Faux Vows, True Desires

"I'll take two boxes of desserts to bring back to my office. Whenever I'm feeling hungry, I can have a taste of your handiwork. If they're good, I'll be here every day buying from you. That means one more regula customer for you. That's a win-win, right?"

With that, Cecilia turned around to leave.

In no time, she came back with a beautifully arranged plate of mini cakes.

She set the plate in front of Owen and told him: "Finish these little cakes, and I'll pack up two boxes of desserts for you. Otherwise, forget it."

Owen looked up at her, his eyes deep, and said: "You're just scared I'll waste your desserts, right?"

He quickly pulled a wad of cash from his wallet and laid it on the table. "Here's your money. If I can't finish them and have to throw them away, it's my money I'm wasting, not yours. No need to get all sentimental."

Cecilia took his money but insisted: "Eat first."

Seeing her take his money, Owen put away his wallet, commenting: "You gave Ike two boxes of dessert without charging him a cent, yet you take my money so quickly? And I haven't even seen my desserts yet."

Their relationship was so distant, even though they were husband and wife.

It was only fair she charged Ike, too.

Feeling a sense of injustice, Owen even contemplated asking Ike for the money for the two boxes of desserts.

"Do you think you're on the same level as Ike and me?"

Cecilia retorted unabashedly.

"I'm besties with Lucy. I see Ike as my own brother, and he sees me as his sister. What are you in comparison?"

Owen was left speechless and wanted to tell her he was her husband.

But he held back. He had asked her to keep their marriage a secret.

"How did you come here?"

Cecilia asked nonchalantly, not noticing his reaction.

"Just passed by."

Owen replied truthfully.

but

"Okay."

not touching the little cakes, she asked:

"Is it sweet?"

clearly said, "Isn't

a bite of a cake. It was sweet but not overly so. He could

"Cecilia, get me a glass of water. No,

if he had just ingested poison, Cecilia muttered under her breath but went to get him a glass of water. He gulped it down in one go and asked for

finally washed away after two glasses of

baked a

Cecilia suddenly asked.

anything she cooked

if she baked a cake for him, he would eat every

a bit

you? Or did she only

desserts made by Ruby. She knows I don't have a sweet tooth, so her desserts were only slightly sweet,

did she make them for Mr. Coleman, who didn't want them and gave them to you, and you ate them all up

hand down

workers

Owen ignored them.

coldly at

the past, his cold demeanor could scare Cecilia, but now

was still a man of

hit a

nail on the head, and that's

stop mentioning Ruby. I'm not angry. It's you who keeps bringing up Ruby

up, his tall frame looming over Cecilia. He held her chin with one hand, saying coldly: "Remember, don't fall in love with me. I won't love you back. Just stick to your role, and

his

love to brag, don't you? Don't worry, I remember every word you've said. I won't make

said coldly: "From now on, don't mention Ruby in front of me. You're not worthy of mentioning