Chapter 13: No Trace Left
To break the ice, Alice casually asked, "Anya, how's the grub? You getting used to it?"
Anna nodded, grinning. "It's delish. Mom's cooking is top-notch."
Alice beamed even more. "If you dig it, have some more." She piled more food onto Anna's plate.
"Not to toot my own horn, but my cooking's on par with the chefs at Regal Retreat. Anya, you and Charles should swing by more often, and I'll whip up something special for you."
Anna chimed in, "Charles has been doing the cooking lately."
Alice's eyebrows shot up. "You can cook?" she asked Charles, clearly shocked.
Charles looked up, cool as a cucumber. "What can't I do?" He shot a glance at Anna, hinting at the earlier lipstick incident.
Anna quickly sipped her soup, avoiding his gaze, pretending she didn't catch his drift.
Alice turned to Charles. "It's been over twenty years, and I had no clue you could cook. You gotta come over and cook sometime, so I can see if your food's any good. Don't want Anna getting a stomachache."
After dinner, Charles was in the kitchen slicing fruit while Alice made some orange juice. She peeked through the door at Anna chatting with Cedric, then turned to Charles.
"Quit chasing after women and getting tangled in scandals," she warned, her voice low. "Anya's a keeper. Don't mess it up."
Charles smirked, almost casually. "You like Anya?"
"Of course!" Alice scoffed. "You've never done anything to impress me, except for bringing Anya into the family. She's a gem."
Before leaving with the juice, Alice sighed, looking at Charles. "Thank goodness for the good looks your dad and I gave you. Otherwise, with your rep, would Anya even glance your way?"
Ignoring Charles's reaction, she left to find Anna. Alone in the kitchen, Charles let out a couple of cold laughs. He wanted to tell Alice: Anna chose me, not for my looks, but for the status you gave me.
On the drive back to Regal Retreat, Charles asked Anna about a honeymoon. Anna dodged the question. "I'm starting work."
Charles glanced at her. "When?"
"Tomorrow," she replied.
Charles's fingers drummed on the steering wheel, and he fell silent. But just a block from Regal Retreat, he asked, "When's your vacation?"
Anna looked at him, honest. "No clue. Tomorrow's my first day at Radiant Life Hospital."
When they got to Regal Retreat, Charles pulled Anna to the bedroom. Anna grabbed his hand. "Charles, I have work tomorrow."
Charles stopped, hugged her waist, and leaned in for a kiss. "I know. That's why we need to hit the sack early."
Later that night, by the bed, Charles gently dried Anna's hair. The strands brushed against her closed eyes, and his expression softened. His gaze wrapped around her like vines.
Once her hair was dry, Anna was almost asleep. Charles turned off the dryer and picked her up and sent her to the bed.
Anna thought she'd sleep in, but she woke up at five in the morning, still a bit groggy but too excited to sleep.
Since getting hitched, Charles held Anna every night. Even if she wriggled free, he'd pull her back in his sleep.
This morning was no different. As soon as Anna moved to get up, Charles woke up.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
