Even though Kris Cooper’s eyes were closed, he could still feel that the strawberry in his mouth seemed to have lost half its size. As he chewed on the sweet strawberry, a smile flourished at the corners of his mouth. Just like old times, he couldn’t help but lightly grumble while chewing on the strawberry.
"Vera, you little rascal!"
"Vera, you little rascal!"
The five words, like a spell, struck her heart.
Vera, who was holding the strawberry up to his mouth, suddenly froze in place.
In a daze, it was as if she was experiencing a strange illusion, as if this scene... had occurred before.
Kris was unaware of her inner turmoil. When he sensed another strawberry at his lips, he opened his mouth to take it. In doing so, he inadvertently included her finger, which she had forgotten to withdraw.
When he realized something was amiss, he opened his eyes in confusion and met her gaze. But her focus wasn’t on his face. It seemed as if she was looking through him into another world.
He reached out to hold her palm, calling out her name with concern.
"Ah?!" Vera snapped out of her trance, hastily pulling her finger from his hand. "I’m... I’m fine. I just... spaced out."
Telling signs of panic were evident on her face.
Kris Cooper, confused, was about to question her when there was a knock at the door.
Vera got up from the sofa, intending to open the door.
Kris swiftly stopped her, gesturing for her to step back while he himself went to answer the door.
He didn’t want any other man to see her in her state, her chest and collarbone exposed.
Standing behind him, Vera watched as he walked towards the door and closed it. She shrugged slightly, feeling relieved.
Of course, he must be worried that Tommy would see them together and misunderstand.
"Sir, here’s your bag," Tommy Taylor respectfully handed over the bag.
Kris Cooper took the bag. "Wait outside."
Tommy Taylor went to wait outside, and Kris brought the bag back in and handed it to Vera.
Vera took the bag. The first thing she did was take out her wallet. After checking that everything was inside, she let out a sigh of relief.
All her belongings were there. Compared to her keys, her wallet was naturally more important.
She grabbed the contracts and forms from the table and put them into her bag. Then, she took out her keys and walked towards the door.
"Change your clothes and meet me outside. I’ll wait for you in the car," Kris instructed from behind her.
"You..." Vera pointed at the car outside. "Aren’t you afraid Assistant Taylor will misunderstand if he sees me?"
"Misunderstand what?"
"That we have an... ambiguous relationship!" Vera gestured with her chin. "Isn’t he your major client?"
Kris Cooper’s brow furrowed, and his tone hardened.
"You have ten minutes. I’ll deduct 100 USD for every minute you’re late!"
His mood changed faster than one could flip a book. Vera pouted and scampered out the door.
Kris Cooper picked up his laptop from the table. Noticing the contract beside it, he reached out and picked it up.
Remembering Vera’s earlier actions, he flipped open the contract with his fingers.
Seeing the additional clause she had inserted, he couldn’t help but smile.
This crafty little thing is still the same—appearing purely innocent on the outside while harboring a mischievous little rascal within.
After carefully folding the contract, he slipped it into the chest pocket of his shirt.
The paper felt stiff against his chest and wasn’t particularly comfortable. Yet, it constantly reminded him that this wasn’t a dream; his Vera had truly returned.