He was feeling slightly helpless. He promptly stopped teasing her. “I did. Did you really think that I wouldn’t? I’ve ordered some desserts for you. You enjoy munching on desserts, don’t you? You can try them. They are the most interesting desserts I’ve ever had.”Then, he walked back to his desk and made a call. “You can send them over now. Bring two cups of americanos while you’re at it.”After the call, he noticed that Arianne’s head was still lowered, and she was blushing. He stared at her thoughtfully and asked, “You can’t possibly be feeling shy, right? We’ve known each other for more than ten years now. Isn’t it a little strange for you to feel shy around me?”“I am not!” She denied vehemently with a red face.Although he knew she was lying, he did not expose her. Instead, he said reassuringly, “We have many more days ahead of us. I really don’t want you to be timid around me every single day. Relax. It’s not like I’m going to do anything to you.”Soon after, Ellie knocked
Arianne felt slightly helpless, “That’s not what I mean. I’m just making casual conversation. Has your office desk always been here?”Ellie smiled and nodded. “This floor is pretty quiet. It doesn’t really matter where my desk is. Mr. Tremont is really nice. He doesn’t like having people around him when he’s working, but I have to be ready to assist him at any time. So it’s best that I work here.”Arianne could not understand what Ellie meant when she called Mark ‘nice’. She thought Mark had been harsh with Ellie. “How much is your monthly salary? Working as his secretary must be a tiring job.”A question about salary was a highly personal subject, no matter the occasion. However, since it was Arianne who had asked the question, Ellie did not avoid the subject. “My basic salary is 3500. It’s not so bad, and there’s a year-end bonus too. It’s pretty good, and it’s not a tiring job.”Upon hearing the numbers, Arianne no longer felt that Ellie had been treated harshly. A secretary’s s
Ethan gave Tiffany a half-smile and asked her coldly, “Are you sure you’re not just trying to get me to grovel until you’re satisfied to get back at me? I’ve made it very clear that I admit that I have mistreated you in the past. I’m wearing my heart on my sleeves now when I’m around you. What else do you want me to do? You can torture me or do whatever you want. I wish to have a home. A home that belongs to us. My only condition is to get married. I can’t wait that long. You can do whatever you want, I can agree to anything you want. All I want is for us to get married. I don’t want to fight with you today. I just want to have a good chat with you about this. Think clearly before answering me. I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself.”Although Ethan had softened his attitude slightly, Tiffany could still feel how forceful he was behind his compromise. Her only condition was to not get married too early which clashed with his only condition of getting married. She mulled over it
Mark’s expression grew unnatural. “As for the rest… Well, he was more or less involved. If I were him, I might have done even more horrible things. What are you trying to say?”Arianne thought Mark sounded as though he was like he was defending Ethan, which again, made her feel that he was not being his usual self. Even so, she did not voice her suspicion. “I’m just thinking that… if you can forgive his actions, then, I can as well. It’ll be fine as long as he truly repents and turns over a new leave after he gets back with Tiffie, lives his life well, and treats you like his elder brother.”Mark did not say anything else and returned to his study after dinner. The expression on his face turned grim. After thinking for a moment, he sent a message to Jackson. “Tiffany Lane will be moving in with Ethan Connor.”When Jackson received the message, he was dining at the West family residence with his mother. After reading the message, he set his phone aside quietly. He must not reply! Rep
Jackson’s expression remained neutral. “You’re really planning on moving in with him? Living together is more troublesome than being in a relationship. You guys will face all the trivial matters that you’d face as a married couple. Not only that, but it’s easy to lose the spark when a couple lives together too soon. That can lead to higher chances of breaking up. Young people nowadays are really rushing to experience married life. When the time comes, you’ll all realize that it isn’t as amazing as you think. Most people even regret getting married too early.”Tiffany was annoyed by his tone. “Can you not talk to me like you’re much older than me? It’s your business if you don’t want to get married despite your age. If girls like us don’t get married by your age, we’ll be called an old maid. Alright, let’s drop this topic. I won’t be able to come out for a drink and meal with you next time.”That was right. If she moved in with Ethan, she would not be able to hang out with Jackson any
Tiffany felt Ethan was being rude, but she knew speaking up now would only worsen things. Therefore, she could only look at Jackson apologetically.Jackson narrowed his eyes and spoke coldly, “There’s no need for you to repay the favor she owes me. I wasn’t doing you a favor in your absence since both of you were broken up back then. It’s not very nice of you to speak in this manner. God is always watching. Sometimes, you have to forgive others to forgive yourself. A mistake can be forgiven, but repeated mistakes will only prove that a leopard never changes its spots.”Tiffany was taken aback. She did not expect Jackson would talk back to Ethan. After all, that man never took things personally. She had expected him to leave with a smile on his face.Ethan clenched his hands into fists when he heard the underlying meaning in Jackson’s words, but he wore a mocking smile on his face. “You seem to have a huge problem with me. What is it that you want to say? Just say it to my face, ther
“I’m sorry, Tiffie. I lost my composure. Please don’t say that kind of thing, okay? I want to stay with you…” Ethan compromised for the very first time in his life, and it was with her.Although Tiffany was always indecisive, she would never waver once she had made her decision. “Forget it, Ethan. I just realized that I shouldn’t have been this indecisive from the very beginning. You shouldn’t come back looking for me again; it’s what’s best for both of us. Now that you have everything, you can have any woman you want. Ever since the day we broke up, you’re no longer mine. And now, I belong only to myself. I can’t lie to myself, I’m no longer in love with you.”After saying that, she opened the car door and left without looking back. Under the dim street lights, her figure faded into the darkness. Ethan didn’t get out of his car to chase after her and just watched as she slowly disappeared from his view. His heart grew cold with every step she took, gradually reverting him to that or
About ten minutes later, Mark was done changing and headed downstairs. “Let’s go.”Arianne went up to him in delight, while Mark bent his arm naturally and gestured for Arianne to hold his arm. With a slight blush, Arianne wrapped her hand around his arm.She called Tiffany as soon as she got into the car, asking her, “Tiffie, where are you? Send me your location. I’m coming for you right now.”Tired of walking, Tiffany had been sitting on the side of the road for some time. Mark stepped on the pedal after receiving the location, his focused look while driving attracting Arianne’s gaze. She had never imagined that there would be a day when there would be no ill feelings between the two of them. Did the act of her heart thumping mean that she liked him then?“If you continue looking at me like that, I’ll have to in the middle of the road,” Mark teased when he noticed her heated stare.“You’re annoying…” Arianne peeled her eyes away from him and looked through the car window in feigned s