CHAPTER 865: CHAPTER 865: PICKING A LITTLE FIGHT

She watched it alone but it was still invigorating to see it after a series of busy days.

Ferdinand’s work seems to have taken much longer since he arrived an hour past sunset.

"I’m sorry. Did you wait for long?" Ferdinand inquired.

"I didn’t," Arabella lied. She did wait for more than an hour but it was fine since they did not agree on a specific timeframe.

Further, she was reading a book so it did not feel too long either.

[A book?]

Ferdinand noticed the book she settled on the side.

[She had read more than half!]

"I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you wait for long," Ferdinand kissed the back of her hand.

Arabella smiled and said, "It’s alright. I just wanted to be here early since I’ve been holed up in my study."

But instead of stopping him from feeling bad, Ferdinand felt even more guilty.

[She must have been working hard while I was gone. I must work harder so she can have some free time.]

"Have you been eating your meals on time and rested when you can? You look like you haven’t been sleeping well," Ferdinand said and Arabella could not help but blink twice as she processed his words.

’Huh?! Is my make up lacking?! Did I not touch up enough?’

Arabella suddenly became conscious and touched her face. She thought she had managed to hide it with the makeup her maids did for her.

She could already imagine her maids looking at each other thinking they had failed if they heard this.

After all, Arabella had dolled herself up with the help of her maids and he did not even notice.

"I’m fine, Ferdinand. I ate on time when I could and slept enough. But more importantly, do I look so bad that it’s the first thing you notice? Does this dress not suit me?" Arabella pouted.

Upon her questions, Ferdinand was wide-eyed and finally eyed her from head to foot then stared at her face.

[Right! Why didn’t I compliment her first?! Raymond and the others already warned me that I should compliment her first about things like this.]

"The dress suits you very well. And you look gorgeous as ever," Ferdinand finally said.

Arabella kept pouting though and folded her arms instead since he heard his thoughts.

He was coached to praise her first in times like this. But does he even mean his words?

"You don’t seem so sure about that. Am I getting ugly? You noticed me not looking my best first," Arabella pointed out.

This wasn’t how things were supposed to play out. They were supposed to be on a sweet dinner date. But somehow, she wanted to pick a little fight with him right now.

"Not at all! The word ugly will never suit you. And you look as beautiful as ever. No, you are much prettier today," Ferdinand quickly said.

"Humph. Flattery won’t work on me," Arabella turned around and faced the scenery.

[She’s angry? Is she frustrated that I made her wait for long? Is that why she’s all pouty today? She looks even more adorable with pouty lips though.]

’Geez. He finds the most random things about me adorable but he did not even notice at first that I tried to look pretty for him.’

She heard Ferdinand take a step forward and the next second, he tenderly enveloped her in his arms from behind.

"My Arabella," Ferdinand said her name as he held her a bit tighter.

Arabella involuntarily shivered. The way he said her name sent butterflies to her stomach.

’This is cheating! When did I become this weak to him?!’

Arabella was horrified and embarrassed that just him saying her name would give her butterflies much more than his compliments earlier ever did.

Not to mention she loved this kind of hug from Ferdinand.

Ferdinand lightly settled his chin on her shoulder and said, "Arabella, you know you are always lovely and attractive to me."

Another shiver.

Ferdinand took a whiff of her hair and whispered to her ear, "You smell good too. You know I always have to hold back my urges every time I see you, so you won’t think I’m nothing but a perverted man."

Arabella gulped.

His breath tickled her ear. And his lips were almost touching her earlobe.

"Did Raymond and the others also teach you to do this when I’m not in the best mood?" Arabella inquired.

"Eh? No. Not at all. I just wanted to hold you," Ferdinand said innocently.

Arabella glanced at him and he was telling the truth.

Somehow, it made her feel better.

’Wait, does this mean he’s just a natural at this?!’

Arabella was rather impressed at how Ferdinand had improved to leaps and bounds. Yet, she was also somewhat worried about what she would become if Ferdinand becomes so good at sweet talking and seducing her.

"I missed you a lot," Ferdinand hugged her tighter.

She could feel his longing for her in this warm and tight embrace.

In his arms like this, who cares whether she looked pretty or not today. Especially when she could feel his sincerity.

She lost in the little fight she began and he did not even need to fight.

"Will you please forgive me? I will do my best not to be late next time," Ferdinand added.

’This is truly cheating,’ Arabella sighed but leaned back to his embrace.

"That’s not what I was hung up on but forgive you. I missed you too," Arabella turned around and hugged him back.

"Thank you!" Ferdinand smiled happily and gave her two pecks on the forehead.

They hugged each other silently for a few moments and ended up kissing.

Not seeing each other for a while made their kisses even more meaningful and intense even at the slightest touch.

However, Ferdinand was the one who broke away first since he noticed she had prepared a dinner date.

[I have to hold back for now. We have enough time later deeper into the night.]

Ferdinand gave one last peck at her lips and said, "Shall we eat first? I heard you ask Alfredo to prepare."

"Haha. Alright, let’s eat first," Arabella chuckled.

She knew she needed to fully energize so she could last on a night with Ferdinand.

Eating their meal first was important indeed.