Chapter 23: Dark cloud

For Karimba Cellon, these houseworks were certainly no walk in the park. However, ever since he had arrived, Alley Houston had been adamant about not going into the kitchen. She no longer prepared the dishes he enjoyed. Every time he struggled to swallow the self-cooked meals before him, Karimba Cellon felt a deep sense of regret. Back then, Alley Houston was the one who always catered to his culinary preferences, striving to cook delicious meals that would please him. Now, even catching a glimpse of the unappetizing dishes she had prepared, Karimba Cellon couldn't help but lament. Previously, Alley Houston had been the one who indulged his appetite, but now, even the sight of her in the kitchen...

Throughout the morning, Alley Houston sat outside on the porch, engrossed in a book. Her injuries were gradually healing, and the fevers had subsided significantly. She cast a glance inside the kitchen, where the image of a tall, awkward, and clumsy man preparing lunch for her caught her eye.

Karimba Cellon's shirt was now soaked with sweat. He was chopping onions while wiping away tears. Just then, the pot on the stove started boiling vigorously. Panicked, he hurriedly turned down the heat. Yet, the vegetables were still unwashed, and he left the onions half-cut to rush over and clean them. Observing Karimba Cellon's awkward demeanor, Alley Houston couldn't help but smile to herself.

"If you don't know how, just leave it to me!"

Engrossed in his kitchen struggles, Karimba Cellon suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind and the soft sound of approaching footsteps. He turned around, only to find Alley Houston standing there, wearing an apron.

"Don't look at me like that!" Alley Houston was slightly embarrassed, avoiding Karimba Cellon's gaze. "I just don't want to upset my stomach!"

Karimba Cellon let out a sigh, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he nodded and replied:

"I can assist you with the housework. It’s my job."

"Just don't mess things up!"

Alley Houston said coolly, but as she turned to leave, she couldn't help but chuckle. She knew that Karimba Cellon had never been in the kitchen before, and he had never even valued his own cooking. Yet, over this period of time, for her, he had come all the way here, overcoming his psychological barriers and taking care of her himself.

Alley Houston was a human being, after all, and claiming not to be moved would be a lie. No matter how angry she was at him, in the face of a sincere man like this, it was hard for her to remain indifferent.

Alley Houston likely felt a mixture of emotions when she was comforted by Karimba Cellon's efforts. Initially, her anger still lingered, causing her to be resistant to his gestures of comfort. Then, it was like she was torn between maintaining her stance and appreciating the sincerity of his actions.

As Karimba Cellon continued to make genuine efforts to soothe her, Alley Houston's anger gradually gave way to her heart. Alley had to admit that she found it hard to remain resolute in her anger when faced with his caring gestures. 

Exactly for that reason, Alley Houston finds herself in a state of utter confusion. But more than anyone else, she understands that she is being conquered by him all over again. And what should be going on? Love him and be by his side again? No…

Alley Houston was torn by her emotion, but that afternoon, Karimba Cellon and Alley Houston enjoyed a satisfying meal together. 

"You should eat a bit more, you've been thin lately," Karimba Cellon said as he scooped one of Alley Houston's favorite dishes onto her plate.

"You're making the dishes I like? How did you know?" Alley asked, surprised.

Karimba Cellon smiled without responding. His mysteriousness intrigued her. It made her wonder how much attention he had been paying to remember all her preferences.

Tears welled up in Alley Houston's eyes as a mixture of emotions flooded her heart. She was deeply moved, yet conflicted. His gesture was both heartwarming and unsettling. It was as if he had unlocked a door to a part of her that she had long kept hidden. A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips, but her brows furrowed with uncertainty. In that moment, she realized that Karimba Cellon's actions were like a gentle tug-of-war with her feelings, pulling her closer to him while still leaving her torn between her past and the present.

After eating, Karimba Cellon took the initiative to do the dishes. In truth, this had always been his task since he had followed her here, so Alley Houston didn't object. She walked into the bedroom, read a few more pages of her book, and then laid down on the bed.

In the afternoon, the sound of a garbage truck horn woke Alley Houston up. She got out of bed, wondering if Karimba Cellon had taken out the trash.

Rubbing her eyes, Alley Houston entered the kitchen, only to notice that the garbage bag was no longer there. Presumably, Karimba Cellon had taken the initiative to take out the trash. Alley Houston was about to return to bed, but a vague feeling of unease lingered in her heart. By some strange impulse, she ventured outside.

"Karimba, I didn't expect to find you here. I've been searching for you everywhere!"

As Alley Houston stepped out of the gate, she suddenly heard a familiar voice. She halted, her heartbeat skipping a beat, and silently took shelter behind a nearby lamppost. Alley Houston squinted her eyes, looking into the distance. Her heart constricted, and unconsciously, her hands clenched.

Not far away, Brenda Mclean was holding onto Karimba Cellon, even though he still had the garbage bag in his hand. He made no move to push her away; the two of them were tightly entwined.

A faint smile curved on Alley Houston's lips, but her complexion turned pale in an instant. It turned out the mist had not yet cleared.