Rebirth: 100 Days Before Doomsday - Chapter 160

Chapter 160: Kissing His Girlfriend

“I don’t want to hurt you,” Grace repeated, her voice trembling slightly.

“You won’t,” Dr. Kian said firmly. “At least, not intentionally. And if it gets too much for me, I’ll tell you. But for now, all I’m asking is a chance. A chance to be a part of your life in a way that matters.”

His words hit her like a tidal wave. She had been prepared for rejection, for anger, for a dozen different outcomes, but not this. Not his unwavering acceptance.

“I… I don’t know what to say,” she admitted in a voice that was barely above a whisper.

“Say yes,” he said simply.

Grace looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of doubt or hesitation, but there was none. He was serious, completely and utterly serious.

A part of her wanted to say no, to push him away for his own good. But another part, the part that had longed for connection and understanding in this broken world, wanted to say yes.

Taking a deep breath, she finally spoke. “Okay,” she said. And this time, her voice was steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her. “Yes.”

Dr. Kian’s face lit up with a mixture of relief and joy. “You won’t regret this,” he promised and his hands squeezed hers gently as if to assure her of his promise.

“I hope not,” she said with a soft smile, though her heart was still racing.

For a moment, they just sat there, basking in the newfound intimacy between them. The air felt lighter as the tension from earlier was now replaced with a warmth that spread through Grace’s chest.

“So,” she said after a moment, breaking the silence. “What now?”

Dr. Kian smiled at her before he leaned closer until their faces were just inches apart. “Now,” he said, his voice low and teasing, “I get to kiss my girlfriend again.”

Before Grace could respond, his lips were on hers, and the world faded away once more.

This kiss was different from the first one – still intense, but with a newfound sense of belonging, of promise. She found herself melting into him, her arms wrapping around his neck once again as she kissed him back with everything she had.

In that moment, the apocalypse didn’t matter. The dangers lurking outside didn’t matter. All that mattered was the man in front of her and the connection they had just begun to explore.

When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless but smiling. She rested her forehead against his and waited for her heart to calm down.

“Have you talked about this with either Rune or Davian yet?” Dr. Kian suddenly asked after a few minutes of silence.

Grace pulled back to look at his face before shaking her head in a negative response. “I have been thinking about doing it, but haven’t till now. Ever since Rune’s matter, we have been keeping some distance. And as for Davian, I just…”

She trailed off as she couldn’t make herself voice out her insecurities. She wasn’t afraid about talking about this matter with either Rune or Dr. Kian, but every time she thought about Davian, she felt like she would be letting him down if she asked him to share her with two other men.

He had already done so much for her, how could she ask for anything more?

Dr. Kian studied her carefully, and his gaze softened as he seemed to sense her internal conflict. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before speaking.

“Grace,” he began gently, “you don’t have to carry all of this on your shoulders. Rune and Davian are grown men. They have made choices to stand by you, haven’t they? Don’t underestimate their capacity to understand… or to love you as much as you deserve.”

She wanted to believe him, to trust that Rune and Davian would accept this new development in her life. For a moment, she could stop worrying about Rune since he had shown his agreement in the past, but…

“Davian’s different,” she finally admitted quietly. “He’s been with me through so much. He’s… he has sacrificed more than I can ever repay. I don’t want to take advantage of his feelings.”

Dr. Kian tilted his head and a thoughtful expression crossed his face. “Do you think he feels like you are taking advantage of him?”

Grace frowned slightly as she considered the question. “No,” she said after a moment. “At least, he has never said anything to make me think that. But still… I worry. He’s already given up so much for me. How can I ask him to accept this too?”

“You don’t have to ask him for anything,” Dr. Kian replied. “You just need to be honest with him. Let him decide how he feels. Don’t assume his limits, Grace. That’s not fair to him or to you.”

His logic made sense, but Grace’s heart was still tangled in a web of doubt. She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to calm the storm inside her.

Dr. Kian didn’t push her, giving her the space she needed. When she finally opened her eyes, she found him watching her with an expression that was equal parts patient and determined.

“I feel like I have got a life coach in the form of my boyfriend.” She teased, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Dr. Kian chuckled softly in response. “That’s a good thing for you. You have got enough to worry about with the apocalypse. Your personal life shouldn’t be one of them.”

Grace smiled lightly before she said, “I’ll talk to them… as soon as possible.”

Dr. Kian nodded his head in understanding, not pushing her. “That’s good. And don’t forget, you have me here with you.”

His words wrapped around her like a warm embrace, easing some of the tension in her chest. She moved, closing the space between them before she pressed herself into his waiting arms.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she was feeling like she finally had someone to call hers.

Her very first boyfriend!