His Unveiled Passion

Tessa was tickled pink by Marissa's words.

Finally, she looked at Marissa helplessly. "Say, Marissa, do you even hear yourself? I'm Stephen's girlfriend. You're currently trying to convince me to bring my boyfriend to my love rivals' birthday party, you know?"

She wasn't mad. If anything, she was just baffled by the absurdity of the request.

Marissa raised a hand and swore, "Trust me. I just don't want to leave any regrets. You just have to bring him along. You can flaunt your relationship with him. I'm totally fine with that. I just want him to attend my birthday party for once. Scout's honor."

Then, she grabbed Tessa's arm and shook it like a spoiled child begging for candy. "Please, Tessa. You're the bestest friend ever, aren't you? Just say yes. I really don't mean any harm. I promise I won't ask this of you ever again, so please?"

Tessa furrowed her brows, deep in thought.

Marissa continued to plead her case, "I swear I won't do anything to him. Just consider my decision to hold this birthday bash as me closing the chapter to my unrequited love for him."

After a beat, Tessa sighed in resignation. "Fine."

Marissa's face lit up with joy as she grinned. "Thanks, Tessa. Lunch is on me!"

Tessa, Marissa, and Stephen were sitting around a round table inside a restaurant's private room.

Marissa handed the menu over to Tessa, letting her order.

They had chosen an Ucresian restaurant for lunch.

Tessa ordered a few dishes she liked, one of them being lightly poached shrimp.

the servants back home would peel them before serving them on the table. Alas, there were

Tessa served herself a shrimp, wiped her hands, and

swiped the shrimp from

up at the thief, only to find Stephen already peeling the

as though there was nothing out of the norm

blinked in surprise, instinctively shooting a glance at Marissa,

peeling the shrimp. He promptly dipped it in the sauce and placed it

murmured quietly, "Thank you." Then, she began to enjoy her

her first shrimp when Stephen

strained. "Stevie, I didn't think you'd ever peel a

pretty

He had plenty of

waiting on him hand

he had never needed

his own shrimp, much

someone else's.

by his skill, it was obvious

gaze was

utterly focused as

somewhat absentmindedly, "Tessa's

girlfriend. Of course,

Am I supposed to

her do it herself?"