Chapter 169: Chapter 169- kiss
If Marylin had heard correctly, he had said he was her "neighbor across the hall."
Wait... he lives across from me?
The realization made her brow furrow instinctively. He hadn’t contacted her at all these past few days, and she had assumed he had given up. Yet here he was, living right across from her.
Marylin wasn’t naïve enough to think it was a coincidence. This boy had clearly planned this in advance. So much for the nerd who only does research all day, she thought, recalling Laurent’s words. Turns out he’s cunning as well.
Before she could say anything, Karl held out a bottle of red wine, smiling warmly:
"I heard some noise from your apartment—sounds like you’re having guests. I thought I’d bring a bottle of wine to celebrate your move."
Marylin glanced at the wine and smirked coldly.
"And aren’t you celebrating moving into your own place?"
She called out his bluff—that his choice to live across from her was entirely deliberate. Karl hadn’t expected her to be so sharp and froze for a second. But he quickly regained composure. She’s smart enough to see through it—there’s no point hiding it. Besides, he had already moved in; she couldn’t very well make him leave.
Marylin didn’t take the wine, clearly displeased with his bold move.
Karl, unruffled, began explaining himself with the confidence of someone used to getting his way:
"Since I’m pursuing you, we need time to get to know each other. Living closer makes that easier, doesn’t it?"
Marylin crossed her arms and replied coolly,
"I’m not interested in you. There’s no need for that."
Karl didn’t budge.
"Then I’ll just get to know you better anyway."
He paused, reconsidered, and said with earnestness,
"No... I don’t need to know you. No matter what kind of person you are, I like you."
Sweet talk at its finest.
Marylin’s frown deepened. Smooth words like that, coupled with a protective older brother like his, diminished the sincerity in her eyes.
Even Karl was a little surprised by himself. In his twenty-seven years, he had never dated anyone, never written a love letter, never spoken sweet words to a girl. Yet, standing before Marylin, the words slipped out naturally.
So this is what it’s like... he thought. When you truly like someone, these feelings just come out on their own.
Karl couldn’t help himself. He wanted her to know how he felt, so his words came out sweeter than he intended.
Actually, his reason for bringing the wine was twofold: first, as he’d said, to celebrate Marylin moving into her new place. Second... well, it was a perfect excuse to join them for dinner. More time near her meant more chances to impress her, didn’t it?
Considering he had gone through the trouble to get this bottle—a rare wine he and Morrison had negotiated for days—surely Marylin should at least let him in to eat. Morrison would have scolded him for spending their family fortune on chasing a girl, but Karl didn’t care. Still, he had slightly underestimated her. Her furrowed brow clearly said, "You’re not coming in."
Just as he was about to take his leave, Laurent and Vivian stepped out. Vivian’s eyes widened the moment she saw him—and then she spotted the wine in his hands.
"pretty boy? How is it you?" she exclaimed. "And... that wine?"
Vivian couldn’t understand why Karl was here. Like Marylin, she assumed his affection would be fleeting, a passing crush.
Laurent, however, remained calm. After all, Marylin had given Karl her new address. It wasn’t coincidence that he had become her neighbor—it was sheer planning.
Karl lifted the bottle toward Vivian, explaining with a casual smile,
"I live across the hall. Thought I’d bring a bottle of wine to celebrate."
"Across the hall?" Vivian’s voice shot up, clearly startled.
Regaining her composure, she glanced at Marylin, who still stood with her arms crossed, face unreadable. Then she reached for the wine in Karl’s hands, her eyes lighting up.
"Oh wow! This is a really expensive bottle!"
Marylin shot Vivian a warning glare.
"Vivian!"
Vivian ignored her, gripping Karl’s hands excitedly.
"pretty boy, haven’t eaten yet, right? We’re having hotpot—come join us!"
Marylin stepped forward, trying to stop him.
"No—absolutely not—"
Vivian cut her off before Marylin could protest.
"Marylin! You’re being way too unfair. The poor boy brought such a nice bottle of wine, and you won’t even let him join you for dinner?"
