Chapter 4

• HAPPY READING
• ***
• Poppy entered her room, vividly recalling what had transpired between her and Harvey. The memories of their time in New York were still fresh in her mind. She placed her bag on the table, hung her jacket inside the closet, and then headed to the bathroom to freshen up. After a few minutes of refreshing herself, Poppy changed into her satin pajamas. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she opened her phone's gallery and looked at a photo of her and Harvey taken at Central Park.
• FLASHBACK
• Several hours later, they had a layover in Abu Dhabi, which lasted for four hours. Poppy and Harvey decided to grab a quick coffee at the airport. Harvey sipped his coffee while Poppy enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate. They were both relishing their journey in the spring weather of New York City. Harvey glanced over at Ova and Victor, who were not far from them. Ova, the woman in the white shirt, was undeniably beautiful, and her beauty rivalled that of the Qatar Airways flight attendants they had encountered earlier on their flight.
• "Is that Jovanka?" Poppy opened the conversation, eyeing the woman.
• "Yeah," Harvey replied.
• "She's his girlfriend, right?"
• Harvey raised his cup from the table and took a slow sip. "That's what he says."
• "She seems possessive, doesn't she? I can tell from the way he looks at her. You know, it's like he's not too thrilled," Poppy observed.
• Harvey burst into laughter, gazing at Poppy as she sipped her hot chocolate. "It seems that way."
• "Do you like her?"
• Harvey looked at Poppy, surprised. "Why do you say that?"
• "Just a feeling."
• "Explain to me why you say that I'm interested in her. I want to know your thoughts about it."
• Poppy fixed her gaze on Harvey's eyes. "Well, it's like this: it's clear that you have a crush or a romantic interest in her. I've seen you act a bit reserved when it comes to her, even though you're actually interested. You seem nonchalant, saying things like 'oh well, she already has her boyfriend,' but when you're alone with her, you become gentle, attentive, romantic, and you compliment her."
• Harvey burst into laughter again. He looked at Poppy. "You think you're so clever."
• "Is it true?"
• "Hmm."
• "My intuition tells me that. You're jealous, huh? Jealous of that guy?"
• "Oh, Jesus, you think I'm jealous."
• Poppy laughed and glanced at Harvey. "Men are more expressive when they like someone they're pursuing. Sometimes women don't notice. If the woman is simple, when she likes someone, she'll start asking questions: where you're going, with whom? One thing, if she likes you, she'll make time for you."
• "I've also noticed you stealing glances at every opportunity, no matter how small."
• Harvey sighed deeply. He didn't particularly like Poppy pointing these things out. It felt like she was revealing too much of his inner thoughts. He wanted to silence those lips from commenting any further.
• "Have you ever heard this saying? If they like you, they'll reply to your messages quickly. If they like you, they'll stare at you in silence for a long time. And if they like you, they'll try to make you happy."
• "I noticed you with depth and focus. You showed dislike towards that man without reason; you should have been upfront about your interest from the beginning. Well, as a result, you missed out."
• "I can feel what you're feeling."
• Poppy's words made Harvey's heart skip a beat. He stared into Poppy's irises as if she was saying, "Just let it go. Chase what makes you happy, don't let your heart suffer." Poppy sipped her hot chocolate and placed her palm on the table.
• Harvey felt that, for the first time, there was a woman who truly understood his heart. How did Poppy know about his vulnerability? He held Poppy's hand, and they locked eyes. Poppy pulled her hand away, but Harvey refused and instead held onto her fingers tightly.
• He didn't know why it had to be Poppy who said such things to him. Why not another woman? Harvey forcibly pulled Poppy's hand, then his hands held Poppy's head, and he made her look up.
• "I don't like you commenting on my personal matters," Harvey growled.
• Harvey lost control and kissed Poppy. He passionately devoured Poppy's lips with his untamed tongue. He wanted to teach Poppy a lesson not to meddle in his personal life that had nothing to do with her.
• How could this woman understand matters of love when she herself was in a toxic and abusive relationship? To her, her love life was something only she knew, and there was no need for anyone to explain what was happening. Honestly, she was quite offended by Poppy's words. She didn't care if a few people saw her kissing Poppy in public.
• She could smell the scent of freshly bloomed peonies and roses on Poppy's body. She still tasted those thin lips, and her heartbeat quickened. Oh God, she didn't expect Poppy's lips to be this sweet. Poppy's lips felt like delicious chocolate, as if they didn't want to stop. Harvey controlled his emotions and pulled away, but he felt that Poppy was reciprocating his kiss.
• Their lips met again, and they kissed deeply and passionately. She didn't understand why Poppy was responding to her kiss, her response was so gentle. If she didn't think they were in the airport, she might have already taken the woman to bed.
• Harvey tried his best to break the kiss, regulated his breath, and looked at Poppy's slightly swollen lips from their kiss. They stared at each other for a few seconds, now lost in their own thoughts.