Jacob exhaled and inhaled several sighs before he turned to face his furious jealous uncle with the most impable smile he could ever make.


    "Uncle, you''re here."


    Ha? Uncle? Kaylee was confused at his male friend''s calling at her fiancé.


    "I will go back to my friend, then." Jacob dashed away as fast as lightning, leaving the poor bunny alone in the eagle''s nest.


    Jacob quickly enfolded Nichs''s shoulders, who was still having fun taking pictures with his fans.


    "Nick, let''s get back together with the others."


    "But, Kaylee..."


    Jacob immediately grabbed Nick''s shoulder so that the cluelessd wouldn''t look back. His uncle would kill him if he let Nick intervened in their moment. "She will be fine. Let''s go!"


    Jacob pulled Nick by force while Nick said a yful ''goodbye'' to his new fans without knowing his second sister was dealing with the most frightening predator in the world.


    "All day, you haven''t picked up my call and refused my invitation to date because you have another date."


    "No! It was a misunderstanding!" Kaylee became panicked, and without realizing it, she stepped back when Den stepped forward toward her.


    This man''s demeanor was so overbearing made Kaylee feel more afraid than usual. There was no gentleness or eyes filled with affection when looking at her.


    Kaylee didn''t even dare to look at Den and hope that the people around her would help her.


    s, no one was aware of the threat thates from Den ck. Even if anyone realized it, they didn''t care and continued their respective activities.


    "Misunderstanding? So when that boy hugged you while you didn''t refuse him, was also a misunderstanding?"


    Kaylee felt like crying and dug a hole to hide her face. She nced in the direction near the fountain where Nick was, but her heart was shrieked in horror when she could not find Nick.


    Where is Nick? Has Nick left her?


    No. Impossible. Nick couldn''t possibly forget her.


    "It''s... It''s a misunderstanding." insisted Kaylee, not knowing her response added more oil to the burning fire. "There''s nothing between Jack and me. He is…"


    "You let other guys embrace you. What kind of misunderstanding did I see just now? Or actually, I was never in your heart in the first ce? Are you forced to ept my proposal because you are too afraid to reject me?"


    Each time Den took a step forward, Kaylee stepped backward until her back hit a pir near the entrance.


    "It''s not like that."


    "Then why are you avoiding me? Look at me, Kaylee." it was an order, yet it sounded pleading in her ears.


    Usually, Den would grab her hand and pull her into his zone, but today the man didn''t. Yes, Den forced his way into Kaylee''sfort zone, but that man never forced her out of herfort zone.


    On the contrary, Den begged her to look at him in an earnest tone and desperate to make Kaylee not have the heart to refuse this man any further. Kaylee felt her heart being shed by a sword when she heard his hopeless voice.


    Den was a person filled with self-confidence so strong that no one could keep up with him. That man never even showed his weakness in front of other people.


    But tonight, that man looked like the broken porcin that the owner had just thrown. Den looked lost in the darkness, and only Kaylee could guide him towards the light.


    In the end, Kaylee slowly lifted her head, and her pair of eyes began to see part of the man''s body.


    She saw the man''s knee-length ck coat, then his sturdy, masculine chest, and continuing to climb upwards before finally meeting her eyes with his longing eyes.


    As if finding new determination, Kaylee spoke without stammering as her eyes met Den''s eagle eyes.


    "I didn''t mean to avoid you. I don''t even want to avoid you." Kaylee found her home when she was in her fiancé''s arms. She felt undeniablefort and peace when Den was by her side. The days she passed without seeing Den overwhelmed her, and she yearned for him even more.


    But…


    Kaylee clenched her hands in a tight fist and gripped her winter coat as if her life depended on it. "I just don''t know what''s wrong with me. I''m sorry, but can you give me some time?"


    Kaylee assumed her body reaction was due to the kidnapping incident, so she turned down Den''s touch. But the fact that she didn''t refuse when Jacob hugged her really puzzled her.


    There must be something wrong with her, but Kaylee doesn''t know where the wrong source lies.


    "I know I''ve been selfish, and you doted on me too much. I won''t deny what Jack has done, but I want you to know… the only man I will marry is Den ck. The only person I love in this world is you.


    Regarding Jacob hugging me, that was just a friendly hug. I know what you are thinking." interrupted Kaylee when she realized Den opened his mouth to refute her.


    "I know you think there is no such thing as friendship between a girl and a boy. But Jacob and I were just friends. Our rtionship will never cross this line."


    Her ck eyes were as clear as the night sky, and her voice was firm and confident like the sun would neverte to rise.


    Den straightened his back while showing a thin smile at his fiancée. "You said the L-word."


    Kaylee blinked her eyes several times, digesting the man''s remark. As soon as she realized what she had said, her face turned crimson red.


    She said the L word!! And that too… she said Den was the only one she loved.


    OMG! It''s so embarrassing!! Kaylee cupped her heated cheeks while lowering her gaze, not daring to look at the man any second longer.


    On the other hand, Den chuckled in amusement. Even though this result was not what he expected, but it was more than enough to make his heart jumped in joy.


    Kaylee had never said love to him before, even though she had epted his proposal. Kaylee admits she likes him, but liking is very different from love.


    Liking a person means that she was simply happy being with that person. She wasfortable in thepany of a man, but it was mostly superficial. If Kaylee still liked Den as she used to be, Den doubted Kaylee''s feelings would grow, and one day she would cancel their engagement when Kaylee realized her real feeling.


    But now… she said she loved him, which means Den has be an integral part of her life, even though the girl didn''t realize it.


    "Don''tugh," whined Kaylee in a whispered voice. Because their distance was so close, Den''s amused chuckle still be heard by Kaylee even though the surroundings were bustling.


    Den touched her left hand so gently before entangling his fingers with hers with a tender grip. He breathed a sigh of relief when Kaylee did not cast his hand away and let him hold hers.


    Little did he know, Kaylee, at the moment, fought hard to repel her desire to pull her hand away from the man''s grasp.


    She was delighted when Den took her hand as she craved the man''s touch for a long time. And yet, something inside her urged her to stay away from him.


    In the end, Kaylee closed her eyes, trying to focus on the touch of Den that she craved so much without caring that the warning voice inside her head was getting louder and louder.


    Kaylee was quite stubborn and pretended not to hear the warning voice and still let Den hold her hand. She didn''t expect another brief memory submerged inside her head because of her stubbornness.


    ''I envy you. You are multitalented girl and make everyone look up to you. Even mama and papa care more about you than me."


    "What are you talking about? You are multitalented too, and you know better than me that our dear parents love you more than me."


    The sister shook her head while putting on a sullen face. "No. They loved you more than me."


    ''I love you, but sometimes I wish you were gone.''


    Kaylee clutched her head with her hands when she felt the pain in her head. It was then that Kaylee pulled her left hand from Den''s grasp and realized the pain in her head was gradually decreasing.


    Would she feel the same pain if she stubbornly stayed at Den''s side?


    Kaylee inclined her head towards Den with aplicated look. "Please, leave me alone for a while. I need time."


    Den''s shoulder went slump in resignation hearing the bitter announcement. "I''m not a patient man, Kaylee, but I''m willing to give it to you. I will give you time as much as you want, but three days is my limit. I will go on a business trip next week, and if you still don''t look for me before my departure, don''t me me if I will force my way on you."


    Kaylee gulped saliva in nervous hearing the man''s threat. She knew Den would never hurt her, but somehow… she still felt scared?