Never Too Far Novel

Slightly curious, Ruka asked, “Did he ever have any problems with his heart?”

“No. Sir has always been healthy. I assumed that it was because he was agitated over something today. Ever since you left the conference room back then, the colors on his face didn’t look so good.” Saying that, Elijah had an emphatic gaze on Ruka.

Ruka’s breathing became slightly irregular as she thought, Does this mean the reason that man is like this was because of me? Did my words agitate him?

“Miss Singed, you saw just how obstinate Sir was just now. If you don’t persuade him, he’ll definitely be going back home tonight. For the sake of his health, can you please restrain your anger at him for now?”

It’s not like I wanted this to happen either! She sighed inwardly. “Then I’ll persuade him to stay in the hospital.” She nodded.

“It’s best if you can stay here and take care of him as well, Miss Singed,” Elijah suggested.

This time, Ruka sighed outwardly, albeit faintly. “Fine, I’ll do it.”

At that, Elijah became secretly relieved. Since he had come to the assumption that Ren’s heart condition was related to Ruka, he had decided that the best way to cure him was to prescribe the right treatment for him, namely spending time with Ruka.

When Ruka went back into Ren’s ward, the latter was sitting on the couch and kneading his forehead with a tired expression. “You should stay in the hospital. I’ll stay and take care of you,” she said while standing behind the man.

“Weren’t you going to your friend’s place?” Ren tilted his head slightly at her, revealing just how beautiful his side profile was, as the features of his face were well defined.

Ruka replied in a helpless tone, “Your illness is much more important.”

Then, Ren turned his full attention to her with his deep gaze locked onto Ruka’s small face in an attempt to see if she was really willing to stay and take care of him.

As Ruka met the man’s gaze, she felt as though she was looking at the eyes of a spoiled brat rather than that of a mature man.

“Alright, I’ll stay.” Ren finally stopped throwing his temper and demanding to go home.

As Elijah had arranged dinner for the two of them, both Ruka and Ren sat by the window and helped themselves to dinner. Although they were in a hospital, the food here was delicious. Not to mention, Ruka was also hungry at this point.

On the other hand, the man sitting opposite her didn’t have much of an appetite, so he enjoyed the cup of tea in his hand while admiring the way the girl was eating instead. Looking at the girl now, Ren felt that she wasn’t much of a lady, as she ate a large drumstick with her hand.

She then asked, “When did you start liking me? Why didn’t I know?”

At that, he only smiled at her in response.

Recalling her past, Ruka had only returned to the country once every two years after she left for abroad at the age of sixteen. However, she never got to meet him every time she was back, so she disregarded the times she had been back. Hence, she was unclear just when Ren had started having feelings for her.

“When you were five years old, you were just a little brat that kept pestering me. You would not only tear up my homework, but you would even snatch my pen away from me. When you couldn’t get what you wanted, you’d even start crying out loud. You were like a small little tyrant back in the day.” Ren reminisced about the past.

Dumbfoundedly staring at Ren, Ruka froze midway through eating the drumstick in her hand. “Don’t tell me you’re…”

As Ren’s face grew stern, Ruka immediately suppressed herself from finishing the sentence. With her cheeks blushing, she took a bite out of the drumstick before she resentfully said, “Weren’t you afraid that I would grow up to have a crooked appearance? Even if I was pretty when I was a kid, I’m sure it’ll be a different story for you if I grew up to be an ugly girl, right?”

Ren laughed soundlessly at Ruka’s question. “Are you that confident that you’re pretty now?”

Feeling her cheeks growing warmer, Ruka retorted, “If I wasn’t, I’m sure you wouldn’t have liked me.”

Ren locked his gaze at Ruka upon her words and shook his head. “I fell for you not only because of your looks.” In brief, the feelings he had for her were out of his control. Back when she was nineteen, she had returned to visit her relatives. He was in the garden when she had just gotten out of the car. Even though he was already planning to leave at the time, he couldn’t do so, as he was engrossed in looking at how innocent she was. It was then he realized the feelings he had for her weren’t the same kind he had when she was still a child, but it was the same kind one would have for another adult. She had held a small place in his heart until it was gradually fully filled by her.

