Faux Vows, True Desires

"If I break out in pimples, it's all because of your curse."

Hudson was speechless.

With her family's encouragement, Cecilia cheerfully headed out.

Just outside, she ran into her neighbor, Wilman, on her way to buy groceries. Cecilia greeted her with a smile.

"Cecilia, why are you walking to work?" Wilma asked, "Don't you usually zip around on your electric bike?"

"Outta juice; it totally slipped my mind to recharge it. I left it at the shop last night to recharge, so today I'm thinking about catching a taxi."

"I see. Cecilia, do you guys have any leftover pastries at the end of the day? If you do, bring them back and sell them to me for a good price. I love the pastries from your shop."

She mentioned buying them the next day because Cecilia usually got home late, and as an old lady who slept early, she can't possibly wait until midnight just for pastries.

Cecilia readily agreed, saying, "If you like them, I'll bring some back tonight. My mom can drop them off at your place in the morning. No need to pay me. But Wilma, you're not getting any younger; you've got to watch your sugar intake. I'll ask the pastry chef to make some savory biscuits for you with less sugar in the pastries; just a hint of sweetness will do."

Wilma chuckled. "Alright, Cecilia, thank you."

Even though Cecilia said no payment was necessary, Wilma would still insist on paying. Cecilia might not accept the money, but Wilma couldn't help but give it to her.

They chatted and strolled out of the alleyway.

A familiar luxury car was parked there.

It was Owen's.

Cecilia was quite surprised.

What was he doing here, waiting?

Was he here to pick her up for work?

Was he really that nice?

Was the sun rising from the west today?

sky; the sun was right on schedule, rising into the sky at half past six. Now that it was hanging high in the sky, the sun rays reminded Cecilia that the sun was still rising from the

into Owen's car under Wilma's gaze, so she pretended not to recognize Owen and didn't

looked a bit haggard, with dark circles under

bring any

on the steering wheel,

Cecilia acting like she didn't know him, Owen took another couple of drags from his

do you know that young

lied: "He's the taxi driver I booked online. Wilma, I have to go to work now;

was a seven-seat business vehicle, which was quite expensive. After riding in her grandson's car, Wilma thought no other car could be

that ride-hailing driver was really young

going grocery shopping. It's almost the weekend; I'll have your family take me to your

could

"Alright."

over and looked at the man in the car, laughing as she asked, "What's going on today? You're here; did you deliberately

day she'd enjoy this

looked at the sandwich in her hand and asked,

eyes and said, "Even if you've never eaten a sandwich, you should have seen it on TV. You're actually asking what

TV, and I really haven't eaten a

from the Martinez family, which was already wealthy when he was

family, so his meals

know it's

you ask what it

then said, "If I hadn't asked, would you

snatched the sandwich from Cecilia's

was too late to snatch

only curse him: "Noble heir of the Martinez family, you look like you're about to

having breakfast, but who was it for?

need to

her,

Driving her to work?

would never

around and walked

to her, "Cecilia, get in the car; I'll

one sandwich? I'll buy you some bread and a glass