Chapter 317


    “Well…” Thomas looked at Mr. Austin innocently.


    Mr. Austin calmly sipped his noodles and said, “Don’t worry, women are just more squeamish.”


    A few minutester…


    Theresa and Mrs. Austin returned to the dining table.


    “Eat up, the noodles are getting soggy,” Thomas said warmly.


    Theresa and Mrs. Austin nced at the noodles and couldn’t help but recall Thomas’s graphic


    description of intestines, making them feel queasy again.


    “No, no, I’m full already,” Mrs. Austin said, trying to hold back her difort.


    “I’m full too,” Theresa said calmly.


    Thomas’s face fell with disappointment. “You hardly ate anything…”


    After the meal…


    Mrs. Austin asked Thomas to rest and went to wash the dishes with Theresa.


    Theresa nced at her mother and asked, “Are you still speaking well of him now?”


    Mrs. Austin’s stomach was still not settled down.


    Sheposed herself and said, “Why wouldn’t I? Thomas seems like a good person. Honest and


    sincere, and he treats you well. It’s hard to find someone like that. Theresa, you should really consider


    it.”


    Theresa fell silent.


    Unable to hold back, Mrs. Austin asked, “Tell me the truth, Theresa. I know your personality. If you had


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    Chapter 317


    no interest in Thomas, you wouldn’t have gone on so many dates with him, even if I pushed you. But if


    you do like him, why are you pushing him away?”


    A flicker of guilt crossed Theresa’s eyes. “Mom, don’t talk nonsense. When did I ever show interest in


    him?”


    “A mother knows her daughter best. Are you sure you want to argue with me about this?” Mrs. Austin


    said calmly.


    Feeling unnerved under her mother’s gaze, Theresa finally admitted in a soft voice, “He… actually has


    someone who he’s liked for a long time.”


    Mrs. Austin was taken aback to hear that. “Is he two–timing?”


    Theresa quickly shook her head. “No, it’s not like that.”


    Mrs. Austin breathed a sigh of relief and asked, “Is he still involved with that person?”


    Again, Theresa shook her head. “No.”


    After months of closed–door training and filming, she was sure that Thomas and Monica were indeed


    not in contact with each other.


    Mrs. Austin waspletely reassured and said, “Then it’s just a thing of the past.”


    Theresa looked anxious and said, “But how can we be sure he’s truly moved on from her? How can we


    guarantee he won’t go back to her?”


    Mrs. Austin smiled with a glint of wisdom in her eyes. “Theresa, when ites to love, you can’t


    always be looking back and forth. If you like someone, you need to seize the moment. If you’re always


    worried, you’ll never find happiness.”


    “But Mom…” Theresa still seemed lost.


    Mrs. Austin said, “My suggestion is to start trying with Thomas. But remember, in love, a woman should


    always keep a clear head. If the situation you fear does arise, this rity will help you pull away in


    time.”


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    Chapter 317


    After speaking, she patted Theresa on the shoulder and left the room.


    Theresa stood there, staring at the running faucet, her expression a mix of confusion and


    contemtion.


    She admitted it.


    She had a good impression of Thomas.


    But she did have a lot of scruples.


    Monica’s presence was one thing.


    But the other concern was the rapid change in his attitude.


    Just the day before, he had been mocking and sarcastic towards her.


    Then, suddenly, he imed he wanted to pursue her.


    What happened that night was something Theresa knew all too well.


    That night…


    She and Thomas had inadvertently crossed a line they shouldn’t have.


    Was his pursuit of her truly because he liked her, or was it out of a sense of obligation?


    Theresa didn’t know.


    After a while…


    She emerged from her reverie.


    Thomas was sitting on the sofa, engaging Mr. and Mrs. Austin in a lively conversation.


    As long as he steered clear of topics rted to dissection, he was the perfect conversationalist.


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    Chapter 317


    Mr. and Mrs. Austin were both amused by him.


    Observing this, Theresa felt, somewhat surprisingly, that the scene was harmonious.


    She pursed her lips and suddenly approached Thomas.


    Noticing her, he instinctively stood up.


    “Let’s go outside and talk,” she said calmly.


    “Okay.” Thomas nodded quickly.


    Theresa led the way out.


    “I’lle and visit you again tomorrow,” Thomas said to Mr. and Mrs. Austin before hurrying after


    Theresa.


    “Tomorrow again?‘ Theresa thought, her brow twitching slightly.


    The two walked in silence to the entrance of theplex.


    Suddenly, Theresa stopped.


    Thomas stopped too.


    She turned to face him and asked directly, “Do you like me?”


    “I thought I made that clear already,” he replied, looking somewhat helpless.


    Theresa bit her lip, then said, “If it’s because of what happened that night, you really don’t have to do


    this. It’s a modern world now, a one–night stand isn’t a big deal…”


    Thomas frowned and cut her off. “You think I’m pursuing you because of that night?”


    “What else could exin your sudden change of attitude?” Theresa looked at him, searching for


    answers.


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    Well… It was really hard to exin.


    Thomas let out a wry smile. “Theresa, I’ve made plenty of foolish mistakes, and it’s normal that you


    wouldn’t trust me. But do you really think I’m the kind of person who wouldmit to someone just


    because of an ident?”


    Theresa was momentarily speechless,


    He continued earnestly, “I know I haven’t done everything right, but please believe me, everything I do


    is because I like you. Theresa, I’m serious about wanting to spend my life with you.”


    Theresa pursed her lips.


    Thomas didn’t look like he was joking.


    Was he serious?


    “Onest question,” she said, fixing her gaze on him.


    Thomas’s heart raced as he asked nervously, “What is it?”


    Theresa narrowed her eyes and asked, “Did I really gain weight?”


    This question struck Thomas speechless.


    He stammered, “No, no. I… I said that mainly for…”


    Seeing his nervous reaction, Theresa suddenly burst intoughter..


    She was still dressed shabbily.


    But when she smiled, Thomas somehow felt that the whole world was bright.


    He stared at her, momentarily lost for words.


    Feeling embarrassed under his gaze, she cleared her throat and said, “Three months.”


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    “What?” Thomas didn’t catch on at first.


    Theresa’s cheeks flushed, but she said, “L


    sign a contract to date for three months. If both of us agree after that time, we’ll renew it. If either of us


    disagrees, we’ll break up with no conditions.”


    Having said this, she looked at him seriously. “If you’re willing, we’ll sign the contract. If not, then…”


    Before she could finish, Thomas eagerly said, “I’m willing, I’m very willing!”


    A contractual rtionship was better than nothing at all.


    Thomas’s gaze was intense as he looked at her. “When do we sign the contract?”


    His eagerness made Theresa’s cheeks warm, and she turned away. “Wait for my notice.”


    “But when exactly…” Thomas started to ask.


    But Theresa had already started to run away.


    Watching her retreating figure, Thomas stood there for a long while, letting out a series of goofyughs.