However, Ren was overwhelmed at the time—busy with his career, the election campaign, and the glory of his family. He hadn’t the time to meet Ruka, so he could only return to the Husson Residence from time to time. His sister, Scarlet, would always tell him about the pictures and videos Ruka had uploaded. Not to mention, she had even told him which school Ruka had gotten into. Looking at the girl in the photo, he felt his heart sink deeper and deeper into the pit known as love, as he was afraid to tell another soul about this burning passion he had hidden away. It was only when she had drunkenly kissed him that night did he come to realize he couldn’t back down and watch her slip away from his side once more. He had to fight for her, even if at a cost.

Little later that night, Elijah had arranged for a set of clothes for Ruka. Upon opening the box, she found a set of her pajamas, normal clothes, and another set that belonged to Ren. She became slightly confused, as she wasn’t a very particular person, so it was acceptable for her to go one night without taking a shower, especially since it was winter now. When Elijah entered the ward again, she requested for a blanket since she planned to sleep on the big and wide couch tonight. To her, that couch was enough. In no time, Elijah brought her a blanket while thinking that it was actually fine for her to sleep with Ren in the same bed.

In the blink of an eye, it was already half past nine. Since Ren had left the ward to go through some checkups, Ruka took the opportunity to take a shower and changed into her pajamas. Since the pajamas were of a conservative design, they could also double as regular clothes.

When Ren returned to the ward, it was already slightly past ten. Following behind him, Elijah came in and said, “Sir, please sleep early tonight. The doctor has said that you shouldn’t stay up so late.”

Ren turned his head slightly and glanced at Elijah. “I don’t want people disturbing my sleep unless it’s something important.”

Naturally, Elijah understood what Ren meant, and he nodded. “Understood.”

Sitting on the couch, Ruka inexplicably became shy after hearing what Ren said. To her chagrin, she thought to herself just why did she need to stay here and care for the man. This guy looks just fine, so why did he have to make me embarrassed by insisting I stay here?

“Done washing up?” Ren took off his jacket and revealed a snug-fit turtleneck black sweater underneath. As the sweater stuck close to his body, it showed just how well-built his body was. This man had achieved the golden ratio for men’s bodies.

Just as Ren went to get a cup of water, Ruka couldn’t help staring at the man’s body. It’s no wonder Victoria is madly in love with him. Not only was he competent and talented, but he was good-looking and well-built as well. Unsure whether she should feel sorry for Victoria, she prayed for the latter to move past her obsession with the man and not torture herself like that ever again. Under the room light, she went into a daze with a book in her hand. When she came back to her senses, Ren came over and gave her a cup of hot water. After she took a sip from the cup, she froze in surprise as she realized that this was the same cup he had just drunk from.

Ren sat down and saw through Ruka’s thoughts. With a smile, he asked, “What’s wrong? Do you dislike the cup I used?”

Ruka acted naturally and intentionally took two more sips. “Nope.”

Satisfied, Ren picked up a book beside him and started reading beside Ruka. The latter then put down the cup in her hand and asked curiously, “How did the checkup on your heart go?”

“Normal,” Ren replied with his eyes never leaving the book.

“Does that mean your heart problems have something to do with me? Was it because of what I’d said previously?” Ruka looked at Ren with a remorseful expression.

Ren had to admit that his ever-healthy heart actually had symptoms of arrhythmia just because of a few words from Ruka, so he sighed and said, “Yeah. It was.”

Unable to stop feeling remorseful, she said, “How am I that important to you?”

With his brows raised, the man looked over to Ruka. “Does my feelings for you give you pressure?”

However, Ruka couldn’t deny that it was so. Not only that, but the stress was just as huge as a mountain that was suffocating her. She turned her head and stared deep into his eyes before she nodded. “Yes, it does. A lot of it.”

Ren put down the book in his hand before he reached out and held Ruka in his arms, causing her body to turn stiff briefly. With how strong the man was, even if she was some distance away from him, he would still be able to drag her into his arms.

Ruka instinctively pushed him away, but Ren was forceful and wouldn’t let her refuse. He pulled her close into his embrace and put his chin on her head. ”All you have to do is just stay by my side, and I’ll handle the rest. I’ll handle it all, whether it’s from the public or the elders.”

At that moment, Ruka was concerned about him. Isn’t he tired from dealing with all these matters? she thought.

She felt aggrieved about this whole situation, and she pouted. ”I haven’t even had a proper relationship!” she said as if she silently protested that she didn’t want him to have his hands wrapped around her so quickly.

Ren couldn’t help but feel happy when he noticed that she had somewhat accepted him. He nuzzled his chin against the top of her head and asked, ”Then, how would you like to have it?”

