Chapter 24
She quickly arranged the remaining appliances, then sat down next to Theodora with a smile after dragging a chair that had just been unpacked. With Alyssa’s help, the speed of unpacking finally increased, and soon the last item was also unpacked. She stretched lazily, bent her eyes towards him, and smiled, “Theodora, thank you. If it weren’t for you, today definitely wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.”
She thanked him very formally, but did not seem distant at all. Theodora pretended to be calm, but her ears had already turned red quietly.
The bright red tips of the ears stood out on the already fair skin, Alyssa took a clear look at them at a glance, she was a little puzzled, and subconsciously asked, “Are you feeling hot? Do you want to open the window for some fresh air?”
She thought Theodora was just too tired, but when she saw his ears turn even redder after hearing her words, she suddenly realized. Alyssa’s heart pounded, the sound of it like thunder in her ears. Just as he started to walk towards her, she snapped back to reality, hurriedly running to the kitchen and awkwardly saying, “Um, are you hungry? I bought a lot of ingredients at the supermarket today. I remember you mentioned liking steak before, so today I’ll show off my skills for you!”
Seeing that she was avoiding the topic, Theodora felt a little disappointed, but she didn’t press on. She just continued following Alyssa’s lead.
“Well, after being busy for so long, I am indeed a bit hungry. Shall I help you with the cooking?”
Alyssa did not refuse his approach either, but when they were together in the same room, she was a bit flustered. She had been cooking for herself since she was young, and by now she should have been extremely skilled at it. However, for some reason, today she was particularly clumsy when handling the ingredients, almost injuring herself several times.
In the end, Theodora reached out and took the ingredients in her hand, smiling helplessly.
“I’ll do it.”
After three rounds of meals, he was pushed out of the kitchen by Alyssa. Looking at her determined expression, he raised his hands in a surrendering gesture and took a step back out of the kitchen.
The kitchen was finally left with only Alyssa. Her dishwashing movements became more natural, the only downside being that Theodora was still standing at the kitchen door, as if she wouldn’t leave until Alyssa finished cleaning up.
When everything was ready, Theodora was also prepared to go home. Alyssa took out the gift she had bought long ago and put it in his hands. Before he could refuse, she spoke first, “This is for your parents. They have helped me a lot during this time. According to our customs, you cannot refuse this gift.”
He shrugged, indeed did not refuse again, just when he walked out of the apartment, he suddenly turned back and looked at Alyssa.
“Alyssa, I know you don’t have those plans now, but you don’t have to be so awkward. Alyssa, I like you and that’s my business. We can just be friends until you’re ready.”
Theodora looked serious, with no hint of joking in her tone, but she paused and when she spoke again, there was a hint of nervousness in her eyes, “However, if you are ready to start over that day, can you tell me first, consider me first?”
Alyssa knew that some people are more straightforward in expressing love, but Theodora’s words still made her pause. Theodora’s understanding from childhood to adulthood has always been that if you like someone, you should say it. However, because Alyssa, the first person he fell in love with, is more reserved, he suppressed his feelings. But when he saw her avoiding him today, he suddenly realized that if things continued like this, he might have to wait for a very long time.
Just… Theodora herself was not confident in this unprepared confession.
Fortunately, just when he was feeling anxious, Alyssa suddenly smiled and said, “Okay.”
With their eyes meeting, the sound of their heartbeats echoing each other, not far from them, the mobile phone screen placed on the sofa suddenly lit up. With a ding, the “living expenses” for the new month had been deposited. Following closely was a text message from an unknown number, but from the part visible in the preview, it was easy to see who the sender was.
“Alyssa, I’m sorry. I dare not ask for your forgiveness, but… I wish you happiness.”
