Chapter 154: Chapter 154: Mrs. Hawthorne, You’re Amazing!
Victoria Monroe clearly saw that there was no trace of desire on that handsome face, only heartache and guilt.
But it was different for Victoria; the surge of emotions on the yacht had not yet subsided.
The waist is the most sensitive part for a woman, especially in this heat-filled fitting room.
Being kissed by such an exceptional man like Rhys Hawthorne, it would be a lie to say there was no feeling at all.
He had no intention of seducing her, he just felt too much heartache for her past when he saw that scar.
Having often seen his father kiss his mother as a child, Rhys Hawthorne had learned to use kissing to comfort her sadness.
Victoria swallowed, her voice almost unrecognizable.
"Rhys, I..."
Before she could finish responding, they heard the voices of other customers from outside.
That’s when Victoria realized how intimate they were in a foreign country’s fitting room and blushed as she urged, "Rhys, hurry and zip me up."
Seeing her shy appearance, Rhys’s dark eyes deepened, his Adam’s apple moved, and his voice was low and husky.
"Okay."
He paid the bill, took the shopping bag Victoria bought, and followed her out.
Not far away, Assistant Woods quickly approached and took the items from Rhys’s hands. He glanced at Victoria’s blushing ears.
Feeling puzzled, he wondered if something had happened between the two of them in the store.
The sea breeze gradually cooled the heat on Victoria’s face.
Thinking of the kiss he had placed on her back just now, Victoria found it hard to calm down.
Her mind was not clear, it was a mess.
She had just ended a marriage, and then inexplicably shared a bed with Rhys, and verbally agreed to a sham marriage with him.
In the short span of more than half a day, she and Rhys had developed so quickly to this stage.
She didn’t know what Rhys was thinking, only feeling that she seemed too frivolous.
It felt like she was leading the children astray.
This wasn’t good!
Rhys was very emotionally intelligent. He did not mention anything about the fitting room incident, acting as if nothing had happened at all.
"Assistant Woods has booked us dinner, they say the sunset view there is extraordinary, do you want to go? If you’re tired, we could also have dinner back on the yacht."
Victoria felt that the biggest difference between him and Julian Fordham was that he didn’t make decisions on his own.
He would lay out the options in front of her, letting her choose for herself.
Both options were from her perspective, not covering his own thoughts, he truly cared for her.
Victoria quickly forgot about the earlier incident, understanding that Rhys had specially planned this to help her move past her pain through beautiful scenery and food, she gladly agreed, "Let’s watch the sunset."
"Okay."
Rhys and she walked the streets of a foreign land, the sea breeze blowing, watching seagulls circle at the edge of the coastline.
The sea breeze and seagulls here are both free.
Dinner was at a famous local specialty restaurant, Assistant Woods had booked the best viewing seat.
As night fell, there was a band playing on a platform in the distance.
The restaurant’s lighting was very dim, the candles on the table flickering.
The steak just served was sizzling with oil, mixed with the aroma of rosemary and other spices, kicking off the feast.
The waiter opened a bottle of red wine and poured it for Rhys, while Victoria glanced at the iced lime juice served to another table.
Most of the conversations here were in the local dialect, which Rhys happened to speak.
Afraid of awkwardness, Victoria spoke, "I want a glass of iced lime juice."
The man refused for the first time: "Being pregnant, you can’t drink iced beverages, maybe a room temperature one instead."
He knew the precautions for pregnancy even better than she did, Victoria nodded, marveling at his attention to detail, "Okay."
Seeing that she agreed, yet still longingly looking at the iced drinks far away, Rhys decided to order two cups.
Victoria was at a loss as she looked at the two drinks in front of her, Rhys gently reminded, "Drink a little."
She instantly became happy, "Rhys, you’re so good."
She hadn’t changed at all; as a child, a box of chocolates could make her happy for a long time, and now a drink could satisfy her.
Such a good girl, Julian Fordham didn’t cherish her, deservedly lonely forever.
Julian was too obsessed with climbing higher, chasing power and interests.
His intentions weren’t wrong, Rhys could understand, after all, Victoria had gone through a lot entering the entertainment industry, with the scars on her back and the injuries to her uterus as lessons.
Julian wanted to climb high to give her a better material life, but he overlooked that Victoria never valued material things.
What she cared about was always him.
The main reason she entered the entertainment industry was because it made money quickly once famous, supporting his dreams required money.
Victoria, this silly girl, gave everything for him.
All she wanted was a simple and pure love, but who knew it would end up like this.
Rhys could understand, hence he felt even more heartache for her, cherished her, unwilling to let her suffer anymore.
