One night stand with my president (chapter 362)

 

Chapter 362: He Got His Heart Broken 

On the day of Christmas, the Mendoza family was fully immersed in the festive spirit.

As usual, the Mendoza family didn't have any relatives joining them for the holiday. It was just them, plus this year's special guests-Harrison and Joyce.

The house was already decorated with all sorts of festive trimmings.

They'd even given the servants time off for the holiday, and the family prepared Christmas Eve dinner together.

It was a warm, joyful atmosphere. For once, Harrison managed to forget his troubles. 

Sitting next to Adeline, who smiled at him sweetly, his heart swelled with happiness.

He hoped that, in the years to come, they could always celebrate Christmas together.

After dinner, Harrison took the time to wish Lorenzo, Myra, and the other elders of the Thomson family a Happy New Year. He even had a video call with Lorenzo.

Adeline sat beside him as they both greeted

Lorenzo together.

When Lorenzo saw them on the screen, sitting side by side, he couldn't help but laugh with joy.

He looked as if he was about to start planning their wedding right then and there.

The Thomson family was bustling with energy-everyone talking, laughing, and making noise.

After chatting with them for a while, Lorenzo ended the call.

At that moment, Myra walked over with a tray of fruit.

"Dad, were you just on a video call with Harrison?" she asked.

"Mm-hmm," Lorenzo replied, "And with Miss Hensley as well."

Myra's expression faltered slightly.

She muttered, "That rascal, didn't even think to video call me. He only gave me a quick phone call, and that was it."

Lorenzo, eating a banana, slowly said, "You can't blame him. He's with Miss Hensley now. Think about how you treated her before. It's Christmas, after all. He wouldn't want to upset Miss Hensley."

Myra was silent.

She knew deep down that Lorenzo had a point.

Although she regretted her previous behavior, she couldn't deny that she had been rude to Adeline in the past.

What was done was done. She had to take responsibility for it.

"So," Lorenzo added, "you should treat Miss Hensley a little better from now on. It'll help make up for the mistakes you made in the past."

"I understand, Dad," Myra said.

For the sake of her son, she didn't want to keep fighting with Adeline anymore.

Of course, it wasn't just for Harrison.

She genuinely thought Adeline was a good person.

She had felt that way even before Adeline reconciled with the Mendoza family.

Myra had realized that her previous judgment of Adeline had been clouded by bias.

In truth, Adeline was a great girl.

It had been wrong of her to interfere with their relationship.

The living room of the Thomson family was packed with people. Some were playing cards, and others were chatting and laughing.

But Ronan, who was usually so lively during Christmas, sat alone in a quiet corner this time.

An elder walked by and noticed his strange silence. "What's wrong with Ronan this year? He's quiet."

Ronan mumbled, "Nothing."

He was heartbroken.

While Lorenzo was on the video call with Harrison, Ronan had been secretly watching from behind.

Harrison and Adeline were together.

And judging by their conversation, it seemed like they had officially become a couple.

So, he had officially lost his chance with her.

Although he had known there was no real possibility between him and Adeline, it still hurt when it became official.

He tried to console himself. It was fine. 

Harrison had already gone to Yewhaina. If that was the case, it meant Harrison was serious about Adeline. The whole thing about him taking a woman to a hotel must've been a misunderstanding.

At least Adeline was with someone who truly liked her. For that, he could be happy for her.

Just then, another relative came over and asked, "Ronan, where's your mom? We haven't seen her, all day."

That made Ronan feel even worse.

Though it was Christmas, Milania wasn't allowed to join them.

She was stuck alone in the side house.

After all, no one knew if she might cause any

trouble if she was let out.

Feeling frustrated, Ronan stood up and walked outside.

A few kids were setting off firecrackers in the yard. It was amusing to watch them playing, and their laughter was contagious. His mood lightened a little.

At that moment, someone suddenly draped a coat over his shoulders.

He turned around and saw Isaline standing there.

"Why didn't you put on a coat before coming / out?" Isaline asked, frowning. "It's so cold. Aren't you afraid of catching a cold?"

Her words made Ronan realize just how chilly it was.

He quickly slipped the coat on and smiled. "I was lost in thought and didn't notice."

"Your injury's almost healed. You don't want to mess it up by catching a cold," she said, looking at the kids nearby.

She noticed he had been watching them intently and asked, "Mr. Ronan, do you want to play with the firecrackers too?"

"No," Ronan replied. "I was just watching them. Seeing them so happy makes me feel a little lighter."

At that moment, a little girl with pigtails ran over with a sparkler in her hand and handed it to Isaline. "You're so pretty. I want you to have this."

Isaline was delighted by the compliment. 

"Thank you, little one," she said, accepting the sparkler with a smile.

The little girl skipped away to play again, and Ronan took out a lighter to help Isaline light the sparkler.

The glow of the sparkler illuminated Isaline's face, making her smile even more radiant.

Ronan felt a sudden tug in his chest.

Without thinking, in a burst of impulsiveness, he leaned down and gently kissed the corner of Isaline's mouth.

Isaline froze, staring at him in shock.

Ronan, equally stunned by his own actions, was mortified.

What had he just done?

He wanted to slap himself.

Was he completely out of his mind?

"I... I'm sorry," he stammered, panicking. "I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."

Isaline snapped out of her daze, her cheeks flushed with color. Her lips parted, but she wasn't sure what to say.

"Maybe... you should just hit me?" Ronan lowered his head, sincerely apologizing:

"Forget it," Isaline said, looking away. "It's Christmas. I won't hit you. Just... don't do that again."

She knew Ronan liked Adeline.

Maybe he had just acted out of impulse, like someone possessed.

"I swear I won't do it again," Ronan quickly assured her. "I must've been under some kind of spell."

Isaline couldn't help but laugh at his words.

It seemed they were on the same wavelength after all.

Seeing her smile, Ronan finally felt his heart settle a bit, though he was still annoyed with himself. What had he been thinking? How could he have done something so rude?