Chapter 3B

Gideon's voice was lovely. It was cold and deep. He may have been a vocalist in a band when he was younger, or he may have competed in various singing competitions. Regardless, she liked his voice.

Jewel bit her lower lip to keep her mouth from speculating. But as the song progressed, she was tempted to ask questions until she couldn't anymore.

She cut him off mid-song. "Wait, Gideon?"

"Mmm?"

"What exactly are you singing?"

Gideon raised his head and sang the song's bridge to her. Her face was twisted. "What is the title?" she inquired impatiently.

Gideon shook his head and smiled. "Leave me astounded."

"And by whom?"

"Planetshakers."

"Who is that?"

Gideon shook his head. She scowled. When Gideon saw her contorted face, he laughed and patted her leg. "Move your foot across," he said.

Despite her confusion, she immediately obeyed. Gideon dashed to the other side.

Gideon suddenly grabbed Jewel's waist and yanked her off the horse. She was startled by the sudden movement. Gideon laughed as he walked up to her and hugged her.

"Are you still cold?" he inquired as he wrapped his arms around her.

Her brow furrowed, and she bit her lower lip. She'd like to say that his hug was ineffective, but... Perhaps he'll take her joke seriously and break free from the hug. She sighed and murmured, "Yes, but not too cold."

She was taken aback when her teeth chattered again. What an embarrassment. She then remembered the earlier gnashing of her teeth as she stared at Gideon. She bit her lower lip hard as her cheeks turned bright red.

Jewel snorted and cleared her mind of the scene. The cold faded gradually, especially as Gideon's arms tightened around her and he stroked her back gently.

"Are you all right now?" Gideon asked.

She blinked. "What do you think?"

He burst out laughing. "Let's stay like this for a while. I like your warmth," Gideon said, drawing a breath. "This place is as cold as Mantalongon."

His words made her brow furrow. "Isn't Mantalongon in Dalaguete?"

"Yeah."

"Have you been there?"

"Mmm."

"Is that place full of monkeys?"

Gideon burst out laughing. "What do you think, Jewel?"

"Ah." Jewel pull her tongue out. "I just want to check whether you're talking big or not."

"Heh." Gideon flicked her nose. "What a naughty brat."

Her pupils dilated. "Don't you dare flick my nose," she grumbled, holding her nose.

Gideon simply smiled and stroked her hair. He said nothing. She was perplexed. Was what she said that offensive to him?

She bit her lower lip. "Hey, you stopped talking. What's up with the sudden silence?"

"Do you want me to talk?" he asked, raising his brow.

Jewel snorted and averted her gaze. "Don't you dare! I don't want to hear your voice!"

"Lying through your teeth, eh?" Gideon chuckled.

She pursed her lips when she felt him stroke her back again. "I-I'm not lying," she said quietly.

"I see," he said, a faint smile appearing on the corner of his lips indicating that he did not believe her.

Her cheeks turned bright red as a result. "Just s-stop talking!"

Huh. She refused to acknowledge that Gideon was affecting her. Her heart couldn't stop racing, and she was annoyed by it. What's the matter with her? How could she be drawn to a man who was older than her?

'Oh, you shameless Jewel! Do you imagine yourself as a novel's heroine? ' She chastised herself.

She suddenly remembered her favorite novel. It was supposed to be out today. She wanted to go home right away, but the cold was too much for her, and she.... enjoyed being in Gideon's arms. It was warm, and she felt safe.

She sighed again, this time burying her face in Gideon's chest. Gideon's body relaxed in response to her attempt. Because his skin was hot, his wet T-shirt was unnoticeable in her palm. Gideon's warmth was more comforting.

She laughed to herself. Did the heroines she'd read feel the same way when their male leads hugged them? She bit her lower lip.

'What on earth am I thinking?' she snapped.

Suddenly, she remembered a bed scene from a book she was reading. Her brow creased. Something beneath her belly wanted to come out as she imagined the scene. And she was dripping wet.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Gideon let go of her. "All right," he said.

