Chapter 42: Leading a Man's Thoughts Astray
A few moments later, Nathael reluctantly stepped forward to lift Maggie, wrapping his arms around her waist. Maggie squinted happily, snuggling into his embrace.
Nathael's heart tightened as he looked down at her, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. He tightened his grip and walked toward her apartment. After enjoying a refreshing breeze and a short nap, Maggie felt better and more alert.
Upon opening the door, Maggie dismounted, retrieved two pairs of slippers, kicked off her high heels, and hurried into the bathroom to bathe. The strong smell of perfume and alcohol from the nightclub lingered unpleasantly. She wanted to smell nice—as Maggie should!
Nathael stood at the door, his gaze fixed on the brand-new gray men's slippers, momentarily lost in thought. He remembered she had bought them for him.
Nathael's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. He bent down to neatly arrange the high heels she had discarded, then changed his shoes before entering the room. The photo of her and Joseph, formerly on the coffee table, was gone, replaced by a solo high school picture of her. Nathael picked it up and studied it for a long time, his gaze softening.
Not long after, Maggie finished her bath and realized she'd forgotten her pajamas. Hesitantly, she cracked the door open, peeking out to see where Nathael was. But as soon as she stepped out, she saw him sitting on the sofa, engrossed in some documents.
Probably hearing her movement, Nathael turned to look at her, and Maggie met his deep gaze.
"Could you get me some clothes?"
Maggie's face flushed uncontrollably; she still felt a bit tipsy.
"In the second compartment on the left of the wardrobe," she added.
It wasn't until Nathael rose that she stepped back, releasing a soft breath. A few seconds later, his knuckles gently tapped on the bathroom door. Maggie opened it slightly, her slender white arm reaching out tentatively.
Nathael's gaze fell on her arm. Then he slowly lowered his eyes, suppressing his desire.
[The following sentence, "painted in a light, elegant shade and adorned with delicate patterns," seems out of place and lacks context. It has been omitted.]
After searching for a while, Maggie found nothing, frowned, retracted her hand, and poked her head out again. This time, she met his dark pupils directly, her heartbeat skipping a beat, making her nervous.
"Clo clothes" Maggie stuttered, inexplicably feeling his gaze burning intensely.
Nathael didn't move. After a moment of silence, Maggie looked up, her ears burning, and said, "Give them to me."
He smiled. He could see the mist on her eyelashes. Her wet eyes blinked restlessly, like a frightened deer.
"How will you thank me?" Nathael asked, a hint of playfulness in his expression.
Maggie didn't expect such childlike mischievousness from the usually serious man. Her almond eyes widened with annoyance. "Can you act like a grown-up, Nathael!"
Nathael chuckled softly. His cold, handsome face seemed to thaw, revealing a relaxed warmth and indulgence, radiating a simple, natural charm.
Maggie was stunned. She knew he was handsome, but his smile was like sunlight piercing clouds, effortlessly uplifting. "Thank me," he said deeply. His pupils were dark and persistent.
Maggie blinked incredulously, opening her mouth but saying nothing for a long time. Thank? How?
Maggie blinked, trying to flatter him, pleading, "Give them to me first, and I'll thank you when I come out."
Nathael stared at her for a few seconds, concerned she might catch cold, and then handed her the clothes.
Maggie breathed a sigh of relief, afraid he would insist on thanks. Thank you? Hmph!
Maggie hummed softly as she changed. Despite a slight headache and a burning sensation in her stomach, she felt surprisingly refreshed. Autumn had arrived, bringing a touch of coolness.
After changing, Maggie noticed Nathael was still working. She wrapped herself in a blanket.
The movie told a clichéd story about a boy who fell in love with a girl and her best friend. The three were entangled in a torturous love triangle, adrift in a sea of desire. It wasn't Maggie's usual type of film, but she was engrossed, perhaps because he was there.
Before long, the room was filled with the sound of passionate entanglement as the boy succumbed to temptation and slept with his best friend. The director had beautifully shot the scene. The room was dimly lit, filled with heavy breathing. There were no explicit scenes, but the actors' performances convincingly conveyed intense desire. The boy and girl were locked in a passionate kiss, their clothes crumpled. Desire overpowered morality and propriety, culminating in a climax accompanied by the woman's expressions of pain and pleasure.
Maggie was so engrossed that she was startled when a document was gently placed on the coffee table. She blinked, turning to look at Nathael, almost forgetting he was there. As her thoughts refocused, the sounds of the couple's passionate entanglement reached a crescendo, causing Maggie's cheeks to flush.
"You seem to enjoy these types of movies," Nathael remarked, his gaze fixed on the woman bundled up like a dumpling, a pensive expression on his face. Pretending not to understand, Maggie blinked innocently. "What kind?"
Nathael stared at her before chuckling. He unfastened the top two buttons of his shirt, stepped onto the balcony, and lit a cigarette. The sounds of the couple's embrace reverberated in his mind, stirring desire. He pondered Maggie's recent peculiar behavior, struggling to suppress his emotions to prevent himself from falling for her. However, no matter how composed his rationality, his actions involuntarily yearned for her, instinctively desiring closeness. He never anticipated having the opportunity to stand on this balcony, admiring the nocturnal scenery, the interior illumination outlining her silhouette.
When he stood, Maggie lost interest in the movie. She wrapped herself in a thin blanket and joined him on the balcony, gazing at the river view. Nathael sighed softly and whispered, "Being alone with a woman and watching such a movie you know how to lead a man's thoughts astray."