Sheffield wore a red ceremonial costume. Apart from the white base clothing, the rest of it was all bright red, with dark red patterns. The apparel was designed with wide shoulders and a slim-fit waist. He had a belt adorned with jade. His skin was fair as ever. Standing there, he looked like someone who had just walked out of a painting.
His long black wig was held in place by a jade crown, and a few wisps of hair hung over his forehead. He held a sword, and his eyes twinkled with his signature charm.
The young doctor looked absolutely enchanting. There was a sinister undertone running through this as well.
When he saw Evelyn, his evil smile turned warm. He lifted up his long robe, knelt on one knee in front of her and cupped his hands. He said loudly, "My princess, I'm here to marry you!"
Right now, his every move made him look like a god. Her heart beat faster and faster.
Evelyn covered her chest with both hands, afraid that her heart would leap out of her chest. She was too excited to utter a single word.
Her reaction widened Sheffield's smile. Instead of standing, he raised the sword in his hand and unsheathed it.
It was fake. There was no sword blade but a diamond ring, recessed into the hilt.
He held the ring aloft with a huge grin.
When she saw that, she began to sob, shedding tears of joy mingled with sadness that broke her heart. She covered her mouth to stop herself from crying.
Sheffield took out the diamond ring, threw the sword hilt aside, and took her hand. Looking up at his beloved woman, he said sincerely, "Evelyn Huo, with no witness other than the heavy snow outside, will you marry me?"
Tears streamed down Evelyn's cheeks. How she wished she could confidently say, "Yes, I will!"
But she remembered she promised her father she would get engaged to Calvert. How could she say yes to Sheffield?
She finally couldn't help but slowly squat down and cry. She looked at him and apologized, "Sheffield… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry…" 'I can't marry you…'
Sheffield's heart ached. When he saw the tears rolling down her face, he immediately threw the ring away, pulled her into his arms, and consoled her in a soft voice, "Evelyn, don't cry. It's okay if you say no. Don't cry, okay?"
Her tears broke his heart even more than her rejection.
She was sobbing in his arms, unable to control herself any longer.
'I'm sorry, Sheffield. I don't deserve your love.
I owe you ten thousand apologies.'
Sheffield kept soothing her. "If I had known it would make you cry, I would never have proposed to you. Evelyn, don't cry. It makes me sad, too. Now I want to cry…"
He was worried and flustered.
His last sentence amused Evelyn. She stopped crying and looked at the man seriously. "If you meet a girl who's cute, sweet, and wonderful, go after her."
Sheffield was wiping her tears when he heard this. He stopped. His heart ached so much that he couldn't even breathe. After a long while, he said softly, "But I love you. You're my one and only, always and forever. I don't want anyone else."
'Evelyn, you're my life.'
He really wasn't thinking of proposing to her today. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. It wasn't the ideal time. His research was still at a critical point. And he hadn't gotten Carlos' approval. But he didn't want to waste this opportunity. Still, it was a cloud with a silver lining that she didn't say yes. He'd work hard on the research and development to make more money, and use that to arrange a grand proposal ceremony. Hopefully that would show her how much he loved her.
Evelyn held him tightly. "Sheffield, you are so full of it!"
"Baby, you're the only one who says that. Actually, I'm not. Really." He could tell Carlos didn't like Calvert at all. Debbie was on his side too. He believed he could win Carlos over, too, and make Evelyn his wife.
Raising her head to kiss his chin, Evelyn wanted to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.
'Even if I am engaged to Calvert, I won't marry him. I'll see what I can do to get Dad to agree to break it off. Sheffield, wait for me, okay? I'll try my best.'
Gently guiding her to her feet, he said, "It's okay you said no, as long as you promise not to cry." He could wait. There was always a next time.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled it. "Okay."
"You know how you can make it up to me?" he asked with an evil smile. She looked at him, eyes happy for the moment. "You gotta make me happy in bed." He was hoping to get some anyway, whether she said yes or no.
Evelyn didn't respond. When he put her on the edge of the bed and began to take her shoes off, she finally said, "Let me help you out of your costume." He hadn't forgotten the ceremonial robes, with its many ties and such, draped around his body. It was a replica of traditional, ancient clothing. A replica to be sure, but a really authentic one.
Sheffield looked at her with a smile. "I'd love that!"
After he removed Evelyn's shoes, she was ready for some sexy time. However, Sheffield went to the wardrobe and took out two bathrobes. He offered her one, saying, "Here, put this on."
"Why?" 'What's up with this? I want him bad, and he does this?'
Sheffield stood in front of her and took off his wig. "Let's go to the hot spring." He couldn't wait to take off the wig. It was hot under there, and starting to get itchy.
"Hot spring?" She didn't know there were hot springs here. "But I didn't bring my swimsuit…" She didn't know they would go to the hot spring.
"It's okay. I didn't bring mine either. It's private, so no one else will be there." He deliberately kept the hot springs a secret from Evelyn, just as he deliberately left his swimsuit behind.
'So we're going to bathe naked in the hot spring together?' Evelyn blushed at the thought. Sheffield led the way.
It turned out their bedroom had a hidden side door. He pushed the door open to reveal a natural open-air hot spring pool.
The hot spring pool was exclusive to the House of Sound. The side door in their room was the only access to it. So no one else would be able to disturb them.
Snowflakes were still floating heavily in the darkness. The street lights were dim, to reduce glare from the snow. Sheffield led her into the pond carefully.
The pool had a dome supported by four thick pillars to prevent rain or snow. It was surrounded by lush trees and plants.
She gingerly stepped in, testing the temperature. It was just right. She eased herself the rest of the way in, and was surprised at how good it felt. Her gaze fell on the steps beyond, on which lay plates of fruit.
He embraced her, most of her body hidden in the water. They enjoyed the snowy night together, exploring every inch of their bodies. Awhile later, they relaxed, and started chatting. Suddenly he said, "Want to hear me sing a song?"
"I'd love to!" She hadn't heard him sing in a long time.
Sheffield cleared his throat and started to sing, "There is a pretty fish in an ancient fairy tale. She looks wistful and distant. People shed tears at her melancholy and beautiful songs. They say she's the curse of fishermen. Many sailors died looking for her. She has no soul. The sun is her home and the rainbow is her road."
It was one of her mom's songs. Shocked, Evelyn turned to look at him when he hit the chorus. "Ah—" He hit every note perfectly, and added a tinge of masculinity to the song.