For a brief moment, she was stunned. And sucked hard. It was as if a bucket of ice-cold water had been poured upon her. She remained rooted in place, perplexed, stilled, and slightly hot...

Someone stroked her cheek and looked at her. "Jewel, are you all right?"

It was only then that she realized the sun had risen in the east, chasing the darkness away. Her father and mother's faces appeared in her mind, and she tightly shut her eyes. She's as good as dead meat.

"My parents... they'll scold me again," she worriedly said, and Gideon heard her. When he suddenly laughed, she looked at him, perplexed. "What's funny?" she asked.

Gideon smiled at her and kissed her on the cheek. "Is that what you've been thinking in the last few minutes? I thought something bad had happened to you. I'll take care of it. Let's go and you might get sick from the cold."

"Minutes?" she asked, still perplexed.

Gideon gave her a nod and motioned her forward. He took the reins of the horse tied to a tree. "Good girl," he said to Gina, smiling.

But Jewel remained dazed. "What exactly do you mean by minutes?"

Gideon took her hand in his and the two of them walked forward together. "I called you, but you seemed lost in your thoughts, and when I looked at you, you glared at me," Gideon laughed. "If a glare could kill, I'd be dead."

Her brow creased. She couldn't recall looking at Gideon. She lightly massaged her nape.

Gideon gave her a look. "Where is the pain?"

"My shoulder hurts," she complained.

"Come closer."

She moved in closer to Gideon. His hand gripped her shoulder. The pain was instantly relieved. Gideon applied some pressure to that part.

"Better?" he questioned.

"Yeah, the pain has subsided."

His brow creased, but he smiled at her. "Let's get going."

They walked for a few minutes before noticing a knight on horseback approaching them. The knight came to a halt a few meters ahead. He then climbed down and removed his hat to greet them.

The man gave her a look. "Your father and mother are looking for you, Miss Laine," he said, turning to face Gideon. "Sir, your father called and said he was going to the Casa, and the Mayor will meet you there."

Gideon gave a nod. Jewel took a look at the young people happily shouting in the distance. They were catching dragonflies.

"Take Jewel back to the mansion, and I'll go straight to the Casa," Gideon said.

She shook her head as she looked at Gideon. "No."

Gideon and the knight both turned to look at her, and she felt small in their gazes, but she kept her head held high.

Gideon's lip curled up. "Do you have anything to say, Jewel?"

Her eyes narrowed at him. "You should change your shirt," she said, her voice firm. She used a voice technique to direct the maids, and she wasn't sure if Gideon would be amused or offended.

Gideon, on the other hand, nodded, a smile still on his lips. The knight, too, smiled and looked down. "Sir, shall I take Miss Laine... or will you?"

"She's on me," Gideon said, smiling.

Jewel let out a sigh of relief. She didn't want to make a scene in front of these men because she needed Gideon to protect her from her father later.

Before mounting the horse, Gideon adjusted the saddle on Gina. He then extended his hand to her. "Give me your hand, Jewel."

She turned to face the knight. He smiled at her and bowed slightly. "Be careful, Sir Gideon, Senyorita," he advised before mounting his horse and riding to the mansion.

"Jewel."

Her focus was drawn back to Gideon. "Do not address me as Jewel."

"So, what do you want me to call you?"

"Laine." She snorted.

Gideon laughed. "You don't refer to yourself as a gem?" he teased.

"Whatever," she muttered to herself as she stretched her hand to him. Gideon hoisted her up in the saddle, in front of him.

"Are you comfortable?" he asked.

She gave a nod. "Yeah."

Gideon started directing Gina to return to the mansion. When the fog passed between them, Jewel bit her lower lip.

"It's quite cold," Gideon commented.

"I said so earlier. It's bitterly cold."

She was taken aback when he hugged her from behind and drew her in closer. A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

She pressed her back against his chest. She took a deep breath and averted her gaze from the Sacadas. She noticed them murmuring to each other, smiling from ear to ear, and occasionally looking at her and Gideon.

She was aware that some gossip began circulating when Gideon arrived at the mansion a few days ago.