Victoria raised her glass towards Rhys, "Rhys, I’m really grateful for all the help and care you’ve given me along the way, I really want to do something for you, but you lack nothing..."
Under the dim light, Rhys Hawthorne’s slender, jointed hands held a knife and fork, the silverware flashing with a cold glimmer in the light.
His every move exuded an innate noble elegance, different from someone like her who crawled out of the mud.
Even mentioning repayment seemed too shabby.
Rhys’s gaze landed on her small face, "You’ve already given me what I want."
Victoria Monroe blinked, appearing both confused and obedient.
Rhys’s thin lips curved, "Becoming Mrs. Hawthorne is the biggest help you can give me."
Victoria was stunned; if word got out, others would think she had climbed high, but Rhys said she helped him.
One must admit that poise and composure truly add to a man’s appeal.
When the unfamiliar title of Mrs. Hawthorne came from his lips, Victoria’s heart skipped a beat.
He raised his glass to clink with hers, "Mrs. Hawthorne, please guide me in the future."
Knowing well that their marriage was just pretend, he spoke as if it were real.
Ding—
The clink of glasses sounded like sealing some sort of pact.
Rhys took a small sip of red wine, while Victoria ate quite a few sweets.
During the month with Julian Fordham, she was oppressed every day; now, having distanced herself from him, she finally emerged from her shell, cautiously exploring and welcoming a new life.
Perhaps it was the previous bitterness that made her crave sweets.
He indulged her, spoiled her.
The two listened to music, felt the sea breeze, and chatted idly.
In such a setting, if she weren’t pregnant, Victoria would also have a drink or two.
After dinner, the sky outside had darkened, and the town lit up, resembling a fairy tale world.
Someone was playing the piano on the street, and in this tranquil town, Victoria’s heart also became calm.
Amid the romantic music, some couples waltzed to the tune.
Victoria watched intently, and suddenly a hand appeared in front of her.
Rhys politely invited her, "Beautiful lady, may I have this dance?"
Victoria panicked; she wasn’t born a wealthy lady, unlike Rhys, who was proficient in everything.
She was just an ordinary girl, as ordinary as could be, who had learned a bit of waltz during a shoot, but not much.
Therefore, this scene left her somewhat helpless, but refusing Rhys seemed impolite.
She bit her lip and whispered, "Um... I’m not good at dancing, if I step on your foot..."
"It would be my honor." Rhys’s deep gaze was full of encouragement.
He was like a steady hunter, waiting unhurriedly for his prey to take the bait.
Victoria cautiously extended her hand, slowly placing it in Rhys’s palm.
As their hands joined, Rhys’s palm closed in, as if grasping a treasured possession, holding her hand.
She wore the new dress she bought today, with some silver threads that sparkled in the light.
Knowing she was pregnant, his steps were slow, his movements gentle.
He patiently guided her, their bodies close, his hand wrapped around her waist.
In the music, he leaned close to her ear, his voice magnetic and gentle, "Mrs. Hawthorne, you’re amazing."
Victoria looked up and saw the chiseled features of the man, his handsome face veiled in a hazy glow, as perfect as a deity.
With his encouragement, she grew more confident, following his steps without a mistake.
At this moment, Victoria was no longer the girl who longed to escape the poor alley.
Nor was she the three-time award-winning actress striving desperately to earn more in the entertainment industry.
Much less the Mrs. Fordham who drank herbal medicine and underwent stimulation treatments for pregnancy.
She shed all that, she was simply Victoria Monroe!
From now on, she would live only for herself.
"Bang!"
Suddenly, a loud noise erupted in the sky, and instinctively, Victoria plunged into Rhys’s arms, clutching his clothes tightly.
The sky was lit up with colorful lights.
Someone was setting off fireworks over the sea.
The perspective from the ground was different than watching from the sky; it felt more profound.
Victoria was as happy as a child, "Rhys, look..."
Turning her head, she met Rhys’s deep black eyes, like a black hole in the universe swallowing everything, as if about to engulf her the next moment.
It was only then that Victoria realized he had his arms around her waist, and she was holding his collar, like an intimate couple.
More awkwardly, some couples nearby relished the moment’s romance, embracing and kissing.
Glancing into each other’s eyes, Victoria saw Rhys’s alluring Adam’s apple move, an amorous spark passing through the air.
She only felt Rhys’s hand on her waist so hot, just like his slow approach, the breath falling on her cheek, scorching.
The man’s thin lips paused an inch away, his breath landing on her soft lips, carrying a faint wine scent and his innate cold aura, his voice husky and magnetic, "Victoria, I want..."