Faux Vows, True Desires

Lucinda walked up to Cecilia and said, "Cecilia, let's go, my treat. Let's hit up the Ascend Hotel."

Cecilia didn't play coy; she walked back to the cashier counter to pick up her phone and replied with a smile, "Well, I won't say no to that. I'd love to grab a bite with you." "What are you on about? We're beyond formalities."

As Cecilia walked out of the shop, she got a call from Owen.

"Lucy, I gotta take this call."

"Bet it's Mr. Malicious."

Cecilia had a nickname for Owen, which Lucinda had picked up too.

"Yeah, it's him; I wonder what he's up to. I didn't think I had done anything to annoy Ruby recently; we didn't even do anything to her when she came over."

Cecilia was muttering to herself, "Even if he's trying to get back at me for Ruby, it's a bit too late, isn't it? Not like before when he was quick on his feet."

When Ruby had just returned from abroad and was dealing with some issues, Owen would rush over to comfort her and stand up for her faster than a bunny on a sugar rush.

Still muttering, Cecilia picked up Owen's call.

"Mr. Malicious, what's up?"

Hearing Cecilia call him that, Owen felt like smashing his phone.

Biting his tongue, he replied grumpily, "I've made a transfer to you, didn't you see? I can't even be bothered to check your account when there's money in it."

Cecilia responded, "Oh, you transferred me money? I was busy just now and didn't check my phone. What's the money for? You're not expecting me to order takeout for you, are you? I'm not doing takeout today. If you want some, order it yourself."

Owen gritted his teeth. "Cecilia, do you get a kick out of annoying me?"

Cecilia earnestly replied, "Well, yeah. Annoying you does give me a sense of satisfaction, haha."

"It's the fee for you holding onto my black card for two days, totaling four hundred dollars." "Alright, I'll accept the transfer right away. Money is coming in; I should thank you!"

we're already on the call, let's chat a bit more. Are you free to come out now? I

treating me. As for the car, that's not part of our agreement, so no thanks. I'm just repaying your favor; I don't want anything beyond our agreement. I'm afraid if

far. It's more convenient to have a car; it's faster. Getting you a new car is just for you to play along with my act, not a gift

emphasized, "Don't worry, I'm not in love with you. I won't purposely

were to purposely give

was at a

you to

He changed the topic.

instinctively responded as she looked at the pleasant Blue family father-son duo, "Two

saying, "Well then, go enjoy your

much I

up with

invite her for a meal in

meal, and even when he offered her

supposed to be

even turned down

Such a dunce!

stomped out, all the while grumbling in his

by Owen's silence; it

past, he would

was better that he didn't; she had a feast to attend and didn't have

accepted the four hundred dollars from

pocket and

treat you

overheard their

meat into my bowl, saying he can't eat that much. I suspect he just doesn't like

laughed. "Have you ever considered that he

novelist imagination, Lucy. How on earth could Owen care about me? Want me to eat well? The love of his life is Ruby. As long as Ruby calls him, he'll forget his own name. Besides, he's never formally asked me out for a meal; it's always been me treating him to takeout. Today he suddenly wants to treat me to a meal; I suspect