In the end, Senior Chua once again failed to go against the pleadings of his daughter. He asked Harry to accompany him back to the Chua mansion instead, assuring the latter that Kenzie’s personal bodyguard, Kimmy, would stay with her until she recovered.

“That brat can be stubborn at times. She hates being treated like a baby,” Senior Chua commented. Deep inside him, he could not believe his daughter actually managed to coax him again so easily, and there he was standing and telling lies and making alibis in front of Harry.

Harry chuckled and commented, “it’s understandable Sir since she’s in the prime of her youth. I honestly like her and I’m looking forward to knowing her more…”

He was not going to believe Daryl about telling him that Kenzie was his woman… And even if that was true to some extent, the two of them were not even married for him to think of backing-off.

Harry had a lopsided grin, wondering how the events would turn out to be… But he was sure about one thing… that he was interested in marrying Kenzie Chua… smitten by her beauty…

Jack smiled, hearing that positive feedback. As he expected, Harry was interested in his daughter. He had been noticing how Harry never peeled away his eyes from his daughter. But aside from Harry, he also noticed some changes in Daryl… Something was different…

But he could not fathom what that difference was for certain. Somehow seeing the present Daryl, he was a little hesitant about his own decisions. He wondered if Daryl was really interested in Kenzie or was it just purely his competitive instinct knowing his stepbrother was about to snatch Kenzie from him?

He could not erase that possibility as well, because he knew how prideful a man could be when it came to things like these. Given the state of their relationship, the last thing he wanted was his daughter to get caught in between the two stepbrothers.

He proposed Kenzie’s meeting with Harry because Daryl had assured him that he was not interested in Kenzie the last time they talked. Daryl also promised that he would not take advantage of his daughter.

‘Did Daryl have a change of heart? Has Kenzie succeeded already?’ he mused.

“Sir, if possible, I want to date Kenzie as often as I can. I believe she will like me once she gets to know me more…” Harry added with conviction.

Jack turned at Harry who was driving him home and heaved a deep sigh.

“It’s not up to me Harry but depends on Kenzie. The arranged marriage as I have proposed can only be possible if my daughter likes you, so you have to work on it. What I’m just asking is that you respect Kenzie’s decision whatever it is. For now, I can only help you in convincing her to go out with you so you two can know each other more…”

“I understand Sir and I will do my best to not let you down in choosing me and our family,” Harry commented.

Jack looked at him and pondered, “Should I tell him that Kenzie is pursuing Daryl right now?”

He felt a severe headache coming up because of the two stepbrothers, he wished he could avoid this situation but among all the bachelors he had checked, Harry was the only one who fit his criteria.

He also thought of the anchor Gavin Wu as a good match for Kenzie, but the man was well known as an easy-go-lucky person who travels a lot. Helping Kenzie in managing the business would also be very much out of his comfort zone as well.

On the other hand, he could only consider Daryl if he would return Kenzie’s feelings because Kenzie seemed to be very much into him.

‘Those two really don’t seem to have a good relationship and at this point, I think I have unintentionally messed things up between them more…’ he mused, referring to Daryl and Harry before he released another sigh of frustration.

*****

Meanwhile, like what he said, Daryl took care of everything with Kimmy’s help in bringing Kenzie back to her apartment. He carried her in his arms, instead of letting Kenzie use the crutches. He did not even allow any medical helpers to be close while transferring her to the car beside him and Kimmy.

Kenzie knew she must not keep her hopes too high to avoid disappointment in the end in case she was interpreting everything wrongly but she just could not help but squeal inside when Daryl offered to carry her from the car to her apartment.

“Stop…” Kenzie commented when Daryl was about to lift her.

“Turn around and bend,” Kenzie added.

“Huh?” Daryl murmured, confused.

“Give me a piggyback ride instead? Please? That way I can hug your back…” Kenzie candidly commented, making Kimmy, who heard it cough as if she almost choked.

Kenzie’s sharp eyes landed on her so Kimmy pressed her lips and gave her a cheering gesture instead with her awkward smile. She actually adored how bold her boss was in expressing herself to the man she liked without hesitation. Not all women could do that or have that courage, like her.

She shook her head as she watched Daryl quietly bent and let her boss wrap her arms around him from the back. She walked behind the two, amused. She felt like she was watching a romance drama with two sweet love birds, only in which she could witness a piggyback ride like that.

“Thank you for tonight,” Kenzie whispered in Daryl’s ear as she leaned closer and rested her cheek on Daryl’s neck with her chin on his shoulder.

Daryl sighed and whispered in a serious tone, “We need to talk once we get inside your apartment.”

“Alright,” Kenzie whispered too before she buried her face in Daryl’s neck.

“Kenzie… behave. Stop that!” Daryl reprimanded because he was uncomfortable. He was feeling aroused by the mere touch of her soft skin brushing on his neck like that.

“We are almost in my apartment so what harm can I do? Don’t tell me you’re feeling hot?” Kenzie teased and she heard Daryl curse in frustration, making her giggle instead as she snuggled her face more. She liked it very much, snuggling into him like this and how she wished that they would just keep walking in circles so she could stay in his arms like that, hugging him tightly.

Inside her apartment, Daryl carefully put her on her bed. He looked at Kimmy and said, “I will just talk to Kenzie and it won’t take a while.”

Kimmy looked at Kenzie who nodded and signaled her to leave, so she did.

“What is it?” Kenzie asked.

“I know this sounds rude and judgemental but… you should not trust Harry,” Daryl whispered, cursing himself inwardly because it was never in his character to meddle in someone else’s affairs like this but he just could not let Harry have his way with Kenzie. That too when he very well knew the man’s true nature. He had his reasons for all that he said to Kenzie, solid reasons and he had also witnessed how Harry wore his perfect person facade on his face every time.

“And whom should I trust Daryl, you? Are you willing to save me from the hands of your stepbrother?” Kenzie answered with a serious face as well. It was an opportunity for her indeed and she would not let it pass by! She would grab and secure this opportunity for her advantage!