The Female Leads Truly Loves You - Chapter 164

Chapter 164: Call me Mom
What was the significance of this question?

Sam didn’t know, but he was aware that if his answer wasn’t acceptable to her, he might be in danger this very night.

It was just him and Celeste now.

Yet, Sam felt an inescapable sense of crisis.

Was it the immense aura of the woman before him?

Even without looking, Sam could feel her gaze fixed on him, like a silent judgment.

Despite her words being gentle and calm from the beginning.

No sharp tones, no harsh words.

She seemed like a kind elder, yet her smile sent shivers down one’s spine.

It was autumn now, and nights were no longer hot, but Sam’s back was already sweating.

Looking at the woman in front of him, who calmly sipped her warm coffee, he broke the silence with his answer after a brief pause.

“There was no deception in my interactions with Angel. I’ve always been honest with her, so the problem might not necessarily lie with me.”

Celeste took a sip of her coffee, then looked at Sam.

“Is that so? You mean my daughter is too overbearing, and you, as a mere student, couldn’t stop it, thus leading to this situation?”

In Celeste’s view,

This young man was indeed handsome, and even she had to admit, she hadn’t encountered many men in her life whose appearance alone made such an impression.

But the world was full of attractive people, and attractive yet unreliable men were no rarity, especially when her only concern was Angel, her daughter.

Sam smiled.

“It doesn’t seem very gentlemanly to blame everything on Angel, but if you’re looking for the truth, then yes, that’s about the size of it.”

Watching Sam’s calm and composed smile, Celeste also found it peculiar.

Boys his age, no matter how clever they thought themselves, couldn’t be so scheming to an exaggerated extent. Whether lying or harboring ulterior motives, she could usually see right through them.

Yet, Sam’s expression and his gaze, shrouded in fog, left her unable to ascertain his thoughts or the truth of his words.

But Celeste knew Angel, knew the kind of person her daughter was.

Indeed, this was something Angel could do.

And if Angel had made up her mind, then Sam truly had no power to resist.

Celeste looked straight at Sam.

“Why should I believe you?”

Sam smiled and shook his head.

“It sounds unbelievable, and indeed, I have no evidence. But up to this point, I haven’t taken a single penny from Angel. That’s the truth.”

Celeste chuckled.

“Is that so? A smart person would forgo immediate trivial gains for larger ones in the future, if they can be patient.”

Sam expected her to say something like that.

So, he quickly responded.

“Then perhaps you should convey these words to Angel. If she stops seeking me out, I won’t cling to her. That way, what you’re worried about will never happen. And in your eyes, my life will become inconsequential, maybe you’ll never have to deal with someone named Sam again.”

Sam’s frankness made Celeste narrow her eyes.

“Trying to sound very noble and unattached… Do you dislike Angel?”

Sam shook his head.

“Of course not. Angel, being beautiful and charismatic, I don’t think anyone could dislike her. Her personality might not be for everyone, but interacting with a girl like her is something many would dream of.

I’m just aware of the gap between us, like we don’t belong in the same world. And striving for something that’s destined not to stay in my world would be like Icarus flying too close to the sun. Despite the effort, there’s no outcome.”

Sam’s response was clear and concise, so much so that even Celeste seemed unable to find fault with it.

If this was truly the case—if it was indeed her daughter who had initiated everything, and Sam held such a mindset—whom could she blame?

How could she find fault with this young man? Sam appeared to be without any issues at all.

This realization complicated matters, indicating that the problem lay with her daughter instead.

At this thought, Celeste actually smiled and took a sip of her coffee.

“But Angel seems quite fixated on you, even making such a request to me on your behalf. Really, what kind of woman does she take me for? Do I appear to someone who would kill people on a whim?”

She looked at Sam.

Her attractive features and the charm that seemed inherent to him could indeed be lethal to any onlooker, but Sam dared not linger on her gaze, especially with such expressions…

It was a trap, set explicitly for ensnaring.

