Chapter 44
Alice was a bit taken aback. He said her hands weren’t for cooking. She’d expected him to be pleased.
Jack stood calmly, his tone even “And you don’t need to do this to win my favor.”
Alice felt a tightness in her chest; she had just instinctively wanted to do something But Jack seemed to see right through her.
Alice touched a strand of hair behind her ear. “Well, okay then.”
The housekeeper will be here soon
Alice didn’t press the issue. She stole another glance at Jack. He seemed so capable. Just like the person she’d had a crush on in her past life. That person had always tried to show her how poorly her brothers treated her, but she refused to believe it, leading to her tragic end. Jack’s way of speaking reminded her so much of him!
As she pondered this, she began to doubt whether Jack was indeed the person from her past life. She was caught in a dilemma. If only she could meet that person again in this life, she would surely recognize him.
The housekeeper arrived shortly, swiftly preparing a meal. Alice noticed the dishes were all her favorites: Barbecued Ribs, Fried Chicken. Just looking at it made her mouth water. She focused intently on her meal
Jack watched her. “Can’t you get these kind of food at your family’s house?”
Alice paused with her chopsticks. “Chloe had a delicate stomach and couldn’t eat spicy food, so meals were always bland. So, she hardly ever got to eat what she loved at home.
Jack felt a lump in his throat, as if his heart was stuffed with cotton, making it hard to breathe. Here she was, a rich girl, yet living worse than an ordinary girl. He should have come sooner.
Alice ate until her stomach was full, wiping her mouth and glancing at Jack. He was eating elegantly, his movements geful. She was momentarily stunned, thinking about how she had just devoured her food. The contrast was striking. She was amazed that someone could eat so beautifully..
Jack calmly lowered his chopsticks. “Have you seen enough?”
Alice quickly averted her gaze, muttering, “How would you know I was looking at you if you weren’t looking at
me?”
After dinner, Alice went to the study to review. Jack sat in the living room, then went to the balcony to make a call. Leaning on the railing, he said, “Find out who confessed to Alice this afternoon.”
“Dude, someone confessed to the little girl! That’s good news.”
Jack’s tone was cold. “It’s from the private high school next door; I heard he’s the campus heartthrob transferred. from Washington.”
“Oh, it’s him. I already know who it is without checking. Garrett, my uncle’s son. He got into trouble back in Washington and had to transfer to New York.”
Jack’s brow furrowed. “Warn his family to stay away from Alice.”
“You’re being overprotective. Everyone does silly things when they’re young. Plus, she’s going to college soon. She’ll date other guys.”
“Shut up, she can’t be distracted right now.”
19:12
10.15
Chapter 41
Jack looked towards the study. Alice was quietly working on her homework.
Andrew continued to press,“Alright, I’ll mention it to my uncle later, but Jack, aren’t you being a bit too nosy? What if she likes Garrett? He’s got that charming playboy look and knows how to woo girls. Maybe Alice’s
interested.”
Jack’s tone was sharp.“If your IQ matched your nonsense, your mom would be at ease.”
“Dude, I just said a couple of things, and you’re already mad? Just a reminder, you’re a man with a fiancee, don’t forget who you met at the restaurant yesterday.”
“Mind your own business.”
Jack hung up, then walked into the study. He glanced at her papers. “You’re going too slow. Don’t you know this?”
I’m trying my best.”
Alice felt a stomach ache and was easily distracted. Maybe it was because of the spicy food.
Jack noticed her pale face and listless demeanor. He touched her forehead; she wasn’t feverish. “What’s wrong?”
She felt the coolness of his hand. “Stomach ache. Probably from the spicy food.” She hadn’t eaten like that in a long time, so her stomach probably couldn’t handle it.
Jack retrieved some digestive tablets and a glass of water. Alice took the medicine. He took away her pen.“Stop studying. Take a break today.”
Alice indeed felt a bit unwell; she suspected her period had started. Just as she stood up, she felt something flow out. Alice’s expression stiffened; she knew this would happen. She rushed to the bathroom and saw the bright red stain–her period had indeed arrived. What to do? It suddenly hit her that she was at the apartment, not at the Welch household. She hadn’t bought any sanitary pads. She’d planned to buy some on her way home, but first. there was Garrett’s confession, then Luke’s intervention…In the end, she completely forgot about it.
Jack waited outside, knocking after a while. “Did you fall in?”
Alice hesitated. “Can you get me something?”
“Sure, come out first.”
Alice was embarrassed. “I can’t right now.”
Jack’s brow furrowed.“What’s wrong? Tell me!”
“I got my period.” Alice blushed. Growing up, she had only her brothers around, and they were all male, so they didn’t know much about girls‘ issues. When she first got her period, it was the maid who helped her.
Jack paused.“Your…period?”
“Yes.” Her voice was soft and hesitant.
Jack breathed a sigh of relief.“I’ll get it. Wait here.”
Alice sat on the toilet, feeling strangely calm.
Jack went to the nearest convenience store. He stood before the shelf of sanitary pads, deep in thought.
The cashier, a young woman, lit up seeing such a handsome man. But when she saw him staring at the pads, she felt a pang of sympathy—he was buying them for his girlfriend.
She approached.“Sir, for your girlfriend? Day or night–time? We have liquid sanitary pads that are great for summer, just a bit pricey.”
Jack pointed “All of them.”
“All of them?”
The man nodded coolly.“Yes.
“She won’t use all of that in a month. You could buy one of each type and see which one your girlfriend prefers.”
Jack said flatly, “Okay.”
The cashier quickly packed the pads. “Does your girlfriend need brown sugar water?
Jack paused. “Yes”
The cashier added a pack of brown sugar water and chocolate, secretly envying the girl. How did she find someone so handsome and caring?
As Jack walked back, another man popped up beside him.“Jack, why did you buy so much?”
Andrew’s eyes widened.“If I’m not mistaken, those are sanitary pads? Jack, you have this hobby now?”
Jack had never been this thoughtful before. This wasn’t good. He and that girl are destined for no good end.
