Chapter 534
Would she?
Absolutely.
If you're truly drawn to a place, would a mere 1% chance of rain ever stop you? For someone who's braved the Amazon rainforest, is a little rain really a cause for concern?
When Tina was off gallivanting from one end of the earth to the other, her grandparents' favorite remark was, "You're quite the daredevil for a young lady!"
She was born with a thirst for adventure, unafraid even of missiles falling in Syria. So why was she hesitating over something that hadn't happened yet and might never happen?
This wasn't like her.
Phillip wasn't her dad, and she certainly wasn't her mother. While her mother's tragedy was a lesson, missing out on a man she loved over a 1% chance seemed too much of a waste. Phillip's question had cleared the fog of doubts clouding her mind.
She sat quietly for a moment, the love she'd been afraid to embrace and the ties she'd struggled to sever seemed to finally untangle themselves.
"You're right. I can't stay indoors just because I'm afraid it might rain."
Lightness crept into her heart, and she wiped away a tear, saying, "If it rains, I'll use an umbrella. And if that's not enough, I'll just get wet."
Tears still lingered in her eyes, giving them a misty brightness. Looking earnestly at Phillip, no longer hiding her feelings, she declared, "Phillip, I love you so so much." Phillip's gaze softened.
He was never one to wear his heart on his sleeve. Unlike his carefree brother, he had learned to be reserved and steady from a young age.
Before Tina came into his life, his routine was stable yet hectic, with personal emotions squished to nearly non-existent due to his work.
He was used to remaining stoic, but Tina needed him to express his love.
If he had realized this sooner, perhaps Alfred wouldn't have come between them.
He gently touched the wet trail of tears on Tina's cheek, responding, "I love you too."
Tina shook her head, "But I fell for you first."
"Does it really matter who was first?" Phillip asked.
"Yes. I loved you first, I've loved you longer, so you have to love me a bit more to make up for it."
Phillip didn't quite follow her logic on precedence but didn't argue, simply agreeing, "Alright."
Tina wrapped her arms around his neck, sighing playfully, "I'm done for. I'm gonna get a whooping when I get home."NôvelDrama.Org owns © this.
Recalling the beating she got from
her father last time she insisted on breaking off an engagement, which left her unable to sleep from the pain, she wondered if it would. less severe this time since they weren't engaged yet.
"How about we elope?" she teased.
"Where to?" Phillip asked, playing along.
"Mexico?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "My passport's still with my dad, though. We could sneak across the border from the south and then I could sell you for a good price Someone as fine as you should fetch a handsome sum."
Phillip didn't outright reject her playful trafficking scheme, offering instead a better alternative, "How about marrying me and becoming Mrs. Richardson? You'd make a lot more money that way." S
She considered the option, "Then I'd have to take a beating first. Not worth it."
"You won't," Phillip assured.
"You don't know him like I do."
Tina figured Phillip hadn't seen her father's temperamental side; after all, her dad would lash out at her without a second thought but couldn't lay a finger on Phillip. She pondered how to break the news in a way that might temper her father's wrath, but couldn't come up with a viable strategy even after a night of thought.