Chapter 10
"Do you know already? Your family won't support your financial needs anymore," he just said, then started the car.
"Yeah," I said curtly.
"Aren't you sad? You'll completely lose your connection with them."
"No. I don't care anyway." I looked out the window.
"Why did I even bother asking that?" Neron chuckled. "By the way, do you want me to be your financial provider instead? You know... I may not be as rich as your family, but I'm hella rich too."
"You don't have to do that. My money is enough for me," I just said.
"Okay. Just tell me if you need anything. You know I'm just one call away."
I didn't say anything and remained looking outside because I had nothing more to say to him anyway.
In a short while, we arrived at Caius's house. Neron immediately got out to open the door for me. I just kept quiet and let him. He also carried my grocery bags.
"I'll take those," I said, and was about to take the grocery bags from him, but he shook his head.
"These are heavy. I'll carry them."
"Just inside. I can handle it. Besides, Caius won't let you in... You can leave now."
Neron tilted his head and licked his lower lip. He stared at me. "He's a lucky bastard," he murmured.
My forehead furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Neron chuckled and shook his head. "Nothing. Are you sure you can manage?" he asked again.
I just nodded and took my groceries from him. "You can leave now. Papa might look for you. Thanks for the ride," I just said.
Neron smiled at me and gently caressed my hair. "Just call me if you need me or my help. Your family won't provide for you anymore, but I'm here."
I didn't say anything else. Neron just smiled at me again and kissed my forehead before heading to his car. He sped off, and I just watched his car disappear.
I went inside. I found Caius looking out the window while drinking coffee. I froze... So he saw Neron and me from the window.
Caius turned his gaze at me. He drank his coffee and shrugged. "Why don't you just marry that man instead? He seems pretty interested in you."
"I'm not interested in him. He's just a friend."
Caius didn't say anything else. I went straight to the kitchen. I arranged my groceries. Good thing there's plenty of space in his kitchen cabinets and fridge. I stopped arranging when I felt Caius approach. He washed the cup that he used.
He also stopped and looked at what I was arranging. I felt my cheeks heat up. I can smell his scent lingering in the air. I bit my lower lip and just continued what I was doing. I tried not to look affected by his presence and stare.
"What's that? All instant food?" he asked. For some reason, he seems annoyed.
I nodded. "I don't know how to cook. This is what I always eat anyway."
I felt Caius was still watching me. After I finished arranging, I got a cup of noodles. I stopped when he held my arm. It felt like I was electrocuted.
"There's leftover viand and rice. Just eat that instead," he suddenly said.
I looked up at him. Once again, I got lost in his eyes. My knees weakened. I bit the insides of my cheeks to suppress my smile. Is he concerned about me now?
He immediately let go of me. He ran his fingers through his hair. "Eating too much instant food is unhealthy."
Yeah. Just like my obsession with you. Unhealthy and fatal.
He immediately turned his back on me and left the kitchen. I just put the cup noodles back down. I looked at the table. There was indeed a covered dish there. I looked. It was sinigang (sour soup) that he cooked. I can't remember the last time I ate that.
I got a plate and scooped some rice. I tasted his cooking and smiled because it was delicious. He's really a good cook.
I ate heartily. I don't really like eating heavy meals, but I ate a lot. I was even worried that Caius might get angry because I finished his food.
I prepared for my night rituals after that. I took a shower and changed my clothes. I even looked at the door of Caius's room before lying down on the couch and covering myself with a blanket. A smile crept onto my lips. My stomach and heart are full. I couldn't remember the last time I was this happy.
"Good night, Caius," I murmured as I stared at his door.
I hope it reached his heart.
MY heart felt light when I woke up. I immediately tidied up my sleeping area and folded the blanket. It's still 5 a.m. I woke up so early.
I approached the door of Caius's room. I gently opened it and peeked inside. He's still sleeping.
I slowly entered. I sat on the other side of the bed and stared at his sleeping face. His handsome face looks peaceful.
I just shook my head and stood up. I went straight to his wardrobe and prepared his clothes for later, including his watch and handkerchief that are scheduled for today because I know all of that.
He was still asleep when I left his room. I went to the kitchen. I searched for how to cook fried rice. Even frying seemed easy. He's cooked for me several times, I want to return the favor.
I tried to cook rice then chopped garlic. So far, so good. I don't think I'm making any mistakes. I regret not learning how to cook before. If only I knew I'd marry Caius, then I would have studied it since kindergarten.
I tasted what I cooked. "It's not bad."
I also brewed coffee for him. I noticed that he also likes coffee. Just in time, he came out of his room, wearing his watch.
I smiled at him. "Caius..." My smile disappeared when I noticed he wasn't wearing what I prepared for him. The clothes, handkerchief, and watch I prepared for him, he didn't wear. I'm sure what I prepared was correct... It seems like he deliberately didn't wear them.
"Uhm... I prepared breakfast for us."
He looked at me coldly after putting on his watch. He didn't say anything and immediately grabbed his bag and left. He didn't even glance at the food on the table.
I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair... I guess I still have a long way to go.
I know Caius' favorite dishes. Some of them have become my favorites too, even if I haven't tasted them yet.
He likes pork and vegetables. He also likes chop suey and pork steak.
I'm starting to learn how to cook now, but I guess it's not as easy as I thought. I just tried to follow some videos on the internet. But it's not that easy to imitate what's there. My fried rice earlier wasn't bad, but that's easy compared to chop suey and pork steak.
I looked at what I had finished cooking. I took a spoonful of chop suey. I gasped. It actually tastes good, not bad at all! I also tasted the pork steak. I almost jumped in happiness because it tastes good too. I know I'm not as good as Caius, but I'm so happy, especially knowing that this is my first time.
I let it cool off for a bit before I put it in a container. I plan to bring it to campus and give it to Caius for lunch. I don't know if he'll eat this, but I'll test my luck.
I put it in a paper bag and placed it on the table. I stopped when I heard someone enter. My forehead creased... Did Caius come home early?
I immediately went to the living room. I saw someone sitting on the couch, smoking. My forehead creased even more because he was sitting there so casually. I'm sure he's not Caius. Even if I only saw the back of his head, I'm sure it's not Caius.
I approached him and peeked at his appearance. It seems like he felt my presence. He turned his gaze at me and his forehead creased when he saw me.
"Who are you?" we both said at the same time.
He's handsome. He also seems tall and well-built like Caius. His eyes are cold, but his serious face shifted into a beam when he saw me. He smiled at me like some creep... What the fuck was that?
"Hello, I'm Cadence Lettiere," he introduced himself.
I gasped when I remembered him. Right, he's Caius's brother. I know a little about him when I researched about Caius's family.
"You, who are you? What are you doing here?" he asked, then stood up. My suspicion was right; he's also tall.
"I-I'm..." I stuttered. I don't know what to say. Should I say that I'm Caius's wife? Will he believe it?