Every woman longed for the type of love that was undying and dynamic in their heart, and so did Ruka. She longed for love as fiery as hers as they both did many things while creating many happy memories.

”I don’t know. I’ve never been in a relationship before,” Ruka grumbled in a low voice.

When he heard her words, he figured that she still retained some naivety as a child, and he ruffled the back of her head. Akin to a cat being petted, she let out a soft sigh of contentment in his embrace, which made his eyes darken. After he gently ran his fingers through her hair, he grabbed her chin with the other hand and lifted her face.

Ruka was enjoying the movements of his hands when she was suddenly forced to raise her head. Her dazed eyes were met with his passionate ones, and she knew what he was implying.

Before she could stop him, he had already leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.

”Hmph…” Ruka’s noises of refusals gradually became one of pleasure. This sparked something possessive inside Ren, and he wanted to pull her closer to him as if trying to mold her inside of him.

After some time, she slowly lost her breath as he kissed her like he was tasting something delicious. The kiss deepened as the atmosphere in the room heated up due to their arousal.

Then, just as she was breathless and too embarrassed to open her eyes, he suddenly let go of her. Is he finally satisfied? she wondered. It was also at this moment when Ruka felt herself being carried bridal style by Ren toward his bed.

”Ren, what are you doing?!” Ruka was getting anxious now as she figured she had just jumped into a dangerous situation.

”Let’s sleep together,” Ren replied.

”No, I’ll just sleep on the couch,” Ruka refused with a frown.

”But that’ll be heartbreaking for me to watch.”

”No, it’s fine. I like sleeping on the couch,” she retorted.

Unfortunately, they had already arrived by the bed, and he crashed into the soft bed with her in his arms. Before she even had time to react, his nose was already against hers, and he lowered his head and continued the kiss. His arms reached out, and with a flick, the lights in the room were gone, and only the dim light from afar shone inside.

In this situation, Ruka’s mind went blank. Not only was she getting breathless from the kiss, she also curled up her toes in nervousness as she couldn’t handle the animalistic passion Ren was exhibiting.

So, she tried to push him off her with all her might, but he was as heavy as a mountain and did not budge at all. On the contrary, she slowly stopped pushing him and was immersed in his kiss.

worshiped by him. The feeling was so intoxicating

heart, and she opened her misty eyes. Even though it was dark, she

you.” His voice was deep

apart from her family, there was no other man in this

husky voice echoed in the dark air with a hint

to do something to reciprocate. She gave it a thought and wrapped her arms around his neck. Then, forgoing

the dark as he praised her, “I like

push him onto a bed

the blanket over her body. “You should sleep. I’ve got some work left

can’t

sleep? Mmm?” he murmured suggestively, plucking at

up to her neck and rejected his

her forehead. It was as if he was making up for being unable to be by her side. He tucked her in, then stood up and left. A warm smile crept up as

had. They kissed continuously for more than 10 minutes. She did not know how a man who had never

time to delve into that matter.

lounge next door as he accompanied his boss to work late at night. The hospital director heard of the news and even came in to advise Ren to rest, but

yawning. Ren pushed open the

the bed, flipped the blanket open, and lay down. As he tenderly watched the girl in a deep sleep, he gently wrapped his arms around her so she could sleep in his arms. After he had completed his work and satisfied some of his desire

gently kissed her

up and was startled to find herself sleeping in Ren’s arms. His handsome face was right in front of hers, a couple of

to look at him up close took her breath away. He had such healthy, glowing skin and did not look like he was over 30 years old at all.

the moment she

to sleep. Hence, she slowly and carefully extracted herself from his embrace and got out of bed. As she checked the time, she covered her mouth in shock. It was 9.30AM. She had been sleeping

surprisingly found Elijah, the doctor, and the nurse waiting outside. She could not help

“Is Sir awake?”

still sleeping,” Ruka

While eating, she received a call from her friend, Rita. Rita remembered her birthday and decided to treat

her parents were not by her side. Scarlet and Walter were out of the country, too. Therefore, it would be an understatement to say that

“Where are you?”

“I’m at the hospital.”

