Chapter 477
Cassie fell into a moment of silence before she finally found her voice. "This was prepared by a professional chef, wasn't it?" she queried.
Joseph's response was a soft murmur, "No, I've been home all morning preparing this lunch for you. Back in Madison, you were the one who enchanted me, now it's my turn to charm you."
Cassie let out a derisive scoff. "Joseph, you certainly have a knack for charming women. It must have required considerable effort when you were courting Megan Ray."
"Believe it or not, I've only ever cooked for you." Joseph pressed a fork into her hand, insisting, "Eat."
"I'm not eating," Cassie retorted, her voice seething with indignation - as if she was obligated to eat just because he commanded her to.
"Cassie, don't be unreasonable. You've had past relationships, haven't you?"
"Fine," she snapped back, "so I should find a man just like Arthur Lewis to stand by my side and care for me, is that it?"
She raised her gaze to meet his, but the sight of his discontented eyes made her laugh, "See, when have you ever considered my viewpoint?"
"I'm sorry," Joseph apologized sincerely, remorseful about the Joyce Ray incident, "It won't happen again."
"There won't be an 'again,' Joseph," Cassie stated emphatically.
"Don't spout nonsense."
Joseph made himself comfortable in her office chair. "If you don't eat, I'm not leaving today."
Cassie shot him a glare, taken aback by his audacity.
"Sweetie," Joseph tapped on the desk and suddenly inquired, "Are you nearsighted?"
"I am not."
"Then how come you can't see how much I love you?" A beautiful smirk played on Joseph's lips. Cassie was left utterly dumbfounded.
"Good Lord, is he resorting to cheesy pick-up lines now?"
Her lips trembled, but Joseph swiftly placed his hand over them. “Don’t utter a word.”
A heavy silence hung in the air.
"There I go," he sighed deeply, "even when you're silent, your voice is all I can hear in my head. What am I to do?"
The silence persisted.
What could she do? Wish for her own downfall?
Cassie took a large gulp from her water glass, needing something to wash down the overwhelming emotions. "Enough, don't say anymore."
"Okay, I’ll stop," Joseph agreed, his face wearing a look of feigned compliance.
Cassie felt as if she was losing her mind. She seriously questioned Joseph's mental stability. Contrary to his current demeanor, she found herself yearning for the overconfident, arrogant man she used to know.
Damn it, she must be a masochist.
She had no appetite, but hunger eventually prevailed.
Picking up a fork, she began to eat.
The food wasn't delicious, but it was palatable.
Joseph watched her with a thoughtful expression, his hands folded under his chin. “Now I understand why you used to cook for me. There's something truly gratifying about watching someone you care for enjoy your cooking.”
Cassie felt a flush of embarrassment - when did she ever take pleasure in cooking for him? Initially, it was to appease him, and later, wasn't it practically forced?
She wondered if he ever grasped that.
“Hand me your phone, remove me from your block list,” Joseph extended his hand.
"No way."
“Then I'll have to take it,” Joseph rose, his tall frame looming over her.
With gritted teeth, Cassie flung him the phone.
Joseph tapped a few times, unblocking himself from her phone and WhatsApp.
After returning her phone, he toyed with his own for a moment.
Shortly after, Cassie's phone buzzed with a notification. She glanced at it: a new WhatsApp message from "Heartfelt Commitment."
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