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.

stove, his gaze deep and intense

he'd allowed

warm and inviting under his

quivering, called

capturing her lips in a passionate

finding support

kisses were fervent,

that embrace. Cecilia rested

her long hair, comforting

he softly proposed,

“Okay,” she replied, her eyes reddened from

patting her shoulder, Mark suggested, “Freshen up in the bathroom. We'll eat once you're

faucet, letting cool water cascade over her face

mirror reflected

tinged with

Cecilia caught her breath.

only Mark could elicit. Despite the ordeals they'd weathered over the years, he alone had the

on, to

a fresh

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

her heart seemed to reawaken,

ready. Come, let's eat,” Mark invited, his tone

with a

she found him poised at the bedroom doorway. She averted her gaze, intending to sidestep

the door, he lowered his voice a husky

complexion... it's

emotions as she added, “I don’t want to rush things between us."

proficient cook, preparing a meal

Cecilia indulged heartily.

don't translate well on camera.” In response, Mark brewed a cup of fruit

warm yellow lighting complementing the cool, air-conditioned

a natural consequence, and Cecilia

bridge the distance between them, to

coupled with significant age disparities and

to be their discussions

a brief exchange,

my behalf? I wasn't

extend your apologies.” An ensuing silence enveloped Mark

urgency underpinning their interactions, leaving little room for verbal communication. Now, a palpable

proposed, “Stay here. I have more to share.” Cecilia harbored

by intimacy and a shared life; pretense was

the dishes, Cecilia opted for a

window, initiating a call home, received by

voice was faint, a stark contrast to the impulsive boldness

a brief conversation, she ended the call,

sudden unease overtook

with a man for the first time, nervously

Look stunning,” Mark

crept across

retreating to the bathroom. Soon, the sound

decided the bed was more appropriate. Frustrated with her own timidity, she reasoned th i i She chastised herself before climbing into bed. Now Clutching a pillow, she pressed her face against

steam-filled bathroom, Mark's slightly

curled into his embrace, looking up to inquire, “Did you have a cold shower?” Mark's casual affirmation

he caught her hand, drawing her close, and reassured her in a whisper, “It’s alright. As long as I'm cautious with my

Cecilia fell silent.

on until he presumed

she reached out, extinguishing

nestled her face into the crook

“Actually, if you wanted to, I wouldn't have rejected you. You didn’t need to take that cold shower.” Mark remained silent, his hand

spread from his

their desires. Yet, such

Unable to resist the mounting tension, Mark cradled the back of her

hand began to ease her bathrobe from her

Her voice, vulnerable and tender, beckoned him

He answered without words.

the bedside table, he retrieved a small box, setting it aside before

bathed the

shadows danced

bodies merged, the night air was punctuated by their shared

deepened the night's

subsided, the clock

rested on his shoulder, her raven tresses

reconnection promised to accelerate

skin, her

those two years, did you ever think of me?” “Every single day. I longed for you, for Edwin, for

your mind?” he

Memories, both fond and painful, but you were always there, in my

tomorrow? Join me in visiting my mom

to see

Cecilia's smile was faint.

courage to go see

Mark's voice carried a hint of

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