Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 833

The man donned glasses, a facade that lent him an air of sophistication, but Tiana had seen his ruthlessness in the streets, a blend of sinister desires and cold madness.

She couldn't help but notice his lean arm retracting from her chest, her skin breaking out in goosebumps.

Ever since last night, any interaction with him felt skewed, brimming with an awkward tension.

"Parker, can you not do this anymore?" she murmured in annoyance.

"Do what?" His Adam's apple bobbed as he fixed a deep gaze on her.

"Cross the line. There's a boundary between men and women."

"After everything you heard last night, you're bringing this up?" He smirked, recalling the absurdity of the previous night.

Tiana's cheeks flushed, her lips pursed in irritation, "That was all you, shamelessly forcing me to sit there. How can you be so brazen?"

"Why don't you ask Ludwik what 'brazen' really means before you judge me?"

Parker's tone was nonchalant as he glanced at her, deliberately leaning closer, "I asked you if I had ever touched you, and you didn't give me a straight answer. I suggested we try, but you refused. Maybe it's time for a little punishment, don't you think?" His provocatively casual tone nearly shocked her.

Are all men this audacious and shameless?

"You're utterly... shameless," she bit her soft pink lip, unable to meet his devilish profile.

Parker watched her trembling lashes, irritation bubbling within him, his words more candid, "You didn't rush me last night. Did you know it would take a while? Have you experienced it before?"

Tiana's eyes widened in shock, quickly realizing he was setting a trap, testing her!

She clenched her fingers tightly, suppressing the racing of her heart brought on by the topic, "I've never experienced it... And don't you dare try it with me! Adult affairs are not my game, I can't handle it!" Parker squinted slightly.

Did he really come off as frivolous to her, as if all he wanted was to play games?

He bit his cheek in frustration, "I just wanted you to be clear. You're avoiding the real issue. It's not that I wanted to be frivolous with you last night; if I had wanted to, do you think you could've escaped?

Idiot.

So, no more trying," he continued to stare at her, his gaze softening momentarily at her innocent and anxious eyes, his voice lowering into a teasing murmur, "What if I just took responsibility instead? But the real question is, do you even like me?" Boom-

His direct and flirtatious interrogation was almost too much for her.

Tiana looked up in shock, the reflection in his glasses hiding the depth of his gaze.

She couldn't tell if he was being frivolous or sincere.

Her heart raced at his question did she like him?

Her face flushed red, as if a secret had been exposed.

If she admitted her feelings, would he take responsibility?

Or was he just playing with her in the heat of the moment?

Tiana dared not let her thoughts wander further, her lips trembling as she looked away, her voice a whisper, "What's the use if I like you? Can it make you like me back? Can it make you take responsibility...?" Her voice was barely audible, Parker leaning in closer, "What did you say?"

Crash!

"Daddy Parker, be careful!" Cherry's sudden cry came from behind.

Parker's gaze snapped up, realizing his distraction had nearly caused a collision near the mall's entrance.

As a car swerved past them, he gripped the steering wheel tightly, bringing the Rolls-Royce to a halt at the entrance of the parking garage, drawing the attention of onlookers.

Tiana was taken aback, forgetting what she was about to say.

Parker quickly turned to Cherry, "Cherry, are you okay?"

"I bumped my head! Daddy Parker, you were too busy looking at mommy and didn't watch the road. What were you talking about?"

Cherry's innocent question dragged Tiana back to the moment.

Noticing Parker's silent gaze, his lips parting as if to press further, Tiana instinctively interrupted, quickly exiting the car, "We're at the mall. Let's go, Cherry. Didn't you want to see the toys? Mommy will take you." With that, she lifted her daughter and hurried towards the elevator entrance.

Parker watched her retreat, his eyes narrowing in thought.

He had been about to make his intentions clear, to ask her outright if she liked him.

If she did, he had a thousand ways to make her his.

But if she didn't... well.

Parker licked his lips, a touch of coldness in his gaze, then frowned, pondering the woman's answer.

Was she trying to torment him? Couldn't she just give him a straight answer?

A flicker of frustration warmed his chest as he followed her.

His long strides quickly caught up with Tiana.

Without a word, his hand slipped through her arm, effortlessly taking Cherry from her.

Just as Tiana was about to protest, Cherry wrapped her arms around Parker's neck, giggling, "Daddy Parker, can I pick out more toys?"

"We can buy the whole floor if you want," he boasted, his generosity stark against Tiana's frugality.

She had been scrimping and saving for years, pushed to the brink by Endora's family.

"Parker, don't spoil her too much," Tiana caught up, attempting to caution him...

Suddenly, a woman's voice cut through the mall, "Parker?!"

Tiana tensed, turning to the source.

It was Endora, whom they hadn't seen in days!

After thinking Parker was gone and her plans to marry into wealth dashed, hadn't she returned to Banyan City?

Now, seeing Parker, Endora's eyes lit up with surprise and delight, then quickly filled with tears as she ran towards him, "Parker, you're alive? Oh, you have no idea how heartbroken I've been!"

Parker stood still, his brow furrowing as he caught the approaching woman.

Tiana watched the scene unfold, her eyes suddenly dimming, a quiet ache blooming in her heart.

Yes, his fiancée, how could he push her away?

The flirtation in the car just moments ago, the intense pursuit over the past couple of days-it was all because Endora wasn't by his side. Now, with his fiancée's appearance, it served as a wake-up call to his duties. It also served as a wake-up call to Tiana, reminding her not to get too deeply involved!

Her face turned pale as suddenly, she heard Cherry's dissatisfied struggle, "Ouch! Who are you? You're squishing me!"

Parker snapped back to reality, quickly stepping back from Endora, "Endora, don't crowd the kid."

His tone was even, showing no sign of the joy one might have expected upon seeing Endora.