NovelEnglishFelix barely touched his dinner, his mind clearly elsewhere.
Oblivious Carol didn't make the connection that he wasn't keen on sharing the meal with her.
Once the meal was over, she had no reason to stay, but she lingered, unable to bear leaving. Felix didn't say a word to keep her
there.
Eventually, Carol took the initiative, "Could you walkdown to hail a cab? I'm a bit scared."
Their neighborhood was quite secluded, and though there was a bus stop right outside, at this late hour, who knew if she'd run into
the kind of thugs she'd encountered before.
Just as Felix was about to nod, a clap of thunder rumbled outside, followed by a streak of lightning, and the power went out.
Darkness enveloped the room, accompanied by the storm outside.
Old houses were prone to tripping the circuit breaker. Felix fetched his phone for light, "Just sit for a bit, we'll leave when the
power's back."
Carol was only too glad to stay, "Got any candles?"
Felix rummaged through a drawer and lit a few candles before starting to clear the table.
Carol grabbed his hand, "Letclean up, you cooked, so I'll take care of the dishes."
He paused, tempted to shake her off, but refrained.
Eagerly, Carol began clearing the dishes to the kitchen, which was barely big enough for one person and pitch dark, save for the
light from the living room.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtFelix placed a candle by the fridge.
For Carol, it was a experience - washing dishes on a stormy night with a man she fancied.
A smile crept across her face, but then she accidentally knocked over a plate.
Standing at the kitchen door, Felix watched her bend down to pick up the shards and frowned.
As she reached for the pieces, another bowl slipped from the counter and shattered.
Suppressing his irritation, he said firmly, "Step out, I'll do it."
Embarrassed, Carol turned to leave but stepped on a shard, cutting her foot.
"Ouch."
In the candlelight, Felix saw the droplets of blood on the floor.
His frown deepened as he pulled her away.
Carol, unsteady from the pain, instinctively clung to his waist.
His body tensed, he blinked several times to hold back any comment.
Back in the living room, she sat on the couch as Felix lit another candle and examined her foot.
Her toes curled, cheeks flaming.
Felix remained calm as he disinfected the cut.
Carol couldn't help giggling, meeting his gaze, she bit her lip, "It tickles a bit."
After disinfecting, Felix placed the iodine on the coffee table.
"Stay put, I'll finish the dishes. When the power's back, I'll walk you down."
She nodded, watching him return to the kitchen. He swept up the broken pieces and rolled up his sleeves to wash the dishes. To
her, it seemed effortless for him.
He finished in ten minutes, keeping her gaze locked.
Power was still out.
Carol sat comfortably on the couch, perked up when he asked, "Want an orange?"
"Sure."
He fetched two oranges from the fridge, sitting beside her on the couch.
Perhaps it was the soft candlelight that made his hands look even more appealing.
Resting her chin in her hand, she watched him for a moment, then asked, "Felix, you really don't have a girlfriend? Never had one
growing up?"
"No."
Her heart fluttered, the sour orange tasting sweet in her mouth.
"What kind do you like? Seriously, consider me. | don't need a car or a house, and | don't care how much you make. After all, I'm
not rich myself, but we could still make a good life together."
Felix replied quickly, "You don't likethat much."
Carol felt a pang of guilt; she didn't truly like him that deeply—his face was her favorite thing so far.
But tonight, watching him cook, clean, surrounded by books on finance, she felt he wouldn't always work for others.
He saw through her lack of sincerity.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmCarol's heart skipped a beat, her words more earnest, "Maybe if we spend more ttogether, I'll grow to like you more. You never
return my calls; how can we communicate? Letbring you groceries, we save money and try dating."
She leaned in, eyes on his profile, "Plus, I'm not bad-looking. Even if you dumpedlater, | wouldn't cling."
Perhaps her persistence was because she hadn't bedded him yet. Once she had, he might lose his allure. Then, even if Felix was
hot and cold, it wouldn't matter; she was always casual in relationships.
And importantly, she'd admired many men but never took the next step. Except with Felix—she wanted to make it official, to stop
others from coveting him.
Before Felix could respond, the power cback, and the mood vanished.
She sighed inwardly as he said, "I'll walk you down."
A polite rejection.
Carol took the bus, feeling restless. The more elusive, the more she wanted.
Little did she know, once she left, Felix threw away the dishes she'd used.
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