For you only.

Her mind was still preoccupied with that man. Now, after discovering that he lived next door, her anxiety intensified, as if she were living on edge.

What should she do now? Charlotte wondered as she stared into the void before her, forgetting the noise of the world around her. The silence had drained her, and the thought of telling the police or even Leonid swirled in her mind like a relentless storm.

She closed her eyes momentarily, trying to gather herself. When she opened them slowly, she became aware of the commotion around her and the crowded traffic.

"Are the traffic lights out? Or did everyone decide to come out today?" 

She thought as she watched Leonid calmly roll down the car window, despite the unrest reflected in his features.

"What about a moment of intimacy between us...?"

The moment she heard those words from his lips, time seemed to stop. A ringing filled her ears as a wave of heat washed over her face. Shy tears lingered at the corners of her eyes, refusing to fall.

Although she wasn't in a good mood at all, his words stirred warm, bashful feelings that intertwined with her current turmoil.

"Forget it, please."

Leonid suddenly withdrew. He understood her fear and hesitation, so he stepped back quietly, empathetic.

"If you're not ready now, I won't pressure you. I have all the time in the world to make you my new addiction... when you're ready."

Charlotte lifted her eyes and cast a hesitant glance at Leonid. He seemed as calm as always, his confidence and words making her melt all over again despite everything.

"Excuse me, please."

After moments of silence, she decided to speak. She ignored her irregular heartbeat and the unshed tears, and said quietly. 

"From your morning conversation with your father, I can tell you've told him you're serious about us."

"Yes… kind of."

His response was smooth, but his voice softened at the end, as if reconsidering everything. The truth was, he hadn't intended to tell his father about his seriousness while he was still working things out.

He gently pressed the gas pedal as the cars began to move, but he remained silent, hesitant about asking Charlotte the same question.

As for her, she lowered her head and looked at the small puppy in her lap. She hadn't told her family anything yet. The idea of talking to her father about Leonid didn't seem that bad, but talking to her mother felt like crossing a crumbling bridge.

She feared the relationship would collapse even further, as her mother had always viewed every step outside her will as rebellion. Despite the physical distance now separating them, her mother's influence still felt heavy and suffocating.

"For me, I haven't told them yet... I haven't told my family anything... and for now, I don't plan to."

Charlotte's voice was weak and trembling, resonating with the anxiety she couldn't hide. Even without looking at her face, Leonid was fully aware of her turmoil, as if the tension reflected in the air around them.

He kept his eyes on the road ahead, maintaining his outward calm, and said in a steady tone:

"As you know, this is your personal life, Charlotte."

His eyes watched the road, but his mind was focused on untying the knots of fear surrounding her. He decided he'd handle her anxiety in his own way, even if it meant shaking her out of her comfort zone.

"You can tell them or not; it's up to you. You're not a child who needs their permission or blessing. This is your life, and you have the right to choose your own path."

His words carried a spark of rebellion, as if he wanted to pass on to her the warmth of the courage she always felt she lacked.

His words slowly seeped into her heart, as though challenging the walls she had built around herself. She felt a faint sense of reassurance rising to the surface of her anxiety, even if just for a brief moment.

"I'm a gentleman, Charlotte. You can trust that I won't leave you behind. I may falter at times, but I find myself stepping back from invading your space as much as I can."

Leonid laughed at himself, a light, self-deprecating chuckle, as though mocking his own situation. Despite his bold declaration that he wouldn't settle for a platonic relationship, he found himself gradually retreating, mindful of her sensitive emotions.

Charlotte remained still, staring into the void, as if searching for the words she couldn't express. She opened her lips to say something, but the car suddenly stopped, pulling her back to reality.

She raised her eyes to see the front of a jewelry store. For a moment, she forgot what she was about to say. Her heart raced as she wondered if this was the place Leonid had mentioned.

Leonid turned off the engine and unbuckled his seatbelt. He looked at her with a sidelong smile before opening the door and stepping out.

