Annabelle Winters hummed a tune as she packed up food, picking out dishes that neither she nor her little brother had tried yet. She managed to box up nearly the whole table.
Then she moved on to the next table.
Everyone was gone now; surely nobody would eat the food anymore.
Might as well take some home for her brother to try!
So many untouched dishes.
Should she grab another box?
Annabelle Winters crouched low, sneaking over quietly.
The server smiled at her, not only handing her a few more takeaway boxes, but even politely asking if she needed help.
The staff here were really wonderful.
No wonder this was a seven-star hotel—the service lived up to the reputation.
She felt a bit embarrassed.
Still, Annabelle Winters obediently sat and watched as the server packed everything up.
Another day, another fruitful haul.
“Annabelle Winters?”
Who was that?
Startled, Annabelle Winters turned around and saw a handsome face—a clean-cut buzz cut and well-groomed brows, his light gray eyes reflecting her image.
“It really is you! I stared for ages before coming over to check. Do you still remember me?”
Annabelle Winters racked her brains. “You’re Henry Hart! You only stayed at our middle school for a semester before disappearing. I never thought I’d run into you here—what a coincidence.”
“I go by John Cook now.”
John Cook sat down next to her. “Back then, when my biological parents found me, I moved back to Kingston. Later on, I went abroad for my studies and only just returned recently.”
It was like one of those TV plots she used to watch—suddenly coming true.
Annabelle Winters had once daydreamed she was a lost heiress, like the richest man’s daughter dropped into ordinary life. Then she realized she did look a lot like her mom.
“What about you? What are you up to these days? I saw you sitting next to Grace Gordon—are you working at the Gu Corporation?”
“No, I’ve already quit.”
“Then, how about coming to work for my company? I just took over my family business since returning, and I could use someone trustworthy around me.” John Cook pulled out his phone. “Let’s exchange contact info.”
“I’ll consider it.”
The flower boutique could be managed by the manager for a while.
Surely John Cook’s secretary salary wasn’t low?
Might as well get his number first!
They exchanged contacts.
Annabelle Winters stared at John Cook’s profile picture—a cute little ginger kitten.
“This kitten looks just like the one at our old school. Remember how we used to feed it sausage? Too bad it disappeared later.”
“That’s the one. Back then, I took it with me when I left.” John Cook fixed his gaze on her. “It’s passed away now, but it had kittens—if you’re free, you should come by and see them at my place.”
“Really?”
Annabelle Winters was delighted. “I’ll definitely come when I have time!”
Meeting an old classmate felt like traveling back to simpler times.
“Miss, your food is all packed up.”
The server approached with a smile.
Seven boxes!!!
That much?
“It’s a lot for one person to carry—I’ll give you a ride home.”
“No, no, it’s fine. I’ll just take a taxi!”
“Taxi isn’t convenient. I didn’t drink tonight, so no worries—I promise I’m a safe driver, and I wouldn’t let a beautiful lady run into trouble.” John Cook scooped up six of the boxes, leaving just one for Annabelle Winters to carry.
An hour later, John Cook dropped Annabelle Winters off at her doorstep.
“Sis!”
Annie Winters had just gotten home from school when he saw a man get out of the car with his sister. “Sis, who’s this?”
“An old classmate. We ran into each other at the banquet tonight. Don’t just stand there—I packed all sorts of good food for you!”
Kids Annie Winters’s age only cared about homework and filling their stomachs.
This boy could eat half a cow in one sitting.
Seven boxes—he could finish them all in just two meals.
Annie Winters grabbed all six boxes in one go.
Annabelle Winters stood by the car. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Don’t mention it. You helped me so much in the past—I haven’t forgotten any of your kindness.” John Cook stood under the streetlight. “Wanwan, come visit the kittens sometime.”
“I will!”
“Go on, then!”
John Cook remained where he was, watching as Annabelle Winters went upstairs.
Only after seeing the lights come on in her apartment did he get into his car.
One hand on the steering wheel, he called his assistant. “Buy a ginger kitten and all the supplies and have them sent to my place.”
“Yes, sir.”
——
Morning.
Sunlight filtered into the room through the slits in the curtains.
Olivia Young slowly opened her eyes in a daze, glanced at Frederick Fairfax, then turned over to face away from him.
Lately, he liked to wake up before her.
“It’s scary to open my eyes first thing and see you staring at me. Don’t look at me like that…”
Olivia Young was completely relaxed, her voice just as lazy.
Frederick Fairfax rolled her over in his arms. “I like looking at you.”
Olivia Young nestled into his chest, burying her face there.
Still half asleep.
She didn’t want to get up.
“You can look at me all you want—I’m not going to run away…”
Afraid she might get whisked away by someone else!
Even someone as worldly as Frederick Fairfax had been a bit unnerved by last night’s spectacle.
He took pride in having such a captivating wife.
But seeing so many people coveting his wife—well, that he could do without.
Feeling his arms tighten around her, she shifted a little. “You did really well last night—I liked it a lot.”
She praised him to keep his spirits up, to stop him feeling jealous.
There was nothing to be jealous of—she wouldn’t get involved with anyone else.
“Wife, you finally complimented me!”
“It’s not the first time, is it?” Olivia Young pressed her lips to his collarbone, nuzzling softly. “Frederick Fairfax, are you saying I’m a nagging spouse who only criticizes you? I’m great at giving compliments.”
She’d praised him countless times.
“Yes, my wife’s the best at that.”
She praised him—and praised their baby too.
The baby was only a hundred days old, at that wonderful age where even a dirty diaper got him showered with praise from Olivia Young.
But for Frederick Fairfax, he had to work very hard—extremely hard—to get any compliments.
Sometimes she’d praise his looks too.
Olivia Young liked to stare at his face as well.
“Swear that you only love my face and not any other man’s.”
So random, first thing in the morning.
Olivia Young gave him a slap right on the cheek.
“Olivia Young! You hit me…”
“So what if I did? Do I need to check the calendar for it?”
“No need.” Frederick Fairfax pressed her head closer. “Please, honey, keep cuddling up to me—so warm, so soft—your lips are just heavenly…”
Olivia Young bit his collarbone, her teeth gently grinding.
“Mm~”
Was he actually panting?
Sometimes men were impossible to figure out.
But at least he seemed happy.
Olivia Young stopped biting. “Why don’t you make a promise, then?”
“I swear I’ll only ever love Olivia Young in this life!”
“Men’s promises are as good as hot air—not listening, not listening, la la la!” Olivia Young covered her ears.
Frederick Fairfax pulled her hands away, the two of them fooling around in bed, rolling from one end to the other.
Pinned beneath him, Olivia Young’s hands were held above her head. Staring into her eyes with a mischievous grin, Frederick Fairfax whispered, “Dearest wife, may I kiss your beautiful lips?”
A kiss is just a kiss—but ‘beautiful lips’?
Olivia Young pressed her lips together, feeling as if a kiss from Frederick Fairfax would leave her somehow extra sticky and sweet.
“Olivia Young, what’s that supposed to mean? You were begging for kisses last night—now you won’t let me?”
“Don’t make things up! That wasn’t me last night!”