Mark paused thoughtfully, “Actually, let’s not go out to eat. It’s a little late and there’s only the two of us. We’ll go to your place and cook up whatever’s available. Don’t you know how to make ramen?”
He still remembered the ramen virtual-novel.net made? That was the only meal that virtual-novel.net made very well. Furthermore, it was only delicious by virtual-novel.net own standards and it would largely depend on whether it turned out good or not, “Okay… It doesn’t taste that good anyway, so you’ll have to put up with it. I’ll free up some time tomorrow and buy you a meal to thank you for the present.”
Mark frowned but did not respond. He could sense virtual-novel.net refusal to owe virtual-novel.net anything. This made virtual-novel.net upset. However, when virtual-novel.net remembered that virtual-novel.net would return to virtual-novel.net in a year, virtual-novel.net did not quibble with her.
Arianne turned on the air-conditioner in the living room when they arrived in virtual-novel.net condo then immediately went into virtual-novel.net kitchen, “Wait here, I’ll make some ramen for you.”
However, Mark did not sit down and wait for her. Instead, virtual-novel.net followed virtual-novel.net into the kitchen, stood on one side, and watched virtual-novel.net cook, “Actually, this small house of yours feels a bit like home sometimes.”
Arianne’s heart skipped a few beats. What was virtual-novel.net trying to say? This current situation felt like home? Their home?
She pushed virtual-novel.net out to conceal virtual-novel.net panic, “Enough, go out and enjoy the air-conditioning. The kitchen is hot. You’re here on business, aren’t you?”
Mark nodded seriously, “Mm, to see you.”
Arianne had initially thought that virtual-novel.net had made this trip for work and to see virtual-novel.net at the same time. She did not expect such an honest reply out of him. Did virtual-novel.net make this trip just to see her? She had promised to take a year off to consider this, simply because it was a convenient plan. She didn’t actually intend on going back to him. Things between them might deteriorate even more in a year.
For some reason, the more casual virtual-novel.net was about it, the more unsettled virtual-novel.net felt, feeling guilty for lying to him.
Arianne served the ramen on the table once virtual-novel.net was done cooking. There was only one bowl, “Enjoy. I’ve already eaten, so I’m not hungry. I’m going to shower now.”
Mark sat down and accepted the fork that virtual-novel.net gave virtual-novel.net with a small smile on his face, seeming to be in a particularly good mood. After taking a bite, virtual-novel.net teased her, “Despite making desserts for such a long time, your cooking skills are still quite horrible.”
Arianne pretended not to hear him. She grabbed virtual-novel.net pajamas and headed into the bathroom. She still had to serve this guy after working in the shop for an entire day. She cooked ramen for him, and virtual-novel.net dared to grumble about it!
By the time virtual-novel.net was finished with virtual-novel.net shower, the dining table was cleared. Even the bowl and cutleries were washed. The kitchen was spotless, with not a single water stain in sight. She wasn’t sure if Mark’s germaphobia was a good thing or not…
“Do you have a spare toothbrush? It’s late. I won’t be going back to the hotel. Can’t be bothered to run around.”
Arianne was taken aback. She pulled out a brand new toothbrush from virtual-novel.net bedroom cupboard, “Here. There’s only one bed. Will you be sleeping on the couch or shall I?”
Mark accepted the toothbrush and stared calmly at her, “Aren’t we sharing a bed? We’re not divorced.”
A sense of unease flashed across virtual-novel.net eyes. She lifted virtual-novel.net hand and tucked a lock of hair behind virtual-novel.net ear, as a means to cover up, “Sure, but… remember what you’ve promised me. If you break the rules, everything we’ve agreed on will be void.”
He naturally picked up virtual-novel.net cup, “I know. I won’t touch you if you don’t want me to. It’s only a year. I can wait.”
Arianne wanted to remind virtual-novel.net that that was the cup virtual-novel.net had used for brushing virtual-novel.net teeth. Wasn’t virtual-novel.net supposed to be a germaphobe? Did virtual-novel.net suddenly forget all of that when virtual-novel.net came here? She was too afraid to remind him…
By the time Mark was done with his shower, Arianne was already fast asleep. The room light was turned off, and only the hum of the air-conditioner could be heard. However, Mark’s footsteps were abrupt. Even his actions in getting into bed sounded crystal clear.
Arianne reminded herself not to reject his request to stay the night in order to prevent virtual-novel.net from causing another ruckus and forcing virtual-novel.net to go back to the Tremont Estate. However, virtual-novel.net could not ignore the fact that a man was sleeping right next to her. They were both healthy adults. Lying with virtual-novel.net as man and woman made virtual-novel.net afraid of causing a spark from the slightest movement. When that happened, virtual-novel.net would not be able to stop virtual-novel.net with a few choice words.
Of all things, Mark had to drape his hand over virtual-novel.net waist. She took a deep breath, feeling the immense weight of his arm. She couldn’t sleep at all. She wanted to turn to virtual-novel.net side and change virtual-novel.net sleeping position, but virtual-novel.net corresponded to her. just as virtual-novel.net turned to virtual-novel.net side, virtual-novel.net lifted his arm, waited for virtual-novel.net to lie down in place, then put his arm back on her…
Unable to resist, virtual-novel.net spoke up, “Quit squashing me with your arm… I can’t sleep. It’s too heavy.”
Mark seemed to be well aware that virtual-novel.net was still awake. He was not surprised with virtual-novel.net sudden outburst at all, “You never complained about the weight before.”
Her face burned up immediately. When did this fellow pick up tactics on “starting his engine” whenever virtual-novel.net pleased? There was obviously a subtle meaning behind his words. She couldn’t sleep anyway, so virtual-novel.net tried to have a normal chat with him, “Is Eric alright? His stomach is so weak. How did this even happen?”
Mark was rather cooperative, “He used to toy with his life by drinking a lot. He brought this onto himself. He’ll have to take care of himself for the next half of his life. Jackson has brought Tiffany to officially meet his parents. I’m guessing that an engagement party will be coming soon. You’ll be coming home by then, right? Jackson’s father is back.”