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

since he'd allowed himself to look at her this

warm and inviting under

voice, quivering, called

leaned forward, capturing her lips in a

staggered, finding support against

kisses were fervent,

went no further than that embrace. Cecilia rested her

through her long hair, comforting

prolonged silence, he softly proposed, “You

prepare something for us.” “Okay,” she replied, her

her shoulder, Mark suggested, “Freshen up in the bathroom.

later, in the master bathroom, she turned the faucet, letting cool

mirror reflected

tinged with red, her

Cecilia caught her breath.

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

to move on, to explore relationships

craved a

undeniable truth-she hadn't moved past Mark because her feelings

seemed to reawaken, pulsating with life

eat,”

with a

him poised at the bedroom doorway. She averted her

door, he lowered his voice a husky

complexion... it's enchanting.”

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,

a proficient cook, preparing a meal that included her

Cecilia indulged heartily.

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

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

a natural consequence,

to bridge the distance between

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

appeared to be their

brief exchange, Cecilia's

apologize on my behalf? I wasn't at my

your apologies.” An ensuing silence

fervent urgency underpinning their interactions, leaving little

here. I have

by intimacy and a shared life; pretense was unnecessary when he suggested

to the dishes,

the window,

was faint, a stark contrast to the impulsive boldness of

brief conversation, she ended the call, her gaze falling

unease overtook

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

Look stunning,” Mark complimented

crept across Cecilia's

bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water filled

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

his embrace, looking up to inquire, “Did you have a

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

Cecilia fell silent.

he presumed she had withdrawn into sleep.

out,

her face into the crook of his

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

spread from his

softly, each wary of betraying their desires. Yet, such things defy restraint, and soon their breaths

the mounting tension, Mark

hand began to ease

Her voice, vulnerable and tender, beckoned him as

He answered without words.

a small box, setting it aside before his

moonlight bathed

shadows danced

their bodies merged, the night air was punctuated

deepened the night's

their passion subsided, the clock struck

head rested on his shoulder, her raven

promised to accelerate

his warm skin, her voice a soft

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

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

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

have work tomorrow? Join me in visiting my mom

I'l accompany you to see your parents,” he

Cecilia's smile was faint.

do you have the courage to go

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

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