Chapter 213
As they walked out, a woman’s voice rang out behind them, scolding a boy “Remember, when you start dating, never let a girl carry the gracenes or pay for them. Got it? Here–take these.”
The boy grumbled, “What if she’s the one in charge of the money? Like, married couples sometimes…”
“That’s different, but you still shouldn’t make her carry bags. Got it?”
“Okay, okay, I get it,” he muttered.
Aria and Owen both heard every word.
By then, they were already at the entrance, so neither of them bothered to explain their situation.
Once home, Owen took the heavier bag from Aria. “If you’re not in a rush, you can wait in the living room–you don’t need to go back.”
“Sure,” she agreed. Running back and forth really was a hassle. “I’ll help out in the kitchen.”
But that plan fell apart–Owen wouldn’t let her near the stove. “It’s a family tradition: if a girl steps into the kitchen, the guy’s doomed to die alone.”
Aria stared at him. “You actually believe that?”
He shrugged. “Yep.”
She rolled her eyes, but when Owen handed her the apron and asked, “Could you tie this for me?” she agreed.
He slipped the apron over his head but didn’t turn around. “You’re not going to turn around?” she asked.
“Oh, right.” He spun around, sighing inwardly. Did she really not see him that way at all?
She tied the strings behind his back, neat and secure. “Done.”
“Thanks. Cooking gets messy, so I’m shutting the door,” Owen said.
“Okay.”
As she turned away, Aria blinked.
Owen lived alone–he could tie his own apron, couldn’t he? Maybe he just asked because she happened to be there.
That suspicion lingered for a moment, then faded.
She waited in the living room, and that was when Anabel arrived.
Aria explained at once, “I’m not Owen’s girlfriend–I’m just his neighbor, here for dinner.”
“Oh?” Anabel glanced at the two doors in the hallway. “So you live across the hall?”
“Yeah. Come on in.”
Anabel stepped inside, spotted Owen in the kitchen, then slid onto the couch next to Aria, grinning wider by the second. “Do you remember me?” she asked, leaning in.
Aria nodded. “Sure do. You’re the kid I splashed with ink.”
Anabel gave an embarrassed smile and, after a beat, said sincerely, “I’m sorry. I got caught up in all those rumors online. I thought you’d scammed a ton of people. I was wrong.”
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Chapter 213
Aria replied calmly, “Well, in the end you were the one who got inked. You don’t need to apologize just learn from it, okay? Don’t rush to judge people from the moral high ground, especially if you’re only hearing one sido.”
Anabel nodded earnestly, holding up three fingers. “I promise, never again.”
Elsewhere in the apartment, Hannah caught a new message, dashed into the bathroom, and grabbed Liam just as he stepped out.
“Liam, I found news about Mono!” she said, excitement lighting up her face.
His eyes widened. “Really?”
She nodded. “The International Art Competition organized by the Dluoland Association just wrapped up. Morio was both the final judge and the regional judge for Huthailia, and he’s coming to the Art Union next week to help evaluate pieces.
“I also found out Mono’s remaining originals are all with his apprentice. If we can buy one–maybe even two!-we’ll be able to impress the selection committee and, if we gift one to Benjamin, lock down the partnership.
“Mono’s apprentice must be talented too, so if we can’t get Mono’s original, his student’s work might be the next best thing.”
