"Are you really planning to make me eat these? You know how much I hate meat.

" Shara who was sitting in a restaurant opposite Leon complained. Narrowing her eyes at the breakfast which was served on the table, displeased was written all over her face.

"This is good for your health, so stop complaining and eat up. I won't forgive you if you get sick again due to your stubbornness.

" Leon firmly said as he put the bowl nearer to her.

The more she looked at the bowl, the more Shara felt terrified. No. She shouldn't eat this. She couldn't!

After a few seconds, she roughly put down the spoon on the table.

"No! I can't eat this. I'd rather starve.

" She protested and turned away from him.

"Shara, just eat. You must look after your health.

" Leon calmly said but Shara couldn't be convinced. After all, she was never a fan of meat, much more like a hater.

"There are many nutritious foods, Young Master. Of all dishes, why must it be mutton soup?

" She whined, almost glaring at him. It's the dish she always avoided all the time!

"This is the same as a punishment for me.

" She grunted.

She fixated her gaze on him for a while and... saw him smiling, a victorious smile! Was he serious? She was discharged in the morning and he takes her to this restaurant rather than going straight home. The first thing he wanted to do was giving her a punishment for not listening to him? She would call it an act of revenge. It suited more!

"You do this on purpose.

" She shook her head at how unpredictable he was. If she had known this, she won't agree to have breakfast here!

"Rather than wasting your time complaining, why don't you start eating now? It will be cold soon.

" Leon simply said as he started eating his.

"But -

"

"Shara, you break the rule. You force yourself beyond your limits and put yourself in danger. That's against the rules of the organization.

" Leon said with a seemingly serious face. But it was soon followed by a mischievous smile.

"Besides, it's the leader's authority to determine the nature of a punishment. You also know that, right?

"

Once again, Shara narrowed her eyes at the mutton soup. The way she looked at the dish, it was as if the soup was her arch-enemy!

Staring at her reaction, Leon could hardly suppress his laughter. 'It would surely be an effective punishment.'

"Dig in. We don't have much time.

" He simply said as he continued with his dish.

Sighing in defeat, Shara lifted the spoon and took a spoonful of the soup. If one witnessed her, they would surely think that she was eating an awful inedible dish! She made that kind of face just because of a spoonful, how was she supposed to finish the whole bowl?!

Even after they left the restaurant and get inside the car to return to the Jung family mansion, Shara felt like the taste of the soup was still lingering in her mouth. She already drank a whole bottle of water but the taste won't leave her!

She sat beside Leon with a grumpy face, refusing to talk to him. There were many ways to punish her yet he chose that darn soup, knowing how much she hated meat!

"Are you still upset?

" Leon mused and glanced at her.

"Then why do you finish the whole bowl? I thought you would give up after two or three spoonfuls.

" He let out a slight chuckle which only irritated her more.

"If you said it's a punishment for my actions, do I have a choice?

" Shara turned her head away, staring out of the car windows. He was too sly, always using the organization as an excuse whenever he wants to have things his way!

"I indeed said that but I never told you to finish the whole bowl.

" Leon simply said and turned away just like she did.

Hearing his words, Shara quickly turned back to him and fiercely glanced at him.

"Are you playing with me? You should have said that before. Even now, I think I smell of mutton.

" Annoyed was written all over her face.

Leon laughed at her reactions.

"Well, at least you won't do it again. I know how you hated that soup.

"

Shara clenched her fist and glared at him. If only she could punch him but she doesn't want to commit the grave sin of punching the Young Master! However, her expression instantly changed when she saw his smile fading bit by bit until she witnessed his bothered face.

Was it because of Nicole? Come to think of it, he never gives her an explanation even when she asked him about the engagement.

"Shara, I plan to drop a huge bomb in my house. Will you help me?

" He asked. His heavy heart was expressed in his tone.

"What kind of bomb?

" Shara asked. Her voice was very calm compared to before. Seeing him like this, she was immediately all ears to hear him out.

"I'm planning to free Nicole from the chains that bound her to me and -

"

"Are you really breaking off your engagement? Will you be okay?

" Shara asked, interrupting him.

"She loves someone else. Considering that, it's wrong of me to hold onto her. It would only harm the air between us.

" Leon said with all seriousness.

"But you -

"

"Shara, I have not finished yet. You cut me off before.

" Leon turned to Shara Lee, meeting her gaze.

"I have one more plan and that is to let you into my heart, my life and my future. I want to be with you.

" He earnestly stated, putting Shara in a shock. What was he saying?!

She was quiet for a few seconds and his gaze never left her the whole time, waiting for her response. After what seemed to be forever, she finally spoke up,

"I don't want that.

" She quickly turned away from him and from his gaze that was too intoxicating.

"Why?

" He promptly asked, confused. She didn't want to be with him?

Shara remained quiet, refusing to look at him. She didn't want to be lost in his eyes. She was afraid that she would give in while knowing that it was wrong.

She wasn't the one he loved. That's the heartbreaking truth. Why would he be with her? He won't be happy!

"Shara, answer me. Don't you want to be with me?

" Leon asked, staring at her the whole time though she refused to do the same.

His question took the best of her, making her weak and failing to refuse the urge to answer him.

"That's the thing I want the most in my life. You are aware of that, Leon.

" She murmured. He should know that!

"Then why?

" He asked again. His voice demanding yet full of sincerity.

"Do you really not know why, Leon? It's because I love you. I spent the last twelve years of my life looking at you and only you. I don't want to destroy your life by making you feel responsible for me.

" She paused and finally met his gaze.

"You don't love me, Leon. You will never be happy with me. Why? Do you pity me because I'm in a one-sided love with you for almost half of my life?

"

Leon promptly shook his head.

"You said you know me well but you're wrong, Shara. Do you think I say it because of the reasons you mentioned? It's might be but there is one more reason. It's the most important one, so listen to me carefully.

" He grabbed Shara in both of her upper arms, looking at her straight in the eyes.

"It's because I can't imagine a life or a future where you are not a part of it. Imagining it just once hurt like hell.

" He stated, emphasizing each word.

Leon retreated his hand from Shara who looked at her with a flustered face.

"I never think much about this but when I recalled my past, it was always you.

" He muttered. His face turned very calm.

"The one who entered the life of a lonesome boy and give colours to it, it was you. The one who consoled me and be with me throughout my mother's death, it was you. The one who always cheered me up whenever I had a conflict with my father, it was you. The one who knows me well than I knows myself, that was also you.

" He let out a breath and turned to her again.

"Most importantly, the one who never leaves my side even in my lowest times, it was you, Shara Lee.

"

"You stayed with me through thick and thin and makes me lean on you each time. Now, thanks to that, I'm incapable of living my life without you. So, you must take responsibility for your action. Don't even think of distancing yourself from me again.

" He firmly said, putting her in a daze.....