Chapter 2: Kiss

Serena P. O. V

His reply made my blood boil.

I definitely didn't accept rejection. Besides, the reason was really unclear.

“What's wrong with me being too young?” I looked up to give him a challenging look.

Those sharp eyes glanced at me, then took another sip of whiskey. “Women your age only bring trouble.”

I stared at him with narrowed eyes, unable to understand his opinion. “Like what?”

Leopold turned his body toward me. My position, also facing him, caused his thighs to touch mine. He looked down for a moment, and I seized the moment to close the distance with him. I deliberately held one side of his thigh with my thigh. He growled softly, but I ignored him.

“Nothing.” Leopold used one hand to say that he was uncomfortable with my question.

He tried to break away, but I leaned my body towards him even more. I noticed that Leopold looked a little surprised and then kept his distance from me.

From the way he looked at me, it was as if I were a parasite. And he didn't hide his desire to stay away from me.

“Why?” I asked, teasing him even more by moving my chest.

Leopold growled hoarsely. “I got divorced because I got involved with a young girl like you. Satisfied, Miss Serena?”

I should have sympathized with his problem, but I burst out laughing at his answer.

“There you are. Everyone comes here because they're running away from their problems.” I patted his shoulder, sympathizing with his tragedy. “Well, I hate people who cheat the most. But seeing you look frustrated, maybe you can change my perception. Although, the act of cheating is never right.”

Leopold looked at me with a flat gaze and a lazy expression on his face. “No, thanks.”

I lightly patted his sturdy shoulder. “Come on… you know what? They say confiding in strangers works. I broke up with him because he had a girlfriend and they were planning a wedding. I only found out that I was the second person after he said he wanted to end his relationship with me.”

Leopold seemed to be holding back a smile. Even though two hundred days had passed, I still couldn't forgive myself for being so stupid.

“One month before the wedding, he met me at home and asked me to have sex for the last time.” I continued with a fiery look of emotion.

This time, Leopold no longer covered up the look of disgust on his face. “Let me guess. You really want to have sex with him.”

I looked down and almost slammed my forehead on the bar counter. This stupid me was still hoping Jason would call off the wedding and choose me. Even after the passionate sex, Jason didn't come back to me.

“I swear, I wish his penis couldn't stand up. Better yet, impotent!” I exclaimed loudly, feeling my emotions rising at the thought of my last encounter with my asshole ex.

Leopold was no longer laughing. This time, he had a serious look on his face. “Once in our lives, I think we should be fools first to know our true value.”

“Apparently you're wise, too.” I folded my arms across my chest. “So, what's your foolishness?”

Leopold let out a long breath. “My marriage was in trouble, but instead of finding a solution, I fell for the charms of a young woman. She's an intern at my company.”

“You're having an affair?” I asked, clenching my fists tightly.

He rubbed his face quickly. “I didn't have sex with her. But I felt very guilty. So I told my wife the truth, and the next day the divorce papers were on my desk.”

“Apparently, your story can't make me change my mind. Even once, you still played with fire behind your wife's back.” I sighed and drank the remaining wine in the glass.

“I know,” he replied softly.

His face revealed more profound issues beyond cheating and divorce.

“That's not the only foolishness you're referring to, is it?” I smiled a little while looking at him intensely.

His sharp eyes looked sad, perhaps remembering the fatal mistake he had made. “Nope. My mistake was marrying the wrong woman.”

His answer piqued my curiosity. This is the first time I've met such a complicated man.

“And the apprentice girl is a good girl?”

Leopold shook his head. “Do you know what I'm thinking right now?”

I folded my arms across my chest and put on a gentle expression as he confided in me.

“My best friend just got married. Before this, he didn't believe in love; in fact, he vowed never to get married. Until he met his current wife. Seeing him reminded me of my marriage. I didn't have the sincere attraction that I saw in my friend's eyes when he looked at his wife. I realized more and more that I married the wrong woman,” Leopold replied with a sharp intake of breath. I'm sure he's feeling a great deal of emotional turmoil right now.

I had originally approached him to flirting. But I didn't expect him to tell me a story that left me stunned for a few moments.

I looked at him with an uncomfortable feeling. “I'm so afraid that no man is right for me.”

Leopold grinned faintly. “Then we're doomed.”

I snorted. I'm not usually this desperate. However, Leopold had a point too. There might not be a genuine, good-hearted man destined for me. Or I would meet that person at the right time; who knows when?

In the past, I used to worry about finding my future soul mate. Tonight, I've abandoned the Serena persona, who incessantly fretted over hypothetical scenarios. And I tried to enjoy what was in front of me.

Currently, there is Leopold in front of me. I smiled a little. He seemed to realize that there was a cunning idea in my mind, so he looked at me with a question mark.

“What if…” I grabbed his big hand and pointed it at my chest. “I'm a mistake, and you're a mistake. Why don't we just enjoy this mistake until we find the right one?”

“Are you kidding me?” Those ocean-blue eyes flashed as they looked at me.

If he had thought I was being presumptuous, then he would have pulled his hand away. However, he was silent. His large palms stroked my breasts, which were not accommodated by my short dress.

“Don't play any further,” I said as his free hand was about to slip into my dress.

Leopold swallowed. He was still looking at me with a furrowed brow. Meanwhile, I wore a defiant expression. I wondered how far he would take my challenge.

And seconds later, Leopold's full lips silenced me with his rough kiss.