Chapter 150
My cheeks felt hot, "Didn't we just see each other today?"
"It's not the same. Every second without seeing you is torture."
Me: "Focus on your work."
"I can't. I'm lovesick and have no motivation to work. I need a kiss from you."
Even without seeing Jason's expression, I could imagine his annoying smirk right now.
The corner of my mouth twitched, "Get lost!"
After shouting that, I hung up directly.
Thinking that I hadn't invited Lily over since moving to the new place, I sent her a message:
Sue: [Lily, come to my place for dinner tonight. I'll cook.]
Lily: [Sure!]
Perfect timing since I'd bought a lot of ingredients today.
As I came downstairs, I was already planning what dishes to make.
"Mom, I'm done with class."
When Jessica came downstairs, I was already in the kitchen prepping ingredients.
I had quite a few dishes to make today, so I needed to start early.
Seeing Jessica's teacher coming down too, I immediately said, "Teacher, please stay for dinner. We're having a gathering tonight, the more people the better."
The private tutor waved her hand, "Thanks for the offer, but I can't. I have another class."
"Oh, okay then."
The teacher had barely left when Lily arrived.
I was surprised, "So early?"
"The crew wrapped up early today, so I rushed right over."
Lily looked around and couldn't help giving a thumbs up, "Really nice! This house is huge!"
I nodded with a smile, "Lily, just sit and relax for a bit. I'll cook."
Lily called out, "Let me help you!"
I refused, "No need, just sit and wait for dinner!"
When Jason got home from work, he came straight to the kitchen to help.
He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong, lean forearms.
I glanced at him and had no problem ordering him around.
I have to say, although Jason's cooking skills were terrible, he was pretty good at helping out and we worked well together.
Basically, whatever I needed, as soon as I asked, he'd quickly hand it to me.
Dishes came out one by one, their aroma filling the entire kitchen.
"Take the dishes out first."
I directed Jason.
Jason nodded obediently and did as told.
But when he came back from the dining room, his expression looked unpleasant.
I looked at him in confusion, "What's wrong?"
Jason pressed his lips together, his tone unhappy, "Ryan and Richard are here too."
Hearing the resentment in his voice, I couldn't help but laugh, "So what if they're here? Why are you upset?"
Jason looked at me deeply, "It'll be noisy."
I didn't think it was a big deal, "More people makes dinner livelier. Since there are two more people, I'll just make two more dishes."
With that, I turned back to continue cooking.
When I finished all the dishes and came out of the kitchen, everyone was already seated.
My gaze fell on Lily, somewhat surprised.
Not for any other reason, but because the last time I saw Lily and Ryan, they were still flirting with each other.
How come sitting together now, there was this undeniable awkwardness?
Lily shook her head at me almost imperceptibly.
Although I didn't know what happened, I didn't ask.
The dinner table wasn't the place for that conversation.
Richard, who had issues with me, widened his eyes in surprise after his first bite, "So delicious! I didn't expect you to be such a good cook!"
I smiled good-naturedly, not holding his previous bad attitude against me, "If you like it, you can come eat often."
"That sounds great, from now on I'll..."
Before Richard could finish, he suddenly started coughing violently.
I looked at him puzzled.
But he just waved his hands repeatedly, avoiding my gaze.
"Eat."
Jason's voice brought back my attention.
He put a piece of ribs in my bowl.
I came back to my senses and focused on eating.
Ryan and Richard were very talkative during meals.
Everyone chatted at the table, the atmosphere quite lively.
But my attention kept falling on Lily.
Although she and Ryan sat very close, just a fist's distance apart, they hadn't spoken to each other.
Even Jessica noticed the strange atmosphere.
She kept stealing glances at Lily.
After dinner, I was clearing the table, with Jason actively helping beside me.
"What's going on with Ryan and Lily?"
I asked him in a low voice.
Jason didn't look up, "They broke up, I guess?"
I carried the dishes into the kitchen, my tone puzzled, "But Lily said they were never together."
Jason paused almost imperceptibly.
His gaze followed me, "So you learned from her? Just sleeping together without being boyfriend and girlfriend?"
I guiltily looked away, not daring to answer.
Jason said nothing more, lowering his head to put the dishes in the dishwasher.
I secretly watched him from the side.
Jason ignored me.
But the more he acted this way, the more guilty I inexplicably felt.
Jason finished cleaning up the food waste and left the kitchen. I followed him out.
Lily saw me and immediately looked like she'd seen her savior. She got up from the sofa and affectionately linked her arm with mine.
"Sue, let's ignore these men and go upstairs to chat!"
Seeing she had something to tell me, I nodded and went upstairs with her.
As we walked upstairs, Lily couldn't help whispering in my ear, "Jason is really great."
"I saw it clearly today. He came straight to the kitchen to cook with you when he got home. During dinner, he kept looking out for your preferences. He even volunteered to do the dishes?"
Lily got more and more excited as she spoke, her eyes wide with amazement by the end.
I opened my mouth, not knowing what to say for a moment.
Because Jason seemed to have always been doing these things.
Opening the master bedroom door, as soon as Lily walked in, her eyes widened again.
"The whole bedroom is decorated according to your taste, right?"
I nodded, "Yes, he gave me this whole house."
Lily looked at me, at a loss for words.
I scratched my head and didn't continue this topic, instead asking, "What's going on with you and Ryan? Did you fight?"
Lily pressed her lips slightly, her tone cooling a bit, "No."
"But I can tell something's off between you and Ryan. Really nothing?"
I clearly didn't believe her, squinting as I studied Lily's expression.
Lily nodded, "Really nothing, we just stopped contacting each other."
I was surprised, "How come? Weren't you two getting along well before?"
Lily had been so satisfied with Ryan as her sex partner, why would they split up for no reason?
Lily hesitated for a long while, "Sue, when you first found out Jason's real identity, what did you think?"
I immediately understood, "Ryan's family is also wealthy and powerful?"
"Do you remember that office building in downtown Seaside City?"
Lily asked.
I nodded.
Lily continued, "That belongs to Ryan's family. That's when I found out the production crew filming my book is from Ryan's family company. Honestly, when I learned this, I didn't know how to interact with him anymore."
She paused, sighing as she added, "The gap between our backgrounds is too big."