Carol had made it clear that she was going to see Nathan the next day, no joke about it.
That evening, riding in Nathan's car back home, she still insisted he stop five hundred meters from her place so she could walk the rest of the way.
After a moment's thought, Nathan reached over and handed her a little cupcake he'd prepared. It was cheaper than the fancy desserts Carol usually indulged in. She had never tried any cupcake from home-base bakeries before; Abner wouldn't have it, always steering her clear from such pastries.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtYet, now presented with this beautifully crafted cupcake, she couldn't resist taking it.
"Thanks." "What tyou coming tomorrow?" "Nathan, you really aren't scared, are you?" Carol was a tad surprised. He had seemed terrified before, but now he actually looked forward to it.
"Scared? I've known Felix for years, I know he's tough, and I'm no match for him." Carol raised an eyebrow, settling back into her seat, "Is that so? Then tellmore about his past." Nathan pressed his lips, slightly deflated.
"I met him not long after his family's downfall. He was wandering with Listina, clueless about where to go. I have a little sister, and we were all just scraping by, but I saw ambition in him. He'd be up in the dead of night, watching lectures, taking notes. Even then, I knew he wasn't one of us." Carol leaned forward, reaching for the cigarette by his hand, intending to light it up. But Nathan quickly stopped her, "That's a cheap brand, too harsh. Next tI'll get something better." Carol put it down, sensing Nathan's eagerness to please. She wasn't impressed by Nathan's looks or his background, but she had to admit, for an ordinary guy, Nathan had his merits.
But he was no saint; that much was clear, or he wouldn't be entertaining thoughts about her.
She leaned back slowly, listening as he continued.
"In his presence, I was nothing special. Girls have chased after me, et but after a day with me, they'd run straight to Felix. He's got this magnetism, always been a hit with the ladies. Even when he was broke, they lined up for him, not to mention the ones who wanted to be his sugar mama, practically queuing up." Carol snorted softly; she did admit that much. Felix's face was indeed a magnet, innocent when he feigned naivety, ruthless when he meant business - exactly what women fell for. sŵShe didn't want to hear more, grabbed the cupcake, and got out of the car. Nathan had no reason to keep her there; he just watched her walk away.
When Carol got home, Felix was already there. He had been coming hearly lately, despite claiming that he was swamped with the Miller Group business.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShe ignored him, placing the cupcake on the dining table, unpacking it, and digging in with a spoon.
Felix, sitting on the couch, looked up at her. Seeing her eat a no-nbrand cupcake, his brow furrowed.
He put his laptop aside, and cover, taking the spoon from her hand, "When did you start eating this stuff?" There was a bit of cupcake frosting left on the spoon, and he felt an urge to clean it off.
Carol ignored him, opening another spoon, and took two more bites. From the corner of her eye, she saw Felix scrape a bit of frosting off with the spoon she had used.
She used to be so picky about what she ate, only ever indulging in imported cream. Only when she pretended to be a waitress dating Felix had she touched the cheaper stuff.
Felix, as a man, hardly ever ate such sweets. Now, scraping sfrosting, he looked at Carol.
Carol met his gaze, asking, "Sweet?" It had been so long since she had smiled like that, he almost couldn't remember when. So he answered instinctively, "Yeah." Sweet indeed, since it was a gift from his buddy. She looked away and the next thing she knew, Felix's fingertips were on her chin, pulling her into a kiss. The taste of frosting melted in their mouths.