Ms. Sophia. In fact, I have a good one here," he proposed.
Anne creased her forehead in confusion. Did he come all the way to France for storytelling?
"I love stories but I don't know how it would benefit you." Sophia dismissed his suggestion.
She was a famous French writer. Every book she had written were adapted into movies that were box-
office hits. Even though Anne realized that the elegant woman was a writer, she was unable to
understand what Kevin's purpose was.
AN Group wasn't into the film and television industry. Maybe he was asking Sophia to write a script for
him, but that was still too far-fetched.
Although Sophia knew how to speak their language fluently, she didn't know much about their culture. It
he really wanted someone to write a script for him, why not find a local writer?
"I know that you are not an ordinary writer Miss Sophia. I'm aware that you won't favor me if my story
turns out to be boring but if it interests you, can you listen to my offer afterward?" he bargained.
He knew all too well that winning her favor wasn't easy. After all, a lot of businessmen were turned
down by her.
"Okay, let me hear what you have first."
He looked at Anne first before he began his story.
"There was a family who bore the surname Ye. A mother with her child came to her brother's home
because of something…"
Anne realized that it was her story as soon as he finished the first sentence.
Sophia listened carefully when the beginning intrigued her.
"She had a cousin who had a terrible character. Her aunt and cousin would always hurt her and her
mother. Because of that, the little girl developed a cold and hard personality." Kevin stared at Anne
quietly and held her hand slowly.
The warmth of his hand comforted her heart. She no longer felt awkward as he told the story.
"It sounds like a good story. Go on. So, what did her cousin do in order to get the guy they were both
interested in?"
Sophia urged him to continue after he had paused his story.
"Are you interested in the story? It would take us a day or two for me to finish the story," he said in a
business-like tone.
He had predicted how to spark her interest even before he came here. It was a good thing that it turned
out in the way he wanted to.
"Your story is indeed interesting. Tell me your conditions," she offered.
"Our terms are simple. The movies adapted from your books are all bit hits all over the world. This only
means that culture has no boundaries. What really moves the people is not the language but the deep
emotions carried by it. Thus, we want you to write a short story for our newly released jewelry," he said
straightforwardly.
Anne finally figured out that he came to find her so that she could publicize their new jewelry.
Honestly, his idea was very unique. Other companies preferred to use hot stars and models but he
wanted to be different. Even if AN Group was the biggest jewelry design corporation in the country, it
would be difficult to show the beauty of the ring by using models. It wasn't a wedding dress that could
persuade customers by looking at its designs. It needed something heart-touching. Indeed, a story
would attract more attention.
"That is rather a simple request," Sophia commented.
She looked at the couple weirdly. She didn't expect him to ask for a short story in exchange for his
wonderful story. Truthfully, she thought that he would ask her to work in his company.
"It's not that simple," he debunked her. "I need you to write according to your feelings after seeing our
product. It needs to be convincing enough to lead the fashion trend," he added.
"I see. Your request is indeed a little difficult,"
she agreed. Anne had expected her to decline his terms but Sophia replied otherwise.
"Alright! Since I love your story, I'll help you. However, I won't work for you until you finish your story,"
she bantered.
"No worries. I'll send the manuscript to your home tomorrow. Can you tell me your address?" Kevin
asked courteously.
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