“You’re sick?!”

take care of someone.” Ruka did not dare reveal who it

okay. We’ll meet at the

“Sure.”

asked if there was anyone who could give her a

room and grabbed her purse. As she laid her eyes on the man, still deep in

and he was unhappy that she left so early in the morning. Thus, he sat forbiddingly on the couch while the medical staff fussed over him.

where she’s going?”

said she’s meeting

“Guy or girl?”

didn’t ask, but I think it’s a girl.” Elijah smiled. After what happened last night, he did not think

he had a good guess based on Ruka’s flushed

took a look and picked it up.

with her? Unfortunately, we’re not in the country. So, you’ll

I’ll make

just now. She’s with her friend. Is she alright

think she’s

we’re done with

rush. Instead, take your time and go on a

worried about Ruka

care. Enjoy and have fun with Walter. It’s

little longer.” Scarlet was

asked, “Sir, should we prepare a venue for

narrowed his eyes while he pondered

“What about presents?”

have a plan,” Ren answered. Then, he got up, wanting to return to the White House to settle

and they went shopping. They also found a seafood buffet and chatted while enjoying

friend that Jaxton learned that his girlfriend was in contact with her ex. They had a huge fight,

news and naturally wanted to know more.”What

so drunk he got sent

congratulating

had a crush on him for

head lightly. She was embarrassed to tell Rita she had found a new love. “It’s fine. I’m not the one for

they went to a coffee shop and shopped while gossiping about work.

to go next while still in

picked it up and looked at the screen. “I need to take this.” She told Rita and

“Hello?”

are you?” A man’s

with

today. How do you

to do. Are you discharged from the hospital?” Ruka asked

else

thought about it. “I just want to have dinner then maybe watch a movie. Whatever

movie?” he

Is he

time with your friends first. We’ll talk

What did he mean by that? However, she did not think much of it and went back to Rita to talk about their plans for

turned pitch black. But, as it was winter and nearing the new year, the whole city

on Ruka’s phone. She looked

‘Where are you?’

the mall,’

‘Send your location.’

‘Are you coming?’

‘Yes!’

wildly in her chest. Is he going to come? With that thought in mind, she impulsively sent her

replied, ‘Wait for me

not believe what she had read. Is he

call from her parents to return home and take care of her eight-year-old brother

under the blinking lights. She kept looking

Its doors opened, and a tall and handsome figure came out wearing a long gray windbreaker and a black mask. He was covered from head to toe, and only his captivating dreamy eyes shone through his black

underneath the streetlight, and a smile flashed across his eyes. He leisurely sauntered to the girl and hugged her from behind unexpectedly. Finally, he placed his chin on her shoulder

that deep voice, she was utterly shocked. She immediately swiveled her head toward the voice, only to discover that the high-ranking vice president

eyes widened. How could

embraced her tighter and placed his huge palm on the back of her head. So there they were, hugging naturally under the streetlight and ignoring the

girls from the crowd were envious of them as they looked like an

and only showed his eyes, his elegant posture and the outline

of emotions. She went from feeling terrified to panicking, then to eager

I will do it with you.” The man’s

into his embrace. Her heart was still fluttering when she suddenly thought of something and looked up at him. “You came out just like

that this man

tapped her pretty nose.

walked toward the city garden beside the mall. On the sidewalk, the trees were draped with

like this. In the crowd, the warmth coming from his hands was so real and

a picture.” Ruka wanted to keep this moment forever. Hence, she pulled him in front of a tree that was not as crowded as the others and fished out her phone. As she

and touched her cheek with his affectionately. Despite not taking off his mask, his eyes

put a hand in her jacket’s pocket. She slightly tilted her head and

phone and taking her pictures. No

her phone back. Then, she backed up a few steps hurriedly and took a picture of him. Ren was worried he was not photogenic and did not know how to pose for the photo. All he could do was stare at her with his deep eyes and smile at

she took the pictures, this man was

she slowly walked toward him while looking through them. She almost bumped into someone, but Ren was quick to react. So, two seconds before Ruka bumped into that person, he was by her side and

so her face crashed into his muscular chest, and she heard him

and kept her phone in her purse. Then, she grabbed his arm. “We’ll go eat,

“Of course.”

the tickets.

tomorrow.” He was adamant about not letting her spend

“I’ve been staying and eating at your place for so long, though. Are you going to make

eyes and thought about it. “Mmm. You’re right.

out a laugh at his response and did not think much about what he meant by collecting interest. Instead, she went on her phone, found a movie she liked,

ambiance. I booked a private room so no one will

he needed to rely on Ruka, for he was unfamiliar with

holding hands. It was a pleasure to enjoy

comfortable. She passed him the menu, but he asked

left, Ren finally took off his mask. Under the light, his handsome face was revealed. He looked mature, outstanding, and elegant