Out of Control: Into Your Everything-Chapter 119: Have You Made Up Your Mind?

The tender spot in her heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle, and Scarlett Shaw swallowed the words she was about to say. Instead, she asked, "So, Ryan Ford’s mother, she died of illness..."

Julian Ford: "Murder."

Scarlett was taken aback.

Julian looked at her indifferently, "Feeling sorry for him?"

The question left Scarlett in a dilemma. She didn’t feel sorry for Ryan, but anyone would feel sympathy when someone’s mother is murdered.

So she changed the subject and asked, "Was the murderer caught?"

Julian Ford: "No, it was ruled as a suicide. Only Ryan believes it was murder and has been looking for the killer."

The atmosphere became heavy with such a topic. Scarlett turned her head to look out the car window, where, in the distance by the riverbank, a burst of fireworks lit up the sky with bright golden sparks like stars.

Many people were gathered near the riverbank in groups, the atmosphere full of New Year spirit.

When she was still a student, every New Year, Scarlett had to spend time at the Grant Family’s house. Sometimes Penelope Shaw was kind to her, but most of the time, she would scold Scarlett and the missing Serena.

After she became an adult, she started working to pay off debts. Penelope’s attitude towards her improved as she handed over money, and even her uncle Chester Grant’s once unsettling gaze gradually lessened.

But even then, with blood relatives around her and the house filled with warm air, Scarlett still felt the chill of winter.

Even after she met Ryan Ford, she still felt like she had always been alone.

They might have had feelings for each other, but they never truly understood one another.

Yet, it was strange.

The Julian Ford before her was cold and aloof, the kind of man who would talk about breaking up even while proposing to date, yet he ignited a long-lost warmth in her soul.

A man as high and mighty, and as annoying, as Julian Ford.

Unconsciously, Scarlett turned to look at Julian.

And their eyes met.

Amid the deep night, the fireworks were bright, and outside the car, the noise was bustling and full of laughter.

The car had pulled over to the roadside at some point, merging with the fireworks, the night, and the noisy crowd.

Adjusting the seat, Julian pulled Scarlett into his lap from the passenger seat, slipping his hand into her coat and pressing it against her slender waist, holding her firmly in his embrace. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

He didn’t kiss her slightly pink lips immediately. His deep eyes moved slowly upward, and his hand gently but firmly grasped the back of her head, forcing her to look into his eyes.

Julian’s eyes were always clear and calm, and so they were now.

Yet Scarlett felt she was being irresistibly drawn downward.

His forehead rested against hers, his chin slightly lifted, the lines and curves elegant and perfect, and as he lightly brushed her lips, his warm breath fell upon her skin.

A spark flickered in Scarlett’s eyes, as if lit by fireworks, or perhaps illuminated by something else.

Her hand, resting on Julian’s shoulder, clenched as she softly said, "The first time, it was like this too."

The time, the place, the people.

All aligned.

Julian, with his dark eyes fixed on her, his Adam’s apple moving, spoke in a low voice, "Mm."

"But—"

Courage and affection simultaneously gathered in her heart. Scarlett lowered her head, kissed the tip of Julian’s nose, and said, "But, it’s different now."

Julian lifted her chin, placing delicate kisses at the corners of her lips and asked, "Where is it different?"

The hand on his shoulder moved down, her slender white fingers entangling with his, as she gently placed his hand over her heart.

"Here, it’s different."

She spoke with solemnity and sincerity, looking at him as though he were a treasure.

Her fingertips moved away from her heart, pointing towards his chest.

"It’s different here too, because I’m here, right?"

Julian’s hand brushed past her slender neck, holding her close, letting her bury her face in his neck.

His lips were right by her flushed ear, his voice still cold and calm, yet he said, "Only you, Scarlett."

Outside, fireworks blossomed across the sky.

The explosive sound seemed to swallow everything.

Yet, for Scarlett, time seemed to stand still at that moment.

Julian’s voice, like cool distant mints, carried a hint of light sweetness.

And those plain five words, devoid of any deliberate charm, fell into Scarlett’s heart, sustaining her for a long time in the future, even when once again alone, trapped in darkness, she never fell.

When Julian held her neck again, making her face him, he looked at her, his eyes clear and deep:

"Have you thought about the girlfriend thing?"

Along with his words, Scarlett saw the rational calm in Julian’s eyes, familiar to her.

The truth Julian didn’t speak, she heard it in her heart.

Fireworks are passionate but short-lived.

If she were with him, it would be the same.

"Julian Ford."

Scarlett looked at the man, her almond eyes reflecting his calm face.

Her star.

"You’re not one bit nice to me."

Julian said nothing, just watched her, waiting for her to continue.

"That first night, I just wanted to get a towel from the room, and you coldly threw me out."

She began to list his past wrongdoings.

"You pulled up your pants and left, so aggressively, and when I asked for medical fees, you humiliated me, not just once!"

"Before at Cloud Mansion, then at the club, and last time abroad, count how many times you had me standing in the cold wind!"

"And you always threatened me..."

One after the other, countless grievances.

There were many more, small grudges Scarlett remembered, but they were sealed with Julian’s kiss. When he released her, he looked at her and in a calm voice said, "So, what’s your answer?"

Scarlett lowered her eyes and reluctantly said, "I guess I might have a masochistic temperament."

Julian raised an eyebrow.

Scarlett nestled closer into his arms, her cool lips landing on the corner of his eye. His lashes were long, brushing against her lips. Her heart trembled as she kissed his chin, whispering with quiet determination:

"Otherwise, why would I jump into the abyss, knowing there’s no good outcome?"

Julian tilted his head, finding her lips teasing his jaw, and pressed them down with a low whisper, "Agreed."

Scarlett: "Mm."

He kissed her, tender and intertwined, their breaths mingling.

When the fireworks quieted, Scarlett’s coat was tossed to the back seat, and Julian’s exquisitely jointed fingers stopped at the collar of her shirt. As he undid the first button, Scarlett grabbed his hand, stopping his advance.

Julian looked up at her.