Sam offered an awkward smile.

“Of course not… How could someone as perfect as you do such a thing?”

Celeste’s eyes sparkled with a mischievous and captivating smile.

“Is that so? We’ve only just met, why would you think I’m a perfect woman?”

This was getting tiresome for Sam, but he had no choice but to respond.

“To single-handedly manage this home, while raising such an outstanding daughter as Angel, and to possess such an enchanting aura yourself, you’re obviously a perfect woman. At least, you’re the second most perfect woman I’ve ever met.”

Celeste, curious, narrowed her eyes at Sam.

“Oh? And who might the first be?”

“My mother.”

Celeste couldn’t help but burst into laughter, seemingly very amused, her entire being vibrating with joy, including her perfectly shaped body.

Her breasts bounced up and down as she laughed, and judging by the intensity of the movement… Sam had no doubt that she wasn’t wearing a bra!

The atmosphere finally seemed to lighten, the previously oppressive air dissipating.

Sam wasn’t sure if he had genuinely managed to cheer her up, but he had certainly exerted all his effort.

“Just the truth…” Sam was sweating profusely.

After her laughter subsided, Celeste stretched lazily and stood up. She passed by Sam, walking to the living room doorway, seemingly gazing at the courtyard bathed in moonlight.

The flowers and plants grew in silence, with the sound of water trickling from the pond.

Sam didn’t move or speak until Celeste softly began, “Even though I can’t find fault with your words, and it seems my daughter indeed pursued you actively, there’s one thing I know, Sam.”

“…”

What did she want to say?

“Keeping her interested is also what you’re doing, isn’t it?”

A chill ran down Sam’s spine.

Correct.

This was indeed Sam’s main strategy in dealing with Angel. Keeping her interest peaked while playing hard to get, then, through prolonged effort, achieve a sort of reverse conquest, which might fulfill his ultimate goal.

This strategy might seem underhanded, even tantamount to enticement.

But with a girl like Angel, and in this unreasonable world that spoke of triggering BAD endings through any illogical means, nobility was a luxury Sam couldn’t afford.

Sam tried to keep his voice steady and calm as he responded, “I don’t know what you mean…”

Celeste smiled nonchalantly.

“Don’t worry, knowing this now is too late anyway. What’s more important is that I can tell my daughter cares about you, more than she has ever cared for anyone. Her childhood… was lonelier than most people would assume.

Of course, I won’t spout nonsense about the children of the wealthy suffering more, but I want you to know, she’s my daughter, and I can’t bear to see her hurt. So whether this is a young people’s game… or her interest, I will respect her decision. That doesn’t mean, however, I will tolerate your actions.”

Sam’s laugh was awkward.

“You can be assured of that. Hurting her would be as difficult as reaching the heavens for me.”

Celeste, however, shook her head, standing still as she looked at Sam.

“No guns, no knives, there are things that can hurt invisibly, disregard social status, disregard everything. And the wounds left are hard to heal, even lasting a lifetime. You know what I’m talking about.”

Yes, Sam knew.

Many people regard love as sacred, boundless.

Yet, increasingly, love is turned into a weapon, a tool for inflicting pain.

Because of love, one can become fearless, even more aggressive.

Celeste looked at the silent Sam and then spoke softly.

“If she continues to be interested in you, unwilling to let go, have you thought about what to do?”

Sam honestly shook his head.

“I don’t know. Like most people, I’m just taking it one step at a time.”

Celeste’s mouth curled into a smile.

“Let me give you a suggestion then, it might work.”

“What?” Sam looked at her curiously.

Goodness, he indeed had no strategies, merely proceeding cautiously, learning, attempting, striving to find hope.

But she claimed to have a solution?

Celeste smiled and said, “I could just adopt you as my godson, are you older or younger than Angel?”

