:


    Alicia was literally mid–transfer when Charles‘ text popped up.


    She stared at her phone. ‘Cash? Who uses cash anymore?


    Okay, okay. Dude’s old–school. Fine.‘ She thought.


    ‘He helped her out, so she’d y by his rules.‘


    She typed back fast: [OK. I’ll get cash. Where u at?]


    Charles: [Almost there. Don’t move.]


    Alicia: [Fine]


    $45


    55 vouchers


    So she waited on a bench outside. Sun was actually out for once–she tilted her face up, eyes closed, just soaking it in.


    Light hit her just right—making her already fair skin glow like fresh snow. No makeup, but damn if she didn’t look like some painting right now. All sharp cheekbones and soft light.


    Honestly, she looked like some rare flower that only grows on cliffs–pretty but untouchable.


    From the car, Charles couldn’t look away. Even Kevin was lowkey shook.


    ‘How does someone look both innocent and dangerous at the same time?‘ he thought.


    Then some random guy walked up, phone out. “Hey, can I get your number?”


    Alicia opened her eyes, blinking like she just woke up.


    “No.”


    A voice cut through from behind her. She looked up–Charles stood there, backlit by the sun like some manga protagonist.


    “Mr. Yates.” She smiled, standing up.


    “Get in the car.” He said.


    She nced at the ck sedan, nodded. “Alright.”


    And just like that, they left. The guy stood there, phone still in hand, looking confused.


    “Damn,” he mumbled as the car drove off. “They look like a power couple. I never stood a chance.”


    In the car, Alicia pointed toward a bank. “I can get cash there.”


    Charles didn’t even look. “I haven’t eaten.” <fnb9ad> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on fin?novel</fnb9ad>


    <b>15:40 </b>Wed<b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>1 </b>


    She blinked. ‘Wait. Is he… asking me to buy him food?‘


    45


    55 Vouchers


    She had some savings from her time with the Lawrences, but hospital bills already took most of it. ‘How fancy was this guy gonna want to cat?‘ She wondered.


    But how could she say no when the boss basically asked for a meal?


    So she said timidly, “There’s a pretty good ce nearby, Mr. Yates. Maybe we could eat there?”


    Charles nodded. “Sure.”


    Alicia let out a quiet sigh of relief. Sienna had taken her there before–it was cheap but tasty. Even if she ordered a bunch of dishes, she could afford it.


    Following her directions, Kevin pulled up in front of a small, modest restaurant.


    He nced at the ce and hesitated. “Sir, maybe we should pick somewhere else?”


    Charles looked at Alicia. “You like the food here?”


    “Love it,” she said eagerly. “It’s delicious, honestly! And clean too–good ingredients, just simple home–style dishes.”


    Then she added cautiously, “Do you… eat home–style food, Mr. Yates?”


    Charles almost smiled. Did she think he ate gold for every meal?


    “Yes. Let’s eat here.”


    Alicia led the way, still chatting nervously. “They have private rooms too, if you’d prefer that.”


    “I don’t mind sitting out here. Back in the military, I ate everywhere.”


    Right, Alicia remembered. He’d been in the army–he wasn’t some delicate prince.


    They settled at a corner table. Alicia proudly handed Charles the menu.


    He scanned it quickly and ordered four dishes.


    Alicia stared. He’d chosen all her favorites–it was like he read her mind.


    He passed the menu back. “You pick a couple too.”


    Without even looking, she added sweet grilled pork.


    itf.


    It was her go–order here every time with Sienna, who refused to eat it “Who wants sweet meat?!“–but Alicia loved it and wished everyone else did too.


    The food came out fast. The owner handed them each a bowl, chopsticks, and a spoon.


    Noticing there were no serving chopsticks, Kevin asked for an extra set. “That’ll be three cents,” the owner said


    15:40 Wed, Oct <b>1 </b>


    firmly.


    $<b>45 </b>


    Boysuchere


    Kevin didn’t argue. He just took the extra set and used the chopsticks and spoon as serving utensils.


    The three began eating–a bit formally at first, since they weren’t exactly close.


    Alicia kept sneaking nces at Charles, wondering if he was really okay eating in a ce like this.


    What she saw surprised her. She’d never known someone could eat so elegantly. No fancy moves, just naturally graceful–like he belonged in a fine–diningmercial, not a cramped little restaurant.


    Charles noticed her staring. He looked up, then used the serving chopsticks to ce a piece of fish on her te. “It’s boneless. Good vor.”


    “Thank you,” she said quickly, putting it in her mouth.


    ‘Okay, so he doesn’t hate it. Good.‘ She thought.


    Relieved, she rxed and ate more freely. She’d been stuck on those stomach–friendly meals from Noble Leaf for days–no matter how fancy, you get sick of anything after a while. This felt real. Satisfying.


    The sweet grilled pork camest. The owner reminded them, “Eat it while it’s hot!”


    Alicia nodded eagerly, picked up a piece with her chopsticks, and held it out toward Charles without thinking. “You have to try this! Sweet meat is actually amazing-”


    Then she froze. This wasn’t Sienna. This was Charles Yates.


    She just didn’t realize that.


    Her face flushed. She started to pull back, nning to just eat it herself. But before she could, Charles leaned forward–and took the bite right from her chopsticks.


    田