Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Chapter 182

It was obvious that Tarquin had noticed Elysla too

He had another sleepless night, tossing and turning in his bed, haunted by the memory of their unexpected kiss in the grocery store. The thought of seeing her this morning to make breakfast for Elijah set his blood boiling with initation. He didn’t want to deal with her, and because of that, he’d tormented himself all night long, caught in a tug–of–war between reaching out and staying silent.

Finally, without contacting her, he succumbed to a restless night of Insomnia.

When dawn broke, he didn’t quite know what drove him, but he found himself dressing and heading downstairs. Not really knowing what he was doing, he lit a cigarette to pass the time.

Before he could even finish smoking. Elysia appeared. It seemed, perhaps, he had come down just to wait for her.

They stood there, locking gazes, neither speaking nor stepping forward. A standoffish dance separated by a mere twenty feet

After what felt like an eternity, a cool breeze swept by, provoking a sneeze from Elysia

She had been too frugal to take a cab that day, riding over on Blossom’s electric scooter, now parked just outside the complex. Only those who’ve braved the crisp, bitter momings on a scooter could truly understand the mix of pain and pleasure it brought Even bundled up in a mask and hat, the chill cut through her,

“Achool”

Another sneeze wracked her body, a telltale sign of a cold nipping at her heels.

Tarquin frowned at her condition, his resolve wavering. Eventually, he snuffed out his cigarette and took the first step towards her.

As he approached, Elysia’s heartbeat quickened, a reflexive urge to retreat bubbling up inside her. His icy aura felt like a confrontation waiting to happen.

Clutching the thermos tighter, she stood her ground, straightening her spine, refusing to show weakness. She hadn’t done anything wrong, so why should she cower?

“Stand strong, and d your enemies weaken,” she reminded herself, clearing her throat and scowling as if to say, “I’m not afraid of you!”

Tarquin rolled his eyes and stopped in front of her. Noticing the thermos in her hand, his tone softened–relatively speaking, of course; he was still colder than most

“Bringing Elijah breakfast?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

Yeah.

you let me know

do. I was just going to drop the breakfast off and leave”

to see me?”

wordlessly questioning his

not a monster, Elysia. As long as you don’t overstep, we won’t have

“I haven’t overstepped!”

personal

insinuating she was some kind of

fire back when he continued, “Look, you’ve been bringing Elijah food, and he enjoys it. That’s your doing. We’ll stick to our agreement: a day’s meal counts as a day off your debt. Once Elijah warhis up to you, we can discuss your remuneration

money, Elysia’s retort

“What do you

mean?”

his wellbeing. That’s worth something. We’ll deduct ten thousand a

Elysia’s eyes sparkled.

a bit more noble, even

Chapter 11

potentar prosperity Pyret

કાચી કૂવોના કાને

નું

retained to win on bike

asked pued

the

with the thermos

stars, the elderly couple from the neighboring apartment descended, greeting them warmly,

What a

Tarounmp

Elyta could

chuckled as they continued