Chapter 448 This Time It's You Who Took the Initiative
Angela spotted her brother from a distance and ran over to him, pleading affectionately, "Can I stay here for lunch? Please?"
Ethan ruffled her hair with gentle resignation. "Angela, we'd be imposing. We should head home."
"But Nate promised to cook something special," Angela insisted with a pout. "I want to try his cooking!"
Nate approached them. "That's right, Uncle Totti. Why don't you stay for lunch too?"
Ethan looked at Nate with surprise. "You're going to cook? Kitchens have knives and other dangerous things—isn't that risky for someone your age?"
"Don't worry," Nate replied confidently. "Whenever Mommy's working, I'm the one who cooks for my brother. I know what I'm doing."
Andy stood nearby without contradicting him—because Nate was telling the truth. While Andy had shown early aptitude for electronics and finance, Nate had always had a gift for food. Despite his young age, his cooking skills rivaled those of professional chefs.
Ashley, who had just returned from the farm with freshly collected milk, overheard the conversation. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "You're welcome to stay for lunch if you'd like. I've just gotten some fresh milk from the cows."
With Ashley's invitation, Ethan had no reason to refuse—and truthfully, he welcomed any chance to be near her. He stepped forward and took the wooden pail from her hands. "Let me carry that for you."
Ashley nodded, and they all made their way into the house.
The residence was a spacious villa with a living room and kitchen downstairs, while the upper floor contained guest rooms, the master bedroom, and an open terrace garden. The elegant home suggested that Atticus came from a wealthy family.
"Mommy, let me handle lunch today," Nate said. "You've been working hard—go relax in the living room with the others."
Ashley shook her head with a smile. "Just be careful."
Once in the kitchen, Nate became the undisputed master, refusing to let her touch a thing.
"I know what I'm doing," he assured her.
As Nate began preparing the ingredients, Ashley joined the others in the living room. Angela and Andy were playing Chinese checkers while Ethan watched them from the sofa, his expression warm with affection. The scene struck her as oddly domestic, like a complete family.
The thought sent an unexpected flutter through Ashley's heart.
Ethan sensed her presence and turned. Their eyes met, creating an instant atmosphere of tension between them.
Ashley looked away, embarrassed.
Ethan's lips curved into a subtle smile as his gaze grew more intense.
"Aunt Pearl, come sit with us!" Angela called out.
"Oh... sure," Ashley replied, making her way to the sofa.
She studied Angela, who resembled a perfect little Barbie doll—endearing in a way that Ashley couldn't help but like.
Ashley sat on the same sofa as Ethan, maintaining a careful distance between them. Neither spoke, creating an awkward silence.
Though Ethan wasn't looking at her or speaking, Ashley could feel an invisible pressure in the air that made her uncomfortable, her palms growing sweaty with tension.
"I quit!" Angela suddenly exclaimed in frustration.
She pushed the game board, causing several marbles to scatter across the floor with tiny clattering sounds.
Andy scoffed, "Sore loser. Can't handle defeat?"
"You cheated!" Angela protested, tears welling in her eyes. "You moved extra spaces when I wasn't looking!"
Andy rolled his eyes. "So dramatic."
Ethan couldn't help but laugh at the scene.
Andy's little CEO attitude amused him.
The boy looked up at Ethan, blushing slightly. "What's so funny?"
"Andy," Ethan replied gently, "as a young man, you should learn to be gracious with girls. If you try to win every argument with logical reasoning, you might find yourself without a girlfriend when you grow up."
Andy countered, "Why would I want a girlfriend who doesn't value logic?"
Ethan was momentarily speechless.
Ashley sighed. "Sir, what exactly are you teaching these children?"
Ethan spread his hands helplessly. "I'm just telling the truth!"
The scattered marbles rolled near their feet. Ethan bent down to pick them up.
At the same moment, Ashley also crouched to retrieve the ones near her. As they collected the marbles, they gradually moved closer to each other. When they both reached for the last marble simultaneously, their hands brushed against each other.
The touch sent an electric current through both of them, their hearts skipping a beat.
Ethan's fingers trembled slightly as his throat tightened, his gaze deepening.
Ashley blushed, looking up at him with bright, unconsciously alluring eyes.
They remained frozen in that position.
Watching his parents, Andy noticed they'd spent an inordinate amount of time trying to pick up a single marble while exchanging increasingly intimate looks. His young face reddened, and he looked away.
Angela gave Andy a confused glance that seemed to ask, "What's happening? Why are they acting strange over a marble?"
Andy's face turned redder as he pulled Angela toward the door, his expression saying, "You wouldn't understand adult things."
Ashley and Ethan remained locked in their moment until Ashley's legs began to cramp. Finally coming to her senses, she quickly picked up the marble and stood.
Having crouched for too long, Ashley cried out as her numb legs gave way, causing her to stumble toward Ethan.
Ethan's eyes widened as he instinctively reached out to steady her. "Careful!"
The marbles in their hands scattered again across the floor. Ashley stepped on one, cried out, and lost her balance completely.
She grabbed Ethan's collar as she fell, and they tumbled onto the sofa together—this time with Ethan breaking her fall as she landed on top of him.
Suddenly, inexplicably, their lips met.
An electric current seemed to flow between them, making their bodies tingle and hearts race.
Ethan's eyes widened in shock, his arms held away from her body, afraid to touch her.
Ashley lay atop him, her unique scent giving him an oddly familiar feeling. He swallowed hard, tempted to deepen the kiss, but her previous warnings echoed in his mind, preventing him from moving a muscle.
He feared that any movement might cause her to report him to the police for harassment.
Ashley came to her senses and quickly scrambled off him, her face burning with embarrassment. "You... you..."
Ethan looked up at her with an innocent expression. "This time it was you who initiated it! Look, I didn't even touch you—my hands are well away. Please don't accuse me of harassment."
His words only made Ashley more embarrassed.
Seeing her flustered reaction, Ethan's heart raced even faster.
"Mommy! Uncle Totti! Lunch is ready!" Nate called out. "Everyone come and taste my cooking!"
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