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 managing

left the kitchen, thinking Serana’s

comforting.

the sofa, perusing

mature, reserved charm that struck a chord with her.

hand. Puzzled, he

at him with faint disgust. “I wanted you

nice,”

So you like the scent of

beside him, his brow furrowing with suspicion.

Washing dishes?”

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

work.”

drawer

He squeezed a generous

to

filled the air. Once her

kissed

do that again,”

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

I won’t make it

shaking his head as he gently tugged at her ear.

tonight?”

a languid look. “Not going back until you finish my

Boyd paused, hand

pushed his hand away. “Of course. But

thinking about are off

deepened at

shoulder. “No

at the books on the coffee

cut him off

“Five days from now.”

“No.”

“Three days.”

“No.”

swept the books off

headed for

night, no

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

still here. Have you

her hand.

out of his embrace. “Then we’ll talk

doing it under the watchful eyes

joking, Boyd sat

out of bed. “I’m

that Boyd wasn’t in the bedroom. She

and stepped out, intending to

was speaking with a detached tone on

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

he said.

“I think

before

it’s up to you.”

a sigh of

of their conversation, but she

about what it entailed.

Serana stood

moment. “I’ve got homework.

glass of water. “It’s at

temperature.”

watching Serana pick up an orange peel

the trash.

the way Bryson’s wife, Aliza, would play the part

capable wife at home. She would cook

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

she prepared the meal.

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