Chapter 21: Simulated Romance

Seeing the storm brewing in his eyes, Tara couldn't help but take a step back.

Was he angry? But why?

Could it be that he didn't want others to know he was gay? That would make sense; after all, some people were quite prejudiced about such things.

The realization hit Tara like a lightning bolt, and her heart was instantly filled with guilt and apology.

"Um, actually, I was just joking."

She offered the flimsy cover-up and lowered her head, not daring to look at Killian again.

"Heh."

Killian let out a cold laugh. After settling the bill with the clerk, he strode out of the store.

Seeing this, Tara immediately followed him: "Killian, wait for me!"

But with his long legs and intentional speed, he was a considerable distance away in just a few moments.

Anxious, Tara began to jog to catch up, desperate to apologize. Unexpectedly, he came to a sudden halt and turned around.

Since Tara was running fast, a familiar scene repeated itself. Only this time, she didn't knock him over.

A warm, elegant scent filled her senses, enveloping her completely.

Tara rubbed her sore nose, pulling back slightly from his firm chest, and looked up at him timidly. From this angle, she could only see his sharp, cold jawline and those downward-looking, chilling phoenix eyes.

"Killian, I'm sorry," she whispered, taking small steps back to extract herself from his arms. "I didn't mean to expose your privacy just now. My tongue just slipped, I had no ill intent, please don't—"

However, before she could finish, Killian gripped her shoulders and pinned her against the lamppost behind them.

Then, his long hand moved up from her shoulder to gently cup her small chin, forcing her to look him in the eye.

"I’m truly curious," his ink-black eyes curved slightly, though the smile didn't reach them. "Exactly who told you that I'm gay?"

Tara stared at him, biting her lower lip, too terrified by his oppressive aura to speak.

Seeing her silence, his thumb brushed over the soft flesh of her cheek, his grip tightening slightly. "And who told you that Sean and I have

that

kind of relationship?"

Wincing from the pressure, Tara released her lip and mumbled softly, "Who needs to be told? I saw it with my own eyes..."

"Oh?" He chuckled, his thumb moving up to graze the edge of her soft, moist lower lip, intentionally or otherwise. "Then tell me, what did you see?"

In this moment, the usually self-restrained man seemed to have vanished, replaced entirely by a state of madness and obsession.

Tara stared into his dangerous gaze, her eyelashes trembling with fear. But after a moment, she summoned her courage: "When you were boxing last time, my brother clearly called you 'baby'."

Killian looked at her with a half-smile. "Calling someone 'baby' makes them a couple?"

"That greasy guy usually calls dogs the same thing. Why don't you think he has something going on with a dog?"

Tara: "..."

She pursed her lips, continuing to argue stubbornly: "But the first time I went to your office, I clearly saw him kissing you. Your mouth was all wet, and..."

Her face flushed. She looked away, not daring to meet his eyes, and muttered: "And you were out of breath~"

He looked like he’d been kissed incredibly hard.

"And," her eyes darted around as she recalled the details, "my brother was even sweating from the kissing. He was so angry that I interrupted him."

Killian: "..."

He was so angry he laughed.

"I was choking on water, okay?" His voice sounded like he was speaking through gritted teeth.

Tara blinked. "Huh?"

"Also, is your brother a sweat gland? With the air conditioning in the office turned up so high, how could he sweat that much?"

The more Killian thought about it, the angrier he got. He reached out and pinched her cheek. "I told you to use your brain, not freeze your brain. You're so stupid!"

Tara: "..."

The imaginative scenes in her mind were torn down and rebuilt after his explanation, piece by piece, until they formed the truth.

It seemed... indeed... there had been a massive misunderstanding?

She lowered her head gloomily. "Oh. Then I blamed you wrongly. I'm sorry~"

Her soft, sweet voice, combined with the light and low tone, sounded like unconscious acting spoiled.

Killian looked down at her rounded, fluffy head. For some reason, he thought of a lop-eared rabbit with drooping ears, making him want to reach out and rub it vigorously.

He thought it, and he did it.

The moment their palms met, the empty, irritable thirst throughout his body was miraculously relieved.

This was the fifth trial.

Killian quietly watched the girl's wide, sparkling eyes as she looked at him in surprise, and he slowly curled his lips.

The trial proved it. She was his medicine.

The only one.

Feeling the stroking on her head, Tara interpreted it as a gesture of comfort. Her eyes lit up instantly: "Killian, have you forgiven me?"

Suppressing the tide of thirst rushing through him, Killian reluctantly withdrew his hand and spoke casually: "I suppose."

Even his forgiveness was so arrogant; he truly was a cold iceberg.

Tara thought to herself. Then, feeling the itchy restlessness in her own arms, she had a sudden flash of inspiration and looked up at him: "Then, Killian."

She leaned in slightly, taking the chance to grab his arm to soothe her own discomfort, and said expectantly: "Since you like girls, can I continue to pursue you?"

Killian froze for a moment at this unexpectedly bold declaration.

"Just give me a chance, okay?"

Fearing he would reject her as bluntly as he did at the bar, Tara immediately began to "sell" herself.

"There are many benefits to having me as a girlfriend."

"I'm a great cook, I'm very patient, and I'll take good care of you."

"Also, I can sing, dance, and tell stories. If you're unhappy, I guarantee I can cheer you up."

"And, and..."

Her little mouth kept moving, unable to stop. Her serious expression made it look like she was interviewing for a job; it was inexplicably adorable.

Killian let her hold his arm while his other hand remained in his pocket, watching her speak in silence.

On the other side was the bustling street with constant honking and noise. But right now, listening to the girl's rambling "self-recommendation," his heart felt exceptionally peaceful. Her voice seemed to have a magical power to calm all chaos.

"So, Killian, just try it with me!"

Tara finished, licking her dry lips, and said hopefully: "You don't have to say yes right away. How about a simulated adjustment period?"

It was his first time hearing that one could "simulate" dating.

Killian looked at her with amusement. "Oh? And how do we simulate it? I don't know how~"

"It's okay," Tara saw a glimmer of hope and immediately patted her chest, promising: "I can teach you!"