CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: WANT TO COAX ME INTO MAKING YOU BREAKFAST EVERY DAY?

The first time he embraced me, it felt so tense yet warm. It turns out that a lover’s arms can indeed dispel worries, soothe the soul, and give an illusion of reliance.

His chest was warm and solid, and his scent was pleasant. Although unfamiliar, it brought a sense of peace.

Victoria Sinclair stiffened and didn’t dare move, unsure if it was Eugene Vaughn’s heartbeat or her own, pounding like a thunderous drum, resonating strongly, audibly chaotic.

Eugene gently stroked her back with one hand and touched the back of her head with the other, his breath hot against her head. His tone was light and deep, "You can help your brother in a different way, but giving money directly might hurt his pride."

Victoria’s voice was stuck in her throat, unable to come out. She unexpectedly longed for his warm embrace and nodded in his arms.

The pulse at her fingertips throbbed wildly, wanting to lift her hands to wrap around his waist, hesitant yet afraid to act.

Eugene slowly lowered his head, his nose resting on the top of Victoria’s head, greedily inhaling the fragrance of her floral-scented hair.

After a long while, his Adam’s apple moved, his voice hoarse and deep, "It’s late; let’s go home."

After speaking, he showed no intention of releasing her.

This situation left Victoria a bit flustered. She hurriedly pushed him away, stepped back two steps, her flushed face burning with redness. She was too embarrassed to look up, swallowed, and replied, "Okay."

Eugene stared at her flushed cheeks for a moment, let out a light breath, and turned to go downstairs.

Victoria followed behind him.

On the way back, Victoria sank into melancholy, looking out at the scenery in silence.

The journey was quiet all the way.

Returning home, Victoria went in first, changed her shoes, and dragged her weary body into her room, closing the door behind her.

Eugene locked the front door, put her changed shoes into the shoe cabinet, changed into slippers, placed the car keys down, entered the kitchen, washed his hands, and poured a glass of cold milk from the fridge to heat in water.

A few minutes later, he carried the warm milk and knocked on Victoria’s door.

Victoria opened the door, her clear eyes somewhat vacant, her cheeks haggard, wrapped in sadness.

Eugene handed her the milk, "Drink it, don’t overthink, go to bed early."

Victoria accepted, holding the warm cup with both hands, "Thank you."

Eugene didn’t leave, quietly watching her.

Victoria felt a bit awkward, unsure whether to close the door or drink the milk.

After hesitating for a moment, she drank the whole milk in one go in front of Eugene.

Eugene reached out to her.

She handed the cup back to him.

Eugene noticed the milk stain on her lip, "Wash your face before sleeping."

With those words, he took the cup and walked towards the kitchen.

Victoria watched his back, feeling a soft, inexplicable ache deep within her heart.

He was originally a gentle and attentive man, elegant and gentlemanly.

Tonight, he gave her the dignity she deserved and respected her family.

He just didn’t love her, not doing anything wrong.

Victoria closed her door in melancholy, not lingering on Eugene’s care any longer, for it was merely pity, not love.

——

The next morning, Victoria woke up naturally.

While washing up, she noticed her eyes were a bit puffy, so she rinsed them with cold water for a while.

After freshening up, she changed out of her pajamas.

The weather was a bit hot today. She wore a thin white cotton T-shirt with an off-white floral skirt that reached below the knee, her long hair tied into a bun, carrying a bag as she left.

There were some sounds in the kitchen.

Victoria placed her bag on the sofa and turned to look at the clock.

It was just eight o’clock. Eugene was up so early?

Victoria walked to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Eugene wore casual pajamas and a slightly tight apron, his broad and tall back busy in the kitchen.

Even though he went to bed late last night, how did he wake up so early?

Victoria didn’t greet him and slowly left the kitchen, heading to the balcony laundry room, only to find the clothes already drying.

The potted cereus in the corner had also been watered.

Victoria realized Eugene must’ve noticed her caring for the cereus she had tended for two years and guessed she liked the flower.

Victoria let out a light breath and returned to the living room.

Eugene came out with two bowls of noodles, paused slightly upon seeing Victoria, his gaze fixing on her for several seconds before clearing his throat, "Why not sleep a bit more?"

Victoria usually woke up at six, but today she slept until eight, "I’ve slept enough."

Eugene placed down the bowls and chopsticks, took off his apron, went into the kitchen again, washed his hands, and came out, pulling a chair to sit down, softly saying, "Come, have breakfast."

Victoria walked over and sat across from him.

Usually, she woke up early to make breakfast, and they ate separately.

But today, it was rare for Eugene to get up early to cook breakfast and sit down to eat with her.

Eugene picked up his chopsticks, gently picking up the noodles to cool them, "My cooking isn’t as good as yours; manage with it."

Victoria commended him, "It looks enticing; it should be delicious."

Eugene chuckled lightly without replying.

Victoria lowered her head, picked up a vegetable and tasted it cautiously.

"It’s delicious." Victoria swallowed the vegetable, looking at him with a radiant smile, her tone soft and airy, like the morning breeze, captivating, "It seems there’s nothing you can’t do; if you set your mind to it, you excel."

Eugene’s lips curled as he raised his eyes to her, "Are you talking about yourself?"

His eyes were enchanting, deep, and intense, making it difficult to maintain composure when looking closely at him; easy to lose focus, Victoria shyly lowered her head, pretending to remain composed, eating the noodles, her heart fluttering.

Victoria harbored a blush, softly replying, "It’s really delicious, truly."

Eugene asked, "Trying to make me get up early every day to cook you breakfast?"

"No." Victoria nervously raised her eyes again, meeting his warm gaze, noticing a hint of teasing in his unfathomable eyes.

"It’s not impossible," Eugene slowly put down the chopsticks, "You..."

Victoria hurriedly interrupted, not knowing what he intended to say, "Seriously, you don’t have to."

Eugene paused for a few seconds, his voice slightly deep, "Burning midnight oil for studies, enough sleep?"

Victoria’s lips tinged with bitterness, looking down at the noodles in the bowl, her voice tender yet resilient, "Weren’t we accustomed to burning midnight oil when studying in the past? We’ll get used to it."

Eugene looked at her for a while, didn’t respond, and picked up the chopsticks to continue eating.

Victoria ate her noodles quietly as well.

The atmosphere was calm; devoid of awkward distances, imbued with a touch of warmth.

Eugene finished quickly, setting down his chopsticks, grabbed a tissue to wipe his mouth, sitting upright, watching her eat.

Victoria was tense initially, feeling even more constrained being watched, so she couldn’t help but look up at him to break the silence, "There’s something I’ve always wanted to ask."

Eugene, relaxed and composed, "Go ahead."

Victoria curiously asked, "The commute from home to your company takes at least one and a half hours each way. You spend three hours on the road daily; have you considered moving closer to your company?"