After marrying my boss (Anna)
Chapter 102

Chapter 102

At that moment, my heart pounded wildly. I was naturally aware of Yuval's intentions, and I should behappy upon hearing his declaration of sorts. Yet, for some reason, I didn't feel happy at all.

“I know. And thank you for choosing to believe in me.”

He was a smart man, so I was certain that he would definitely be able to surmise that my relationshipwith Michael wasn't as simple as that of a superior and subordinate when I had said as much.

Nonetheless, he was very considerate of me and said nary a word despite having surmised it. If it wereany other man, it would likely have been a source of contention.

Subsequently, I turned to gaze out the window at the scenery outside. My heart and mind werepresently flooded with images and thoughts of Michael. When we had an illicit relationship, I wasdetermined to avoid him. But now that we were truly nothing to each other anymore, I felt empty, asthough I had lost something important.

After having dinner with Yuval, he proposed going shopping. However, I was in low spirits just afterending things with Michael today, so I declined.

Since things had ended between me and Michael, I didn't go back to Birchwood. After all, I naturallycouldn't continue staying in his house now that we no longer had anything to do with each other.Instead, I went to Natalie's house.

Yuval brought the car to a stop in front of Natalie's community gate, and I opened the car door to alightfrom the car.

“Wait a moment, Anna...”

I had opened the door, but before I climbed out of the car, Yuval's voice drifted over.

Straightening, I looked at him in puzzlement and queried softly, “Is something the matter?”

Yuval stared into my eyes without saying anything. His body, however, was slowly leaning toward me.Panicked, I instinctively wanted to dodge, but I kept reminding myself that I was aiming for marriagewith him, so I definitely couldn't evade it.

Clutching the hem of my clothes with both hands, I remained still. By then, he was already very close tome, our lips a mere inch away from each other.

I nervously closed my eyes, not daring to look at his face anymore for fear that I inevitably woulddodge. But after waiting for a long time, his kiss didn't fall on my lips. Instead, he pecked me on theforehead.

Sensing the warmth on my forehead, my heart jolted. All at once, relief suffused me.

When his lips had finally left, I opened my eyes. My gaze turned evasive as awkwardness engulfed meabout our current level of intimacy.

“Go on home. Next time, I hope you won't be resistant toward me.”

With a faint smile on his elegant countenance, Yuval grasped my hands that were clutching the hem ofmy clothes. His voice remained as gentle as ever.

No doubt, he was a very perceptive person to notice that subtle tell of mine. Indeed, it was proof that hewas incredibly shrewd and considerate.

He knew that I was averse to it, so he kissed me on the forehead instead of the lips.

Gratitude overwhelmed me at once. Ah, he's truly a gentleman who never coerces me into something Iabhor, unlike Michael.

When the thought of Michael flashed across my mind once again, panic gripped me. Ugh! He seems tohave been playing on a loop in my mind for the entire day! I've truly been bewitched!

Abruptly yanking my hands back, I stared at Yuval with a frantic look in my eyes. For a moment, I didn'tknow how to answer him. The fact that Michael kept slipping into my mind had me feeling extremelyirritable.

I inhaled deeply and tried my best to dispel him from my thoughts. I knew that I had to divert myattention if I wanted to be rid of Michael's dominion over me. As long as my focus was on another man,I naturally wouldn't think of him anymore.

As that thought occurred to me, I swiftly leaned forward and planted a kiss on Yuval's lips. Then, I beata hasty retreat.

That was the first time I ever initiated a kiss with a man. The feeling of kissing Yuval was whollydifferent from kissing Michael. While the warm sensation remained the same, my heart didn't racewhen I kissed the former. Instead, nerves and panic assaulted me.

Caught off guard, Yuval was stunned when I kissed him. Only when I had gone a fair distance away didhe finally snap back to his senses. A smile again blossomed on his face, and his eyes were filled withtenderness as he gazed at my back.

My heart galloped wildly though it wasn't from desire but panic. Even when I arrived back at Natalie'shouse, I remained flustered.

Anyway, diverting my attention seemed to be a highly effective method, for I was now overwhelmedwith panic. My mind was filled with images of me kissing Yuval, so there was no room for me to thinkabout Michael at all.

It looks like this is an indeed opportune method when I think of him again. But I wonder what Yuvalthinks of me. Would he now think that I'm a woman with loose morals?

“Why are you here, Anna? Didn't you say you won't be coming over to keep me company tonight?”

Natalie gaped at me in surprise when I opened the door.

“Nat, I might have to intrude on your hospitality for a few days. I'll move out when I replace a place.”

Walking over to Natalie, I flashed her an embarrassed smile. I didn't forget that I had previously movedout of her house.

“What's all this talk about moving out? Are you still mad at me? I know I said some hurtful thingsbecause of John back then, but I'm really remorseful now. You can stay here however long you want. Ipromise that I'll never again ask you to move out.”

Perhaps the fact that I moved out back then left an indelible mark on Natalie, for she looked at me withguilt written all over her face and apologized profusely.

“What are you saying? How could I possibly be mad at you? Back then, I was the one who impulsivelysaid that I'd move out. It had nothing to do with you, so you don't have to feel so guilty.”

That matter had nothing whatsoever to do with Natalie. I was the one who insisted on moving out, so Iharbored no grudge against her.

“Anna, thank you for being by my side now and consoling me endlessly. Without you here, I probablywould've ended my life by jumping off a building.”

While saying that in a choked voice, Natalie hugged me.

“Hey, hey, what nonsense are you spouting? You won't, and don't you dare ever think of doing that!Nothing can push you so far when you're the ever-optimistic and cheerful Natalie Xavier! It's thatscumbag's loss, so just let him wallow in regret!”

I didn't want to hear such pessimistic remarks from her, so I immediately interrupted her as soon as herwords fell.

“Exactly! I, Natalie Xavier, am smart and beautiful. Tons of men are waiting in line to marry me, so I'mnot going to languid in sorrow for a man who betrayed me!” Natalie declared, plopping down on thecouch in the living room.

Then, she reached out and snagged a big apple, taking a huge bite out of it. That was precisely herusual carefree attitude.