Cicely was never a stingy person. Kane might not be the most reliable guy around. But his gesture of buying ten bottles of Chardonnay from her was sincere enough. So it was natural for her to prepare this table full of delicious food.

Yeah, it was all about the Chardonnay.

Cicely guided Hugo to his chair, where the maid tied a bib around his neck and set out a non-slip fork and spoon in front of him.

Cicely was there just to tidy things up a bit, rolling up Hugo’s sleeves for him. Cicely was much calmer and relaxed now than at the beginning when she wanted to hug Hugo all the time and was all nervous and overwhelmed.

Grandpa was well, Hugo’s eyes were healed, and she was free, living here with improved conditions. Everything had settled down.

She was slowly reclaiming her own identity, the one she had three years ago, haughty, aloof, and heartless. No one could catch her eye.d2

Back then, everyone but Seth got that treatment. Now, it was the same for everyone.

Unchanged, yet changed.

Her radiant face had gained a touch of maturity and grace through those three years. The arrogance in her brow persisted, yet it now held a certain fully-formed allure.

Seth’s gaze never left Cicely.

She picked up the fork and served Hugo some food. “Want mom to blow on it?”

Hugo shook his head, “I can do it. You eat, Mommy.”

Cicely smiled gently, caressing his cheek. “Good boy.”

Even Kane found this version of Cicely unsettling. She was so different from before. He thought, in these three years, Cicely had grown more than any of them.

The once haughty woman who needed assistance for every task, and couldn’t lift a finger, was now caring for others.

Seth longed to sit next to Cicely, but ended up across from her. It was the safest distance to avoid irritating her and the perfect spot for discreet observation.

Kane, observing Seth’s unusual timidity, shook his head. Love was a strange and wondrous thing. He bet that after dinner, Seth would be back in his room, wide awake with insomnia.

Sighing, Kane attempted to broach a subject with an elder’s poise.

Cicely glanced at him, “Care for some peanuts?”

Kane, reading the hidden thorns in her amused eyes, opened his mouth in confusion. “Maybe a bit more wine?”

Cicely frowned, “No alcohol served.”

“C’mon, it’s a rare gathering. Besides…” Kane winked towards Seth, “a little drink might help with sleep.”

Cicely set down her fork, and Kane hastily added, “I will buy two bottles of Lafite in exchange for any wine you have. Is that OK?”

Cicely looked toward the maid, “Do we have any cheap beer?”

The maid nodded, “Two cases in the storeroom.”

“Bring one up.”

Kane was speechless.

*

Kane was all about helping Seth sleep, but in the end, he was the one who ended up paralyzed on the couch clutching a bottle of wine.

Once Hugo finished his meal, Cicely had the maid take him upstairs. She glanced at Kane, mumbling nonsense on the sofa, a shadow crossing her expression. “Get him out of here before he ruins my carpet.”

With that, she turned to head upstairs.

“Cicely.”

She paused, her delicate hand resting on the banister.

Seth forced a smile, “Goodnight.”

Sounds of the dining room being tidied up mixed with Kane’s muffled chatter. After a moment, Cicely’s voice floated down, soft and delicate. “Goodnight.”

Seth’s heart skipped a beat. He had never realized how enchanting those words could be.

Kane slurred, “Cicely, I swear that I’ve never seen him making such a fool of himself. Damn hilarious…”

stairs, Seth looked away from the man slumped on the couch, yanking him up by the collar and dragging him out of

choking… This

Seth not even allowing him inside

It wasn’t that

company prospered. One man’s happiness affected the well-being of thousands. Though it was Mr. Diaz’s personal

slowly, “Do you want a

was taken aback, “Of

“Then

himself.

*

at noon, the doorbell at Cicely’s Mansion rang again. Cicely opened the door. There stood Seth, impeccably dressed,

against the doorway, tilting her head

deliver

at him, saying

didn’t cook, so I thought I’d drop by

but twenty bottles of

down, silent for a moment, then turned and walked

*

The third day.

The fourth day.

The fifth…

showed up at Cicely’s Mansion at least once a day for

are

him with calm indifference. These things would have satisfied him

heart was hanging in mid-air. And he didn’t dare bring it up, because any mention of

the status quo was better than reopening old wounds. But all that sensitivity and

the villa for him that day. Her brow creased slightly at the sight of him. “Well, ” she

tensed the moment he laid eyes on Lana, his body coiling with an uneasy anticipation. “What’re you doing here?” he

piercing. “Packing up some things before I leave,” she

grip on the gift he brought tightened

aside, Lana granted

a plate decorated with animal-shaped fruits, obviously prepared for Hugo. Her expression remained neutral upon seeing Seth, as she walked over to the pillowed nook of the

on the floor, his nose buried in a picture book. Once blind, now that he could see, he dedicated hours each

placed the plate beside him and handed him a pear. Hugo bit into it and then sat up, smiling. “So sweet,

smile with a

Hugo noticed Seth, Hugo greeted him with the same cheerfulness as usual. “Dad” had become a natural part of Hugo’s vocabulary. Seth’s face, previously taut with tension, now forced

Cicely and Seth,

silent; she too was baffled. Why would Seth come to her home, uninvited, and then act

she restrained any outward display, especially

without Lana’s departure

to stay

Hugo yawned and the conversation dwindled,

Hugo nodded

bed early then. We have to rise with

watched, his jaw

shuffled into his little slippers, and toddled upstairs

the corner of the sofa, looking disinterested and lazily content. “Was there something else?” she

remained tightly shut as he watched her for a moment longer. Then,

was scooped

tone attempted to sound stern, but it came out soft

clearly, though.

her room, laid her down, and removed her shoes.

voice husky. “Aren’t you going

Cicely hummed a response.

uncomfortable to sleep without

“Can you just let

profile for a moment longer before turning off the lights and leaving just

enveloping her. She guessed what he wanted to do; it was evident he was yearning to kiss her. Yet, just inches away from her

closing. In the dim light, Cicely slowly opened her eyes and stared at the curtains that Seth had just drawn. She seemed to be thinking about something, then closed

gazing back at the closed door, Cicely’s delicate scent still lingering in his nostrils, and his mind raced with

hundred times. But he didn’t

if she really decided to

*

to bed early the previous night, vaguely remembering she had planned to bathe but instead slept straight through until dawn. She woke with a scowl, tossing the

quietly tidying the living room. They looked surprised to see her

Please change the bedding in my room,” she instructed.Books Chapters Are

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