[LINA]

    "That one," I said, interrupting the sales manager mid-sentence. "We''ll take it."

    "Splendid choice. I''ll just get the keys, and perhaps we can take it for a test drive," the manager said with a professional smile before disappearing into the backroom.

    A few moments later, he returned, holding the sleek black key fob. Before Daniel could react, I took the key and handed it to him with a bright smile. "I know it''s a bit late but, My Christmas Gift to you."

    Daniel froze, staring down at the key in my outstretched hand like it was a foreign object. His expression shifted from confusion to shock, his eyes wide as he stammered, "W-what? Lina . . . what''s going on? I can''t."

    "Merry Christmas gift, babe," I said playfully, beaming at him, the corners of my lips tugging up in a smile.

    But Daniel didn''t move to take the key. He didn''t reach out or even blink—he just stood there, stunned. His hesitation was evident on his face, as if accepting this gift was something too heavy, too much for him to comprehend.

    "Come on, Daniel. Just accept it," I insisted gently, grabbing his hand and pressing the key into his palm. His hand was warm, yet trembling slightly under my touch.

    "B-but . . . but this is too much!" he finally found his voice, though it came out strained. He looked down at the key again, disbelief etched into every line of his face. "I can''t possibly accept this. You really don''t have to do this, Lina."

    I smiled softly, gazing into his eyes. "But I want to. Consider it a little compensation for everything I put you through today . . ." and maybe for altering your future. My voice dipped at the last part, but I kept my tone light.

    Daniel opened his mouth to protest again, but I cut him off, my voice firm yet warm. "Please, Daniel. It would mean a lot to me if you accepted it. You''d be doing me a favor—helping me ease the guilt I feel."

    He looked at me, his eyes searching mine as if trying to gauge whether I was serious. After a moment, he exhaled deeply, a resigned but amused sigh escaping his lips. "Well . . . if you''re really insisting on this . . . thank you." He took the key, his fingers closing around it carefully, almost reverently.

    The moment he accepted, I felt a weight lift from my chest, and I couldn''t help but smile at him, relieved and happy.

    "Do you always gift expensive cars to people you feel guilty about?"@@@@

    Maybe this was something new. Something unexpected.

    And maybe . . . I didn''t mind.

    On the way home, I was in a good mood. Daniel had that calming aura about him, the kind that put you at ease without even trying.

    But of course, there was always someone waiting at home who would dampen my spirits.

    "You ditched me again," Dylan said the moment I stepped inside.

    I rolled my eyes. "You might be my personal bodyguard, but that doesn''t mean you need to follow me around 24/7. Besides, I already have dozens of guards with me. You don''t need to be there all the time."

    Dylan frowned. "You were with that guy again, weren''t you?"

    "You mean Daniel? Yeah, I was. He''s my boyfriend, so of course we''re together most of the time."

    Dylan took a deep breath, clearly trying to stay calm. "Do your parents and brother know about this?"

    "With all the media constantly watching our every move, I''m sure they do by now. And why do you care so much about Daniel, anyway? You said yourself that he''s a decent guy—kind and nice."

    Dylan crossed his arms. "So you''re serious about him?"

    "What if I am?" I challenged, lifting my chin. "If I''m going to marry someone someday, I want it to be Daniel."

    Dylan looked surprised, didn''t say anything else. I left him there and stomped my way up to my room.

    What''s wrong with that grumpy man? If I pestered him to be my boyfriend, he got mad. Now that I''ve been moving on, he''s still mad! Stay connected via My Virtual Library Empire

    That guy''s a prick—a self-centered, overprotective jerk!