Not long after Karl left, Joyce and Luther sat for a moment, during which Luther made a few phone calls.
Standing up, he walked to the nearby balcony and gave some instructions.
Upon returning to the couch, Luther noticed a hint of melancholy on Joyce's face. He sat beside her, wrapping her in his arms and asked, "I've noticed you've been uneasy these days. Are you still worried?"
"No. It's just that I'm nervous about the wedding," Joyce confessed.
"Nervous?" Luther didn't understand. "Worried something will go wrong?"
"No, just nervous about the wedding, too many people are coming. I don't like crowds and having to entertain everyone. It's all too much," Joyce sighed, "That's why I didn't want a ceremony. Maybe I have a bit of social anxiety."
Luther was surprised. He never thought the fearless Joyce would be afraid of crowds and have social anxiety. She always preferred to be alone. Her only close friend used to be Juanita, and later Vicki, with no other close female friends.
"Just this once, and never again," Joyce grumbled, still unhappy about the wedding.
Luther's face darkened, "Of course, only once. Who else would you have a wedding with?"
Joyce looked at him and pushed him playfully, "What are you talking about? Stop being ridiculous."
Luther almost got pushed off the couch. This woman had become quite strong.
Seeing her exert so much force, Joyce quickly grabbed his arm to pull him back.
In the back and forth, Luther lost his balance and accidentally ended up pinning Joyce on the couch.
The position was suggestive.
In the warmth of her embrace, Luther couldn't bear to let go. They had been too busy these days, and to prevent any mishaps, they had been sleeping in separate rooms. It had been a while.
Now, with no one around, even a kiss or an embrace would relieve the tension.
Thinking this, he took action.
Leaning in, he kissed Joyce's lips.
Joyce quickly turned her head, pushing his shoulders and scolded, "This is the reception room. Someone could come in at any time. Karl might come back soon. What are you doing? Let go of me."
"I know, just a little kiss. Nothing else. I wouldn't do anything else. I'm not that..."
Before he could finish, he kissed her firmly.
Joyce could only emit a muffled sound, unable to push him away.
Ignoring her protests, Luther deepened the kiss, causing her to eventually give in. Holding onto his shoulders to maintain a hint of reason, she let herself go. But he held back. If not for the untimely cough, he might have lost control. Ever the gentleman, Luther was relieved he didn't give in to his impulse.
"Ahem."
An uncomfortable cough interrupted the moment.
Luther quickly sat up, straightened his suit and tie, trying to maintain composure.
"Felix, you're here," he greeted.
Felix and Vicki both arrived, but Felix entered first. He had no idea he would walk in on such an intimate scene and hesitated between leaving and interrupting them. He awkwardly stood in place.
After Vicki entered, she nonchalantly observed the scene with arms crossed, enjoying the sight.
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