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.

for the

only

thinking Serana’s smile was

comforting.

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

mature, reserved charm that struck

he took

disgust. “I wanted you to smell it, not kiss

nice,”

washed dishes. So you like the scent

beside him, his brow furrowing

Washing dishes?”

lips together tighter, withdrawing her

work.”

reached into the drawer under the coffee table,

cream. He squeezed a generous amount

to

filled the air. Once her hands

kissed them

do that again,” he

eyebrow, admiring her well-cared-for hands. “Fine,

nicely, I won’t make it

as he gently tugged

tonight?”

languid look. “Not going back

paused, hand

smirked and pushed his hand away. “Of

things you’re thinking about are off the

deepened at her

shoulder.

the books on the coffee table. “What about starting

Yasmine cut him off

“Five days from now.”

“No.”

“Three days.”

“No.”

off the table, scooped Yasmine into

and headed for the

tomorrow night,

bed and leaned over her, Yasmine

“Serana’s still here. Have you

hand.

embrace. “Then we’ll talk after she

to doing it under the watchful eyes

wasn’t joking, Boyd

bed. “I’m going to

Yasmine found that Boyd wasn’t in the bedroom. She dried

and stepped out, intending to

and Boyd was speaking with a detached tone on the

two years before graduation. You’re thinking about this too

he said.

think

moment before conceding, “If you’ve

it’s up to you.”

sigh of relief.

of their conversation, but she had a

about what it entailed.

emerged from the bedroom, Serana stood up from the

a moment. “I’ve got homework. I should

stood and handed Yasmine a glass

temperature.”

the glass, watching Serana pick

table and toss it in the

way Bryson’s wife, Aliza, would play the

would cook a table

until it was spotless, and always speak

she prepared the meal.

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

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