Bianca didn't know how long she became quiet while Clifford was waiting for her response. They just stared at each other's eyes for a long time, their hearts drumming against their chests.
Clifford suddenly felt anxious as Bianca never uttered a word. Was he getting rejected by her?
He mustered up his courage to profess his feelings this morning. He thought about it all night. And he decided to let it go as he finally accepted that he had fallen for her.
Was it because she saved him? Well, he didn't know the answer. He just felt it. And this time he wanted to make it right. He wanted to try again, opening his heart to love someone despite the heartache he experienced before.
He already gave up on love, until he met Zhen-Zhen. Though he was blinded by his hatred and revenge, he learned to love again. But it was too late since she already had Tristan.
And now, he met Bianca. Their first meeting was not good. It was a very unpleasant and embarrassing moment for him. But who would have thought that he would fall for her?
He couldn't control his heart. But this incident proved that Clifford began to believe in love once more.
It didn't work with Olive nor Zhen-Zhen. Now, he wanted to take a risk and start all over again with Bianca.
"Bianca… please say something." Clifford could no longer bear the suspense so he broke the silence first, urging Bianca to speak up.
"Otherwise, I will take your silence as a yes!" he added.
Bianca was pulled out of her stupor when she heard that.
"No!" She absentmindedly said.
Clifford's eyes became saddened when that word came out of her mouth.
"No?"
"I mean Yes," said Bianca, taking back her first word. Well, she was confused so her words didn't make sense even to her.
Clifford arched his eyebrows in amusement, fighting a smile. He could see that Bianca was confused by her own answers.
"What do you mean?" Clifford asked, sitting up on the bed.
Bianca also sat up, facing him. She could see the anticipation in his eyes as he looked at her intently. He held her shoulders, giving her a questioning gaze.
"Are you rejecting me?" he asked her again. There was a hint of helplessness in his voice.
"No. But I wanna make sure… Are you just pranking me now, Cliff? What kind of game are you playing?" Bianca was still doubting him. She was not fully convinced about Clifford's feelings.
Clifford heaved a deep sigh, rubbing the space in between his eyebrows. 'This woman is so stubborn. She refused to believe me. Do I look like a man who will play with her feelings? Am I not that believable?'
"Am I not trustworthy for you? Why don't you believe me?" asked Clifford, pouting his lips right after to look pitiful to her.
Bianca blinked her eyes, just observing Clifford's handsome face.
"How about Olive? Don't you want to get together with her? She said she already regretted what she did and she wanted you back." Bianca suddenly brought up Olive.
Clifford frowned at the mention of that name. "Forget about her. This is about us. Don't mention her. Besides, we were over a long time ago. I don't love her anymore."
"How about your feelings for Lillie? Have you gotten over it already?" She asked him again with her curious eyes.
Clifford looked at her with disbelief. He confessed to her, asking her to be his girlfriend. He was anxiously waiting for her response. But here she was bringing the topic about the women who got involved with him in the past.
"Why do you have to ask this? Lillie already has Tristan. And I know how much she loves him. Do you think I want another heartache to pursue someone I cannot have?"
"Of course, I already moved on! Now… I'm asking you to be my girlfriend and make our relationship for real. What should I do to make you believe me?" Clifford spoke up spontaneously, trying to explain and convince her.
This time Bianca was able to digest everything including Clifford's explanation. A mischievous smile played across her lips as she met his gaze.
"Hmm, you have to court me first! I want to see your sincerity!" Bianca finally responded, giving him a challenge. Now, she was back to her usual self after getting one shock after another because of Clifford's confession.
Clifford: "..."
He gazed at her with complicated emotions on his face.
"Are you serious? Do I have to? We already kissed numerous times. You responded to my kisses as well. Don't you feel attracted to me?"
Bianca squinted her eyes at him with her nose flaring. "It's your fault! You forced me! How could I stop myself from responding, my mother was there watching us!?" She defended herself.
