Chapter 11: Think about it, Angel, because you will lose your heart to me

"Argh! This useless fellow can't even do a single task without failing." Agnes smashed her phone fiercely against the seat. Her gaze darted back to the couple, only to realize they were no longer there.

"Never mind, I'll catch them sooner, but first I need to silence this man before he exposes me." Agnes abandoned the notion of stalking the pair and went to meet Niko.

Meanwhile, Kalix and Winter had settled inside the luxurious restaurant's private dining area.

It was unexpected to find that the restaurant had no customers when she remembered how busy it was all the time.

"Why isn't anyone here?" She inquired, her gaze drawn to the emptiness.

"I cleared it," Kalix's response left Winter dumbfounded.

"Y-you what?!" She snapped, but quickly realized her mistake and muttered.

"Why would you do that?" she inquired.

"I don't want people to see us together until we're a couple. I plan to introduce you as my wife, not my lover," he remarked, leaving her baffled.

Winter forgot how many times this man had startled her. But now that he had brought up the topic again, she chose to acknowledge it.

"That's thoughtful of you, but I haven't agreed to marry you," she answered, and he stared at her intently.

Winter had the power to stimulate his curiosity in her thoughts. Even now, he could tell she was devising another strategy to persuade him to reconsider.

"Let's pretend you haven't consented to marry me, but I can win you over. Then will you accept my proposal?" He inquired and eventually reached a negotiable agreement.

Kalix had already struck a deal with Byron and had no idea how the old man was going to persuade Winter. But now that he understands her, he realizes he can't push her.

He needed to come up with another plan to at least consider his proposal.

Winter stared but quickly scoffed and leaned against the chair, laughing at his offer.

She pondered why he was so sure she'd lose her heart to him.

"That would just be your wishful dream, Mr. Kalix," she said, her smile fading.

Winter had already become accustomed to the idea of never letting her heart open again. She had sealed it so tightly that she questioned whether falling in love with him was ever conceivable.

"You never know, Angel." He debated.

Winter's eyes glistened playfully as she leaned forward. "Then we'll see if you can do it," she challenged.

Kalix's lips curled as he proudly displayed his attractive smile. His green eyes glowed with delight as he glanced back at her, determined.

"Think about it, Angel, because you will lose your heart to me," he said, making it clear that he was going to win.

Winter's heart thumped inside at the sight of his gorgeous face. Despite not being in love with him, she could already see his effect on her.

"Deal, but if you fail, you won't ask me to marry you," she declared.

Winter wished Kalix could help her, but not at the expense of her heart. She knew no man in the world was faithful enough to stick with a woman, and he who claimed to like her would quickly lose interest once he found a better and more beautiful woman than her.

"Agree. I will help you discover the man who is attempting to harm your grandfather, but in return you will let me court you." Kalix's comments relieved Winter.

She knew he'd fail, so she didn't worry about it. She was grateful, however, that he was giving her a fair chance to think about the entire marriage thing rather than pressuring her to accept the arrangement he and her grandfather had made; she realized something.

"By the way, have we met before? I meant to say even before we...you know. Winter's cheeks flushed at the prospect of their past, but she felt familiar with him in some way.

"What do you think?" he questioned her instead.

His eyes squinted as he watched her contemplate with that small crease on her brow. She seemed like a child trying to remember something very hard.

"No, I don't think so." She exclaimed. "If we had, I would have remembered you."

Kalix smiled, seeming helpless. If she had known, she could have understood why he was so onto her.

****

After lunch, the pair strolled out, preparing to return to the hospital. While Winter chose to stay with Byron, Kalix wished to accompany her. However, an emergency meeting forced him to cancel his plans.

However, this did not prevent him from dropping her off at the hospital and thanking her for giving him the opportunity to court her.

Although Winter might never accept, her heart was stirred by Kalix's thoughtfulness; however, she quickly dismissed the feeling and entered the hospital.

A familiar figure was already inside the elevator as she swiftly walked through the lobby and hurried to enter.

Eric stood inside his business suit, and as soon as he spotted her, a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes.

Winter wanted to leave, but her actions would only make her look like she was still bothered by him. So she stayed.

"How are you, Winter?" Eric asked abruptly, seizing Winter's attention.

Her blank expression troubled Eric, but he was determined to talk to her this time.

"Do I know you, Mister?" she questioned, pretending not to acknowledge him.

Eric had been that one man who opened her heart and made her fall in love, but his actions subsequently broke her residual trust in love, and she no longer wanted to know him.

A sad smile spread across his face as a wave of agony surged through him.

"So now you don't want to acknowledge me," he remarked with a forced smile.

Winter furrowed her brow, finding his actions unsettling. He acted as if her remarks were important to him when all he did was sleep with her stepsister.

She felt angry and wanted to snap, but when the lift door opened, she chose to walk away, dismissing the man she had long forgotten.

Eric sighed as he observed the retreating figure.

Winter reached the ward and noticed Hayes already standing outside.

"Hayes, you can go and rest for a while.I'll stay with Grandpa," Winter insisted, and before the man could depart, he noticed another person following her.

"Mr. Spencer, what brings you to the hospital?" Hayes asked loudly enough to make Winter aware of his presence.

She stood there without turning back, but Hayes continued to talk to him.

Despite his hatred for the man who had hurt his young miss, he couldn't just oppose his superior because he was now the son-in-law of the family he had served for years.

"I came to meet Grandpa . How is he?" Eric replied, his eyes darting to Winter, who refused to look at them.

Later, she ignored him and walked into the room, leaving him alone with Hayes.

" Boss is doing better but I am sorry to inform you that only one person is permitted to meet Boss. You do realize we have to be cautious with his protection," Hayes explained, and Eric agreed.

"I can understand," he replied.

Hayes kept the earlier attack a secret since he couldn't trust anyone other than Winter and Kalix, who were the only ones who knew the truth.

If his boss hadn't expressed doubt about his family, things may have been easier. But, knowing how his son and daughter-in-law never saw eye to eye, he decided to keep everything a secret until they had concrete proof.