Chapter 3

"I just don't want you to leave me there alone," I replied quickly, trying to keep my voice as natural as possible while gently brushing his hand away from my forehead. "Besides, if we're going to have a child, isn't this our joint effort? Why am I the only one getting checked?"

James froze instantly. His sharp gaze flickered, staring at me as if I had just spoken in a foreign language. The crease on his forehead deepened.

"A child?" he repeated in a whisper, his tone saturated with profound disbelief. "You... are asking for a child with me?"

I bit my lower lip, realizing that in the novel, the original Alana had always flatly rejected the idea of carrying James's child. She used to cause a massive scene every single time the topic of fertility checkups was brought up.

"Why? I mean... there's no harm in trying, right?" I replied, pretending to be calm, even though my heart was beating so hard it felt like it was about to leap out of my chest.

James laughed this time. Confused by his reaction, I asked, "Is something funny?"

"You're truly weird today, Alana. Where do you think we're going?"

I blinked repeatedly. "The fertility checkup?"

He burst out laughing again.

"James, stop it! I'm not joking," I said.

He fell silent. Then, without warning, he scooped me up with one arm.

‘Oh damn it! I'm not sure I can withstand this temptation!’

He carried me toward the bed and tossed me down softly onto the plush mattress. Before I could process what was happening, James closed the distance, hovering right over me with both hands propped on either side.

His warm breath fanned against my neck, sending an instant shiver straight down my spine.

"Alana, Alana..." he whispered in a raspy voice that was hazardously dangerous for my heart's health. "Our fertility doctor scheduled the checkup for next month. Tonight, we're only going to a family dinner party."

My eyes widened. ‘A family dinner party?!’

‘Damn it! Did I misremember the plot of the novel?!’

"Then... why are you lifting me up like this?!" I asked in a panic, trying to push against his solid chest, but my effort yielded no results whatsoever.

James curled his lips into a faint smirk—a rare smile so mesmerizing it almost made me forget how to breathe.

"You're the one who said you weren't sure you could withstand the temptation, weren't you?" he whispered right against my lips. "And about that fertility checkup... if you really can't wait, why should we wait for the doctor?"

"W-wait, James! I-I haven't brushed my teeth or taken a shower yet," I said.

He smirked playfully. "I don't care, Alana."

He wrapped his arm around my waist, erasing the remaining distance until there was no gap left between us. His warm breath brushed over my neck, causing the chill from my earlier shower to evaporate instantly, replaced by a goosebump-inducing heat spreading throughout my entire body.

‘Oh God, Rhea, remember! You're just a barista who accidentally stumbled into a drama novel! Don't lose your balance over the six-pack right in front of your eyes!’ I screamed hysterically in my head.

I pressed my palms against his hard chest, trying to maintain some space even though my strength was clearly nothing compared to his.

"James, seriously!" I cried out in a half-muffled voice, trying desperately to cling to whatever was left of my dignity. "Didn't you say there's a family dinner tonight? Do you want us to be late just because... because of this?"

James paused his movements for a moment. His sharp eyes searched mine deeply, probing every inch of my face, which had undeniably turned completely red by now.

A subtle smirk reappeared on his lips. "You've gotten quite good at making excuses now, Alana."

He didn't release me right away; instead, he leaned down close until his lips almost touched my ear, whispering in a low voice, "Don't worry. I'll save this bill for tonight. After the event is over."

***

That evening, we arrived at the dinner event with his family. He held my hand and guided me to sit right beside him.

"Alana, you look even more beautiful," his grandmother said.

I smiled politely, trying to mask the sudden surge of nervousness. In the novel, James's grandmother was the only family member who still treated Alana with warmth, despite the original Alana often being indifferent toward her.

"Thank you, Grandmother," I replied softly with a gentle nod. "You look very elegant tonight as well."

Hearing my answer, Grandmother looked surprised for a brief second before flashing a broad, warm smile. Beside me, I could feel James's grip under the table tighten slightly—he clearly noticed the change in my tone, which was far from the arrogant vibe of the old Alana.

"Look at my granddaughter-in-law, James," Grandmother whispered teasingly to James. "Usually she rarely accepts compliments, but she is so sweet tonight."

James didn't reply immediately. He turned his face toward me, his sharp gaze dissecting my thoughts.

"She has been acting very strange since this morning, Grandmother," James remarked coldly, yet his fingers slipped between mine under the table, holding my hand even tighter.

I smiled. "Grandmother, may I step out to the restroom for a moment?" I asked.

James immediately chimed in, "Let me accompany you."

"No need, James," I said quickly, gently tapping the back of his hand that was still holding mine. "I'll only be a moment. Besides, it's impossible for me to get lost in this restaurant."

James narrowed his eyes, staring at me with suspicion. That look felt like a warning not to cause trouble or try to run away again like the original Alana used to do in the novel.

"I promise I won't be long," I whispered right next to his ear, flashing a sweet smile I intentionally crafted to put his mind at ease.

He finally let out a short sigh and reluctantly released his grip on my hand. "Three minutes, Alana. Any longer than that, and I'll come inside to pick you up myself."

I nodded softly and stood up from the chair, walking gracefully toward the luxurious restaurant's restroom. However, just as I passed a rather quiet hallway near the restroom area, a hand suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me roughly behind a large pillar.

"Alana! Finally, I can meet you!"

I gasped, my eyes widening as I stared at the man in front of me. He had a handsome face with a slightly messy style of clothing—a figure that matched the description in the novel exactly.

"You?"

***