Returning from the Dead: His Secret Lover

“Don't worry. They're here to ask for some water,” Kristoff, the elderly man, explained. “I'll pour some for them right now. Right, Darling, where was the honey I collected in the mountains? Where did we keep it?”

“It's in the cabinet,” came Beatrice's, the elderly woman, weak reply. She pointed at a rickety cabinet in their rundown abode.

Several minutes later, Kristoff returned to Vivian and Kurt, serving them two bowls of water that had been heavily sweetened with wild honey.

“Please enjoy. You should leave once you've quenched your thirst.”

Kurt stared at the proffered bowl in silence.

Vivian hastily received the bowl on his behalf and thanked the old man, “All right. Thank you so much.”

She began gulping the honeyed water with gusto as Kurt stared at her in shock.

She grew up on the finest delicacies in the world, using utensils that cost some families their entire yearly salary, not to mention she's a borderline neat freak, too. How did she bring herself to drink out of that old, broken bowl?

Kurt was still stunned as Kristoff asked, “Why aren't you drinking, young chap? Are you worried about the honey? Well, not to worry. It's clean; I harvested it from the mountains myself.”

“No, no. I wasn't thinking that all,” Kurt protested hastily before lowering his head.

He gobbled the bowl of honeyed water in an instant.

Meanwhile, Vivian smacked her lips and exclaimed, “It's so sweet!”

should head back now,” Kristoff urged. “Your mother will be

was well aware that Kristoff's insistence on their departure was rooted in concern. Like Beatrice had said earlier, an association with the elderly couple could land Kurt

may I borrow two sets of clothes from you?” Kurt's ears reddened as he introduced Vivian with a stammer, “This girl is m-my younger sister, and I'm bringing her home for the first time. I'm trying to keep her visit

confused

Younger sister?

confusion worked

Smiling knowingly, he responded, “Of course! I'm afraid we do not

fine,” Kurt reassured

fabrics. He rummaged in

still in good shape. Oh, and my son used to wear this. I'm sure you'll fit

at the clothes. He could not repress

I can't believe my grandparents have kept their belongings all

in mind, he took the clothes with

off, Vivian approached Kurt and asked gently, “What's

to stare at Vivian with wet

“Then wha—”

old,” Kurt barreled right over her question and changed the

question, Vivian was

wear this? How can I afford to be picky at a time

Um, I don't