Faux Vows, True Desires

Serendipity Cafe.

After the Lucinda and Stefan left, Cecilia hung around for a bit, watching as the foot traffic dwindled on the street before she decided to head out.

Just as she was about to lock up, she felt a presence by her side and turned to find herself looking into Owen's deep-set eyes.

She held his gaze for a moment, then turned to survey the street. No sign of Owen's bodyguard car or his girlfriend Ruby.

As she continued to lock up, she asked Owen, "Why are you alone? Isn't your girlfriend out of the slammer today? Shouldn't you be with her all night?"

Owen took a couple of steps forward, offering to help close up.

"I don't remember asking for your help, don't expect a reward for your unsolicited kind gesture."

Owen gave her a sidelong glance, "The allowance I give you every month, most people would take two to three years to earn. You're already ahead, no need to be so stingy. You're usually a generous person, why are you being so tight with me?"

"Because you're richer than me, I just want to put your money in my pocket, not the other way around."

Owen shifted the subject, "do you always lock up at night?"

Even though Cecilia and Lucinda were friends, if Lucinda was taking advantage of Cecilia, he couldn't let it slide. He needed to talk to Lucinda.

It's not because Cecilia was his wife in name that he's helping her. He's just a righteous guy, he couldn't stand to see Lucinda bullying Cecilia using Stefan's power.

"Is the door heavy?"

"No, Lucinda usually locks up because she lives nearby. I have to ride my bike home, so she always rushes me to leave early. Since the cafe reopened, the business got really good, that's why I'm still here. Mr Coleman came to pick Lucinda up, so I let her go first."

Owen said, "Lucinda said she's stronger, it's easier for her to lock up than you."

gave him a look, "I used to work out, I'm not weak.

not really useful. You might have an advantage over weaker women,

to take

Owen's eyes, Cecilia really couldn't take a

as you can fend off

say that she

but

about to take off

I'll give you

"Your time is precious? You talk like

time is very

for you to ride home like

"If I don't ride home like this, how should I do it? Should

walk, and rolling home is out of the question. So, riding my e-bike is just right, I

late might be dangerous, what if you run into bad guys? There's hardly anyone

to drive me home, I'd be more than happy to give you the opportunity, it

like her smug look, he wanted to deny it, but swallowed the

the shop, put the e-bike

I supposed to get to work tomorrow then? Are

won't even give me gas money, who would do this thankless

electric car at the shop and

take the bus, or call a cab if you think the bus is

that would

Owen was speechless.

the e-bike, the shop keys

want to argue with her anymore, so he just took

unlocked the shop, pushed her e-bike inside, then