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.

gaze deep and intense as he

ages since he'd allowed himself to look at her

inviting under his

voice, quivering, called

leaned forward, capturing her lips in a

support against the

kisses

that embrace. Cecilia rested her head on his shoulder, her tears a

her long

silence, he softly

for us.” “Okay,” she

“Freshen up in the bathroom. We'll eat

later, in the master bathroom, she turned the faucet, letting cool water cascade over her face to regain

reflected her

Her eyes were tinged with red, her

Cecilia caught her breath.

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

attempted to move on,

craved a fresh

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

with Mark, her heart seemed to reawaken, pulsating

let's eat,” Mark

responded with a simple

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

door, he lowered his voice a husky

it's

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

cook, preparing a

Cecilia indulged heartily.

her slightly protruding belly, lamenting, “Extra pounds don't translate well on camera.” In response, Mark brewed a cup of fruit tea, offering it

was comforting, the warm yellow lighting complementing the

natural consequence, and Cecilia was

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

Yet, three years of silence, coupled with significant age disparities

sole mutual interest appeared to be their

brief exchange, Cecilia's

subdued tone, she requested, “When you see Miss Holt next, could you apologize on my behalf? I wasn't at

An ensuing silence enveloped Mark and Cecilia, their

their interactions, leaving little room for verbal communication.

here. I have more to share.” Cecilia

and a shared life; pretense was unnecessary when he suggested they

dishes, Cecilia opted for

window,

faint, a stark contrast to

the call, her gaze

unease

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

stunning,” Mark

crept across

smiled, retreating to the bathroom. Soon, the

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

steam-filled bathroom, Mark's slightly chilled body

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

embrace, he caught her hand, drawing her close, and reassured her in a whisper, “It’s alright. As long as I'm cautious with my diet, there's nothing to worry about.” He wouldn't have returned if

Cecilia fell silent.

on until he presumed she had withdrawn

reached out,

nestled her face into the

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

spread from

of betraying their desires. Yet, such things defy restraint, and soon their breaths quickened in

to resist the mounting tension, Mark

his free hand began to ease her bathrobe

tender, beckoned him

He answered without words.

a small box, setting it aside before his lips eagerly found hers once

bathed the

danced upon the

the night air was punctuated by

deepened the

their passion subsided, the clock struck 3:00

his shoulder, her

reconnection promised to accelerate the thaw in

she caressed his warm skin, her

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

me ever cross your mind?” he inquired, lowering his gaze

you were always there, in my thoughts.” ANGELA'sLIBRARY Mark pressed

Join me in

to

Cecilia's smile was faint.

courage to go see my parents?”

darkness, Mark's voice carried a hint of

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