Marylin froze, speechless.
Yes, he had brought an impressive bottle of wine—but she never said she’d keep it. She was just about to tell him to take it back and close the door, when Vivian and Laurent appeared, completely disrupting her plan.
Marylin’s brow furrowed as she realized she had no choice. The moment felt like it had been carefully orchestrated by fate—or by Karl himself. Her lips pressed into a thin line, arms crossing defensively, but the stubborn gleam in her eyes couldn’t hide her internal conflict.
Karl, on the other hand, looked unfazed. In fact, he seemed almost triumphant, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Mission accomplished—he’d been invited in without having to beg.
Vivian, oblivious to Marylin’s irritation, beamed at Karl.
"Come on! Hotpot’s ready. Don’t be shy!"
Marylin exhaled slowly, muttering under her breath,
"Fine... but just for tonight."
Karl’s grin widened, and he handed over the wine to Marylin.
"Deal. But next time... you better let me join in without a fight."
Marylin shot him a pointed glare but didn’t argue further. Inside, however, a small smile threatened to break through her stern facade.
With that, he stepped confidently into her home, leaving Marylin utterly flustered. There was no way she could now drag him back out, especially with Vivian clutching the bottle of wine he had brought.
"Fine," Marylin muttered to herself, resigning. It’s just a meal... what harm can it do?
The four of them settled around the hotpot, opening Karl’s wine. Laurent, being in the middle of breastfeeding, couldn’t drink, so the other three enjoyed it. Surprisingly, Karl’s presence didn’t feel intrusive—he stayed mostly in the background, busy serving them, pouring wine, and fishing out cooked food.
His low presence allowed the three women to chat freely, the laughter and chatter growing louder as they gradually forgot he was even there. Eventually, Vivian and Marylin even challenged each other to a little drinking game.
For Marylin, Laurent, and Vivian, it had been years since they had truly relaxed together like this. Sure, they’d had gatherings in recent years, but those were always rushed, everyone busy with their own lives. Tonight, however, was different. Marylin had finally settled in A.T., giving them all the chance to slow down.
Vivian, slightly tipsy, began teasing Karl relentlessly, recounting tales from Marylin’s past.
"Many men thought Marylin was just a pretty face, easy to chase," she laughed, "but she set them impossible challenges! One even had to write a paper to win a date, and every single one failed miserably!"
Marylin had smiled faintly at the memory, the blush creeping up her cheeks, before she leaned back against the sofa, letting the warmth of the wine and conversation settle over her. Her long waves were pinned up loosely, giving her an effortless elegance, and even without makeup, she looked absolutely stunning—like a red poppy in bloom, impossible to ignore.
Karl’s heart raced as he looked at her. Completely out of control... she’s mesmerizing.
Despite only a few sips of wine himself, he felt dizzy—not from the alcohol, but from her. The saying, "The wine does not intoxicate, but the heart does," had never felt truer.
Laurent, sober and observant, noticed the intensity in Karl’s gaze—there was desire, yes, but also a deep tenderness toward Marylin. She silently hoped that Karl, helped along by this night, could truly win Marylin’s heart and bring her happiness. Vivian had likely felt the same, which explained why she’d insisted Karl join them for dinner.
As the night drew to a close, Vivian, tipsy, was carried downstairs by Frank, while Laurent, who hadn’t drunk at all, was picked up by Dave due to the late hour.
Once the apartment quieted and only Marylin and Karl remained, she leaned against the door, swaying slightly. Her eyes landed on Karl, still standing in the room.
"Pretty boy, you should go now," she murmured, pointing toward the door while trying to steady herself.
Before she could move further, her foot caught slightly, and she nearly fell. Karl reacted instantly, catching her, and the two tumbled into the sofa together.
The softness of her body pressed against him, mixed with the faint scent of wine on her breath, drove him to the edge. He leaned in, unable to resist, and pressed his lips to hers.
The kiss was inevitable, a collision of longing, intoxication, and suppressed desire, sealing the night with a dangerous sweetness.