NO CHOICE

"Let me do the explaining sweetie." Yun Jinghan removed his arm on her and clasped her agitated hands.

"It hasn't been long since we started seeing each other ma'am. But, I really love her and I want to spend the rest of my life with Jingyi. So I proposed and she accepted. However, we made an agreement to keep our relationship secret for the meantime. To avoid media attention." Yun Jinghan explained to Madam Lacroix as he stared with Luo Jingyi with adoration.

It was obviously a lie. He never dared to use this 'dirty trick' because he wanted everything to fall into place naturally. But earlier, hearing Madam Lacroix's plan to introduce Luo Jingyi to other men prompted this action.

That should never happen. He hasn't established a foothold in her heart yet and now he has competition. No way. He won't allow it.

'Wow! He can win an award for his acting.' Luo Jingyi wanted to regurgitate as she listened to those words but held it in, not wanting Aunt Alice to notice it. She watched Aunt Alice peer at the two of them like they were specimens under a microscope. Her eyes traveling back and forth to ascertain if it's the truth.

Although she planned on telling Aunt Alice that she is currently dating to ward off the determined woman's attempt to find a suitable partner for her, she also has an antsy feeling about this whole lying thing. It always starts with one lie until it gets bigger and bigger, till it's blown out of proportions. Yet, Luo Jingyi was so adamant not to fall back to square one. It meant dealing with the continuous badgering about going on dates. Aunt Alice is a traditional woman through and through. She believes that a woman should get married, have children and support her husband all the way. On top of that, what if Aunt Alice insists on meeting that guy. She shudders at the mere thought of it.

She won't allow that to happen. Luo Jingyi hated the idea of depending on a but she had no choice but to go with the flow. Luo Jingyi glanced up and returned his affectionate gaze. Luo Jingyi then heard the woman ask, "Is this the truth?"

She found herself nodding without taking her eyes off from him. At the same time, she can sense her heart was hammering against her chest, followed by abnormal breathing. There were tingles rushing through her hand.

Oh no! Let go, Jingyi! Her head screamed at her.

Pulling their clasped hands away from Aunt Alice's razor-sharp eyes, she wriggled her hand to let loose from the man's grasp. But he gripped hers tighter.

She let out another curse in her head. Even if she's into sports, there's a disparity between a man and a woman's strength.

Yun Jinghan didn't want to free her hand at the moment because he could sense Madam Lacroix's doubt on them. At the same time. he was wondering what's the connection between Luo Jingyi and the other woman as her profile never mentioned this. Moreover, he knew the Tan Family well. In the past, his maternal family and this political family had a collaboration in the past.

"Aunt Alice, I am sorry for keeping a tight lid on this. I just didn't want to rain on Eunice's parade." Luo Jingyi did her best to erase the woman's suspicion. She just wanted this torture to end. Because each second passed, she was getting uncomfortable. Lightheadedness inundated her.

"To be honest, I am a bit disappointed about this. But, I understand your good intentions my dear. I am happy-no, I am relieved that you finally found someone. All of my worries about you spending your whole life being single vanished. This is really a piece of great news. I am going to call everyone so we can set a family dinner. The rest of the family would be happy to meet Yun Jinghan." Her soft-spoken voice echoed to both their ears.

Oh no! If it is a family dinner, it means having a bigger audience for this lie. Luo Jingyi's head revolted.

"Uhm—Aunt Alice, could we keep it a secret for now? We want to savor the moment by ourselves, don't you agree sweetie?" Luo Jingyi bobbed her head to his direction with a fake smile plastered on her face.

But his attention was on another part of her body. Yun Jinghan was momentarily struck when he noticed how delicate her neck was. It would be nice to rain it down with kisses, all the way to her collarbone and down. With his imagination running wild, his breathing hitched.

"Right, sweetie?" she repeated that rouse him from his preoccupation. Yun Jinghan got a glimpse of her gritted teeth.

Damn! Yun Jinghan, get a grip of yourself!

He coughed for having such lewd thoughts at the moment.

"Of course, but I would love to meet—" Yun Jinghan stopped when Luo Jingyi dug her nails into his hand. Her eyes flickered with a warning, telling him to shut up. Although he would be happy to meet the people in her life and take every opportunity to be with her, irking her was the last thing he wanted to do.

Aunt Alice thought about it. A minute later, she relented, "Fair enough. But, I'll set a dinner date so your Uncle Antoine would meet the two of you."

Luo Jingyi was about to bargain but the woman announced, "Your Uncle Antoine and I wanted to discuss something important with you. Anyway, Yun Jinghan will soon be a part of the family so why don't you take him with you then. Yes?"

Luo Jingyi found herself unable to refute so she nodded her head. "Okay."

"Alright then, I am off my dear. See you later." The woman bent forward to give her a hug. Yun Jinghan had no choice but to let Luo Jingyi go.

After that, Aunt Alice turned away. When she was no longer in Luo Jingyi's periphery, she spun around and strode away, leaving the man. Luo Jingyi's knees were wobbly so she leaned on the wall to steady herself.

The flustered man followed her and tried to touch her as he asked in a concerned tone, "Are you okay?"

"Don't!! " Luo Jingyi hissed and moved forward in haste. She got inside an examination and locked the door with trembling hands. She leaned on the wall, and cupped her hands over her nose and slowly blowing air into her lungs. She held her breath for 10 seconds before releasing it. Luo Jingyi repeated the whole process until her breathing returned to normal. Feeling defeated, she slid down with her back on the wall and sat on the floor.

Luo Jingyi ignored the incessant knocking on the door plus the voice that was calling her out.

"What's wrong? Open the door."