Chapter 16: Hidden Feelings and Gentle Surprises–2


    “Sleep early. Good night.” Without waiting for my reply, he turned and ascended the stairs in


    haste.


    I didn’t notice his subtle turmoil. I lowered my head, sipping the tea slowly, my heart oddly warm and tranquil.


    The next morning, before the rm clock chimed, Connor appeared, knocking gently on my


    door.


    “Livvy, time to get up,” his deep voice called from the other <i>side</i>.


    I woke, fished my phone from under the pillow, and nced at the screen: 9:59 sharp. Such


    precise timing.


    After finishing my morning routine, I emerged to a breakfastid out on the table: a humble bowl of venison stew. The rich aroma filled the air, making my stomach growl appreciatively.


    Curious, I took a spoonful of broth. My eyes brightened instantly as the familiar vor hit my


    tongue.


    “Howe it tastes exactly like that restaurant near myw firm?” I asked, unable to hide my


    surprise.


    Across the table, Connor merely murmured a neutral “Mm.”


    I was puzzled. What did that mean? I sampled another bite–yes, it was unmistakably the same taste. The unique blend of herbs, the perfect tenderness of the meat–this wasn’t just


    simr, it was identical.


    I nced suspiciously at him. “Did you buy this from that tiny restaurant behind my firm?”


    A pause, then <i>Connor </i>admitted inly, “Yes.”


    “But… how <i>do </i><i>you </i><i>know </i>that shop?” It was more than ten kilometers from this hotel. Why


    would he go <i>so </i>far <i>for </i>venison stew?


    Seeing no point in hiding, Connor confessed quietly, “I… came to Harbor City to see you


    before.”


    I froze, shocked, my amber eyes widening. “C–came to Harbor City? When?”


    “In your first year here, the second year, and this year. I visited every year.” His voice was calm and matter–of–fact.


    < Chapter 16 Hidden Feelings…


    +25 Puntos


    My mind went nk as if blood had stopped flowing. Connor hade secretly, year after year, just to see me? No wonder the suite bore traces of frequent upation–he’d visited


    often.


    My heart thudded wildly with a realization I wasn’t ready to face. Had he been watching over me all this time? While I thought I was alone in Harbor City, had he been silently keeping tabs


    on me?


    Flustered, I hurriedly changed topic. “Thank you for the stew, Con. It’s really delicious.”


    He noticed my flushed ears, red as if bleeding, and a faint smile yed at his lips, but he didn’t expose my shyness. Instead, he changed the subject gently.


    “By the way, I know a skilled artifact restorer–Eliza Montgomery. She was once invited by the National Heritage Museum to repair ancient relics. Maybe she can fix your ceramic figurine.”


    “Really?” My head snapped up, eyes sparkling with hope.


    Connor nodded calmly. “When we return to Riverdale, I’ll take you to see her.”


    “Alright.” His words soothed my battered heart like a healing balm.


    Somehow, I simply trusted him–if he said the expert was capable, then my precious light blue ceramic figurine, shattered together with memories of my mother Sarah, just might be saved.


    I couldn’t quite exin why, but Connor’s gentle surprises had given me too many shocks in <i>one </i>morning. Suddenly, I wondered–what else did he hide from me?


    <b>2 </b>