Chapter 86

Chapter 86:

“You are imagining things,” Fernanda retorted.

She rolled down the car window, turning her face to the outside to let the cool night air soothe her skin. Cristian’s quiet laughter echoed from beside her.

She furrowed her brows, puzzled by what could be so funny to him. Wait, she needed to think this through herself. Why was she blushing? Why had she been stealing glances at him? Fernanda couldn’t understand why she was reacting this way. It felt as though Cristian had some kind of power that made her keep looking at him.

She felt irritated, realizing her actions were out of character. If she wanted to look at him, she should just do it openly. Why hide? It wasn’t like her at all.

But what he said earlier had genuinely caught her off guard. He had mentioned feeling something was off today and decided to abandon the race to find her instead. And sure enough, he found her right away down the slope.

No one had ever cared for her like that before, except for Hiram. Yet, Cristian was always concerned about her safety, helping her whenever she needed it.

Cristian moved closer to Fernanda, his voice soft as he asked, “Is it because you think I’m attractive that you’re blushing p>

Fernanda couldn’t respond and acted as though she hadn’t heard him.

“I’ve heard that when a girl likes someone, she blushes and her heart beats faster,” Cristian murmured.

“Quit joking around,” she shot back without thinking. “I don’t like you p>

“Okay, okay, no need to be upset,” Cristian said calmly. “I wasn’t p>

“…Saying you like me. I’m the one who likes you.” Fernanda was taken aback by his words.

Cristian’s tone was now serious and sincere, a sharp contrast to his earlier playful demeanor.

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Fernanda’s breath caught, and she instinctively straightened up. Cristian rolled up her side of the window, cutting off the harsh wind and bringing a quiet calm to the car.

His voice was more distinct now. “Fernanda, I won’t lie, there’s a lot about you that draws me in. When we first met, it was unexpected, and you were the first girl I really connected with. The more I got to know you, the more I found myself admiring you p>

Fernanda cut him off quickly. “So, you only appreciate me, not actually like me p>

“No,” Cristian said, shaking his head. “I know the difference between appreciating someone and actually liking them p>

“We haven’t known each other for long,” Fernanda replied, skeptical. “How much do you really know about me? Saying you like me now feels a bit too soon p>

Cristian wasn’t bothered by her resistance. He calmly continued, “There are plenty of people who fall in love at first sight. Compared to them, we’ve known each other for a fair amount of time. But it’s not just about time—it’s about the connection p>

Since meeting Fernanda, her face often lingered in his thoughts. Cristian was well aware of the pull she had on him. He admired her, and he liked her more with each passing day.

He had dreamed up countless ways to confess his feelings for her. Maybe in a lavish restaurant, at a lively amusement park, or beneath the glow of fireworks. But he never imagined it would happen in a car, so unexpectedly yet…

…So naturally.

Perhaps it was the perfect moment just before. In the intimate quiet of just the two of them, Fernanda—usually so composed and reserved—was blushing, all because she’d stolen a glance at him. Cristian wondered if maybe, just maybe, she liked him back. It was a classic reaction—a young girl’s heart fluttering at the sight of someone who made her feel something special.

This realization made Cristian’s heart swell with happiness, and he couldn’t help but voice his feelings. He liked her.

Fernanda, however, felt more awkward than ever. If the car had slowed even slightly, she might have considered opening the door and jumping out. But she couldn’t do that, as they were on the highway, and jumping out would lead to disaster.

Fernanda fought to steady her nerves, applying the same method she had used with past admirers to handle Cristian.

“I’m sorry, Cristian, but I don’t feel that way about you,” she said plainly.

Cristian sighed in resignation. “I know,” he replied.

She had been clear about her feelings. Even though they had grown closer, they were still far from being more than acquaintances. At most, they were just friends, with no real affection between them.

“I was just sharing how I feel, not expecting you to feel the same,” Cristian said softly. “I hope it doesn’t make you uncomfortable p>

“It doesn’t,” Fernanda replied, shaking her head. “But, Cristian, I don’t think we’re right for each other. Maybe this is just a fleeting attraction, and in time, it’ll fade p>

“But there’s also a chance that as time passes, I’ll grow even fonder of you,” he said, convinced this was a far more likely outcome than Fernanda’s theory.

Cristian couldn’t think of a single reason not to like her. She was intelligent, confident, and had so many admirable traits. The more he got to know her, the more he was impressed. She was like a gem, impossible not to admire.

“Cristian, I have a lot going on right now, and I can’t afford to get involved in a romantic relationship,” Fernanda replied, meeting his gaze. “And don’t forget, I’m still engaged p>

Cristian’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Is your engagement really that big a deal?” he said, looking at Fernanda. “If it bothers you, I could dissolve it right now p>

“No, there’s no need for that!” Fernanda quickly cut him off. She didn’t doubt his sincerity; he could actually make that happen.

The engagement between the Morgans and Harpers was well known. With Robert’s opportunistic tendencies, if he learned about Fernanda’s connection to Cristian, he’d probably push her toward Cristian in an instant. After all, the Reed family held far more power than the Harper family. Being tied to the Reed family would make Robert overjoyed. What was more, Bobby’s mother disapproved of Fernanda so much that if she knew the engagement could be broken off, she’d support it without a second thought.

Fernanda had no interest in pursuing anything more than friendship with Cristian, not now, not ever. The first time she met him, he was being chased, and she didn’t know why—and frankly, she didn’t want to.

Cristian clearly had his own troubles. Fernanda had more than enough of her own issues to handle without…

…Adding his to the pile.

Being friends was more than enough, but anything deeper was not something Fernanda was ready to accept.

“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything without your say-so,” Cristian said with a smile.

Fernanda stayed quiet and leaned back in her seat.

When they finally reached the hospital, she declined Cristian’s offer to carry her and asked him to bring a wheelchair instead.

“We’re at a hospital with a lot of people around. Let’s not get too close,” Fernanda reminded him.

“Alright, I understand p>

Cristian knew well that Fernanda was still technically engaged to Bobby. If they were seen being too familiar, it could damage her reputation.

He cared deeply about everything that concerned her, and he didn’t want to cause her any trouble.