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.

his gaze deep

he'd allowed himself to look at her this

under

called out to

he leaned forward, capturing her lips

staggered, finding support against

Their kisses

than that embrace. Cecilia rested her

brushed through her long hair,

prolonged silence, he softly proposed, “You must be

“Okay,” she replied,

in the bathroom. We'll

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

mirror reflected her

eyes were tinged with red, her complexion

Cecilia caught her breath.

only Mark could elicit. Despite the ordeals they'd weathered over the years, he alone had the power to stir such profound

attempted to move on, to explore relationships

craved a fresh

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

Mark, her heart seemed to reawaken,

let's eat,” Mark invited, his tone

responded with a simple

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

lowered his voice a husky

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

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

preparing a meal

Cecilia indulged heartily.

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

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

a natural consequence, and Cecilia

distance between them, to compensate for

years of silence, coupled with significant age disparities and differing social

mutual interest appeared to be their

a brief exchange,

you apologize on my behalf? I wasn't at my best earlier” “It's

your apologies.” An ensuing silence enveloped Mark and Cecilia, their

their interactions, leaving little room for verbal communication. Now,

I have more to share.” Cecilia harbored

a shared life; pretense was unnecessary

the dishes, Cecilia opted for a

solace by the window, initiating a

a stark contrast to the impulsive boldness of her

brief conversation, she ended the

sudden unease

though she was with a man for the

stunning,” Mark

crept across Cecilia's

bathroom. Soon, the sound of

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

bathroom, Mark's slightly chilled

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

and reassured her in a whisper, “It’s alright. As long as I'm

Cecilia fell silent.

he presumed

she reached out,

into the

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

warmth spread

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

the mounting tension, Mark

his free hand began

vulnerable and tender, beckoned him as she

He answered without words.

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

moonlight bathed the

shadows danced upon the

air was punctuated

deepened the

their passion subsided, the clock

head rested on his shoulder, her raven

to accelerate

she caressed his warm skin,

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

you? Did thoughts of me ever cross your mind?” he

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

you have work tomorrow? Join me

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

Cecilia's smile was faint.

you have the courage to go see my parents?”

carried

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

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