Chapter 34: The Tears of a Man

With these thoughts in mind, Christopher's gaze hardened. Seemingly sensing the shift, Luna fell silent. "What did you want to say?" she asked.

Christopher spoke in a deep voice. "Thank you."

Luna was taken aback, likely because she hadn't expected that. Christopher continued, "Thank you for finding me back then and carrying me out. You saved my life. Thank you so much!"

Luna hesitated, her resistance weakening. "I accept your gratitude, but truthfully, I don't recall that part of my past, so I don't feel you owe me anything. It's all water under the bridge now."

"But I don't want it to be water under the bridge!" Christopher felt a pang of pain in his heart, yet he pressed on. "You saved my life; a simple thank you isn't enough! If my investment in your project makes you uncomfortable, please consider it repayment for saving my life, and accept it without burden."

Luna hesitated. She couldn't let her feelings hinder the project. Even if upset, she would find a way to deal with it. However, Christopher's words made it easier to accept. She nodded in agreement. It was fair to be repaid for saving his life.

Christopher was relieved. "I also want to apologize."

Luna's expression shifted subtly. "You haven't wronged me. From your perspective, you did nothing wrong," she said with slight repulsion.

A flash of sorrow crossed Christopher's eyes. "I know my apologies mean little, especially after the harm I caused when I was deceived. I don't have the right to ask for forgiveness. What I truly regret is forgetting the promise I made when we were young. I failed to stand by you, to believe in you. I broke my word. I'm sorry, Luna."

An inexplicable emotion flickered in Luna's eyes. She took a deep breath and was about to speak when Christopher said, "Lastly, I like you. Could you give me another chance? This time, I promise not to break my word."

Luna stiffened, taking a deep breath as she looked into his tear-filled eyes. She had never seen him cry.

"No, you don't," Luna said, her voice initially shaky, then growing steady. "You only think you like me because you've realized you were deceived. I understand your regret, but don't deceive yourself to make up for it, let alone involve me."

"No, I'm serious…" Christopher panicked.

Luna admitted his confession overwhelmed her. It was something she'd fantasized about long ago, but not anymore. "So what if you're serious? I don't love you anymore, so I won't give you another chance. Christopher, you're exceptional and charming; you'll find a better partner. I'll send my blessings as childhood friends. I mean it. Let it go."

Watching Luna close the door, Christopher stood disheartened.

When Luna closed the door, she found everyone's expressions far from pleasant. Their reactions were understandable; they'd anticipated a good show, but witnessed a disheartening scene instead.

"I've never seen Christopher like this before. This is bad. It'll likely take him a long time to recover," Hayden worried, concerned about their agency's future.

"That's just Luna," a female researcher said. "Once she makes up her mind, she won't change it."

Everyone sighed, awkwardly waiting until Christopher returned to his room before leaving.

The female researcher, who shared a room with Luna, noticed Luna sitting before the window, lost in thought. "Actually, you still have feelings for him, don't you?" she said.

Luna smiled, without answering. The researcher quickly waved her hands. "Pretend I didn't say anything. You'll meet someone you like more than Christopher."

Meanwhile, Hayden planned to check on Christopher. Isabella wanted to take Thalia to rest but was stopped by Hayden. "Ms. Jeannet, he's family, isn't he? Aren't you going to check on him? I've never dealt with a heartbroken Christopher before. Would he drown his sorrows in alcohol or take drugs? Or worse…"

"You and your imagination!" Isabella exclaimed. She still decided to check on him, though. "He's a regular client after all."

Hayden had the key card. He knocked, then used the card to enter. Only after Hayden confirmed everything was fine did Isabella enter. Christopher was engrossed in his phone, tapping incessantly.

"Chris, what are you…" Hayden cautiously approached, seeing Christopher studying Luna's research project, details about their destination country, and the research institute.

Isabella arched an eyebrow. "Whoa. Looks like he hasn't given up yet."

Unfazed, Christopher frantically searched for information, his expression cool and composed. Isabella sighed inwardly. Unless he resorted to drastic measures, there was no hope.

Christopher froze as tears fell, blurring his phone screen. Hayden's eyes widened in shock. "Since you're okay, we'll be leaving now."

Isabella was taken aback. Why did he suddenly cry?

As Hayden pushed Isabella out, they heard Christopher's sobs. Hayden awkwardly said, "This floor is full. I'm staying below. If anything happens up here, I'd appreciate it if you could handle it." Isabella agreed.

Retiring to her room, she received a message from Alexander: "Have you reached your hotel room?"

Isabella: Yes. Your brother is also staying here. He came to pursue Luna, but he was brutally rejected.

Alexander: Oh. He probably wouldn't give up.

Isabella: But he cried!

Alexander didn't reply. Sensing the silence, Isabella was amused.

Isabella: Hayden is worried about him, so he asked me to keep an eye out for any unusual activity at night.

Alexander: No need to worry about him. He'll be fine. You should get some rest.

Isabella laughed and transferred today's earnings to Alexander. She then washed up and went to sleep.

However, she was roused by Thalia's nudging. "Ms. Jeannet, I hear some noise next door."

Isabella envied Thalia's youth. The soft knocking was only audible when she was awake. It was the middle of the night. It couldn't be Hayden again, right?

Isabella, bundled in her cloak, was about to open the door when she heard the neighboring door open, followed by a voice. "Chris, I miss you so much!"

Isabella was no longer sleepy. There was only one person who would address Christopher that way. She peeked through the crack.

Bianca was at the door, and Christopher was clearly taken aback. "What are you doing here? Please leave!" he warned, wanting to avoid Luna seeing him with Bianca.

Isabella could only hear Bianca's sobbing. "Chris, I know I've deceived you about many things, but my feelings for you are genuine. We've been in love for so many years. You won't just stop loving me, right?"

Her question hit Christopher's sore spot. Luna doubted him, and now Bianca refused to believe him.

Christopher took a deep breath. "Just seeing you now makes me sick, let alone love you. You've deceived me for so long, and all I feel is disgust. If you don't leave, I'm calling security."

Bianca fell silent. "Have you been drinking?"

"This has nothing to do with you!"

"Do you not love me but love Luna instead?"

"Yes!"

Bianca yanked off her overcoat, revealing a nearly transparent nightgown. "Let me be Luna's stand-in then. All I need is one night with you, Christopher. Please, hold me."

Isabella admitted that Bianca was adept at imitating Luna. Her pretense ignited Christopher's fury.

When Bianca lunged at him, he kicked her aside. "Get lost!"

"Ah!" Bianca yelped in pain. Christopher rarely hit women. This time, he was clearly backed into a corner.

A commotion ensued. Two doors swung open, then quickly closed, as the researchers witnessed something shocking.

The female researcher opened Luna's door. The sight of a half-naked Bianca startled Luna. She froze and was about to close the door when Bianca cried out, "Luna, why are you insistent on stealing Chris from me? Are you planning to seduce Christopher and climb into his bed tonight?"

Livid, Christopher was about to step forward when a cry of surprise echoed in his mind. The noise, audible only to him, frightened him. He saw Isabella emerge from her hiding spot, staring at him and Bianca in surprise. He heard her inner thoughts:

Oh my goodness! Bianca has an STD! She caught it from Thomas. Don't tell me she infected Christopher too! Oh, no! How am I supposed to bring this up? Thankfully, Luna didn't…

Christopher was so shocked that he didn't register that these were Isabella's inner thoughts. Looking at Isabella's doubtful gaze and then at Luna, he blurted out, "I've never touched her! Damn it, I'm still a virgin!"

The hallway fell into absolute silence.