I couldn’t respond, still waiting for my brain to catch up. My heart rate increased and increased than its specified specs that I was afraid it would burst.

Okay, I regretted I didn’t record that.

Cain took the opportunity of my hesitation and attack.

“Will you marry me?”

This guy sure strikes when the iron is still hot.

“Cain, you do know that I can’t possibly wear this gigantic diamond to school, right?” I said, more helpless than worried. Running out of ideas to reject him in a subtle way.

Cain’s lips formed a lazy smile that was a little concerning. He brought out a small box made entirely of pink diamond. He opened it, exposing a simple, unadorned ring craft entirely of a rare vivid pink diamond.

“Marry me.”

. . .

. . .

He had two rings prepared?! Who does that?!

I stared at it, not uttering a single word while I waited for my brain to generate more excuses.

Cain, however, seemed to know what I thought as he held my hand and slid the two rings on my ring finger –– gently kissing them afterward.

He leaned and aimed for my lips, but I recoiled back when I caught sight of his hand. A simple ring of Aquamarine diamond adorning his left ring finger.

“Wait!” I stopped him. “I have a condition before I agree.”

I blocked my hand between our lips, and his brows twitched. “The rings are already on your finger. No use in disagreeing now.”

More like you forced them on my finger!

I ignored him. “I’ll only agree if we keep our relationship a secret . . . that includes the rings.”

Cain stared at me, his face blank. But the loneliness and rejection were apparent in his eyes.

My heart twisted like crazy.

“You do know how famous you are, right? I want to have a peaceful life for both you and me. That is, until I graduate,” I explained.

Think about all the paparazzi and all those women who’ll harass me! Not to mention my parents when they got hold of the news that I’m already engaged after just a week of staying here!

Cain remained silent. But his eyes returned to its original luster. After a moment, he reached for my hair. He sniffed before kissing it, closing his eyes as he did.

“I want you to wear the rings, so the whole world will know that you belong to me,” he whispered.

He opened his eyes, and I cowered at the intensity of his stare.

“But I guess I can only compromise.”

Before I could even react, he pulled my hand away from my mouth and crushed my lips with his.