Chapter 15 The Promise

• “What on earth did you tell the old man?” Claudio demanded.
• “That's what I'd like to know! What did you tell him to make him demand you apologize to me?” Unable to lift her head, Annalise continued to pinch Claudio's wrist.
• Neither of them felt comfortable about the current situation.
• Unable to bear with it any longer, Annalise started, “Look, if you agree with my two requests from earlier, I'll never call you Mr. Jundt or make fun of you again. We'll each mind our own businesses. You'll go your way and I'll go mine. How about that?”
• Claudio remained silent.
• To prove her sincerity, Annalise released her hands first. “I'm not pinching you anymore. If you let me go, I'll take it as a yes.”
• Claudio narrowed his eyes at the girl who was being cornered and smiled coldly. “You're quite a smart one.”
• Annalise was beating around the bush to get him to agree.
• She knew he could not hold on to her forever. So the moment he let go, it meant that he had acquiesced.
• Claudio did not expect to find himself wrapped around her little finger. He released his hand and let go of Annalise, thereby indicating he had agreed to her conditions.
• Her purpose achieved, Annalise straightened her body and stretched her neck a few times. She glanced at his wrist. The nail marks she had left on his wrist were pretty bad.
• As she massaged her neck with her hand, she gave a piece of friendly advice. “Your wrist will probably scab over tomorrow. How about you wear your watch on the other hand to hide the marks?”
• The day to return home soon arrived.
• Annalise woke up bright and early and waited on the couch. She had prepared everything and was waiting for Claudio to show up.
• When she finally saw him, she couldn't help but remind him, saying, “Remember what you promised me.”
• Claudio paid her no mind and focused on carrying the gifts they were bringing into the trunk of the Ghost.
• The Guivers lived in Gracewoods Estate in Zaprington. As the Jundt residence was located far away, it took them about an hour to arrive by car.
• On the way there, Annalise tried to stay on her best behavior in hopes that Claudio would think of her favorably and not drop the ball at a critical moment.
• Claudio gave the girl sitting next to him a sideways glance as he drove. Now that she was quiet, he thought she looked rather pleasant to the eyes.
• “Claudio, why are you staring at me?” Annalise asked.
• “What a turn-off.”
• Annalise swallowed her indignation and managed to keep the smile on her face.
• After an hour, the Ghost finally pulled into Gracewoods Estate. They could see the Guiver residence as soon as they drove down the main road.
• With her sharp eyes, Annalise spied her parents waiting for them at the entrance.
• Suddenly, she felt very nervous. She looked at the man beside her. Will he keep his words?
• After the car pulled to a stop, Claudio undid his seatbelt and prepared to unload the items they'd brought from the trunk of the car.
• Annalise had intended to grab his clothes, but she accidentally grabbed his hand instead. “Claudio, remember our deal!”
• Claudio ignored the cool hand that was holding onto his. He turned his head and looked at her. “Am I that untrustworthy?”
• It was the first time he had been doubted in his almost thirty years of living. Although he wasn't very fond of Annalise, he wasn't about to embarrass the latter in public. Naturally, he was going to keep his word since they had already agreed upon the conditions.
• Annalise bit her lip and muttered, “I-I was afraid you'd forget.”
• Claudio couldn't be bothered to expose her lie, as he had finally noticed the hand in his palm. Annalise's hand was plump and soft. It was a pity the temperature was a tad cool.
• It was also at this moment that Annalise realized that her hand was in his. As she hastily tried to pull away, Claudio tightened his grip briefly before letting her pull herself free.
• Annalise could clearly feel the difference in him. Filled with uncertainties, she got out of the car.