Love's Redemption

Redmption 165

“Then you try it.” Brandon brought his chocolate–covered apple near my mouth. Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

I Instinctively twisted my head away, but he was persistent, seemingly determined to see me eat it.

I

There was no escaping, so I reluctantly opened my mouth and took a bite. It was sweet and sour.

While not unpleasant, I preferred sweeter fruits, like the ones I bought. But seeing Brandor’s expectant gaze, I smiled and pretended that it tasted good. I mumbled while chewing, “It’s really good.”

“I want to try yours,” Brandon said. He didn’t eat his treat and asked for mine instead.

I instinctively hid the treat behind my back, like a child protecting a prized candy bar.

Brandon laughed. “I just want a taste, not the whole thing.-Look at how worried you are.”

His playful teasing continued. “Such a stingy one, aren’t you?”

Maybe he was right. It was just a chocolate–covered fruit after all. Fine. I would give it to him.

I took out my treat from its hiding place. I had chosen a box filled with five different, bite–sized chocolate- covered fruits. “Here. Take your pick.”

Ignoring the treats inside the box, Brandon looked at the one in my hand. “I want that one,” he stated simply.

I was rendered speechless. That was the one I had already taken a bite out of.

Before I could protest, Brandon had already leaned in and eaten my treat. He had eaten the strawberry in

the center.

I only looked down at my treat when he finished swallowing. Only one lonely fruit remained. I didn’t know

If I should eat it or not.

Brandon started walking away, leaving me staring at his back. My gaze shifted between him and the remaining fruit, a sweet green grape. It was the best flavor of the bunch.

It would be a waste to throw it away, so I ate it, intending to finish it quickly.

But just as I was about to swallow, Brandon turned around. There was a mischievous grin on his face. Heat flooded back to my cheeks again.

“It’s a bit too sweet. I need a drink,” Brandon said. He pointed at a nearby drink stall and saved me from- my embarrassment.

“Go get one,” I offered generously. After what happened with the chocolate–covered fruits, I learned my lesson. I let him decide first before I paid.

“Aren’t you thirsty?” he asked. It was hard to tell if he was genuinely confused or simply enjoying my discomfort.

“No, I’m fine,” I mumbled. After paying. I walked away swiftly.

Brandon followed me silently. Even though we had walked for a considerable distance, he didn’t say a word. Had he gotten lost?

But every time I turned around to glance at him, he was still there. He maintained a comfortable distance.

Finally, I couldn’t stand it anymore and stopped to ask him, “Why are you following me? This is Hilcord. you know. What if you get lost?

My question was almost comical considering he wasn a child.

“Just keeping an eye on you.” His response left me speechless. I blushed furiously again.

It seemed like I was blushing a bit too much recently Did I have some kind of disease? Maybe I should visit a doctor.

But I didn’t want Brandon to know that I was embarrassed, so I retorted stubbornly, “Who asked you to keep an eye on me? Go on, walk in front. If you want something to eat, tell me now. Otherwise, they’ll all be sold out.”

So far, he had only eaten chocolate–covered fruits and drank water.

“What are you craving?” Brandon asked out of the blue Before I could answer, he said, “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”