“I’m a few months younger… Wait, how did we get to this topic? I…”

Celeste blinked, even placing her index finger on her tempting lips.

“Is that so… Then from now on, you’ll be Angel’s younger brother, hmm, that’s not bad.”

Sam understood her implication.

It seemed by adopting him as her godson, making him Angel’s non-biological brother, any further actions would need to consider ethical and moral implications.

But… was this suggestion too absurd? And brought up so suddenly?

How did it suddenly come to adopting him as a godson? Where was the buildup? At least lay some groundwork, much like her daughter, jumping straight to conclusions.

And did she really think that becoming siblings would deter Angel? Was she someone who cared about these things?

“Um… Perhaps you should reconsider? This is quite sudden, and given your status, it’s a significant decision to make so hastily…”

Celeste tilted her head, looking at Sam quizzically, while Sam’s inner voice was in uproar.

What’s with the innocent act?

You’re not the age to make such expressions!

“Eh? Why reconsider? It’s my decision after all. As long as you agree, that’s all that matters. Or are you saying you don’t want to be my godson? That would be truly disheartening… Seems like, as one gets older, my charm just fades away.”

Sam was sweating.

“It’s not that you lack charm, it just feels odd to me, and I’m not quite prepared…”

“No need for preparation. A child isn’t prepared when they are born from their mother’s womb; it’s the mother who endures the hardship of carrying the child for nine months.”

“That’s not what I meant! I…”

As Sam tried to object further, Celeste walked directly up to him and then leaned down.

Her neckline opened slightly, not revealing her breasts, but the area where her neck met her collarbone was distinctly visible.

Unexpectedly, she reached out and touched his cheek, silencing him, urging him to look up at her.

Sam immediately became tense.

This woman, so charismatic and also Angel’s mother, was like a terrifying siren.

You never know what she’s going to do next, say next, or decide.

“Does it really take this long to decide, Sam? Do you really not want to be my child, hmm?”

Looking into her piercing eyes, Sam’s throat tightened.

Speaking became difficult—was it the pressure, or the nervousness from seeing her face so close and smelling her unique fragrance?

“I…”

Celeste slightly curved her beautiful lips, as if coaxing, teaching a child how to speak.

“Call me Mom.”

“…I haven’t agreed yet.”

“But this is the last resort. Do you want to overturn everything you’ve said before? That would make things difficult for me… After all, I’d have to reassess my opinion of you, and I still think this is a better solution, don’t you?”

“I…”

“Call me Mom.”

“Mom.”

“Eh~”

The woman smiled, caressed Sam’s cheek, and then released him.

“Take my godson back,” she said to someone outside.

“Yes!”

The voice belonged to the familiar figure of Elowen.

And Sam clearly saw that when she entered, she was… holding a gun.

Celeste looked reproachfully at Elowen.

“I’ve said before, don’t casually bring out such things. Put it away.”

“Yes.”

The woman put the handgun away.

Celeste smiled at Sam.

“Well then, you and Angel need to get along well from now on. Be a sensible younger brother, okay?”

Did Angel know?

Sam wanted to ask.

But he was numb to everything by now.

He never imagined his evening would turn out to be filled with such absurdities.

He almost wished he could just lie down on the floor and yell, “Shoot me! Kill me now!”

But thinking of all his efforts so far, Sam could only strive to calmly stand up.

“I understand, goodbye.”

“Hmm?”

Celeste narrowed her eyes.

Sam’s expression froze, then, filled with immense embarrassment—his thick skin was not enough to save him now.

“Goodnight, Mom…”

“Goodnight, Sam~”

Once Sam got into the car, Elowen found it strange; the young man seemed too calm.

So calm, he didn’t seem normal.

But if he weren’t like this, he probably wouldn’t be the person both the Miss and the Lady paid attention to, right?

As Elowen thought this, the next second, without warning, from the back seat,

“HA HA HA HA!!”

Sam burst into inexplicable, almost maniacal laughter.