Capture Your Heart novel Chapter 180

Billie’s landlady is an approachable local woman. Billie tells her that she has a best friend who desperately needs money and wants to make a fortune in casinos. The landlady instantly promises her to take Karin to a casino.

The underground casino Jacob works for is the largest one in Zurich, which is gamblers’ favorite. After Billie elicits messages that the casino is the largest one Jacob works for, she calls Karin and arranges for her to meet her landlady at five o’clock on the next afternoon.

Next afternoon, Karin asks for a leave from William before returning to Ziteng Garden. She disguises herself as a gambler even she can’t recognize herself. Then she’s about to leaves home with her bag.

Stepping out of her room, she runs into a hard chest. She’s startled as she sees Troy standing in front of her, stuttering, “When…when did you come back?”

Eyes roaming over her body, he taunts, “And where are you going?”

“I…”

She’s dumbfounded by his presence, not knowing how to answer him.

“A vampire’s party, I guess, in your costume?”

Embarrassed and annoyed, Karin glares at him. Does she look like a ghost now?”

“I’m going out with Billie.”

Lowering her head, she wants to detour from his side to get downstairs, but Troy grabs her back by the arm. “Don’t you see I don’t show up right here by chance?”

“What?”

“Want to find your Jacob?”

Troy arches one of his eye brows.

Her heart stops for a beat and asks, “How do you get it?” Does Billie betray her?

“Nobody knows about you better than I do. You stay low-profiled as you’ve got your own plan.

He does know her.

Raising her head up, she admits, “So what? I have my own plan in that you don’t help me.”

“What’s your plan?”

“Secret.”

She looks at the clock, worried about her meet with Billie’s landlady.

“Fine. I have no interest in your plan. Go back to change your clothes.”

“Why?”

“Lily invites us to dinner.”

“I’m not available this evening.”

Karin’s very anxious as there’s less than half an hour for the appointment. She won’t get a second chance if she doesn’t show up on time.

“You have to come to the dinner with me. Otherwise, I’ll follow you anywhere you go.”

It seems like he really means it. Karin sighs and nods. “Fine. Wait for me downstairs.”

She turns around and returns to her bedroom unhappily.

After closing the door, she instantly calls Billie, “Sorry, Billie, but I really can’t make it this evening.”

“Why?” Billie asks.

“I get caught by Troy. He’s going to take me to Lily’s. I’m so sorry. Please tell your landlady my sincere apology.”

“Are you okay?”

“Have to go now. See you tomorrow.”

“Fine…”

After hanging up, Karin rubs her hair as she wonders why should Lily set the dinner this evening, which may not be a coincidence.

She changes her clothes and removes her make-up. Then she goes downstairs and nudges Troy. “Let’s go.”

He glimpses at her and says, “You look pretty like this.”

They drive to Lily’s. Lily welcomes them with her bright smile. “Welcome!”

Noticing nobody in the living room, Karin walks in the kitchen and asks, “Lily, you just invite the two of us?”

“Yep.”

“Why?”

“Miss you.”

“I thought it’d be some family union dinner.”

“I want to invite Arya, but she’s in America now. Since you don’t get along well with Milan, I don’t invite her.”

“Thanks, Lily. You can’t be too nice.”

“Save it. Just sit with Troy. Dinner is ready soon.”

“Okay.”

Before leaving the kitchen, Karin asks, “Isn’t your boyfriend here?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Well, he’s kind of paranoid. If he’s here to say you and Troy, he’ll assume something else.”

“Okay…”

The dinner is wonderful. Lily asks, “When’s your wedding ceremony?”

“Early March,” Troy answers.

“Too late. Aren’t you going to marry in January?”

“It’s delayed,” Karin adds.

“Why?”

Troy answers, “Because the bride says she’ll look ugly in her wedding gown in winter, while I want to get married as soon as possible.”

Karin smiles with embarrassment. “He’s kidding you.”

“The truth is?”

“Troy chooses a sleeveless wedding gown for me, but I think it’s too cold to wear it in winter.”

Lily smiles, “Still the matter of temperature.”

“Something like that.”

“Anyway, congratulations! Cheers!”

They all toast at the same time.

Lily gets a bit drunk and she holds Karin’s hands, mumbling, “Karin, I heartfully wish you and my brother happiness. It’s hard to meet one’s true love and marry him. You know how I wish I’d have the luck to get married with my true love, but my destiny fails me. Since you’re lucky enough to get married, I hope you can treasure your marriage. Don’t break up easily. Once you break up, it’s hard to go back together again…”

Karin nods. “I’ve got it. Thanks, Lily.”

Troy stands up silently and walks to the French window. With sadness in his eyes, he lights up his cigarette, allowing the smoke to envelope himself.

No matter how rich you are, never shall you control your own emotion or destiny.

It’s eleven at night when the dinner is over. Karin and Troy leave the villa as the moon looks like a mirror in the sky, clear and beautiful.

“How about walking back home?”

Karin was about to walk to their car when Troy suddenly proposes.

She looks at him in confusion. “Why?”

“Take a walk.”

“Fine.”

She points at his car. “What about your car?”

“Leave it here.”

He slowly walks ahead with hands in the suit pants pockets.

“Wait up.”

Karin catches up with him and intwines her arms with his, asking with a smile, “Are you also moved by the moon?”

She looks up to the sky and sighs, “It’s rare to see the beautiful moon in winter…”

Troy stays silent with little expression, showing neither happiness nor sadness.

“You don’t have to worry about Jacob.”

“What?”

She shifts her eyes to him with confusion, not knowing what he’s talking about.

“I know you plan to find him in the casino. Since you’ve got the address from Robert, I know what’ve been up to.”

Karin was embarrassed as he sees her through.

“But I can’t let him alone…”

“I’ve sent Robert to find him. If everything goes well, he’ll bring Jacob back to you in a few days.”

“Really?”

Troy nods.

She’s relieved as she lowers her head, walking ahead. Then she stops and sincerely says, “Thanks.”

“I don’t want your ‘Thanks’.”

“What do you want?”

“Your heart.” Troy stares right into her eyes.

She’s dumbfounded and tilts her head, smiling. “Sounds weird.”

“May I? May I have your heart?”

“You act strange today.”

After deliberation, Karin asks tentatively, “Is it because what Lily said?”

With frost in his eyes, Troy doesn’t reply.

“What’s the matter?”