For you only (part2)

"Sir, please try these items. They are part of a limited edition collection."

The saleswoman smiled as she presented a selection of necklaces to Leonid, who scrutinized the display with a sharp gaze before selecting one. With utmost care, he approached Charlotte and gently placed the necklace around her neck.

Charlotte felt warmth rush to her face under Leonid's intense gaze. Her heart pounded wildly as she struggled to process how he had gone from warming her legs to trying necklaces on her, meticulously inspecting whether they suited her.

Lifting her chestnut locks, Charlotte allowed Leonid to clasp the necklace gently. He then ran a finger over it, where a crescent shaped diamond pendant rested between her collarbones. Its color matched his eyes, making it the perfect choice for her.

Charlotte's full lips tightened in a shy pout as she tried to bear the warmth of Leonid's breath and his proximity.

"Beautiful."

His simple word only deepened her flustered state, but she couldn't stop herself from responding.

"The necklace is truly beautiful."

Leonid smirked, looking directly into her eyes as he added with a clear flirtation.

"I meant you, my darling~."

"And I meant the necklace only!"

Her blush deepened as she tried to justify her remark.

"You are... utterly impossible."

She muttered reluctantly, letting her chestnut hair fall back over her shoulders. Leonid watched her growing embarrassment, clearly enjoying her attempts to hide it, but showed no intention of retreating. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently pulled her back against his chest before turning toward the saleswoman.

"We'll take this necklace. Please handle the transaction."

The saleswoman smiled and replied,

"Of course, sir."

She seemed to enjoy watching this pair, who resembled lovebirds.

After the saleswoman left, Leonid turned Charlotte around to face him. He held her hands softly, leaning in until his face was close to hers.

"Did you truly like the necklace?"

"...Yes…"

Her voice was faint as she avoided his gaze, her heart racing.

Leonid watched her shy demeanor for a moment before kissing the back of her hand and resting his forehead against hers.

"Will you always wear it?"

"...Always?"

She felt as if she might faint from his closeness and intimate words. Her heart was flooded with conflicting emotions that left her spinning in an emotional whirlwind.

"Yes, always and forever… until we're under one roof. Can you do that for me?"

"I…"

She wanted to say "yes" so easily, but the words felt heavy on her tongue. Her shyness kept her from expressing her true desire, even though she longed to live under the same roof with him.

"I don't know…"

Leonid smirked slightly, responding with a teasing tone.

"You don't know, huh?"

The phrase echoed in his mind, and he realized how amusing it was to see her flustered.

"You know the answer. Why don't you just say it instead of saying 'I don't know' every time?"

Perhaps Leonid now understood why she often responded with 'I don't know' to many questions.

"I don't know, I mean—."

"That you don't know. Got it. No need to repeat your words from that day."

She remained silent, the heat of their faces pressed together intensifying the tension, but she finally whispered shyly,

"Well... it's good that you remember my words."

Leonid chuckled softly and replied,

"How could I forget anything you say?"

The scene was full of romance under the intense lights. As the saleswoman quietly finished processing the bill, she refrained from disrupting the emotional moment and waited patiently.

Outside the jewelry store, someone stood enjoying a cigarette while leaning against the wall next to the glass windows. His black hair and the thin trail of smoke drifted with the light breeze.

He leaned slightly, as if analyzing Charlotte carefully, before crushing the cigarette under his shoe on the pavement with deliberate slowness.

"What a sight."

Devin muttered under his breath, his tobacco laced exhale cutting through the chilly air. His eyes, filled with darkness and turmoil, followed the scene before him. Seeing Charlotte this close to another man any man other than himself was revolting, even sickening.

Devin nearly lost control of his temper upon seeing her in the lobby that morning with Leonid, especially in the elevator, and now here. These moments were utterly unacceptable in his eyes.

Elsewhere, at the door of a small office inside a grocery store, there was a quiet knock.

"Come in."

The store manager looked up from the papers he was reviewing. A man with gray hair and a light beard, he appeared tired but alert. Upon seeing the visitor, he raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise.

"Oh… I wasn't expecting to see you now. What's the matter?"

"Sir, there's something I need to show you."

The employee replied seriously, his face reflecting a mix of concern and caution.

"Show me?"

The manager asked inquisitively, slowly furrowing his brows.

"Really? And what is it?"

"It's about the surveillance cameras."

The manager's expression shifted to curiosity, but he nodded to encourage the employee to continue. The man, neatly dressed and in charge of reviewing the cameras at the end of the day, carried evidence. After hours of scrutiny, he had noticed something unusual in the corner of the footage covering the meat section.

"There's something… or rather, someone… who appeared in the footage. I think you need to see this for yourself."

After paying for the expensive necklace, Leonid took Charlotte's hand, and they walked toward the car. He nearly forgot about Hunter, the small puppy he had left by the entrance, until Charlotte reminded him with a smile. For a moment, Leonid hesitated before returning to fetch the puppy, wondering how he would have handled the situation if she hadn't mentioned it.

Once they got into the car, Leonid started the engine quietly and headed toward the residential building. He briefly considered suggesting a walk with Charlotte but quickly decided that going home now would be the better choice the day had been eventful enough.

Throughout the drive, Charlotte stole glances at the necklace adorning her neck, touching it with her fingertips as if to confirm it was real and not a dream. The necklace sparkled with the promises of her first love, a feeling she had never experienced before, while Hunter lay comfortably on her lap.

For Charlotte, this day had been extraordinary in every detail. She wasn't just grateful for what had happened; she felt something profound inside her, something akin to a joy that needed no words.

Leonid parked his car in the parking lot and stepped out to assist Charlotte.

On their way to the elevator, Leonid held Hunter's leash with one hand while holding Charlotte's hand with the other. He wasn't ready to let go of her presence, even if it seemed indirect.

When they entered the elevator, Charlotte remained shy, consumed by her racing heartbeat and a flood of thoughts. The first being how her life would be under one roof with Leonid. By the way, she hadn't answered his question clearly, so did he understand what she meant with her response?

She still wanted to answer with a "yes," despite everything.

"Aren't you going to open the door to your apartment?"

"Huh?"

Charlotte's eyes widened as she suddenly realized they had stopped right in front of her apartment.

"Oh! Wait a moment, please."

She said quickly, starting to search for her apartment key with her free hand, while Leonid stared into the hallway after hearing the elevator doors open. Moments later, that rude man from this morning's incident appeared.

Leonid stood still, watching Devin walk down the hallway, holding a beer can and drinking from it irregularly.

"We can go in now~!"

Charlotte smiled and glanced at Leonid. When she heard footsteps behind her, she almost turned around, but Leonid stopped her, saying,

"Alright, let's do that then."

He let go of her hand, pulling her from her waist inside, then closed the door behind him. He might have been on a date with his girlfriend, but he was certainly not blind.

First when they left the apartment, second in the elevator, third in front of the luxury jewelry store, and finally all the way, that man had been following them, or more accurately, following Charlotte.

Leonid's arm was still wrapped around Charlotte's waist. He paused for a moment, then gently pulled her closer until she rested against his chest. Slowly, he let go of Hunter's leash and raised his hand to cup her cheek.

He gazed into her wide eyes and spoke softly, with a faint hint of desire in his tone.

"Darling, you're not hiding anything from me, are you?"

"Huh?"

For a moment, Charlotte felt as if he could see right through her, as though he was uncovering secrets she hadn't spoken aloud. She licked her dry lips in surprise, then averted her gaze, speaking in a low voice.

"Well… about… your question about the necklace."

Her cheeks grew redder as her voice gradually faded, becoming barely audible.

"I'm... still thinking about how to give the right answer."