Chapter201CallingMeHoneyIsFutile


    Thepotwasboilingquickly,withthecreamymushroomsoupbubblingaway.Withapracticed.hand,Kateaddedslicesofmeatandveggiesintothepot,thenscoopedsomeintoEric’sbowl.Sheshedhimasmile.“Ric,giveitatry.”


    Ericheldback,pickingupapieceofmeatwithascepticallook.


    Theyatequietlytogether,andhalfwaythrough,Kate’sphonerang,breakingthesilence.


    Ericlookedover,curious.Kate’sexpressionshiftedslightlytosomethingmoreremarkableasshetookthecall.


    Ontheotherend,someonewasalmostoutofbreathwithexcitement.“Madam,justasyouwanted,we’vegotsomeoneattheSummerEstatemessingaround.Theytriedtoget intothefactory,aimingtomessupyourstockandscrewoveryourproducunchintwodays!”


    Unfazedandstilleating,Kateaskedcalmly,“Didyoucatchthem?”


    “Yeah,caughtthemred–handedrightoutsidethefactory.


    Katecouldn’thelpbutchuckle.“Gotit.”


    Afterhangingup,sheinstantlyswitchedbacktoherwarmerdemeanour.CatchingEric’slook,shedidn’twaitforhimtoask.“Ric,itlookslikesomeoneattheSummerEstateistryingtobuddyupwithSimon.Notsureifit’sRuthorSimondirectly,butthey’retroubleeitherway”


    Sheadded,“Theyweretryingtosabotagemystock,butluckyforus,wewereastepLookingatKatewithadmirationandintrigue,Ericsawadifferentkindofglowinher.


    ahead.”


    Mid–chew,heaskedinalowtone,“So,wereourmovieanddinnerdatejustafrontforsomethingelse?”Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    Hislookturnedsharper,a chillbrieflypassingoverhisfeaturesashesetdownhischopsticks.


    AshadowofannoyancecrossedEric’sface.


    Quicktosoftentheblow,KateclungtoEric’sarm,tryingtoreassurehim.“Ric,I’vealwaystriedtostandonmyown.WhenIfoundoutsomeonewasaftermyfirstbatchofproducts,I…”


    Shehesitated.


    Ericjustwatchedher,hisgazeintense,makingtheairaroundthemfeel evencolder.


    SeeingEric’ssternlook,Katequicklysoftened,aimingforacuterapproach.“Ric,Imessedup.okay?”


    Shejiggledhisarmlightly,herfaceallcharm.


    “Iwantedtodealwithitmyself.”


    4:50PM


    Chapter201CallingMeHoneyIsFutile


    “Don’tbemad,okay?”


    0


    Finished


    Eric,stillsilent,gavenothingawayandjustobservedKatewithanicydemeanour.


    Kate,tryingtobreaktheice,leanedinforakiss,whispering,“I’llbehonestnexttime,promise?”


    ButEricremainedquiet,thetensionpalpable.


    Kate,tryingtolightenthemood,feltastingofregret.


    She reallyupsetEricthistime.


    “Ric,Honey,Canyou forgivemejustthisonce,okay?”


    Eric,unfazed,gaveheracoollook.“Honeyisn’tgoingto cutit.”


    LookslikecallinghimHoneywasn’tthequickfixshehopedfor.