Chapter 187 – His Second Chance Love: The Freezing Silence

I pressed my lips and asked, “What do you want for your birthday?”

“Anything!”

“Like a shirt? A necktie? Or a belt?” I ran out of ideas.

He looked at me and said in a serious tone, “No. I want you for my birthday.”

I scoffed, “Over my dead body.”

Hearing that, he was at a loss for words.

“Don’t buy things for me. Make me something special that I can appreciate.”

I did not know how to react to that. Are we still living in ancient times? Does he expect me to sew him a pouch?

It was already 11 p.m. by the time I returned to the villa. Anthony was still not back yet, and Mrs. Eriksen seemed to be sewing something in the living hall.

Upon noticing me standing by the door, she put aside her sewing kit and smiled at me. “Welcome home.”

I nodded gently and went to get myself a cup of water. Yet, there was only cold water in the dispenser.

Mrs. Eriksen said, “I may have damaged the water dispenser when I was mopping the floor earlier, and it’s too late to get someone to come and repair the device at this hour. Should I boil you some water?”

I shook my head. She then started packing her things and was ready to return to the rear house. She must have stayed up late to wait for me to come home. “You can go and rest now. I’ll go to bed soon.”

She pointed at the water dispenser. “But…”

“I’m not thirsty. You can go now!” I frowned involuntarily as I did not want to talk to anyone at this point.

My reaction left her stunned for a bit. She then kept quiet and left the living hall.

I seemed to have lost my patience with people.

After Mrs. Eriksen had left, I sat on the couch in the living room for a while. Glancing up at the wall mindlessly, I noticed the clock had already struck twelve.

Why is Anthony not back yet? Does he plan to stay overnight at the White’s residence?

I went to the kitchen and boiled some water for drinking. In the meantime, I took out my phone to check if I had missed any messages.

After realizing there were no updates on the notification tab, I let out a long sigh. I then lifted the kettle’s lid to check if the water was boiling but was unfortunately scalded by the steam.

It hurt so badly that I immediately retracted my hand. After staring at the kettle for some time, I took out my phone once again.

Just when I was hesitating if I should give him a call, I heard someone entering the house.

Is he back?

I bit my lips, brought the kettle to the living hall, and poured two glasses of water.

The moment Anthony came in, I could see water droplets resting on his coat. Perhaps it was raining outside.

After hanging his coat by the door, he realized I was sitting in the living hall. He frowned and came up to me. “Couldn’t sleep?”

I nodded and looked at him in the eyes. “How’s Benjamin?”

A line formed between his brows as he was surprised that I asked. “Marcus told you?”

I shook my head. “I knew Benjamin has not been in the pink for quite some.”

He nodded gently and stood in front of me. “Are you worried that I might not come home today?”

I shook my head. After that, I reached for a glass of water as my throat felt dry. Thanks to my clumsy self, I accidentally spilled some water on my thighs.

It was so hot that I winced.

Just then, Anthony walked up, carried me in his arms, and brought me to the washroom.

After turning on the cold shower to relieve my pain, he looked at me with a frown. “Did you drink?”

I nodded after a short pause.

The moment he tried reaching for his phone, I knew he was going to trouble Jared again. I snatched his phone and said, “It’s late now. Let’s not disturb him anymore.”

After seeing the red patch on my thighs, he looked up at me with a scowl. “Did you do this on purpose?”

I simply admitted, “Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I need your help.” I was still waiting for him to help me with OrbitTech, though.

He responded with a smirk, carried me to the bedroom upstairs, and stripped off my wet clothes.

After helping me change into my pajamas, he applied some ointment on my thighs. It hurt a little, but the pain was still bearable.

It seemed he had intentionally avoided my question earlier. I lowered my eyes and tapped on his hand. “I feel better now. Thanks.”

As soon as I said that, Anthony knitted his brows. “I’m only halfway done.”

I pressed my lips and was at a loss for words.

While I was still thinking of a way to respond to that remark, he threw out this question all of a sudden, “What are you going to do if I decide not to come home today?”

“I’d probably have to scald my whole body and call you.” This idea did cross my mind. I knew he would not ignore me.

He tightened his grip on my thigh, causing me to gasp in pain.

“Does it hurt?” he sneered. “Have you thought of turning yourself into a cripple?”

I kept mum, but I still gently ran my fingers all over his arm while he continued applying the ointment on my thighs.

“What are you doing?” He furrowed his eyebrows and looked at me.

I bit my lips. “Seducing you.”

He let out a mirthless laugh, put away the ointment, and squinted. “You’re doing this for that project?”

And again, I chose to remain silent. I got up, wrapped my hands around his shoulders, and pressed my lips against his.

He, too, wrapped his hands around my waist and said in a husky voice, “How much did you drink?”

---