Chapter 7

Brent Heins pulled Casey Hathaway along, hurrying toward the bus stop. He kept saying, “Hurry up! That barbecue restaurant is super popular. If we’re late, we’ll have to wait in line, and there might not even be any seats left!”

Casey Hathaway let her pull him along. The sensation of her palm against his was warm and soft once again. A doting smile always played on his lips. Throughout his life, he had never taken a bus or eaten food from a street vendor. But with Brent Haines by his side, he felt like everything was worth trying.

After taking two bus stops, the two arrived at a bustling snack street. The air was filled with the aromas of delicious food, and the area was lively with chatter and activity. Brent Haines’s eyes lit up. He pulled Case Hathaway towards a barbecue stand and greeted the owner familiarly, “Boss, give me two skewers of squid, two skewers of chicken wings, and one portion of grilled eggplant. Make it really spicy!”

“Alright!” The boss replied with a smile, then got to work quickly and efficiently.

After a short while, the barbecue was ready. Brent Haines picked up a piece of squid, took a big bite, and said with a satisfied expression, “Mmm, this is delicious. Try it. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

Casey Hathaway looked at her disheveled appearance with tenderness in his eyes. He took the squid from her hand and took a gentle bite. The spicy flavor exploded in his mouth instantly. He had never eaten anything this spicy before. He started coughing involuntarily: “Cough… cough cough, it’s so spicy, cough cough…”

Brent Haines had expected him to react like this. With a sly smile on his face, like a kitten that’s just stolen some food, he took out a bottle of water from his bag and handed it to him. “Here, take it. I prepared it for you earlier.”

Case Hathaway took the water, unscrewed the cap, and drank a few gulps. The sting in his throat finally subsided a little. He glanced at Brent Haines’s teasing expression, shook his head helplessly, but felt no anger at all.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to tease you.” Brent Haines leaned closer to him, winking his left eye playfully. “I noticed that you seemed nervous and uncomfortable in the café earlier. I wanted you to experience the lively atmosphere here and feel a little happier.”

Casey Hathaway looked into her clear left eye, feeling warmth in his heart. He glanced around at the people around him, laughing and chatting. Everyone had a genuine smile on their face. Then he realized that he had been living in the “cage” of wealth all along, without ever experiencing such moments of ease and happiness.

“It’s okay, I’m very happy.” He gently stroked her hair. “Thank you for showing me a different world.”

Brent Haines laughed and pulled him along as they continued walking. They stopped at every snack stand to try something. The two of them joked around and laughed together, and the sense of unfamiliarity gradually disappeared. A subtle affection began to grow between them.

Before they knew it, it was completely dark. The lights along the snack street came on, creating a warm and lively atmosphere. The two walked home side by side. The streetlights cast long shadows of them, as they stood close together.

As she approached Brent Haines’ house, she stopped and turned to look at Case Hathaway. Her eyes were filled with sincerity. “Case, thank you. I had a wonderful time tonight. It’s been so long since I’ve felt this relaxed.”

“Silly, there’s no need to be so formal with me.” Case Hathaway smiled, reaching out to touch her hair. The softness of her hair made him reluctant to let go. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”

Brent Haines’s cheeks turned slightly red. He lowered his head, his long eyelashes trembling slightly. His voice was soft: “That’s what I say, but I still want to thank you. Thank you for being in my life.”

Casey Hathaway’s heart skipped a beat, and his fingers stopped moving involuntarily. He looked at Brent Haines’s lowered head and her reddened ears. Courage surged in his heart. He took his hand back and gently raised her chin with his index finger, forcing her to look up at him.

The light from the streetlamp illuminated Brent Heins’s face, making her look even more charming than usual. Her long eyelashes cast soft shadows under her eyelids. Her left eye was clear and beautiful, while her right eye appeared vacant. Yet, this didn’t diminish her beauty at all.

“Brent,” Case Hathaway’s voice was low and gentle, with a hint of nervousness, “you’re my goddess.”

Brent Haines’s eyes widened in shock. His heart rate soared, almost bursting out of his chest. She stared at Case Hathaway’s handsome face, at the seriousness in his eyes. She was completely frozen, too stunned to even breathe.

“Close your eyes.” Case Hathaway’s voice rang out again, with a hint of temptation in it.

Brent Haines, as if under some magic, obediently closed his eyes. The next moment, she felt a soft touch against her, carrying the faint scent of coffee and fireworks—a gentle and tender touch.

That kiss, filled with careful tenderness and intense longing, lasted for a long time. It wasn’t until Brent Haines could hardly breathe that Case Hathaway slowly released her.

Brent Haines leaned against him, his cheeks red, breathing heavily, his head spinning so much he could barely stand.

“Miss Brent Haines,” Case Hathaway said, holding her in his arms, his voice serious and firm. “Will you be my girlfriend, the goddess in my heart forever?”

Brent Haines’s tears burst forth instantly, streaming down her cheeks. She sobbed, repeating over and over again, “I’m willing, I’m willing! I’m willing!”

“Silly, don’t cry.” Case Hathaway gently patted her back, his voice so tender it seemed to drip with kindness. “I’m here. I’ll always be with you.”

Brent Haines held him tightly, burying his face in his chest and crying like a child. Over the years, she had carried so much on her own. Finally, someone was willing to accept her imperfections and love her truly. But deep down, she felt uneasy—would her eyes, her family background, and that secret hidden for years become obstacles between them?