Chapter 55

Chapter 55Chapter 55 Watching The Sunrise
Just when Vincent gained a new perspective on Jonathan’s craftiness, Jonathan received a message
from the resort about Vincent’s departure. Satisfied that he would be alone for the morning hike with
Michaela the next day, Jonathan returned to bed.
Michaela had a good night’s sleep that night. Maybe it was due to a lot of walking around the resort
during the day. She jerked from her deep slumber when Jonathan came knocking on her door before
dawn. Only then did she remember the promise to watch the sunrise.
She quickly washed up and changed into appropriate attire. They had a simple breakfast of oatmeal,
then made their way to the mountain top.
Halfway there, Michaela finally realized it was too quiet. She turned to Jonathan confusedly. “Mr.
Jonathan, is it truly okay for us not to invite Vincent along?”
“He left,” Jonathan replied nonchalantly.
She’s still thinking about that idiot?
“Huh?”
Michaela was surprised at the news.
He didn’t mention about leaving at dinner last night and even reminded me to set the alarm for this
morning before returning to his room. Why did he leave so suddenly?Jonathan met her gaze and said, “He told me his mom had arranged a blind date for him, so he left in a
hurry and didn’t get to say his goodbyes. He did leave a short message though.”
Worried Michaela would be interested in Vincent, Jonathan sacrificed his friend’s reputation to avoid any
possibility of that happening.
“Oh,” Michaela muttered gloomily.
Is she sad at Vincent’s sudden departure?
The thought annoyed Jonathan. His eyes narrowed as he asked, “What’s with your reaction?”
“I just felt sorry that Vincent was forced into marriage.”
The unexpected answer had Vincent exhaling a breath. Before he could relax, Michaela spoke in a soft
voice. “But I understood the reason he was forced into marriage. After all, he’s not getting any younger,
but what confuses me the most is even my mom asks me to meet more new friends and to start dating
some of them if they aren’t that bad. I’m only twenty-two!”
Not getting any younger?
Jonathan frowned as he counted. Vincent is younger than me by a year. Am I old? I thought seniority
was the largest obstacle to taking our relationship further, but age was really the main issue instead?
Before he could resolve the burning issue, Michaela started going on about Hannah hounding her to
date. Jonathan felt he was swimming against the current at that point.
Even though he was panicking, he kept a calm composure. “What do you think about it?”
“Of course, I don’t want to look for a boyfriend so early on. Besides, men are pigs. They always break
their promises and do something different than what they said. They cheated on girls and changed theirminds at a drop of a hat. When they were wooing you, they whispered sweet nothings into your ears and
pampered you, but what did they do in the end? It’s always the girls that got hurt.”
Michaela was giving her speech passionately when she felt a dark gaze trained on her. Realizing her slip
of a tongue, she stuck out her tongue cutely and laughed dryly. “I’m not talking about you, Mr. Jonathan.
No offense.”
“None taken.” Jonathan said casually, “You never dated me before, so of course, I’m not going to
assume you’re talking about me.
Michaela continued to plaster a forced smile on her face at his answer. “Mich, you can’t lump everything
and everyone together. It makes sense for Mdm. Simmons to worry. All you have to do is listen to your
heart.”
“Thank you, Mr. Jonathan.”
Michaela flashed him such a bright smile that even her eyes lit up.
As the resort wasn’t open to the public, the hike to the mountain peak was empty. When they reached
the peak, they saw a few small groups of hikers there. They were all facing the east, waiting for the sun
to rise as they shivered in the cold wind.
The mornings in fall were starting to get colder, especially in the mountains.
The heat their bodies had accumulated from the hike vanished as time passed.
Seeing Michaela’s excitement even though her nose had already turned red from the cold, Jonathan
drew closer to her and asked with a smile, “Feeling cold yet?”
“I’m good,” she replied in a chirpy voice. He could imagine the notes dancing in the air.
He liked how lively and energetic she was now, as compared to the gloomy her at the beach.Ever since her engagement was annulled and he decided to stay in the city, he swore he would be the
one to evoke Michaela’s every feeling from then on.
However, I don’t want to see her getting sick.
Jonathan lifted his hand to unbuckle the buttons on his coat. Knowing what he was trying to do, Michaela
stopped him by placing her hand on his. “I’m not cold, Mr. Jonathan. The wind is blowing strongly. It’s
best if you keep it on. I don’t want you getting sick.”
Her hands were cold and soft. The vivid sensation warmed his heart. With an arch of his brow, he asked
smugly, “Worried about me?”
His husky voice had a certain charm that enticed the listener.
Michaela was stunned briefly but didn’t notice anything amiss. He began speaking in a deeper baritone.
“I have a way to keep both of us warm.”
Before Michaela could realize what was happening, Jonathan stretched his arm and pulled her into his
embrace. He swiftly covered her with his wide coat. It does feel warmer.
But it’s too intimate. Michaela’s heart started racing, and her breathing turned heavier. The hot breath on
her ear felt amplified every time he exhaled.
He noticed her ears were turning red, and a warm smile played on his lips. “See? Not cold anymore?”
“Yeah.”
Michaela nodded woodenly, but her ears were turning redder.
Not far away, a shivering Walter was wiping the snot dripping down his nose. He elbowed the statue
beside him. “Say, why did Mr. Xander come all the way here for this torture? Could it be just for a hug?”Gary cast a condescending glance at Walter. Even though I don’t know Mr. Xander’s plan, I’m sure he
has his reasons.
However, he wouldn’t let Walter know he was clueless too.
Walter was not offended or surprised by Gary’s attitude. Not caring whether he would agree, Walter
inched closer to him. “I think Mr. Xander is feeling quite warm with his method. Should we give it a try?”
“F**k off!” Gary shot him a disgusted glance and shrank away.
Walter was upset at his disgust. “F**k! I’m straight too! I’m f**king doing it to get some warmth. Let the
cold freeze you to death then.”
Walter jumped on the spot, trying to warm his body up. “It’s too f**king cold here.”
At that time, the sun’s rays had shone through the horizon, illuminating the faraway cloud that was slowly
rolling away to reveal the peaks of the mountains. As the red sun peaked through, its rays painted the
sky red.
The magnificent view of sunrise had everyone agitated.
Not far away, a few people started cheering loudly and whipped out their phones for a photo session.
Michaela waved her hands excitedly as though her arms could reach the fiery sky.
“Mr. Jonathan, look at that! Vincent was right! It’s beautiful!”
As the ball of light rose higher, Michaela’s pretty face lighted up. It cast a sensual charm on her looks.
“Mich!”
“Hmm?”Oblivious to Jonathan’s darkened gaze, Michaela was still submerged in the overwhelming beauty of
nature.
“Guard your heart well.”
“What?”
The loud cheers had drowned out Jonathan’s deep voice. Before Michaela could turn around and ask
him, his husky voice sounded again. “I said, guard your heart for me. I’ll planning to steal it from you.”