Annie lasted exactly eleven minutes before deciding that holding Brian’s hand had made him unbearably confident. He drove with one hand on the steering wheel and the other wrapped around hers, his thumb occasionally brushing over her knuckles. He behaved as though nothing unusual was happening. Annie, meanwhile, had forgotten how to sit normally. She shifted in her seat. Brian glanced at her. “Are you uncomfortable?” “No.” “You’ve moved four times.” “I’m testing the seat.” “It was working perfectly before.” “Perhaps it has developed a problem.” “Should I take you to a mechanic?” Annie turned toward him. “You’re very funny today.” “I’m always funny.” She laughed once. “That might be the most delusional thing you’ve ever said.” Brian’s mouth curved. Annie looked down at their hands. “Are you planning to hold my hand the entire journey?” “If you want me to.” The teasing answer she had prepared disappeared. She looked out of the window. “I didn’t say that.” “You didn’t say you wanted me to stop.” “That’s because I’m being generous.” “I appreciate it.” She squeezed his hand. “You’re becoming irritating again.” “I was beginning to worry.” Annie tried not to smile. She failed. Brian noticed but wisely said nothing. They stopped at a quiet restaurant on the way home. Annie looked at the entrance, then at Brian. “Why are we here?” “Lunch.” “We just had lunch.” “That was three hours ago.” “Are you keeping track of my meals now?” “Yes.” She stared at him. “You’ve become a hypocrite.” “I learned from you.” “Impossible. I’m a wonderful influence.” Brian opened the car door for her. “Come inside.” Annie stepped out but didn’t move immediately. “Is this because you’re hungry?” “No.” “Then your stomach hurts.” Brian’s expression remained composed. Annie pointed at him. “I knew it.” “It’s mild.” “Your definition of mild is deeply concerning.” “I thought you were hungry.” “I am.” “Then we agree.” She narrowed her eyes. “You manipulated me with food.” “I invited you to lunch.” “Same thing.” Inside, the restaurant was quiet and tastefully decorated, with large windows and warm lighting. The staff greeted Brian immediately, guiding them toward a secluded table. Annie sat down and opened the menu. “Are you ordering something you can actually eat?” she asked. Brian removed his jacket. “Yes.” “Something substantial?” “Yes.” “Without coffee replacing half the meal?” “Annie.” “Answer the question.” “Yes.” She studied him suspiciously before looking back at the menu. The waiter approached, and Annie ordered grilled chicken, rice, vegetables, and a bowl of soup. Brian ordered a similar meal. Annie lowered her menu. “You copied me.” “I chose the same type of food.” “That’s copying with confidence.” “You seem pleased.” “I’m pleased that you’re finally developing sense.” The waiter left. For a few moments, they sat in comfortable silence. Then Brian said, “You handled Victoria well.” Annie’s eyes lifted. “Was that a compliment?” “Yes.” “Please be careful. You’re giving them out too freely.” “Victoria has known my family for years.” “Your family seems to know everyone.” “That’s what happens when you grow up in this world.” Annie leaned back. “Do you like her?” Brian didn’t pretend not to understand. “No.” The answer was immediate. Annie’s fingers paused over the table. Brian continued, “I respect her business ability. That’s all.” “Then why did she speak as if she knew you personally?” “She does know me personally.” Annie’s expression changed. Brian noticed. “She grew up around my family,” he explained. “Our parents have worked together. She attended some of the same events we did.” “Were you ever involved?” “No.” Annie nodded slowly. “Good.” Brian’s gaze sharpened. “Good?” She picked up her glass. “I said good.” “You sound relieved.” “I sound hydrated.” He watched her for a moment. Then he leaned forward slightly. “You can ask me directly if something bothers you.” Annie set down her glass. “I don’t want to be the woman who questions every person you speak to.” “You aren’t.” “I don’t want to become possessive.” “You aren’t.” “I don’t want to look insecure.” Brian’s expression softened. “You don’t.” Annie looked away. The words she had been avoiding finally escaped. “I just don’t want to be temporary.” Brian became very still. Annie immediately regretted saying it. She reached for the menu, though there was no reason to open it again. “Forget I said that.” “No.” “Brian.” “Look at me.” She didn’t. He reached across the table, but instead of touching her, he rested his hand near hers. “I’m not treating you as temporary.” Annie swallowed. “You’ve known me for a short time.” “I know.” “You could change your mind.” “So could you.” She looked at him then. Brian’s gaze remained steady. “I’m not going to promise you that nothing will ever change,” he said. “That would be dishonest. But I can tell you what I want now.” Annie’s voice was quiet. “What do you want?” “You.” The word settled between them. No dramatic declaration. No elaborate explanation. Just one word, spoken with absolute certainty. Annie’s heart began to pound. Brian continued, “Not because of your family. Not because of the arrangement. Not because you’re convenient.” His fingers moved closer until they touched hers. “I want you because you’re you.” Annie stared at him. Her instinct was to make a joke. To laugh. To tell him he was being dramatic. But she couldn’t find the strength to hide behind any of those things. “What if I’m difficult?” she asked. “You are.” Her eyes narrowed. “You could have waited before answering.” “I’ve already accepted that.” “What if I’m stubborn?” “You are.” “Arrogant?” “Sometimes.” “Beautiful?” Brian’s gaze lowered briefly to her lips. “Very.” Annie’s breath caught. She looked away, cheeks warming. “You’re supposed to disagree with at least one of those.” “I don’t lie to you.” “That’s debatable.” Their food arrived before she could say anything else. Annie focused intensely on her plate, refusing to look at him. Brian, however, looked