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.

being treated like a precious treasure by him; she was being utterly loved and worshiped by him. The feeling was so intoxicating that she couldn’t help but dive into the sensation with him, not caring

heart, and she opened her misty eyes. Even though it was dark, she could still see his alluring eyes; it was

you.” His voice was deep and husky as he opened his

his solemn confession. At this moment, she felt like apart from her family, there was no other man

echoed in the dark air with a hint of

dominant desire that Ruka felt she needed to do something to reciprocate. She gave it a thought and wrapped her arms around his neck. Then, forgoing all sense of shyness, she planted a

the dark as

her mind. She wanted to push him onto a bed but did not dare to

blanket over her body. “You should

you can’t work late,” she

to sleep?

the blanket up to her neck

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 she stared at the ceiling in the

did not know how a man who had never

dizzy, and she did not have time to delve into that matter. Thus, she turned around, closed

late at night. The hospital director heard of the news and

until 2.00AM before Elijah followed Ren out of the room while yawning. Ren pushed open the room

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

before he closed his eyes, he gently kissed her forehead again. “Happy birthday,

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

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.

felt parched the moment she recalled last night’s passionate kiss that made her

herself from his embrace and got out of bed. As she checked the

doctor, and the nurse waiting outside. She could not help but blush as

“Is Sir awake?”

sleeping,”

might want to go next door to have breakfast, Miss Singed. We can let him sleep longer,” Elijah suggested. While eating, she received a call from her friend, Rita. Rita remembered her birthday and decided to

not by her side. Scarlet and Walter were out of the country, too. Therefore, it would be an understatement to say that she would be more than happy to spend the day with her good

“Where are you?”

“I’m at the hospital.”

“You’re sick?!”

take care of someone.” Ruka did

okay. We’ll meet at the mall’s entrance at

“Sure.”

to meet, Ruka looked for Elijah and asked if there was anyone who could give her a ride. When Elijah heard of her plans, he immediately arranged for a

she went back to the room and grabbed her purse. As she laid her eyes on the man, still deep in slumber, she left without

find her gone, and he was unhappy that she left so early in the morning. Thus, he sat forbiddingly on the couch while the medical staff

where she’s going?” Ren gave Elijah

said

“Guy or girl?”

what happened last night,

dared not speculate what happened, he had a good guess based on Ruka’s flushed face in

phone rang. He took a look

with her? Unfortunately, we’re

worry. I’ll make the

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

she’s doing

We’ll return once we’re done with

don’t need to rush. Instead, take your time and go on a vacation while

Walter wants to, but I’m worried about Ruka being

and have fun with Walter. It’s not every day he’s up for

case, we’ll stay a little longer.” Scarlet was instantly at ease by Ren’s

the phone call ended, Elijah curiously asked, “Sir, should we

while he pondered

“What about presents?”

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

went shopping. They also found a seafood buffet and chatted

heard from a friend that Jaxton learned that his girlfriend was in contact with her ex. They had

news and naturally wanted to

told me Jaxton was so

congratulating them on getting back together,”

you want to try and contact him? You’ve had a crush on him for three years. It will touch his heart if you show him that you care

embarrassed to tell Rita she had found a new love. “It’s fine. I’m not

when she saw that Ruka wasn’t interested. So, the two girls continued walking around in the afternoon. Then, they went to a

they discussed where to go next while still

wildly as she picked it up and looked at the screen. “I need to take this.” She told Rita and headed out

“Hello?”

are you?” A man’s deep,

with a

your birthday today. How do you want to celebrate

nothing special to do. Are you discharged from

Think about what else

“I just want to have dinner then maybe watch

and a movie?”

her brows. Why? Is he going to celebrate with

your time with your friends first. We’ll

by that? However, she did not

was winter and nearing the new year, the whole city

on Ruka’s phone. She

‘Where are you?’

in the

‘Send your location.’

‘Are you coming?’

‘Yes!’

her chest. Is he going to come? With that thought in

replied, ‘Wait for me at the mall’s

heart beat faster, and her face started to turn red. She could not believe what she had read. Is he really going to come? Whenever he went out, it was a massive spectacle with the number of guards

to return home and take care of her eight-year-old brother because her grandmother had a bad

the mall’s entrance. Her eyes were filled with anticipation as she stood there under the blinking lights. She kept looking at the cars driving past her to spot the motorcade he often went out

vehicles before her that she did not realize a Black SUV was parked on the side of the street. 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

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 and tenderly called out,

swiveled her head toward the voice, only to discover that the

Ruka’s eyes widened. How could he

the back of her head.

envious of them as they

only showed his eyes, his elegant

terrified to panicking, then to eager yet bashful. Yet, throughout the rollercoaster of emotions, she also felt the underlying thrill

will do

feel his breath on her ear and could not help snuggling into his embrace. Her heart was still fluttering when she suddenly thought of something and looked up at him. “You came out just like this?

thought was that this man should not be

tapped her pretty nose. “Of course, it’s safe. Let’s go. We’ll

city garden beside the mall. On the sidewalk, the trees were draped with colorful lights making the

sweetness of love. She never thought that she could walk hand in hand with him like this. In the crowd, the warmth coming from his hands was

she pulled him in front of a tree that was not as crowded as the others and fished

his affectionately. Despite not taking off his mask, his eyes gleamed with joy. Ruka took

tree and put a hand in her jacket’s

and taking her pictures. No matter how she grew and changed, everything about her

back. Then, she backed up a few steps hurriedly and took a picture of him. Ren was worried he was not photogenic and

took the pictures, this man was magazine model material. He

him while looking through them. She almost bumped into someone, but Ren was quick to react. So, two seconds before

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

phone in her purse. Then, she grabbed his arm. “We’ll go eat, then watch a movie.

“Of course.”

booking for the tickets. There’s a large cinema

was adamant about not letting

eating at your place for so long, though.

“Mmm. You’re right. Maybe

not think much about what he meant by collecting interest. Instead, she went on her phone, found a movie she liked,

a place with great ambiance. I booked a private room so no one will see

him. So now, he needed to rely on Ruka, for he was unfamiliar with

conveniently situated as it was within walking distance. So, they continued to walk, holding hands. It was a pleasure to enjoy the view and experience the busy atmosphere right before the

the private room and made themselves comfortable. She passed him the menu, but he

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