"Surprised? Very charming."

Leonid commented on her expression with a soft tone as he walked around to her side.

Charlotte, still lost in her thoughts, couldn't hide her astonishment. She seemed to be wondering why he had brought her here.

Why? She questioned silently, trying to make sense of it.

Leonid opened the passenger door and extended his hand toward her. She paused for a moment, then raised her eyes to meet his. His steely blue gaze was calm, carrying an unexpected reassurance.

Her dark eyes gleamed under her chestnut lashes for a moment before she finally moved, deciding to get out.

She unbuckled her seatbelt slowly, cradled the small puppy in her arms, and took his warm hand before stepping out of the car.

As soon as she stood, Leonid closed the door behind her. Then, suddenly, he reached out to adjust the hem of her dress, which had risen slightly from the movement.

His fingers brushed against her cold skin for a moment before he murmured with a tone blending gentleness and concern. 

"You should've worn tights. Are you this cold?"

She looked at him with a hint of confusion, her wide dark eyes betraying her obvious shyness.

"Huh?"

Her bashful gaze met his steady one. He was calm, while she was drowning in her embarrassment, as though the moment had lifted her from her turmoil and placed her in a new sphere of emotions.

"Should I warm you up now?" 

Leonid asked her again, then sighed lightly, while his hand was still resting on her right thigh. 

"No!" 

Charlotte's response finally came, sharp and direct. She pursed her lips, feeling as if her courage was beginning to flow again. 

"I'm fine..." 

She whispered softly, but she knew her refusal wasn't entirely convincing. She slowly moved his hand away from her thigh and added. 

"It's just that your hand is very warm." 

"Really?" 

Leonid raised an eyebrow slightly, as if her observation piqued his curiosity. But instead of stepping back, he reached out again and gently and respectfully rubbed her thigh. He leaned towards her, whispering in a low voice, almost like a challenge. 

"In my opinion, that doesn't seem right." 

"Huh?" 

Charlotte froze in place, her heart pounding violently. This time, she felt his warm breath touching her face. She hesitated for a moment, then quickly spoke, trying to regain control. 

"What are you doing now?! We are in the street! This is a public place! There are children around us!" 

"Children?" 

Leonid quietly raised his head and looked around. The street seemed more crowded with cars than people, and there were no children at all. He added confidently, then continued with a slight smile. 

"And also, I don't do anything that offends public decency. I just make sure your legs don't hurt later because of the cold." 

He looked at her with a satisfied gaze, while she stood there unable to respond, trying to resist the mix of emotions that overwhelmed her. Charlotte desperately wanted to push Leonid's hand away, but one hand couldn't stop him. 

"Alright, I'm done. Let's go now."

Leonid raised his hand and gently intertwined his fingers with Charlotte's, then started walking toward the jewelry store.

Charlotte was a bit hesitant, but her shyness gradually faded as she gathered herself and took a deep breath, holding Hunter in her free arm.

At the store's entrance, they paused for a moment. Pets were not allowed inside, so they carefully placed Hunter in the designated area outside. Leonid entered first, with Charlotte following him hesitantly.

Under the bright lights that made the jewelry sparkle even more, Leonid examined the necklaces one by one, his eyes searching intently for something specific.

As for Charlotte, her gaze shifted back and forth between him and the dazzling displays.

"Excuse me, how can I assist you?"

A staff member dressed in a sleek, uniform outfit approached Leonid and Charlotte with a friendly smile and a respectful look. Charlotte felt slightly embarrassed and averted her gaze, leaving Leonid to speak with her calmly.

Charlotte kept watching the interaction from the corner of her eye, feeling a mix of curiosity and nervousness. After a few moments, she lifted her eyes and noticed that both the staff member and Leonid were looking directly at her.

Before she could understand what was happening, she felt his hand gently take hers, pulling her closer to the counter. With the assistance of the poised and professional staff member, Leonid began trying various necklaces on her.