quietly satisfied. She kicked him under the table. He didn’t even flinch. “Violence,” he said. “Consequences.” After lunch, Brian drove her home. This time, Annie didn’t complain when he held her hand. She even leaned slightly toward him at a red light, resting her shoulder against the seat as she watched their joined hands. She had expected affection to feel dramatic. Something loud and uncontrollable. Instead, it was small things. A hand held in silence. A meal shared after a long day. Someone remembering that she hated being rushed in the morning. Someone asking what she wanted instead of deciding for her. Brian had entered her life with the force of a storm, but lately, he had begun to feel like something steadier. Something she could lean toward. That frightened her more than the storm ever had. When they arrived at the Samson residence, Annie didn’t immediately get out of the car. Brian turned off the engine. “What are you thinking?” “That you ask too many questions.” “You’re avoiding this one.” She looked at him. “Do you ever get tired of being serious?” “Do you ever get tired of avoiding serious conversations?” “Yes.” “Today?” Annie sighed. “Maybe.” Brian waited. She glanced down at her hands. “I don’t know what we are.” His expression remained calm, but his attention sharpened. “I know our families introduced us with certain expectations,” she continued. “And I know we’ve moved past that. But sometimes I wonder whether we’re doing this because everyone expects us to.” “We aren’t.” “How do you know?” “Because I’m choosing you.” Annie looked up. Brian’s voice was quiet. “Every time I come to see you, I’m choosing to. Every time I ask whether you’ve eaten, I’m choosing to. When I brought you to Auntie Mei, when I stayed at your family’s house, when I held your hand today—none of that was required.” Annie’s chest tightened. “I know.” “Then what are you asking?” She looked toward the house. “I’m asking whether you want me to choose you too.” Brian didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reached for her hand. “I want you to choose me only if you mean it.” Annie looked back at him. “And if I’m not ready?” “I’ll wait.” The simplicity of his answer left her speechless. “You’ll wait?” “Yes.” “For how long?” “I don’t know.” “That’s not a very good business strategy.” “I’m not managing a business.” Annie smiled faintly. “You’re managing me.” “No.” His fingers tightened gently around hers. “I’m trying to know you.” Her smile disappeared. That was the difference. Brian wasn’t demanding her affection. He was making room for it. Annie leaned closer and rested her forehead against his shoulder. Brian went still. She felt his body tense, as though he hadn’t expected the gesture. Neither had she. “Just for a minute,” she murmured. His arm moved around her shoulders. “Take your time.” Annie closed her eyes. The scent of his cologne surrounded her, clean and familiar now. His heartbeat was steady beneath her cheek. For one quiet minute, she allowed herself to stop thinking. No family expectations. No business lunches. No Victoria Hale. No fear of what might happen later. Just Brian. And the strange comfort of being held by someone she had once sworn she would never like. Across the street, a dark sedan remained parked beneath a tree. The woman inside watched Brian’s car through the windshield. She had seen Annie lean against him. She had seen Brian’s arm move around her. The woman picked up her phone and typed a message. He’s becoming serious. She stared at the words before adding another sentence. She may be more important than we expected. A reply came less than a minute later. Then find out what he plans to do with her. The woman looked toward the Samson residence. For the first time, her expression showed uncertainty. Then she started the car and drove away. Annie entered the house twenty minutes later. Eleanor was sitting in the living room with Emily, while Linda stood near the bookshelf, reading a document. Eleanor looked up immediately. “Did you have a good lunch?” Annie removed her jacket. “Yes.” “Did Brian eat?” Annie stopped. Emily’s smile appeared slowly. Annie pointed at her mother. “You’ve been talking to him.” “He called me yesterday.” “He called you?” “He wanted to ask about the formal lunch.” Annie stared. “And you discussed his eating habits.” Eleanor looked innocent. “It came up.” “Of course it did.” Emily leaned forward. “Did he hold your hand?” Annie turned toward her. “Why does everyone in this house have surveillance equipment?” Linda looked up from her document. “Did he?” Annie looked at her too. “You’re supposed to be the reasonable one.” “I’m curious.” “You’re all terrible.” Nicholas entered with a bag of chips. “What did I miss?” “Annie and Brian are in love,” Emily said. Annie grabbed a cushion. Nicholas immediately raised the chips in surrender. “I’m leaving.” “No one said you could leave,” Annie replied. He froze. Then he slowly sat down. Eleanor laughed, and even Linda looked amused. Annie looked around the room. The teasing. The laughter. The easy way they included her. She had once worried that becoming part of the Samson family meant losing the life she had built with Auntie Mei. Now she was beginning to understand that love didn’t always replace one home with another. Sometimes, it gave you more places to belong. Her phone vibrated. Brian: Did you get inside? Annie looked at the message. She typed: Annie: Yes. Then she hesitated. She could have left it there. Instead, she added: Annie: I missed you before I even got inside. She stared at the words in horror. “What have I done?” she whispered. “What happened?” Emily asked. “Nothing.” Her phone vibrated again. Brian: I missed you too. Annie’s heart stumbled. She pressed the phone against her chest and looked toward the ceiling. This was no longer a minor inconvenience. She was in serious trouble. And for the first time, she didn’t want to be rescued.

A Question Without an Easy Answer