In the Lap of Luxury by Unsweetened Chestnuts

Xander glanced at her after he finished speaking. What he meant was evident enough.

Grace tightened her grip on the seatbelt as she calmly asked, "What did you want to tell me? Was it something that could be done with just a call?"

Xander replied, "You only had Luke with you. I was worried that you might have been forced to drink."

Grace asked, "You were the one who introduced Mr. Thorne to me. Don't you know the kind of person he is?"

Xander answered, "He's a gentleman. He wouldn't make it hard for you."

Grace continued, "Then you still-"

"I wanted to see you."

Xander tilted his head and looked at her as he made it clear. "Would you be able to accept this answer?"

Grace was stunned. She was clearly surprised.

She replied, "We just met yesterday."

"Meeting once isn't enough for some people."

Xander glanced over at the rearview mirror and drove out of the city center. He then slowed the car down and stopped by the roadside.

Grace asked, "Why did you stop the car?"

accident somewhere further down when I came over earlier. They haven't cleared up the road yet, so I

There was only a pack

"This is a mild one. You won't be used

Xander took out a cigarette and held

said, "Light

and piercing under the

a beat. She took out a lighter and

asked, "You didn't know how to smoke in Coronia. When did you learn

looking after me in Pamore. I just learned

cigarette and

been married to Benjamin. But none of the Hawkinses had cared about her, not even Benjamin. Needless to say, she couldn't help but feel frustrated. That was how she had learned to

drag from the cigarette. It was just as Grace had said. It was too mild for him. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt

rolled down half of the window and said,

I did it willingly. Even you're blaming me now, Xander."

her as he asked, "Have you ever thought what

replied, "There's no 'if'. Even though the ending wasn't the best, at least I

even though the Hawkins family and Benjamin looked

was panicking deep down and begged, "Can you stop talking

continued, "Are you regretting it, or do you still

pressing on. Perhaps the smoke was too strong, but Grace felt

rubbing salt in my

It's