The palm covering her forehead was solid, cold, and cooling, relieving the burning sensation.
Rosie Sullivan froze for a mont, forgetting to avoid it.
A few seconds later, the palm moved away. Benjamin Durant placed his hand on his own forehead, comparing the two, and frowned, muttering to himself, "Looks like you have a fever."
Hearing his words, Rosie finally snapped back to reality.
"What are you doing?"
Guarding against him, Rosie tightened her grip on the umbrella handle and stepped back.
"We’ll escort you ho."
He spoke naturally, reaching out to take the shopping bag from Rosie. His finger brushed over hers, leaving a warm sensation. Rosie tightened her grip on the plastic bag, avoiding Benjamin’s touch.
With a cold look in her eyes, she refused, "I don’t need that."
His hand caught air and paused in mid-air, but Benjamin wasn’t embarrassed. He said, "We’ve known each other after all."
Known each other?
Seeing him speak so offhandedly, anger surged in Rosie’s throat, burning her voice.
If she had the strength, she would have kicked this man twice.
"There’s nothing to know between us."
Speaking coldly, Rosie pushed the umbrella forward, its edge almost brushing Benjamin’s chin, drenching him with rainwater.
Rosie lowered her head, unwilling to look at him, and bypassed Benjamin with her plastic bag.
Benjamin paused for a mont, then suddenly grabbed her wrist as she passed by.
The warmth on her wrist traveled up her arm, spreading to her chest, suddenly becoming very hot.
Rosie stopped.
"Don’t be stubborn, we’ll just take you downstairs and leave after." His hand slid down to hook the bag handle, softening his tone, coaxing her, "Okay?"
"..."
Rosie swayed, lowered her gaze, took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions rising. Yet when she raised her eyes, they were slightly red.
The umbrella was transparent, and through the thin layer, Benjamin clearly saw the scene, pausing in his expression.
She shouted angrily, "Are you crazy?"
"Yes, yes, I’m crazy."
Benjamin ca to his senses and simply agreed, forcibly snatching the plastic bag, holding it with the hand holding the umbrella. Then he placed the now free hand around her shoulders, steering her toward the street.
He continued to coax her, "Let’s go, let’s go. Once you’re feeling better, you can give a beating, alright?"
"You..."
Rosie was both angry and annoyed.
"If once isn’t enough, then twice, I can take your hits." Benjamin didn’t wait for her to speak, babbling on, "You see, none of the city’s spoiled brats can touch , but I’ll let you hit , isn’t that cheerful?"
"Cheerful my——"
"Cheerful is good." Benjamin cut her off, continuing rambling, "Next ti you’re sick, stay ho and rest well; order things you need online. On such a rainy day, running outside will only make things worse. Go ho, have a good rest, and when you’re better, I’ll take you out for barbecue, my treat..."
"..."
Rosie tried to cut his words several tis but failed.
In the two-minute walk, he talked nonstop without even pausing for breath.
Rosie felt like sewing his mouth shut.
Yet with his string of care and skillful words, as she listened, emotions surged.
She lowered her head, pulled at the corners of her mouth, feeling sowhat self-deprecating.
This man’s words never co sincerely... and she foolishly believed them.
But despite knowing clearly, Rosie still stumbled and followed him to the car. Once the back door was opened, he took her umbrella from her hand and held it over her head.
"Here we are." Benjamin said, "Don’t worry, Humphrey is driving, he’s very reliable—"
"I’ll sit in the front."
Rosie interrupted him, unable to endure it anymore.
"..." Benjamin was a bit taken aback, then nodded, "Oh."
Glancing up at him, Rosie took a deep breath, turned around, and headed to the front, opening the passenger door.
Benjamin kept the umbrella over her head until the car door closed.
Folded two umbrellas away, Benjamin shook off the rainwater, sat in the vacant seat in the back, then closed the car door.
Rosie reported the address to Humphrey Jennings, who was driving.
Humphrey responded with an "Mm," and stepped on the gas pedal, the vehicle speeding away.
...
Not far away.
Outside the supermarket, a person walked out with a black umbrella, watching the departing car, his gaze lingering on the license plate.
Afterward, he made a phone call.
"The target bought so things at the supermarket and was picked up by two n."
His voice lowered.
"Keep watching." A voice ca from the phone, "Report at any sign of abnormality."
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