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.

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

had been ages since he'd allowed himself to look at

inviting under his touch,

quivering, called

leaned forward, capturing her lips

finding support against

kisses

went no further than that embrace. Cecilia rested her head on his shoulder, her

hand brushed through her long

silence, he softly proposed, “You must

us.” “Okay,” she replied, her eyes

in the bathroom. We'll eat

master bathroom, she turned the faucet, letting cool water cascade

mirror reflected her

tinged

Cecilia caught her breath.

considerable time since she'd last blushed, a reaction only Mark could elicit. Despite the ordeals they'd weathered over the years, he

on, to explore relationships

craved a

out the undeniable truth-she hadn't moved past

with Mark, her heart seemed to

eat,” Mark invited,

responded with

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

he lowered his voice a husky note

flushed complexion... it's enchanting.”

a gentle shove, chiding, “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 their relationship prematurely. Respecting her boundaries, he caressed her dark tresses,

preparing a meal that

Cecilia indulged heartily.

belly, lamenting, “Extra pounds don't 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 well,”

complementing the cool, air-conditioned interior of the

consequence,

bridge the distance between them,

of silence, coupled with significant age disparities and differing

interest appeared to be their

exchange,

“When you see Miss Holt next, could you apologize on my behalf? I wasn't at my best earlier” “It's on me,” Mark interjected,

silence enveloped

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

“Stay here. I have

life; pretense was unnecessary when he suggested they converse in

attended to the dishes, Cecilia opted for a

she found solace by the window,

was faint, a stark contrast to

a brief conversation, she ended the call, her gaze

sudden unease overtook

as though she was with a man for

stunning,”

crept across

retreating to the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water

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

from a steam-filled bathroom, Mark's slightly chilled body

curled into his embrace, looking up to inquire, “Did

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

Cecilia fell silent.

until he presumed she

out, extinguishing

nestled her face into the crook of

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 remained silent, his hand gently tracing

spread from

desires. Yet, such things defy restraint, and

the mounting tension, Mark cradled the back

hand began to ease her bathrobe from

vulnerable and tender, beckoned him as she gazed

He answered without words.

bedside table, he retrieved a small box, setting it

moonlight bathed

danced

night air

the

subsided,

his shoulder, her raven tresses

promised to accelerate the

his warm skin, her voice a soft

“Every single day. I longed for you, for Edwin, for the unborn child within you,” Mark confessed,

your mind?” he inquired, lowering his gaze

Memories, both fond and painful, but you were always there, in my thoughts.” ANGELA'sLIBRARY Mark pressed a kiss

have work tomorrow? Join me in visiting my mom if

I'l accompany you to see

Cecilia's smile was faint.

do you have the courage to

the darkness, Mark's voice carried a hint of playful

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

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