After dinner, Yasmine and Serana tidied up the dining area.

“Cleaning up” was a generous term, considering Serana was doing most of the

work.

Yasmine, who had grown up in an orphanage, may not have had the easiest

childhood, but she was never required to do chores like cooking, laundering, or

chopping wood. Once she left the orphanage, such tasks were even further from

her reality. Her hands were soft and beautiful, with slender, pale fingers.

Standing beside Serana at the sink, the most Yasmine would do was to wipe

down the already clean dishes. And she had this air about her, as if she had

done some monumental task that deserved high praise.

Enter title…

Serana wasn’t much of a talker. It seemed ever since Yasmine started dating

Boyd, Serana had become even quieter. The time they spent washing dishes

was particularly tough for her. The moment the last plate was dried, she let out a

sigh of relief and quickly said, “There’s nothing left to do now, Yasmine. You

should get on with your evening.”

Yasmine rinsed her hands under the faucet and watched Serana put away the

dishes. “I’ve always meant to say, you have a real knack for cooking and

cleaning,” she said.d2

Serana paused for a moment, then smiled at her. “I’m just curious about these

things, so I tend to pay more attention. Boyd isn’t too keen on eating out. If you

have the time, I could teach you a few of his favorite dishes.”

Yasmine chuckled and shook her head. “No time for that.”

After putting away the utensils, Serana turned and gave her a strained smile.

“They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I’m sure Boyd would

be delighted if you cooked for him.”

“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?” Yasmine smirked, looking at

her. “Is that what you thought back then?”

Serana’s smile froze instantly. Her eyes locked with Yasmine’s for a few

seconds before she forced herself to look away, her grip tightening on the edge

of the countertop. “It seems like you’ve misunderstood something about us,”

Serana said softly.

Yasmine observed her for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter. “Why so

tense? Who did I misunderstand you with?” she teased.

Serana bit her lip, replying quietly, “Nothing…”

Noticing Serana’s trembling hand on the counter, Yasmine’s eyes sharpened.

you for the

only managing

thinking Serana’s smile was more unsettling

comforting.

was lounging on the sofa, perusing the stack of books she’d

reserved charm that struck a chord with her. She

out her hand. Puzzled, he took

disgust. “I wanted you to smell it, not

nice,”

dishes. So you

her down beside him,

Washing dishes?”

pressed her lips together tighter, withdrawing her hand. “I did

work.”

drawer under the coffee table,

of hand cream. He squeezed

began to massage it

of flowers filled the air. Once her hands

Boyd kissed

do that again,”

admiring

won’t make it

he gently tugged

tonight?”

gave him a languid look. “Not going back

paused, hand still on

pushed his hand away. “Of course.

you’re thinking about

deepened at her

patted his shoulder.

at the books on the coffee table. “What about starting next

cut him

“Five days from now.”

“No.”

“Three days.”

“No.”

swept the books off the table, scooped Yasmine into

headed

night,

down on the bed and leaned over her, Yasmine put her

still here.

her hand.

his embrace. “Then we’ll

to doing it under the watchful eyes of a third

joking, Boyd sat up

got out of bed. “I’m

that Boyd wasn’t

out, intending to get a

was speaking with a detached

years before graduation. You’re thinking

he said.

“I think my major is

before conceding, “If you’ve really decided,

it’s up to you.”

breathed a sigh of relief.

the beginning of their conversation, but she

about what it entailed.

emerged from the bedroom, Serana stood

a moment.

glass of water. “It’s

temperature.”

Serana pick up an orange peel from

the

the way Bryson’s wife,

home. She would cook a table of dishes

liked, tidy the house until it was spotless, and always

she prepared the meal.

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