[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-277":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},277,63,"Chapter 63: \"I Thought You Were a Mosquito\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian Spencer had been driving for six hours straight, clocking over 310 miles. He was utterly spent. Remi Crawford settled him into her room for a nap, waiting until he was deep in sleep before quietly slipping out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Downstairs, Alicia Crawford kept pacing, peering anxiously toward the staircase. Her husband, Troy, was growing irritable from her restlessness.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Can you just sit down for a minute?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s been two hours, Troy. Remi hasn’t come back down yet. How can I not be worried?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"We’re all right here. What could he possibly do?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Alicia rolled her eyes. \"I have things to talk to our daughter about.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just then, she saw Remi creeping down the stairs. Lowering her voice, Alicia asked, \"Remi, is Damian asleep?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi nodded. \"He drove all night. He passed out the moment his head hit the pillow.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Alicia reached out and poked her daughter’s forehead, her tone chiding. \"Look at how you’ve bullied him. The way he was walking on eggshells around you... he looked almost pathetic.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Pathetic?\" Remi laughed, feeling a bit guilty.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, you’ve always been a bit slow on the uptake. It isn’t easy finding someone who tolerates you, so don’t go being so self-willed.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi felt helpless against her mother’s earnest nagging. \"Mom, am I really that bad? Why are you always so worried I’ll never get married?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m not mocking you. Most parents worry about their kids having early romances, but I never did.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Why?\" Remi asked, genuinely curious.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Alicia let out a dry laugh. \"Because you were too busy trying to 'save the world' every single day.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Troy chuckled from the sofa. \"That’s right. You were running all over the place, rowdier than any boy.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Haha, very funny,\" Remi muttered. She looked back on her high school years and felt a wave of embarrassment. She definitely hadn’t been the romantic type back then.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If things are going well, try to settle it soon. A man of his quality is a rare catch,\" Alicia urged.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mom, I didn't want to bring him home because I knew you’d push for a wedding. Our company is just starting to find its footing—who has time for a wedding?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m just worried that with your stubborn streak, you’ll let him slip away.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Marriage isn't a shackle, Mom! Plenty of people get married and divorced every day!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"But...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Troy interrupted, \"Enough. The girl has her own ideas. Stop nagging her.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fine, fine. Do whatever you want.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As the conversation died down, a figure lingering in the shadows at the top of the stairs retreated back into the room, his expression unreadable.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was four in the afternoon when Damian finally stirred. He stared at the unfamiliar room for a moment, dazed, until the sound of steady, rhythmic breathing caught his attention. Remi was curled up beside him, her face flushed with sleep and her long, curled lashes casting soft shadows. He couldn't help but admire her peaceful expression.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Unable to resist, he leaned in and pressed a light kiss to her forehead.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Feeling a tickle on her skin, Remi’s hand lashed out on instinct.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Smack.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The sharp, loud sound of a slap echoed through the room, shattering the cozy atmosphere.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian froze, stunned, his hand rising to touch his stinging cheek. Remi jolted awake, blinking in confusion. When she saw the bright red palm mark on his face, she gasped and immediately reached out to massage the spot, desperate to soothe the pain.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m so sorry! I didn't mean to!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, did you just commit domestic violence against me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi offered a sheepish grin. \"Heh... I thought you were a mosquito.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian was so baffled he actually laughed. This girl—she could pack a punch even in her sleep. His ear was still ringing from that one blow.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing the dangerous glint in his eyes, Remi quickly steered the conversation elsewhere. \"Get up, get up! Let’s go out and have some fun.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She didn’t dare meet his gaze, scrambling out of bed and darting into the bathroom with the agility of someone fleeing a crime scene. Damian shook his head, a faint, indulgent smile playing on his lips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After washing her face and changing, Remi returned to the room, beaming. \"Let’s go.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Where are we going?\" Damian asked, leaning back against the headboard. In truth, he didn't want to go anywhere—he just wanted to stay curled up in this room with her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"A get-together with my friends. Want to come?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As soon as he heard 'friends,' Damian’s interest piqued. \"You’re introducing me to your friends?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Of course! With a boyfriend as handsome and dashing as you, I have to show you off, right?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her chin lifted with pride. The tightness Damian had felt in his chest earlier—the result of hearing her parents talk about marriage—vanished instantly. He realized now that she did value him; she just wasn't ready to tie the knot yet.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are you going or not? Why are you just sitting there grinning?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m going!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian vaulted off the bed, dressed in a flash, and meticulously checked his hair in the mirror.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi laughed, wrapping her arms around him from behind. \"You’re already handsome enough. Any more grooming and you'll turn into a peacock.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If I don’t look my best, I’ll embarrass you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Brother, can you please have a shred of self-awareness?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian caught Remi’s eye in the reflection. \"Does Remi think I look good?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Of course! You’re the best-looking man I’ve ever seen, bar none.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It is my greatest honor to grow into the man that Remi likes.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His voice was smooth and melodic. Remi felt a flutter in her chest—the man was a walking, talking pheromone trap. She shyly looked away. \"Just hurry up!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When they reached the foyer, Alicia couldn't help but compliment them. \"Damian, now that you've shaken off that fatigue, you look even sharper!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi preened, lifting her chin. \"Of course. How could someone ordinary ever catch my eye?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You're right, our Remi has the best taste.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi flashed a sweet smile at Damian. \"We’re heading out, Mom! Don't wait up for us for dinner.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright, stay safe.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They arrived at the venue and were led to a private booth by a server. As they walked in, Remi’s friends immediately erupted into cheers. Blushing, Remi introduced him, \"Girls, this is my boyfriend, Damian Spencer.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wow! Your boyfriend is so hot!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Seriously, Remi, where did you find someone this high-quality?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m drooling with envy!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When the commotion finally settled, Damian offered a polite, calm greeting. \"Hello, everyone.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hey, handsome! Come sit next to me!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No, here, sit by me! I've never seen anyone this good-looking in person!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian wasn't sure if this was a friend group or a siren's den.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hey, hey, hands off! You can only look,\" Remi teased, hooking her arm firmly through his as if guarding her territory.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The table was filled with a mix of men and women who called each other sisters, a dynamic Damian had never really seen before. It was loud, chaotic, and yet, surprisingly harmonious. He was used to the circles back in the city—everyone was a smiling tiger, obsessed only with profit. Living in that environment for so long, he had learned to wear a mask himself.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But this group was different. Everyone wore genuine smiles, teasing and laughing with no hidden agendas. The relaxed atmosphere made him let his guard down.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272913713]