“Where are you going?” He asked, looking at her with his brows slightly furrowed.“Go to Jazz’s room. The suitcase is still with him. You sleep first. I will be back in a while.”As soon as her voice trailed off and before Mark could say anything, she walked out of the room with the glass in her hand.He looked on as she went, his eyes narrowing.Jazz was leaning against the headboard. He was not sleepy. Her faint scent of orange still lingered in his nostrils. It smelled fresh and so good.Her face appeared in his mind. The warm breath coming out through her red lips blew onto his neck and gave him an itchy feeling.Jazz was twenty and sexually mature. He knocked himself in the head with his hand when he suddenly became self-aware—he should not have fantasized about his brother’s wife. Just as he felt upset of himself, the door swung open and Summer came in.Jazz looked back in shock and nearly fell out of bed. He was too afraid to look her in the eyes.“Haven’t you slept
There was no hot water supply in this place.She turned on the faucet and filled the tub, then put his coat, shirt, and pants in, sprinkle with washing powder, and rubbed them with her hands.The water was biting cold. She could barely keep her hands from freezing. But she adapted to it after a while.A washing machine was on the side. She could use it to spin the clothes dry. Otherwise, the clothes would still be wet by tomorrow morning.After cleaning things up, she could finally go to bed.The cold was a concern because there was no heating in the room. But her worries turned out to be unnecessary—Mark’s body heat warmed the bed like a fireplace.After a day on the road, Summer was getting motion sickness. So she crashed out as soon as she lay on the bed.At night, the room was so quiet that only the faint sound of their breathing was in the air.……Early the next morning, when Mark woke us, Summer was still snuggling in his arms.Cold made her body curling up into a ball a
Besides, Summer was not so much of an extrovert. She would only feel comfortable and could talk freely in front of people she was familiar with.“How was your sleep last night?” Raine broke the silence.Summer nodded as she handed a cup of water to Raine. “It was all right.”“This place is not as happening as Santabaca, but the scenery is beautiful. The accommodation here is basic, though. I was worried that you guys couldn’t get used to it.”“It is all right. Pretty good. Hey, would you like some mushroom soup?” Summer asked.“I will make it myself. I can move around freely despite the pain in my legs.” Raine smiled. “I can take care of myself.”Summer gave a smile, and they struck up a conversation. “What major did you study at university?” Summer asked.“I studied law and wanted to become a lawyer. But now I am working as the assistant secretary to the governor. Sometimes, in life, you don’t get what you wish for.”Something resonated with her, and she continued. “Can you he
“I have been to these two places, too. Those sceneries are beautiful. Did you take any photos?”Summer fiddled with the glass in her hand and shook her head. “No.”Rain let out a gentle smile. “Was it because of Mark? He was camera-shy since he was a child and avoided it like a plague. You wouldn’t believe how long it took me to persuade him to take a photo with me. I might be his aunt, but he just wouldn’t care.”Raine said this for a purpose.She knew Summer had seen the photo. She did not want Summer to overthink. So she brought up the photo topic and explained it in a subtle way.“Why is he camera-shy?” Summer looked over with curiosity.“I have got no clue. He just doesn’t like it. It started since he was small. Except for family photos, he would not budge a bit. He is still the same today.”There was an I-can’t-even look on Raine’s face.“I guess something must be wrong with him.” Summer shrugged and said jokingly.“Yeah, a camera-shy company president will make a funny
The young nurse shivered and did not dare to look up. So Summer patted her on the shoulder and played the things down. “It is no big deal. Just a little splash from the flask.”“Is it serious?” Jazz looked concerned.“Emily treated it and put on a dressing. Nothing serious. It was just a spatter.”Mark raised his eyebrows and looked at her suspiciously. “Since there is nothing serious, why don’t you walk a few steps?”If she was to get down and walk now, this foot of hers would go kaput for sure.He hissed and strode over, then bent to carry Summer in his arms.Summer instinctively put her arms around his neck. She gritted her teeth in pain when her foot hurt from the slightest movement.“Why are you grimacing? Did you not say it was just a minor splatter of boiling water?” Mark looked at her.She glared at him snappishly because he was digging at her despite knowing that the burns were serious.He could read her mind. “You seem to have a strong opinion about me, eh?”“I didn
Raine could not describe her feelings when Mark left with Summer. It weighed on her heart so much that she felt suffocating, but more of sadness.Since she decided to let go of Mark completely and during her three years in Athana, she had been on the recollection stage and reminiscing about the time they had been together.Things had been out of sight and out of mind for quite a while. But now, things were happening in front of her. She did not know how she could stay aloof anymore.She was confused and emotionally disarrayed—so much so that she did not know what to do.He was now giving another woman the love and affection that he used to shower on her.She used to plan where they would go on their honeymoon, and imagine what life would be like after marriage.But things fell apart. It was not her who became his wife; it was not her who went on the honeymoon; and it was not she who lived with him after marriage.Her hands on her sides squeezed the quilt, her mind a muddle.The
Mark pointed with his chin, motioning her to shut up and start eating.She shrugged and creased her nose before tucking in.It had been two days since they arrived in Grudin North. They had been surviving on instant ramen and bread. So oatmeal was a welcome change.She polished off the oatmeal in no time and grinned at him. “Can I have another bowl, please?”“Since you have asked, I have no reason to say no.”He got up, took her empty bowl, and disappeared into the kitchen.No matter when and where, he always looked elegant and tempting.The night was silent, and she shivered from the cold. But she enjoyed the time they were together.Perhaps it was the pregnancy, or maybe hunger; she made a pig of herself tonight by finishing two bowls of oatmeal. She went to bed and shivered under the blanket.Mark whisked open the quilt and got in. The bed beside her sank under his weight.She felt the heat of his body and instinctively got closer to him.Aware of her action, Mark folde
Sometimes, Mark would leave a few books on the bed, and she would read those books to kill time when she was bored.Life here was a mundane routine, yet felt special and real.……In the hospital ward.Before the crack of dawn, Raine had already woken up.There was a trace of blush on her otherwise pale cheeks. She looked much better than before.She glanced out of the window, and then turned her eyes to the door, as if she was expecting someone.Her eyes lit up in expectation when she heard footsteps and the door of the ward was pushed open from the outside.A nurse walked in and greeted her with a smile. “Good morning, Miss Valentine. You rose so early today.”Raine was disappointed, her expression a little stiff. But it was just for a few seconds before she let out a faint smile, as usual. “I woke up naturally because I couldn’t sleep any longer. How is the weather today?”“It is still too early to tell. If the weather forecast is anything to go by, it should be sunny today.