94 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (2)

Teng Man Rui slapped his arm that was connected to his hand on her cheeks forcefully. "You don't own me." She glared right through his brooding eyes.

They stared intensely, unmovingly, at each other for such a long time, unrelenting to the other.

Then Man Rui's mouth slowly curved upwards. Her eyes glimmered with such uncanny glow, then threw both her arms up in the air as gesture of surrender.

"Alright! You win, I lose."

"I know my place. Beside you, isn't it? Got it. Let's stop this whole farce."

She stared tenderly at eyes, at his face. Her smile broadened into a grin. She caressed his cheek with her thumb.

"Got it. Let's rest now. I'm tired."

"Go home." She said tenderly, lovingly.

"Man Rui." He snatched the hand that was caressing her face and kissed her palm. His own brooding eyes were ablazed with newfound solemnity. "My queen."

"Go home." She repeated. Her whole persona was flooded with exceeding warmth.