Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Hey, what's with the daydreaming? Hand me the water glass."

All was well until Leda spoke, and just like that-crash! The perfect harmony shattered.

York's mouth twitched, "Can I make a suggestion?"

"...Go ahead." Leda took a sip of her ice water, instantly feeling refreshed.

"Could you maybe soften your tone when talking to me? We're a couple, not enemies. You know, my mom would worry." "Worry about what?"

"Worry about her son being bullied by you!"

Leda was speechless.

"Should I speak like this then, honey? ~Do you think your mom would like this dress I picked out? It took me forever to choose~"

York felt numb all over: "Actually... maybe keep the edge. It's better that way."

The edge felt more normal.

Whenever Leda's voice went soft, he felt like he was a second away from being choked to death.

"Say 'edge' one more time, I dare you?"

York: "Not edgy, not at all."

But the word 'edge' was still there, wasn't it?!

applied a

"Alright, let's go."

stunned: "That

have you know, this is called the no-makeup makeup look. It's designed to fool guys like you into thinking I'm not wearing any. Pretty clever, huh?" York, who had been fooled more times than he could count,

like every word was

time they arrived at the Gibson Mansion, it

peering out until she finally saw her

as Leda got out of the

too hot out here." She warmly ushered her

like, "WTF?" What about me? Am

this morning, then took forever choosing an outfit and doing my makeup. We're

had barely

the sweet girl in front

with sugar, a stark contrast

en

doing

Hmph!

concern, "Oh, dear, that's no trouble at all. You must be exhausted from staying up late. You need to rest

Ma'am, what can

ove

also call the spa for us? We'll need an aromatherapy SPA session, hmm... with an anti-aging treatment. Have them come over around

work

have no problem

she wouldn't. It had been ages since her last spa day, and she hadn't expected a house