Selena was briefly stunned, clearly not expecting me topliment her directly. After a moment, she rested her chin in her hands, her eyes darting yfully as she smiled.


    "Actually, I think so too," she replied with a mischievous grin.


    She leaned in, cupped my face with both hands, and looked me directly in the eyes.


    "Who wouldn''t like someone who''s amazing?" she said.


    She continued, "So, Hudson, I really, really like you. Let''s get married again, okay?"


    Seeing her boldness,bined with all the memories I had just thought about, I felt a sudden flicker of hesitation.


    I was in a panic. I quickly pulled away from her grip, turning my head to avoid her gaze.


    "Hudson, please. Can''t we start over? I don''t even like Zion anymore. If you don''t want to see him around, I can fire him today. I promise you''ll never have to see him again."


    I could sense the distance between her and Zion, but the reason I couldn''t get back together with Selena wasn''t just because of him. The problem was, I couldn''t tell her that I had a girlfriend either.


    Right now, Selena was much more stable, and I was sure she would be able to return to her job soon.


    I, too, could leave Adenville and go back to Carzonia to resume my own life. If she found out about my girlfriend, though, she would surely lose her temper, and all my efforts would have been for nothing.


    It simply wasn''t worth the risk.


    "Why?" she asked again.


    She had asked me this question hundreds of times, but I still couldn''t tell her the real reason.


    I shook my head and sighed. "I don''t me you anymore, but I have my own reasons."


    Seeing the look of frustration in her eyes, I had no choice but to turn and walk away, leaving her alone to cool down.


    Ever since I had told Selena that I needed space, Zion had arranged for me to have a separate room.


    He was happy to do it, looking smug as he said, "Hudson, if you keep this up, you''ll lose Selena eventually. Don''te crying to meter. Here''s onest chance. Are you sure you don''t want to share a room with her?"


    I firmly shook my head. I still chose to leave and not sleep in the same room as Selena.


    It wasn''t just about having a girlfriend or worrying about Sylvia misunderstanding things if she found out. I was more concerned about what might happen to me and Selena.


    The two of us, staying in the same space for a period of time. One day, we might eventually cross a line.


    Even though I had turned down Selena''s request, it was like she had selective amnesia,pletely forgetting about our argument earlier.


    I had only returned to my room to rest for half a day when she knocked on my door, asking for help.


    "Hudson, could you take a look at these contracts and see if I''ve missed anything?"


    Seeing Selena standing there with herptop in hand, I sighed helplessly.


    When Sylvia called, I was still discussing the details with Selena.


    I looked at Sylvia''s name on the phone, then looked at Selena sitting beside me. I was hesitant whether to pick up.


    "If someone''s calling you and it''s not spam or a sales pitch, why not pick it up?" she asked, looking at me with curiosity, as though she couldn''t understand why I wouldn''t want to answer.


    Since she had asked me to, I stepped into the hallway to take Sylvia''s call.