The Love that Never Really Dies (Sasha and Sebastian)

The villagers were ecstatic. Once the wood was measured and paid for, the farmer dragged Ian to his house for some potato and leek soup. As it was a local and expensive delicacy, it would only be prepared to honor significant guests.

Ian had already firmly made up his mind to decline even before the offer was made.

At the farmer's approach, Ian shuddered in recollection of the incident with the Villagers' Committee and hastened his departure.

"Hey, Small Fry, where are you going? My wife has prepared a feast to thank you for your help"

Ian almost yelled in exasperation as the farmer's soil-crusted hand reached out with surprising vigor to grab his snow- white shirt.

Fortunately, a slender figure in the distance quickened her pace in Ian's direction at the commotion of his struggle.

"He has a delicate stomach, sir," the figure cried from afar. "But I'm sure he appreciates the offer"

As she spoke, she forcefully pried the farmer's fingers away from Ian's shirt.

Oh my, it's as black as soot!

Susan quickly extracted a clean handkerchief and cleaned Ian's shirt as best as she could.

The farmer must have gotten the hint as he no longer insisted on Ian's presence.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Even if you won't have lunch, at least come for my wife's pineapple tarts."

Pineapple tart?

Susan, who was feeling rather hungry, swallowed when she heard that.

Ian. There's no harm in paying him a visit, is there? This village is known for its exceptionally

young man behind her, her

Ian raised his eyebrows.

interest in morsels, he gave

thrilled. Turning to nod excitedly at the farmer, she gratefully accepted. "We would love

grateful as Small Fry here has

farmer led the way back to his

were in a primitive village. With houses made of mud bricks and worn tiles, the fragrance of fresh produce

sight seemed

that day, she did not dare think about how Ian's impression

ulterior motive against

doing so that the knot in her chest began to loosen. Unnoticed by her, a joyful feeling that put a spring in her

scent of freshly baked tarts informed the pair that they had arrived

"It smells amazing!"

would be my wife's pastries," the farmer said proudly as he beckoned them in. "She got up especially early today for this. We are the first to bake with our harvest this

in with him with

the house's interior felt refreshingly cool due to the adobe used in

a village, he

furry thing shot

Thud!

backward and

by the noise, Susan hurried over with the pineapple tart

"What happened?"

expression was contorted in a curious mixture of rage and humiliation as he