"Do you want to know the truth?"

"Sure." She added quickly, urging him to spill the truth.

​​

But some preferred lies. If they knew the truth, they would assume that whoever told them was hostile, like Pearl Johnson.

Sean lifted up Catherine's chin and caressed her fair skin with warm fingers. He said, "You were wonderful."

Catherine smiled.

"Do you mean it?"

His eyes fixed on her beautiful face, and it showed so much love and affection, "Why don't you feel my heart and tell me whether I'm being genuine."

Catherine held her hands against Sean's chest. She could feel his strong and steady heartbeat.

Catherine looked embarrassed and cleared her throat.

"I never know you could dance. And your dance is stunning."

"Aunt Maria taught us as kids. But I rarely got around to it. Both Sophia and I get a bit rusty."

During the performance, Catherine made a few mistakes, but they corrected them soon. It took the trained eye to notice any.

At least the audience bought their dance, Catherine thought. Replacing the song turned out to be the right choice.

"Will you dance for me?" asked Sean.

Sean hated how others looked at Catherine. He felt his treasure was being coveted. Such a beautiful dance should be for himself alone.

"But I just changed."

"Other dances are fine too."

The Peacock dance was fantastic. But it required finesse and skills. Sean was afraid that Catherine would get hurt.

"Really?"

"Or dance with me."

Catherine agreed with sparkling eyes. She wanted to see Sean's dance.

Sean smiled. They started dancing in the living room.

Catherine had no idea that Sean could be so graceful since he looked so serious and uptight. Instead of being indifferent, he was gentle.

"Are you stunned?"

Catherine wandered off and stepped on his feet.

"I'm sorry."

"You really are stunned."

"You look so different. I thought you didn't like dancing." It seemed out of his character, Catherine wondered.

"I don't dance often, but I can dance." His voice was deep and enchanting.

"You dance better than me. Do you usually dance with ladies?"

Catherine put her hands around his neck and looked at her intriguingly.

"You're the only woman I danced with."

"I like to hear that."

Sean couldn't resist the temptation to kiss her, seeing her bright eyes.

It was such a lovely and romantic evening. Sean felt like a waste if they didn't do anything.

Intoxicated with the romance, Catherine was held by Sean to get in the bathroom.

However, Sean resisted the urge, and everything stopped at the kiss.

Catherine was impressed with Sean's patience. Although she didn't feel like it, she went soft, seeing how hard Sean tried to hold back the urge. But she has become his wife, Catherine thought, it was a matter of time. She decided to let nature run its course.

Sean dropped her off the first thing in the morning since Catherine had classes. They didn't have the heart to say goodbye at the gate.

Sean hugged her and caressed her hair. He said, "We can see each other three days later."

"I know." Catherine choked. She felt she was in a long-distance relationship. But they were both in London. It took less than an hour for Sean to come.

Catherine realized the change in her feelings about Sean. She was reluctant at first. Then she tried to accept his feelings. She could tell he was genuine and did a lot of things for her. She grew more and more fond of him. It must be how love felt, Catherine wondered.

Sean was acute enough to notice that change. Instead of reluctance, Catherine was open to him. And she seemed to enjoy spending time with him more and more. The way she looked at him was gentle. All was a good sign.

Sean had nothing but patience. Catherine has been his girl, and he had a life's time.

"What? You don't want me to leave?"

Catherine got blushed because Sean was right. But she swore Sean couldn't notice.

"I'm gonna be late. Drive safely."

Sean said, "Why are you being so shy?"

Catherine didn't respond and ran to the teaching building. Her cheek was hot, and the hotness spread to her body. He must see it.

"Catherine, are you being shy? That never happened before."

Catherine could be so cheeky when she courted Marco. Or she would quit after Marco said no so many times.

But she turned shy in front of Sean. Catherine could dig up a hole and put her face in it. It was so embarrassing.

"Catherine?"

***

Ethel moved to the next place and placed the textbook she brought on the table, "Here you are."

"Thanks."

Ethel, Anna, and Cecil checked on Catherine thoroughly.

"What?" asked Catherine.

"So nothing happened last night."

"What do you think might happen?"

Ethel said, "You got to it so hard that you couldn't get off the bed this morning."

"I'm sorry to let you down."

"Hey, you're in the same clothes as yesterday."

Catherine got awkward. She never imagined staying at Sean's place. So she didn't prepare any new clothes.

There was everything in that place except clothes. When they went to bed last night, they were in bathtubs, which brought Catherine back to last night. She never imagined staying at Sean's place. Her face was redder.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Stop it. I'm too young for that."

"So you guys talked last night? That's so innocent."

"Of course. I'm a good girl."

Ethel said, "So your boyfriend is a patient man. But I guess when he has a taste of it, it would be hard to feed him. Catherine, you have my sympathy."Then she patted Catherine on her shoulder.

Catherine said, "Ethel, stop it!"

"I can't help it. I'm single and like to imagine things."

"You should get a boyfriend."

They were too busy talking to notice Madison's vicious look from behind. She clenched the pen and got furious. Madison was madly jealous of Catherine seeing the bright color on her face. She knew Catherine must have snuck out of school to fool around with Sean.