Sweetheart, Do You Still Love Me

Yelena couldn't help but chuckle. "Who are you to me, Hank? Why am I obligated to join you for dinner every single day? Threatening me with your mother in the past was one thing, but now you want me to have dinner with you again?"

Unperturbed, Hank pulled out his phone calmly. "It's my mom who invited you for dinner tonight."

Defeated, she slumped into the driver's seat. "I'll surrender, okay? Can you please stop pestering me, though? I've said it before, and I'll repeat it—there's no chance of us getting back together."

"I'm not pursuing you. I'm simply honoring my mom's request to have you over for dinner."

Hank's words tugged at Yelena's heart, a hint of melancholy crossing her face as she retorted, "If you're not genuinely interested in pursuing me and lack sincerity, why would I consider coming to your house for dinner? Kindly convey to Ms. Balkan that our current circumstances aren't compatible, making it inappropriate for me to accept. Now, could you please withdraw your hand? I want to go home."

However, his grasp on her car door remained firm. "If you genuinely believe our situations aren't compatible, then why not marry me? "

Hank's unexpected proclamation left Yelena taken aback, and she looked at the man as if he were a fool. "Is something wrong with you, Hank? Did you not understand a word I just said?"

"I understand very well and genuinely offer you a solution."

He had always carried an air of aloofness, a trait that had kept her from pursuing a relationship with him. However, now, he seemed to have transformed into an emotionless robot, coldly issuing instructions. Compared to their past interactions, he appeared even more distant and unapproachable.

Still, Yelena couldn't comprehend why Hank was so persistent in clinging to her, a question that had driven her to avoid him daily. He keeps using Ms. Balkan's dinner invitations as an excuse to approach me. This is beyond annoying! she mused. Taking a breath, she confronted him, saying, "Hank, you're no longer a lawyer, and I'm no longer employed by your company. You do not need to address me with such an attitude, understand?" She had never thought he would turn into a block of wood.

He took a deep breath and asked, "So, are you saying you won't come home with me?"

"Of course, I won't. I've clarified that I lack the status to go home with you," Yelena snapped while mentally hurling a few choice curses at Hank as she gave the car door an exasperated tug. To her surprise, his grasp was unyielding, preventing her from closing the door. "Hank Damazio!"

Suddenly, he glanced at his watch and told her, "My mom said we should return by 7.00PM. It's already 6.30PM. If you come with me now, there's a chance we can still make it."

Her defeat was evident as she conceded, "If you genuinely can't discuss this with your mother, I'll handle it myself. I'll explain that our relationship has ended, and there's no reason for me to follow you home to have a meal. Do you think this approach could work?"

This time, Hank chose not to offer a retort; he simply locked his gaze onto Yelena's.

Meanwhile, the underground parking lot's dim illumination seemed to highlight a glimmer reminiscent of starlight in his eyes. Could he possibly be glistening with tears?

Never in her wildest thoughts had she envisioned this stoic man shedding a tear. Just as she was about to extend some words of solace, he confided, "I can guess what you're about to say. These are just contact lenses."

The revelation left her utterly wordless. Well, I've overstepped.

In a slightly vexed gesture, she tousled her hair impatiently. "Can you please let go? Stop bothering me!"

"Yelena, do you know what you've done this month?"

Hank's question prompted Yelena to raise her head, and she responded nonchalantly, "What have I done? I might have grown slightly closer to a few male actors in the company. Besides, it's Elspeth's company, not yours. Why do you seem so resentful, as if I'm ruining the potential stars in your company?"

He retorted casually, "I'm the one who took care of those matters for you."

Instantly, her countenance transformed into a radiant smile akin to a sunbeam piercing the clouds. "In that case, I owe you a big thank you. You're too kind."

"Given that you've acknowledged my assistance, as a token of appreciation, shouldn't you come home for dinner with me?"

Yelena's smile froze as Hank's unexpected trick unfolded. "You're quite the cunning one," she remarked, surrendering to the situation and stepping out of the car. "Alright, let's go. Where's your car? I'll go back with you, just this time." Then, she silently vowed that this would be the last instance. Tonight, she would explain everything to Simone and ensure she would never allow herself to be dragged home by him again.

However, he stood rooted in place, resembling a block of wood.

Hence, Yelena tugged at the hem of Hank's shirt and gazed up due to their height difference, asking, "Aren't you going to walk? I said I'll come back with you."

"I didn't drive here," he admitted without a hint of embarrassment.

Her frustration almost burst into laughter. "And you're trying to pick up girls without a car?"

At this moment, Hank glanced at Yelena's flashy pink sports car. "Don't you have a car? You can give me a ride."