Lisa gave Maxine such a hearty pat that she staggered.

    Maxine couldn’t help but cough.

    Lisa couldn’t help butugh as she reached out to steady Maxine. “Sorry, I got a bit carried away.”

    Maxine couldn’t help butugh out loud.

    After chatting for a while, Lisa let out a soft yawn. “Don’t overthink it,” she said, “Vivian practically treats you like her own daughter.

    With that, she got up from the bed and winked yfully at Maxine. “Alright, I’m off to bed. Just let me know if you need anything.”

    Maxine smiled as she watched Lisa leave the room.

    Maxine thought, ‘How lucky I am to have met Lisa and Vivian, who stood by me when I was at my lowest point.

    She settled into bed peacefully. Before long, Vivian carefully opened the door and peeked in, whispering, “Max, are you still awake?b” /b

    Maxine sat up, opening her eyes. “Not yet. What’s going on?”

    Vivian walked over to the bedside and said, “I want to have a little chat with you.”

    Before she could say anything more, Maxine cut her off. “Is this about Sebastian?”

    Vivian looked surprised. “Wait, how did you know?” Then it dawned on her. “Did Lisa juste by?”

    Maxine nodded readily. “Yep, we already talked.”

    Vivian paused for a moment, then couldn’t help but chuckle. With a fond smile, she said, “Oh, that kid…”

    Vivian looked up and said, “Max, you’re smart enough to know what I’m getting at, right?”

    Maxine rubbed her temples with a weary sigh. “I know,” she said, a wry smile, equal parts amusement and exasperation, crossing her face. “bI’m /bba /bbgrown /bwoman. I know what I’m doing.”

    Vivian pouted, leaned in to Maxine, and whispered, “Your ex may look all decent and innocent, but he’s actually incredibly scheming. He deliberately brought the kid over tonight, he’s banking on you softening up so he can move in for good.”

    Vivian shrugged, her voice tinged with exasperation. “See? Now he’s officially moved in. Today he brings the kid and stays in bthe /bguest room, and bnext /bthing you know, he’ll end up in your bed.”

    “Vivian,” Maxine said with a sigh, b‘/bCome on, bit’s /bnot that dramatic.”

    Maxine reached out and patted the space beside her. “Come on, sit with me and get some rest. Don’t you have to bgo /bto the office tomorrow?”

    Vivian settled into bed and asked, “How did you know?”

    Maxine alsoy down and closed her eyes. Sleepily, she murmured, “bI /bhappened to catch your phone call earlierb…/bb” /b

    By the time Vivian turned to say something more, Maxine was already fast asleep.

    The next morning, after freshening up, Maxine opened her door and went downstairs. As soon as she set bfoot /bbion /i/bbthe /bbstairs/bb, /bbthe /bbaroma /bbof breakfast /bgreeted her. When she reached the bottom, Sebastian smiled at her and said, “You’re awake? I had bsomeone /bbprepare /bbbreakfast /bbfor /bbyou/bb./bb” /b

    As he spoke, Sebastian arranged the tableware bfor /bMaxine and served her breakfast. “Eat before you get busyb,/bb” /bbhe /bsaid bgently/bb, /bb“/bbSkipping /bbmeals /bbisn’t /bgood for your stomach.”

    b14:45 /bbMon/bb, /bb7 /bbJul /b–

    Vivian sat on the other side of the dining room, eating bread and drinking milk. She retorted sarcasticallyb, /bb“/bSeriouslyb? /bbYou had /bbsomeone /bdeliver simi simple breakfast? My suitors used to cook for me themselves!”

    Sebastian pretended not to hear her sharp tone and smiled sheepishly. “I’m still not very good at this. Once I learn to cook bproperly/bb, /bbI’ll /bmake meals Maxine myself.”

    Maxine looked at the nutritious meal on the table. “No need,” she said, “Chances are you won’t get to use those skills anywayb./bb” /b

    A

    .

    Comment