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  Xenon seemed a bit startled, then he wrapped his arms around her gently. Miya relaxed in his embrace. She felt safe, with her head resting on his c.h.e.s.t, and she loved the pleasant scent he had. 
  To her own surprise, she asked, "Xenon, do you think you will ever fall in love with me?" 
  Xenon lifted Miya's chin up with his long slim fingers, looked at her into her eyes, and chuckled. "You wish. Ha-ha." 
  Miya felt a sharp and sudden pain in her heart, but she recomposed herself quickly and chuckled with him. "I was just joking."
  "Don't forget that I purchased you. You are just a replacement. Don't start any ridiculous fantasy." 
  Miya nodded. She bit her lips slightly and said, "I won't forget. Don't worry. I won't fall in love with you, nor would I have any unrealistic thoughts about us."
  "Right." Xenon released her, turned around, and left. 
  Miya sat back in the bath, closed her eyes, and tears ran down her cheeks. Just then, Xenon suddenly turned around as he closed the door behind and caught sight of her tearful face. 
  "Don't give me that." He said plainly. 
  Startled, Miya wiped the tears off her cheeks and tried to explain, but Xenon walked off without listening to her. 
   
  In the following days, Miya was allowed to stay home and not go to work. She had a lie in in the morning, and when she got up to get breakfast, she noticed that Alex, the house steward, had been watching her quietly, and he seemed to want to speak to her. 
  Miya said with a smile, "Alex, what is it?" 
  Alex hesitated for a bit, then he said, "Mrs. Miya Uba, you know people might say that Mr. Xenon Uba is cold and distant, even merciless, but it's not true. You can see how he cares for Mr. Jacob Morgan, Miss Lucia Hayes, and Miss Sol Keaton." 
  Miya knitted her brows. "Can you be a bit more direct, please, Alex? I'm not sure what you are trying to tell me."
  "I will explain. Mr. Xenon Uba has been through a lot growing up. He had been attacked and injured many times, even kidnapped since he was little. People even tried to assassinate him. That's why he is very cautious and distant. To gain his trust isn't easy at all." Alex went on. 
  Miya listened patiently, still wondering what message was Alex trying to convey.
  "Knowing that you want to come home and Miss Lucia Hayes is not happy with you being with Mr. Xenon Uba, despite how persistent Miss Lucia Hayes was, Mr. Xenon Uba insisted on taking her back to campus. You should know how much she means to Mr. Xenon Uba." 
  Miya did understand that Xenon had shown her respect as his wife. She nodded with a grateful smile. "Thanks for letting me know, Alex. I want to make Xenon happy, and your suggestions are always welcome."
  "You don't need my suggestions, Mrs. Miya Uba. As long as you care and love with your heart, he will feel it." 
  Miya nodded. "True." 
  After breakfast, Miya went to the garden and read the books from Chris till about ten o'clock, then she started preparing lunch for Xenon. It was Thai Green curry with shrimp and rice. Gently she put it in a lunch box, and before she handed it to the driver to deliver to Xenon, she took a selfie with the food and sent it to Xenon. 
  "Honey, here's your yummy lunch, including me." She added a cheeky wink.
  At twelve o'clock, Miya received a reply. "Get well soon, and I will eat you up." 
  Miya blushed at the message. 
  When Miya was fully recovered, she went back to work and to their old routine. Every morning, she would have breakfast with Xenon, then they went to the company together. She would make him lunch and give him a massage in the afternoon when requested. When they finished work, they would go home together, and Miya would cook dinner for him. 
  Miya quite enjoyed the mundaneness and peace of their life together. She thought about how her parents used to spend time together and wondered if she herself could be happy just like her parents once were. 
  Just as she was having these beautiful thoughts, Xenon had a phone call from Lucia. It was Lucia's birthday the coming Wednesday, and her classmates were throwing a party for her. She invited Xenon. She pleaded a few times, and eventually, Xenon agreed. 
  Miya pouted her lips and looked at him in silence. 
  Xenon put his phone away, pinched Miya's cheeks gently, and said, "Look how jealous you are! You are her sister-in-law, after all. Can't you be a bit more mature?" 
  Sister-in-law? Huh. I like that. Miya thought and felt better. 
  "Do you think she just wants to be your little sister, though?" Miya asked. 
  "Didn't you hear what I said just then?" 
  "Yes," Miya muttered. "But I just don't feel good about it, thinking you two are together." 
  "Shall I take you with me to the party then?" 
  Miya's face lit up, and she hugged him with excitement. "Yes, please!" 
  Xenon tapped a finger on his lips, and Miya gave him a brief kiss. Xenon frowned. So she kissed him again and this time with much passion and d.e.s.i.r.e. 
  Xenon was pleased. 
  "Xenon, shall we have something spicy for dinner tonight?" Miya asked, missing spicy food. 
  "Huh? No." Xenon said sternly. 
  "Or I will make something not spicy for you and something spicy for myself?" Miya pleaded. 
  Xenon put one hand around the back of Miya's neck and pulled her right up to him, "No. You cook what I like, and you eat what I like." 
  Miya pouted her lips and nodded. "Yes, sir." She gave him a salute cheekily. Bossy! Miya thought. 
  "Good." Xenon released her and went upstairs to his room. 
  In the past three months living with Xenon, Miya had to change her diet to synchronize with Xenon, which didn't bother her much, but now and then, she misses the spicy flavor. 
  She heaved a sigh and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.