Clifford's lips went upward into a lopsided grin and questioned her, "How about the kiss in your room while your mother was outside? You also responded to me… the same as last night."
Bianca's cheeks reddened as she felt so embarrassed by this confrontation.
"Well… I… Uh–" Bianca couldn't think of the best answer to refute that. Clifford won! She was truly attracted to him.
"Ok fine! I admit! I couldn't resist you! You are a great seducer!" Bianca said, picking the pillow and smacking it to Clifford's face.
He didn't see it coming so he got hit right on his face. Clifford's lips formed a thin line while glaring at the woman who was now laughing at him. He almost fell off the bed because of the impact.
Wanting to get even at her, Clifford reached out, catching her hands as he snatched the pillow from her hands.
When he successfully took the pillow away from her, Clifford immediately pounced on her, pinning her down on the bed, her hands were being restrained on top of her head.
Bianca was caught off guard by his sudden attack. Before she knew it, Clifford was already on top of her, his weight was pressing her on the bed, immobilizing her movement.
She tried to struggle and escape from his grasp but to her surprise he was locking her tightly, not allowing her to move.
"Hey, get off me!" She complained.
Bianca was surprised, asking herself when did Clifford become stronger like this. He couldn't even fight nor throw a good punch before.
'Did I become so weak after getting shot? Why can't I escape from his grasp?' Bianca wondered to herself.
"Cliff, release me! Let go!" Bianca demanded, still trying to struggle.
But Clifford shook his head with a cheeky smile on his face. "I just remember, I still need to punish you for hitting my gorgeous face this morning. And I have no plan of letting you go unless you will seriously consider my words."
"Alright, I'm sorry! I just smacked you with the pillow for being cocky and shameless! And yes, I am taking your words seriously. But still, you have to prove it by courting me. You said you will do anything for me to believe you. So what's wrong with the courtship stage I am asking you?"
Clifford let out a husky laugh. "Hmm, Because I want to be your man right away. What if you will try dating another man again on those blind dates?"
"Eh? You are my boyfriend now in the eyes of my parents so my Mom will not set me up with anyone. Remember?"
p
"Ok! Now, let me go!" She demanded again.
"Not too fast, sweetheart. I still need to get my–" he didn't finish his words as he gave her a peck on her lips. It was just a smack kiss but Bianca's heart had gone wild once again, pounding so hard inside her chest.
Clifford already sat up, releasing her, but Bianca remained lying on the bed, frozen.
"Don't give me that pretty and adorable expression of yours, or else, I'm gonna devour your lips. Don't tempt me, Bianca." Clifford warned her with a cheeky smile.
Bianca immediately sat up, covering her lips. Clifford let out another chuckle.
"Hmm, what do you want for breakfast? I will order." Clifford consulted her.
But instead of answering him, Bianca threw a question at him.
"How come you become so strong that I couldn't escape from you a while ago?"
Clifford gave her a meaningful smile. "You can't easily beat me now, Sweetheart. I already learn some moves to counter your attack."
"Eh? Seriously?"
Clifford bobbed his head proudly. "Of course! I trained myself for the past two weeks. I hired a trainer to teach me fist-to-fist combat and self-defense moves. My main goal… this time I want to be the one protecting you, not the other way around."
Clifford took off his shirt and showed something to Bianca.
"These are the proof of my hard work."
Bianca gasped when she saw the bruises on the different parts of his body. She felt so touched that Clifford did it for her. Her eyes suddenly became teary.
On impulse, she just threw herself onto him, hugging him tightly. "You should have waited for me to recover. I can teach you myself. I will not hurt you and will not give you such bruises!"
Clifford chuckled. "It's alright. I can't wait, because I want to be a man who can protect someone as fierce as you. To do that, I have to work hard. I have to impress you."
"Oh, you don't have to court me! I could already feel your sincerity!" she said, making Clifford jump with joy.
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