Chapter 224: A Difficult Task
“Alison, I’m hungry. Why don’t we make something to eat?” Jack didn’t want to take her to the ancestral home for dinner.
“How about getting pasta? I’m really craving that new place.” Alison suggested, genuinely unwilling to cook.
“All right, wait here. I’ll take a shower, and then we can go.”
“Go ahead.”
Jack went to shower while Alison sat in the living room, her mind refusing to settle.
Jack emerged from the bathroom, steaming wet.
He flicked his hair back, droplets clinging to the collar of his shirt.
“Alison, let’s go. We’re having pasta.”
“Okay.” She lifted her head and forced a smile.
They entered the pasta restaurant near their apartment.
The familiar waitress greeted them, “Welcome! Would you like pasta?”
“Yes, three bowls.”
“All right. Please take a seat over here.”
Alison followed Jack to the table and sat down, silent and withdrawn.
Jack furrowed his brow and pressed his thumbs against the hair at his temples. “Alison, come on. Smile at me.”
His comical expression amused the waitress carrying pasta by—she giggled, but Alison showed no reaction.
Frowning, he held the pasta to her lips. “Alison, take a bite. Otherwise, I’ll polish off all three bowls, and you’ll be left with nothing.”
“Okay,” she murmured, taking a bite but leaving it in her mouth without chewing. Her gaze remained vacant, fixed on the table.
“Alison, if you’re not eating, then I won’t either.” Jack’s face hardened. “Waitress, the check, please.”
“Sir, would you like to take it to go?” The waitress was puzzled.
“No need.” Jack glanced at Alison. Even if he packed it, she wouldn’t eat.
The waitress noticed his gaze fixed on Alison and suddenly realized. She nudged Alison’s shoulder. “Miss, I remember you love our pasta. You always order a big bowl whenever you come in. Look, your boyfriend ordered three bowls, and now you want to send them back? It’d be such a waste.”
Her nudge finally snapped Alison out of her daze.
She asked, dazed, “What?”
“Would you like to keep your pasta?” Seeing her eyes finally focus, the waitress asked.
Alison glanced at the food on the table and nodded.
Jack was skeptical. “Alison, are you sure?”
Thinking that Jack had upset her, the waitress tried to mediate. “Miss, you promised you’d eat it. It’s not good to waste food.”
Alison gave a faint smile. “Thank you. I won’t waste it.”
With that, she took a bite of noodles, which eased Jack’s mind.
When it was time to pay, he clutched her hand, afraid she might slip away.
“Your boyfriend is so thoughtful,” the waitress remarked with admiration, repeating what she had said last time.
Jack hurried Alison out of the restaurant, helped her into the car, and slammed the door shut.
The sound snapped her back to reality—she realized they had already left the pasta restaurant.
Jack didn’t start the engine. He sat quietly, gazing out the window.
“Jack, why aren’t we driving yet?”
“Alison, you finally spoke. Do you still have me in your heart?”
“Huh?” She was bewildered, wondering why he seemed so angry all of a sudden.
Ignoring her, Jack leaned in. A wicked smile curved his thin lips as he pulled her head toward him and kissed her.
The sudden kiss was possessive, snapping her back to reality.
“Jack…” she managed to utter before his kiss swallowed her words.
He sucked on her lips, leaving her no room to breathe. He was furious—she only had the children on her mind, neglecting him.
“Mmm…” She began to struggle for air.
She pushed against his chest, terrified she might suffocate.
Finally sensing her distress, he released her. He cradled her head against his chest and whispered, “Listen. My heartbeat.”