Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 1280

"Little Canary, why'd you get me a present? Are you, uh," he stammered, swallowing hard and hesitating for what felt like forever, "into me?"

As he forced those words out, he couldn't bear to look at her anymore, feeling like he might just be dreaming.

Brielle's heart skipped a beat, her denial almost instinctive. "What do you think? How could I possibly be into you?"

The first time was in a back alley, and yeah, she was really hurting then. But she didn't push him away, because this was Max, the guy she'd had a crush on since she was a teenager. No matter how he acted, she was smitten. Completely and utterly lost in him. But realizing that his affection might just be fleeting, like a shooting star, brought tears to her eyes. She always knew a few lines of poetry that, every time she read them, made her want to cry.

-What could I possibly give you to keep you? I offer you the empty streets, the despairing sunsets, the moon over the desolate suburbs.

I offer you the sorrow of a man gazing longingly at the moon, alone.

I give you my loneliness, my darkness, the hunger of my heart.

try to touch you with confusion, danger,

haunted her. Back in school, people couldn't understand why she found them so moving. She

since she crossed paths with King, she felt imprisoned, controlled. What woman could possibly cherish being treated this way? Admitting her feelings would

face turning pale. Her fingertips, resting by her side, trembled

hands, simply hummed in response,

and she turned away in silence, shutting down her computer without waiting for him and heading upstairs alone. King remained seated, watching her leave with a self-deprecating

could pound on her chest to slow its frantic beating. Hearing footsteps outside, she quickly slipped under the covers,

King, seeing her unresponsive, silently stood for a moment before handing

of chess pieces laid out in front of him.

glasses of milk, and

Meaning, should

the other glass, instructing, "Take this to your mommy in the master bedroom. She's still recovering,

good night's sleep

by her name felt too informal now. And if she found out about his identity, would she think less of King