Chapter172
Avelineaskedsomewhatnervously,“Isit…notgood?”
Russelllookedatherandsuddenlysaid,“Justonemealisn’tenough.”
“Huh?”Avelinewasconfused.“Thenhowmanymealswouldbeenough?”
Russelughedatherpuzzledexpressionandheldupthreefingers.
Avelinughedtoo.“Threemeals?Noproblem.Justletmeknowwhenyou’refree,andI’llcookforyou.”
Herrespectful andhumbleattitudemadeitclearshesawhimasafriend.Russellfeltastrangesenseoffamiliaritywiththisdynamicandslowlyloweredhishand.“We’llseewhenI’minthemood.”
“Sure,noproblem,”Avelineagreedreadily.
Cookingafewmealswasn’tabigdeal.Shejustwantedtorepaythisfavor.
Despitefeelingabituneasy,RussellhadtoadmitAveline’scookingwasreallygood.Itsuited histasteperfectly.Heendedupeatingtwoextraservings!
Seeingthedishesnearlyempty,Russellbegandoubtinghisownappetite.
Avelinecameovertodrinksomewater,ncedatthetable,andasked,“Russ,wasitenough?”
“Yes,itwas,”Russellreplied,abitspeechless.
Aveline sighedinrelief.
Itwasagoodthingthefoodwasenoughsinceshedidn’thaveanymoreingredients.
Russellstoodup,grabbedthedishes,andheadedtothekitchentowashthem.
Avelinewasstunnedandquicklyfollowed.“Russ,letmedoit.Youshouldtakeabreak.”
Russellfrowned,hishandsomefaceshowingahintofdispleasure.Hestaredatherforamomentbeforesaying,Maybeyoushouldn’tcallmeRussanymore.”
“Whynot?”Avelineasked.
“We’rethesameage,”Russellexined.
Avelineblinked.“Thatdoesn’tmatter.”
Russellsighedandwavedhishand.“Nevermind.”
Heturnedandleftthekitchen.
Avelinefeltabitpuzzledbutdidn’tdwellonit.Aftertidyingupthekitchen,shewentouttofindRussellsittingonthecouchinthelivingroom.Hislonglegswerecrossed,andhewaslookingdownathisphone,hishandsomefaceperfectlyframed.
Avelinecouldn’thelpbutmarvel.“Areallwealthypeoplethisgood–looking?”
Russelllookedupandasked,“WhenareyoudivorcingLucas?
Avelinewastakenaback,notexpectingsuchadirect
question.
“Idon’tknow,”sherepliedhonestly..
Russellsaid,“Ifyouneed,Icanhelpyoufindwyer.Youwon’tlose.”
Avelineshookherhead.“Thanks,Russ,butthat’snot
necessary.ThingsbetweenLucasandmehaven’treachedthatpointyet.”
Russellstaredatherandasked,“Doyoulovehim?”
Avelinedidn’trespond.Buthersilencewasananswerinitself.
Russellfeltastrangesenseofirritation.AftereverythingLucashaddoher,whatdidsheseeinhim?Wassheamasochist?
“Forgetit,justpretendIdidn’tsayanything.”
Russellstoodupandheadedforthedoor.Avelinealsogotupandgavehimaslightsmile.“Russ,thankyou.Iknowyou’retryingtohelpme,butIcanhandlethis,”
“Okay,”Russellreplied.
Ashewasleaving,Russellturnedaroundtosaysomething,butbeforehecouldspeak,Avelinesuddenlyshutthedoor.
Hismouthtwitched.
Whatwasthatabout?Notevenapropergoodbye?
Avelinefellsilent..
HISBONUS:
Itwasn’tthatshedidn’twanttosaygoodbye.Shesuddenlyfeltasharppaininherstomachandrushedtothebathroom,realizingherperiodhadstarted.
Aftertakingcareofherself,shecameout,washedup,andwenttobed.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.