Chapter 8: Weaving New Bonds
Dhalia's heart raced as she approached Alice and Henry, her mind filled with curiosity and a hint of nervousness. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to get to know Henry better, to unravel the mysteries behind his captivating presence. As she joined them, she mustered up the courage to ask if she could be a part of their conversation.
"Can I join you guys?" Dhalia asked, her voice betraying a mix of anticipation and eagerness.
"Always," Alice replied with a warm smile, signaling her openness to including Dhalia in their conversation. Henry, on the other hand, met her request with a smirk, his eyes gleaming with intrigue.
As Alice excused herself to answer a phone call, leaving Dhalia and Henry alone, a wave of both excitement and nervousness washed over Dhalia. This was her opportunity to engage with Henry on a more personal level, and she couldn't help but wonder what the interaction would reveal.
Dhalia hesitated for a moment before responding to Henry's question. "You don't talk, Dhalia?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity and a touch of playfulness.
Her name sounded so pleasant coming from his lips, and it sent a shiver down her spine. Dhalia composed herself and replied, "Yeah, I do, but only with the people I'm close to."
Henry's smirk widened, and his eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement and interest. "How close do you want me to be with you?" he asked, his tone teasing and filled with underlying implications.
Realizing the flirtatious undertone, Dhalia blushed slightly, feeling a rush of emotions swirling within her. She quickly shifted gears, attempting to change the topic to something else.
"How old are you, Henry?" she inquired, hoping to divert the conversation to a safer subject.
His response caught her off guard, as he questioned, "Why do you care?" There was a hint of challenge in his voice, as if he sensed her attempt to redirect the conversation.
Caught in a moment of vulnerability, Dhalia admitted her true intentions. "I was wondering," she replied, her voice softer and tinged with a mix of curiosity and nervousness.
A playful smile formed on Henry's lips, and he leaned in slightly closer. "So, you think about me," he stated, his voice low and laced with amusement.
Dhalia's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly shook her head. "No, not at all," she denied, her gaze shifting away from his penetrating eyes. Her inability to maintain eye contact revealed her vulnerability, her unspoken admission of the thoughts that had occupied her mind.
Henry chuckled, his laughter a melodic sound that sent a wave of warmth through her. "I find your reaction quite intriguing," he remarked, his eyes never leaving her. Despite her attempt to deny her thoughts, it seemed that Henry had caught onto her interest.
A flicker of amusement danced in Henry's eyes as he considered her question. "I'm 30," he revealed, his tone light yet mysterious. The answer only served to deepen the enigma surrounding him, leaving Dhalia with more questions than answers.
As she contemplated asking a bolder question, such as whether he was human, she hesitated, realizing that such inquiries might be met with evasiveness or outright dismissal. The air between them crackled with unspoken curiosity and a growing connection, leaving Dhalia yearning to uncover the truth behind the man who had captivated her attention.
As the conversation between Dhalia and Henry continued, a sudden interruption shattered the tension in the air. Grace, one of their group members, approached them with a mischievous glint in her eyes and boldly sat on Henry's lap. Dhalia's heart sank at the sight, a pang of jealousy stirring within her.
"I want to kiss you, Mr. Henry," Grace declared, her voice filled with audacity and an air of entitlement.
Henry's expression remained unchanged, his face betraying a hint of boredom. He had grown accustomed to the attention and advances of countless women who had thrown themselves at him. However, Dhalia's different demeanor intrigued him. She showed no overt interest in him, and that piqued his curiosity and admiration.
Without missing a beat, Henry responded, his voice carrying a detached tone, "I don't kiss unattractive women."
Dhalia's eyes widened in disbelief, her own surprise mirroring Grace's reaction. Grace's face fell, her confidence shattered by his rejection. She hastily stood up, hurt evident in her eyes, and swiftly retreated from the scene. Henry's remark had cut through her bravado, leaving her feeling exposed and rejected.
Dhalia, though taken aback by the bluntness of his words, couldn't help but feel a mixture of surprise and relief.
Dhalia's mind raced, questioning how someone could be so direct in turning down someone's advances. She had never encountered a man who possessed such unwavering confidence and the ability to openly reject others, especially someone as beautiful as Grace.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone