It wasn’t until the next twenty minutes that the couple’s argument finally died down. Seeing that the man wouldn’t back down no matter what she said, Annie left him alone before she completely lost her cool.
But before she entered the kitchen, she spoke out loud in an impassive tone. “Suite yourself, Mr. Lim. Don’t expect any special treatment from me. I might as well act as if you’re not here.”
Assistant Jiang was finally able to drag the luggage inside. With sweat pouring down his face, the assistant looked like a weak lamb that had traveled a thousand miles.
What next? Where should he drop off the luggage?
The assistant stood in the middle of the room, feeling lost. He looked towards his Boss for help. However, the man’s eyes were fixed in the kitchen’s direction even though he could no longer see the girl.
Assistant Jiang took some seconds to survey his Boss’s expression. Somehow, his anger was gone and he had an almost evil look on his face.
If the assistant wasn’t mistaken, his boss seemed to be basking in the fact that he had finally conquered Mrs. Lim. Was that all then?
Assistant Jiang had a feeling that there was more battle to come. Just now, Mrs. Lim looked a bit irritated. And with her last promise, wasn’t his Boss in trouble?
“Why are you standing there? Take them inside.”
Following his Boss’s command, Assistant Jiang continued walking, heading to where he made out to be the way that led to the bedroom. Annie came out of the kitchen at that moment and they almost bumped into each other.
She gave the assistant a blank look, making the guy cower a bit. She wouldn’t stop him from proceeding to the room, right? After all, this was Mrs. Lim’s apartment, even though his Boss was now acting as if he owned the building.
“Could you take them to the guest room?” Annie pointed at the nearby door not far from the living room. Her terse words were enough to make Assistant Jiang cringe. Mrs. Lim had on a far-off look as she walked past him.
The girl looked a bit disoriented as if battling with some feelings. Assistant Jiang entered the guest room and he couldn’t help but marvel at the sight in front of him.
He felt pity for his boss, especially when he saw the small bed. If his boss wasn’t in need of Mrs. Lim, he wouldn’t be suffering this way.
Yet, Assistant Jiang had himself to pity the most. He hadn’t eaten and his stomach was grumbling nonstop.
He came out and saw his Boss making himself more than comfortable. The man had picked up the remote and was flipping through the channels. Assistant Jiang found a couch in a corner and sat on it.
Perceiving the delightful aroma coming from the kitchen, he decided to linger for a while. Mrs. Lim must be cooking something delicious.
Some minutes passed by and the assistant went to the fridge and took two bottles of water out. He offered one to his Boss but the man ignored him.
While drinking the water, the assistant’s ears perked up when sounds came from the tiny dining table. He looked in that direction and saw her setting the table.
Without waiting to be invited, Assistant Jiang hurried up and helped her arrange the plates. Mrs. Lim had only brought out a plate, and the assistant took it upon himself to get two more plates from the kitchen.
“Your hands might get scarred, Mrs. Lim. Let me help you serve the food.”
Annie didn’t turn down the assistant’s offer. She would glance at the man sitting in the living room now and then. She still looked disoriented.
Afraid that she might hurt her hands, she gave the spatula to the assistant and offered him a gentle smile. “Thank you, Assistant Jiang.”
“Ah, it’s nothing. It’s my pleasure, Mrs. Lim.” Assistant Jiang served the food. He even cleaned the utensils twice with a tissue before handing them to her.
The assistant’s gentle actions intrigued Annie. The girl would feel guilty if she didn’t invite him to eat. Therefore, even though the food was not much, she let him serve himself.
“Eh? Isn’t Mr. Lim joining us?” Assistant Jiang was halfway to finishing his food when he finally remembered his Boss.
“Mr. Lim can fend for himself. I didn’t cook with his name.” Annie’s response was brutal, making the assistant halt.
Hesitantly, the assistant glanced in the direction of his Boss. Obviously, the man had heard what she said.
His Boss’s expression seemed to be changing and the assistant no longer had the desire to eat.
“Why did you stop eating?” Annie asked softly. “Did you not find the food to your liking?”
It wasn’t that the assistant didn’t find the food to his liking. How could he eat willfully while his Boss watched with an empty stomach? Somehow, the assistant was feeling guilty. He quietly bid
Her good night and left the remaining food with a heavy heart.
The man sitting on the couch didn’t move even when the assistant bid him good night. While Annie went back to eating her food as if there was no one in the apartment with her.
After some minutes, she sensed him standing up.
Andrew rolled up his sleeves and walked to the fridge. Annie watched as he brought some junk food out of the fridge and started eating.
In that second, her expression changed. She watched silently as the man sat on the couch and ate slowly.
Suddenly, she was forced back to three years ago. They didn’t have any argument that night. But because she couldn’t eat, the man also refused to eat anything.
That night, three years ago, Annie had woken up with a terrible ache in her stomach. She couldn’t swallow down any normal food without throwing up.
She later settled with sliced bread and jam, and he also ate the same thing. The way he was doing now.