“Yeah.”


    Estre yfully teased, “So are you’re smitten yet? Ready to start a family with me?” Scooping her up


    in a sideways embrace, Jason headed toward the bathroom, “Let’s do it.” With a content smile, Estre


    murmured, “Thanks, boss.”


    Despite her feisty words, as soon as Jason ced her in the bathtub, she was out like a light, fast


    asleep. Jason had been on the verge of giving in, contemting sleeping with her after all. His face


    turned stormy with the realization that he’d been yed.


    The next morning, Estre woke with a splitting headache, having no recollection of the previous


    night’s events. Jason was already gone from her side.


    In the following days, Jason fell off the radar, just like old times. When Kristin called to check on them,


    Estre finally sent him a message. It wasn’t long before Drew-called back, informing her that Jason


    was away on business.


    It was Friday evening, and the office was emptying out, but Estre was still working overtime. Her


    phone buzzed on the desk as she reviewed documents. Without looking up, she reached for the phone,


    but paused when she saw Jason’s name on the disy. Two years into their marriage, and this was the


    first time he had ever called her first.


    Snapping out of her daze, she realized it was nearly eight o’clock, and answered, “Back from your


    trip?”


    On the other end, Jason’s voice was cool, “Yeah.”


    “You’re at home, I assume.” she continued, “Go take a shower. I’ll be home by the time you’re done.”


    Jason’s expression darkened instantly. After a brief pause, he hung up the phone.


    With a flick of annoyance, he tossed the phone onto the car’s dashboard, wishing he could crack open


    Estre’s head to see what on earth she was always thinking.


    Estre, unfazed by the abrupt end to the call, gathered her things and left the office. Momentster,


    striding in her heels, she spotted Jason’s limited edition Maybach with its shy license te waiting


    below.


    Expecting Drew to be behind the wheel, she was surprised to find the door unattended. She realized


    Jason hade for her himself a first since their marriage. In the past, he’d often picked her up, but


    that had ended after ‘that one time’.


    Estre climbed into the passenger seat with a smile, “Came straight from the airport?”


    15:21


    “Yeah,” he replied tersely, ncing at her as she buckled up, then he started the car.


    What’s with the unexpected call and personal pickup? Estre leaned back and watched Jason with an


    amused expression.


    Feeling her gaze, Jason reached out with his right hand, resting his fingers on her forehead, “Stop


    staring at me.”


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    “I just like you,” Estre retorted with a grin..


    His left hand twitched on the steering wheel, sending a jolt through the car.


    Jason’s reaction only made Estre’s smile wider. She then cast a teasing nce downward and


    quipped, “Jason, you’re all hard.”


    He pinched Estre’s cheek, turning her face forward, “What are you talking about? Are you even a


    lady?”


    “Why don’t you check when we get home?” she suggested cheekily.


    “You really have no shame, do you?”


    Estre could barely contain herughter at the sight of Jason’s reddening ears. For all his power and


    control, a few flirtatious words were all it took to fluster him.


    away!


    Annoyed by her teasing, Jason kept pushing her gaze she tried to look at him.


    The drive home to Sandalwood Oasis took about an hour, and after their yful banter, Estre


    decided to stretch out and doze off, lulled by the autumn breeze and the cozy scenery.


    Jason gripped the steering wheel, casting a sidelong nce at the dozing Estre, his lips curling


    slightly at the memory of her brazen words.


    Estre was indeed shameless.


    Half an hourter, the car pulled into the driveway. As Jason was about to wake Estre, his phone,


    tossed aside earlier, suddenly rang.


    Picking it up, he saw it was Serene calling, and his expression involuntarily darkened. Still, he


    answered the call.


    As soon as the connection was made, Serene’s voice, tinged with tears, came through, “Jason, my


    mom, she’s suddenly fallen ill. I’ve called the ambnce, but the doctors aren’t here yet. Jason, I’m so


    scared! I don’t know what to do.” After saying that, she burst into tears on the other end.


    Before Jason could respond, Estre’s eyshes fluttered open.


    15:21