His Obsession Began After Losing Her-Chapter 34: Thirteen Years Ago: Shuri’s POV (6)

It had been a month since Noran and I started secretly dating.

The only one who knew about our relationship was Karlene.

She crossed her arms and frowned as she watched Noran wiping the café tables with his sleeves rolled up.

"I still can't believe you're dating Noran Kingston," she said, still suspecting that the handsome man working diligently before her was an impostor I had brought home.

I put down the café's account records and giggled. "I can't believe I'm dating my idol either. I always wonder if this is all a dream..."

"I know, right? You've been his fan for so long and listen to his music every day. You even have a big poster of him pasted on the wall in your roo—uhm!"

I immediately covered Karlene's mouth with my hand to stop her from saying more. "Shh! He mustn't know!"

With the café playing his music and the Noran cookies we sold here, everyone knew I was a fan of Noran.

But I definitely didn't want him to find out just how fanatical I was—to the extent of collecting photos and posters of him.

Wouldn't that make me seem like an overly obsessive girlfriend?

I glanced over at Noran, watching him tidy up the tables, and as though he had sensed me looking at him, he turned and smiled warmly at me.

"I admit I'm a bit obsessed," I thought, feeling my heart race.

It was only natural to be a little obsessed with someone so godly handsome, right?

"Rin, I have finished tidying the tables. Do you need help at the cash register or in the kitchen? I have recently learned to fix the pipe," he said, approaching me with a smile.

Pipe? Why would he learn to fix the pipe?

Before I could answer him, Karlene suddenly stated, "I know you're doing this to impress my sister, but no matter what you do, you'll forever remain No. 2!"

"No.2?" Noran frowned.

Karlene lifted her head proudly and hugged me.

"Yes! You may be her boyfriend, but I am her family, so it's only natural for me to be her No. 1!"

What was going on?

For the first time, I couldn't understand why Karlene was acting this way towards Noran.

It appeared she didn't like him very much.

There was a tense silence in the air, and I didn't know what to do.

I didn't want to push Karlene away because it would upset her, but when I glanced at Noran, I realized he seemed pretty unhappy too, even though he was trying hard not to show it.

"That's fine with me," Noran replied calmly with a fake smile. "Soon, I'll be her family too."

"Eh?!" I gasped in shock.

Was he implying that he intended to marry me?

Even Karlene appeared shocked upon hearing his reply, but before she could retort, her phone rang, interrupting her.

It was Mr. Dudd, our supplier.

He wanted Karlene to come over and evaluate the new batches of supplies we had ordered.

"I'll head over to spot-check. After you close the café, go straight home and wait for me, alright? Make sure not to invite any outsiders into our house, got it?" Karlene said to me while glaring at Noran, indirectly telling him he was ultimately an outsider.

I nodded helplessly. "Alright. Take care on the way there. Come home safely."

Pleased with my reply, Karlene gave Noran a triumphant glance before exiting the café.

Finally understanding the situation, I sighed. "I'm sorry, Ran. Karlene is acting this way because she's worried about me.

I'm the only family she has left, so she probably thinks you're stealing me away from her. I'll talk to her about it later, and I hope you won't hold it against her."

Noran smiled warmly at me and took my hand.

"It's alright, I understand. If I were her, I probably would have done a lot worse."

"Yes?" I blinked, not sure if I had heard him right.

Noran didn't reply to my question and gently led me to sit on his lap.

He looked at me caringly with his arms wrapped around my waist. "Are you tired? I can handle the rest of the chores for you."

I shook my head with a smile. "I'm fine. You've been helping us a lot lately, so I've been doing less. I don't know how I should thank you, really..."

"You can give me a reward now," he said sensually, his eyes clouded as if asking for permission.

"Haa... reward..." I swallowed dryly without realizing it.

I knew what he wanted, but it was always a sight to behold.

No matter how many times I saw it, I never got used to it.

His desire was so strong that it was overwhelming.

Even without using my ability on him, I could tell he wanted to devour me whole.

But that was good because I felt the same way, so much so that my heart was pounding.

Without hesitation, I tilted my head and kissed him.

Since we started dating, I had never used my ability on him, but every time our lips touched, I could sense his desire.

Images of what he wanted to do with me flashed through my mind.

If he had followed his instincts and obscene desires, my dress would have fallen to the floor before he even got an answer.

I wouldn't have been sitting on his lap but lying down with my long hair scattering like paint.

My slender legs would have already been in his hands.

However, Noran was a gentleman.

He didn't let his desire consume him.

He kissed me gently, swept his lips slowly over mine, and treated me with care.

It wasn't enough for him, but even that was a huge stimulus.

"Haa..."

I turned my body slightly and breathed out as our lips parted.

Noran smiled gently and leaned his forehead against mine.

"I guess it's still not enough. I want to be with you like this every day... but they're making things so difficult for me..."

I knew who he was referring to. "They found out?"

He hesitated for a moment before nodding and tightening his grasp around my waist.

"If they come looking for you, please inform me immediately. Please don't listen to them and leave me, Rin."

Unlike Noran, who had always worried about what his family would do to separate us, I wasn't that concerned.

I didn't get into a relationship with him without considering the consequences.

However, as prepared as I was, I didn't expect them to visit the café the next day.

They sent a representative, a chubby older gentleman named Richard Chandler, who served as a senior advisor for the Kingston administration.

There weren't any customers when he arrived.

He walked in, took a slow, disdainful look around, and then glanced down at us with barely concealed contempt.

"Good afternoon," I greeted him, trying to keep my voice steady.

"What can I get you to drink?"

Richard raised an eyebrow and sneered slightly. "Your café's offerings are far too lowly for my taste. I wouldn't expect to find anything suitable here."

He sat down arrogantly and got straight to the point. "You're Shuri Lee, right? The one who can't stop bothering Noran Kingston."

"Excuse me? That guy is the one who keeps bothering my sister!"

Karlene, unable to tolerate Richard's arrogance any longer, stepped in.

I shot Karlene a disapproving look, silently asking her not to interfere.

Frustrated, she gritted her teeth but returned to the counter without arguing.

With Richard here, I couldn't focus on what she might be planning.

I turned back to Richard, who seemed eager to resolve the matter quickly and leave. "I don't want to waste any more time in this filthy place. How much must we pay you to leave Mr. Noran? Name your price."

I smiled quietly, not offended by his rudeness, and took a seat opposite him. "I don't know. How much do you think Ran is worth?"

I didn't bother hiding the fact that I wasn't in a relationship with Noran nor trying to be polite to someone who wasn't.

Richard scoffed. "Hah! Acting like you're so close to Mr. Noran, aren't you? If you were truly close to him, you should know your place. Someone of Mr. Noran's status is too good for you. You're not worthy of him."

"I know... I know how important Ran is to the Kingston family and his unlimited potential. He's destined to continue the succession and bring more recognition to the Kingston family," I replied calmly.

"Since you know, then you shouldn't hinder his success. Because of you, Mr. Noran hasn't been attending school regularly and has turned down all invitations to perform.

He's never been like that before. His future is too bright to be overshadowed by distractions like you. Do the right thing and walk away before you cause any more damage."

I was quiet for a while as if considering his words. Then I looked him in the eyes and smiled, saying, "Sure, I'll tell you my price."