Chapter 138
Sebastian didn’t even hesitate.
“Yes. It’s our first trip to Paris together p>
He slipped an arm around Lexi’s slender waist and sat down beside her.
“Do you know any places that are particularly nice for couples p>
His tone was relaxed, almost genuinely interested.
Sebastian had traveled to plenty of places over the years, but he’d never paid attention to where couples actually went.
When he’d searched online, all he’d found were the usual tourist attractions.
Crowded.
Predictable.
Not particularly interesting.
Lexi shot him a vicious glare.
He hadn’t even bothered to correct the woman’s misunderstanding.
Instead, he’d simply gone along with it.
He was shameless.
Yet, considering how Sebastian had once been so distant that even speaking to strangers seemed beneath him, the fact that he was willingly making conversation with an ordinary couple was almost unbelievable.
Her anger slowly softened.
The woman recommended several famous sights around Paris.
But Sebastian didn’t seem particularly interested.
After thinking for a moment, she asked cautiously, “Are you interested in fortune-telling p>
Sebastian raised his eyes.
His long fingers brushed thoughtfully over his chin as he waited for her to continue.
“There’s a woman near Saint-Roch Church who reads tarot cards, especially about love p>
The woman’s face lit up.
“She was incredibly accurate when my husband and I were dating. We visited Paris together, and she told us we’d stay together for the rest of our lives p>
She laughed happily.
“We went home and got married. Fifteen years later, we’re still together p>
Her husband tugged impatiently at her sleeve.
“Enough already p>
She shot him an annoyed look before covering her mouth with a laugh.
“Don’t mind him. He’s always been grumpy p>
Then she turned back to Sebastian.
“But don’t forget to visit her p>
With that, she turned toward her husband and began whispering something to him.
The tension disappeared from the man’s face.
His tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed, and the hostility in his expression faded.
Sebastian quietly committed the woman’s words to memory.
Then he turned toward Lexi.
His gaze was soft.
Bright.
Warm.
Lexi’s heart immediately betrayed her again.
She pressed a hand against her chest.
“Why are you looking at me p>
She glared at him.
“Didn’t I tell you not to look at me like that p>
Sebastian lowered his eyes.
The sharp lines of his handsome face softened.
There was something almost gentle about him now, like the first tender leaves of spring moving beneath a warm breeze.
His voice was quiet when he asked,
“When we’re old, do you think we’ll travel together like them p>
Lexi’s heart gave a painful little twist.
“Who knows p>
She muttered the words.
A faint sadness settled over her.
She suddenly remembered something she’d once read:
Young couples walking hand in hand may be beautiful, but there’s something even more precious about elderly couples still walking side by side after decades together.
Their future was so long.
There were still countless roads ahead of them.
Maybe at the next turning, their paths would split.
Maybe they’d never see each other again.
There was already an enormous distance between her and Sebastian.
Even if they chose to be together, the price would be enormous.
And she still hadn’t completely figured out what she felt for him.
If she took even one step toward Sebastian, there would be a cliff behind her.
There would be no easy way back.
“You don’t have to wonder p>
Sebastian’s eyes burned with quiet determination.
“That day will come p>
Something inside Lexi trembled.
Warmth flooded her chest.
Her nose stung, and her eyes filled with a soft sheen of tears.
She quickly put on her eye mask so Sebastian wouldn’t see the change in her expression.
She needed the darkness to hide everything she couldn’t bring herself to say.
When they’d first met, Sebastian had mocked her mercilessly.
Now he noticed when she was cold, when she was tired, when she was frightened.
The transformation still astonished her.
But more than anything, it moved her.
He no longer seemed like some untouchable god standing above everyone else.
He was simply a man.
A man with a heart that could hurt, love, and worry.
Once Lexi fell asleep, Sebastian remained beside her.
A faint smile rested on his lips.
Soon, he too closed his eyes.
Several hours later, the plane landed safely in Paris.
The moment Lexi and Sebastian stepped out of the airport, they saw Connor approaching.
He wore a light-blue suit, his expression as unreadable and professional as ever.
“Boss, the hotel has been arranged p>
Connor inclined his head.
“This way p>
Sebastian nodded.
He took Lexi’s hand and led her forward.
Lexi was visiting Paris for the first time.
She didn’t know the city.
She didn’t speak French.
And she hadn’t brought much money with her.
For now, she had no choice but to stay close to Sebastian and wait for Lila to join her.
The moment they got into the car, Sebastian quietly took Lexi’s passport.
Lexi immediately looked at him.
“What are you doing p>
“Keeping it safe p>
His answer was perfectly calm.
The truth was much simpler.
He was worried she might suddenly decide to leave.
Her passport was much safer with him.
At least, that was what he told himself.
“Connor p>
Lexi glanced toward the driver.
“How many rooms did you book p>
As the hotel drew closer, she licked her dry lips.
For some reason, she felt strangely nervous.
“Three p>
Connor answered without hesitation.
“One for Boss, one for Miss Lexi, and one for me.
My room is downstairs.
If you need anything, just call p>
“Good p>
Lexi immediately relaxed.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
“What p>
His voice carried a teasing edge.
“Were you hoping to share a room with me p>
Lexi glared at him.
She’d barely been tricked into coming to Paris.
If Sebastian had also arranged for them to share a room, she might have run straight back to New York.
He knew that.
For once, he wasn’t willing to push his luck.
Love required patience.
If he moved too quickly, he could lose everything.