When they arrived at the apartment, it was already ten o'clock.

Mark was on his best behavior.

He asked her to sit on the sofa while he cut some fruits for her.

Then, he handed her a tablet PC so that she could watch a drama series or whatever she liked while he was in the kitchen.

Cecilia didn’t know whether she had made the right decision or not.

But now that she was here, there was no use thinking it over anymore.

She made herself comfortable in the sofa as she watched the TV show on the tablet. From time to time, her eyes would wander and catch a glimpse of Mark.

Angela's Library From the corner of her eyes, she noticed how well-maintained Mark's physique was.

Although he was in his 40s, the shape of his body was just as good when she first met him.

Before she knew it, Cecilia found herself staring at him as though she was in a trance.

Mark took out a glass of milk. When he saw her in a daze, he gently pinched her cheek and told her, “Have a glass of milk first.

Cecilia shook her head.

“I've already had a candy. I'll definitely get fatter if I have milk now as well as midnight snacks later.” She anticipated Mark to say that she wasn't fat.

Instead, he looked at her and smiled. His eyes looked deep, as if staring at them would cause her to drown.

“I think you're worried that you might not look as good on camera. If that's what you're worried about, then from now on, I'll cook you nutritious food low on calories.” Hearing this, Cecilia pursed her lips before they slowly curved into a smile.

Mark lowered his head and kissed her again.

“I want to do you so badly,” he whispered in her ear.

“But not today.” What? As Cecilia watched him walk back to the kitchen, memories of the past flashed in her mind. For a second, she thought she had been transported Koos Mark was wearing a white shirt and iron gray suit pants.

The hem of his shirt was neatly tucked in, accentuating his strong waist. Cecilia thought that her arms fitted perfectly around his waist.

Cecilia was not a naive girl anymore.

She thought she being here was already dropping hints to Mark.

But now, she wanted to make it even clearer.

Without making a noise, she walked over and hugged him from behind.

As soon as he felt her arms wrapped around him, Mark’s body stiffened. After a while, a gentle smile broke on his face.

“This will still take some time. Are you hungry already?” She buried her face in Mark's back.

“Mark,” she murmured.

“Do you want to clarify our relationship this time?” Mark gulped as he nodded.

“How about you be my girlfriend? That way, I'll be under your scrutiny. If you are not satisfied with me, then you can dump me any time you want.” As Cecilia heard these words, she almost burst into tears.

She pressed her face harder against his back and muttered, “During this period, I won't be going on any blind date, while you are not allowed to be close to any married woman. Got it?” Mark smiled.

“Got it. I have a girlfriend and I'm not available anymore.” For a while, Cecilia remained silent.

At this moment, Mark was starting to feel his back moisten. He turned around and held her hand.

“Shh... Don't cry, Cecilia,” he comforted her in a hoarse, soothing tone.

“Don’t cry.” Mark felt an urge to turn around.

But Cecilia's grip tightened, her embrace so intense that her nails dug into his skin.

Her body quivered uncontrollably.

In that instant, Mark's resolve wavered, and tears threatened to fall.

Life had thrown myriad challenges his way, teaching him to maintain a facade of tranquility. However, the heartfelt sobbing of the woman he cherished shook his composure.

“Cecilia,” he uttered, his voice laced with emotion.

She offered no response, her face pressed against his back. He was leaner now, but his frame was actually more robust than during his illness.

After what felt like an eternity, her voice, barely above a whisper, broke the silence.

“Does it still hurt?” “The pains gone.” Finally, Mark rotated, his eyes meeting Cecilia's tear-streaked face.

For the first time, he realized reconciliation wouldn't bring sheer joy.

Instead, a profound sorrow engulfed him.

the gas stove, his gaze deep and intense as he gently

since he'd allowed himself to

under his

called out to

her lips in

finding support against

Their kisses were

embrace. Cecilia rested

hand brushed through her long hair,

a prolonged silence, he softly proposed,

“Okay,” she

“Freshen up in the bathroom. We'll

bathroom, she turned the faucet, letting cool water cascade over her face

reflected her

tinged

Cecilia caught her breath.

since she'd last blushed, a reaction only Mark could elicit. Despite the ordeals they'd weathered over the years, he alone had the power to stir

move on,

a

Her brother had pointed out the undeniable truth-she hadn't moved past Mark

Mark, her heart seemed to reawaken, pulsating with life once

eat,” Mark

with a

bedroom doorway. She averted her gaze, intending to sidestep him, but he halted

against the door, he lowered his voice a

complexion... it's enchanting.” Cecilia's

“Flattery isn't your best tactic.” Her eyes, still tinged with red, betrayed her emotions as she added, “I don’t want to rush things between us." Their maturity precluded the need for explicit statements. He understood her hesitation to physically rekindle

a proficient cook, preparing a

Cecilia indulged heartily.

translate well on camera.” In response, Mark brewed a cup of fruit tea, offering it with a reassurance, “This is a one-time indulgence. I'll prepare a salad for you tomorrow.” “You understand me

lighting complementing the cool, air-conditioned interior of the tastefully

consequence, and Cecilia was not

desires to bridge the distance between them, to compensate for lost

coupled with significant age disparities and differing social circles, had

to

exchange, Cecilia's

Holt next, could you apologize on my behalf? I wasn't at

ensuing silence enveloped Mark and Cecilia, their

the past, their connection was primarily physical, a fervent urgency underpinning their interactions, leaving little room for verbal communication. Now, a palpable estrangement

deepened, Mark proposed, “Stay here. I have more

was marked by intimacy and a shared life; pretense was unnecessary

attended to the dishes,

she found solace by the window, initiating a call home, received

contrast to the impulsive boldness of her

conversation, she ended the call,

unease

was with a man for the first time, nervously adjusting her crimson silk

Look stunning,” Mark complimented

blush crept across Cecilia's

Soon, the sound of running water

her own timidity, she reasoned th i i She chastised herself before climbing into bed. Now Clutching a pillow, she

steam-filled bathroom, Mark's slightly chilled

made Cecilia shiver; she instinctively curled into his embrace, looking up to inquire, “Did you have a cold shower?” Mark's

alright. As long as I'm cautious with my diet, there's nothing to worry about.”

Cecilia fell silent.

stretched on until he presumed

she reached out, extinguishing the

into the crook of his

barely above a whisper, confessed, “Actually, if you wanted to, I wouldn't have rejected you. You didn’t need to take that cold shower.” Mark

spread

desires. Yet, such things defy restraint, and soon their

tension, Mark cradled

kissed her, his free hand began to ease her

Her voice, vulnerable and tender, beckoned him as she gazed

He answered without words.

box, setting it aside before

bathed

shadows danced upon the

merged, the night air was punctuated by their shared

the

passion subsided, the clock

head rested on his shoulder, her raven tresses cascading

reconnection promised to accelerate the thaw in their

his warm skin, her voice

ever think of me?” “Every single day. I longed for

cross your mind?” he inquired, lowering his gaze to

fond and painful, but you were always there,

you have work tomorrow? Join me in visiting my mom if you

accompany you to

Cecilia's smile was faint.

courage to go see my parents?” she

carried

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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