Joanna Kennedy feigned annoyance at his coddling tone, but she was secretly enjoying it. The corners of her mouth curled up uncontrollably, and she had to force herself to look calm. "Okay..."
When they got home together,
The kitchen was just as Simon Lockwood had left it. Vegetables were half-washed in the sink, and there were chopped peppers on the cutting board. He must have left in a hurry, as even the peeled garlic cloves had been knocked onto the floor.
Joanna Kennedy picked them up, washed them in the sink, and finished washing the rest of the vegetables, placing them in a colander. Only after doing all this did she look up, her voice slightly subdued. "You were really worried about me back then, weren’t you?"
’Judging by the state of the kitchen and what he was wearing, Simon Lockwood must have been frantic with worry.’
Joanna Kennedy pursed her lips and explained, "I didn’t turn my phone off on purpose. Those men were so aggressive, and I wasn’t sure what they would do. I was afraid they’d see you calling me, so that’s why I turned it off."
’Even if I silenced the ringer, the screen would still light up from a call and be easily noticed. If those men found out I’d sent a message for help, they would’ve immediately taken me away by force, and I wouldn’t have been able to stall for time.’
As it turned out, her decision had been the right one, but she still couldn’t help but explain that she hadn’t meant to make Simon Lockwood worry.
By the sink, she explained herself earnestly, then looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes, looking incredibly sweet and gentle.
Simon Lockwood couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. "I know."
"Joanna, I’m not stupid," Simon Lockwood said.
What he didn’t say was that after reading her message, he hadn’t called her at all. Instead, he sent a reply and then, without a moment’s hesitation, bolted downstairs.
Even though he desperately wanted to hear her voice to confirm she was safe, he had forcefully restrained himself, afraid of putting her in danger.
Joanna Kennedy smiled, a slightly goofy smile. "Ohhh..."
’So Simon Lockwood is as smart as I am,’ Joanna Kennedy thought.
It was getting late. Considering the variety show recording in a few days, Joanna Kennedy didn’t dare eat too much of the spicy food. After a few bites of the spicy boiled beef, she reluctantly put down her chopsticks.
Then, as she sipped her nourishing tonic soup, her eyes remained glued to the spicy beef.
"You don’t like it?" Simon Lockwood asked.
Joanna Kennedy immediately shook her head. "No, that’s not it."
She sighed. "Sigh... I don’t dare eat too much. I’ve booked a variety show, and the recording starts in a few days. It won’t look good if I break out."
Joanna Kennedy’s expression was full of longing, her eyes still fixed on the fragrant and spicy beef. She didn’t see the man’s expression freeze for a moment.
"A variety show recording..." Simon Lockwood began, as if asking casually. "How long will it take? Will you be staying there?"
"At least half a month, I think," Joanna Kennedy said after a moment’s thought. "This show has a pretty new concept. We’ll be changing locations, and the production team will arrange for accommodations."
After she finished, he didn’t reply. She looked over, confused, only to see him with his eyes downcast, lost in thought.
"...What’s wrong?" Joanna Kennedy asked, not understanding.
Simon Lockwood was silent. He shook his head, only speaking after a long pause. "It’s nothing..."
’Nothing? Then why did he suddenly go quiet? He looks so dejected.’ Joanna Kennedy didn’t believe him. Her eyes darted around, and she deliberately said, "Oh..."
After saying that, she went back to eating, catching a glimpse of his face stiffening out of the corner of her eye. His clear, dark eyes seemed to dim, making him look like a big, wounded puppy.
’Sigh... A handsome face is a dangerous thing...’
Joanna Kennedy sighed silently. She couldn’t bear to ignore him on purpose anymore. She softened her voice, about to ask what was really wrong, when the man spoke.
Simon Lockwood’s face was tense, and his tone was strained, as if the words were difficult to say. "Since you’re going for so long... will you be taking an assistant?"
Looking at his tightly pressed lips, it all clicked into place for Joanna Kennedy. Her mind cleared in an instant, and she finally understood what he was so worked up about.
’First, he asks how long the recording is, then if I’m staying there... It was all just beating around the bush. This was his real question all along.’
Joanna Kennedy had to stifle a laugh. But she didn’t dare to actually laugh, afraid of embarrassing Simon Lockwood. She could only pretend to be nonchalant. "Of course I will..."
"Why? Do you have something else going on?" Joanna Kennedy asked in return.
Seeing Simon Lockwood freeze just as she’d hoped, she repeated, "Do you have something scheduled?"
Joanna Kennedy’s tone was tinged with regret. "If you do, I can find someone els—"
"I’m free," Simon Lockwood cut her off, speaking quickly. "I can go."
"Joanna, I can go," Simon Lockwood repeated earnestly.
His dark eyes were focused, filled with nothing but her. He took an ordinary sentence and somehow made it sound like a solemn vow, making her cheeks burn.
Joanna Kennedy was the first to look away. She nibbled on some bok choy to cover her reaction, but she couldn’t suppress the smile spreading across her face. "Oh..."
’What am I going to do? I’m realizing I really, really like Simon Lockwood. I like every version of him.’
An evening breeze drifted in through the half-open window, caressing their skin and tousling the short, black hair of the man across the table.
Bunches of pink Elsa roses hung upside down on the balcony, most of them nearly dry, their color having changed very little.
The little kitten treated the dried flowers as a toy, leaping up at them, trying to catch one but failing to reach even the edges.
For a moment, Joanna Kennedy wished time could freeze right there, in that romantic and perfectly tranquil moment.
But alas, the peaceful moment was fleeting. After dinner and a shower, Joanna Kennedy planned to do some laundry, only to find her nightgown was missing from the hamper.
’I remember tossing it in the hamper... How is it gone...?’
She searched all over again but still couldn’t find the pale yellow nightgown.
’That’s so weird.’ Without another thought, Joanna Kennedy pushed open the guest room door. "Simon, have you seen my—"
’—nightgown?’
The rest of her words were choked back by the scene before her. Joanna Kennedy’s eyes slowly widened. She wanted to leave, but her feet felt rooted to the spot, unable to move an inch.
The man must have just gotten out of the shower. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, a robe draped loosely over his shoulders, the sash untied. From her angle, she had an unobstructed view.
The pale yellow nightgown had become some kind of unspeakable little toy in his hands, barely concealing a certain part of him.
’How could he be so...’
’Simon Lockwood... he’s actually...’
’WHAT IS HAPPENING!!!!!’
A million ’what the fucks’ screamed through her mind. Joanna Kennedy felt her head spin; the intense shock left her unable to process the situation.
’Where was the refined, harmless Simon Lockwood from a second ago? Who is this man sitting on the bed?!!’
She didn’t dare look anymore. Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would leap out of her throat. Panicked, Joanna Kennedy tore her gaze away, but as she looked up, her eyes met the man’s, and she froze on the spot once again.
A storm swirled in his ink-black eyes, filled with a blazing desire he hadn’t had time to conceal—a look intense enough to drown her.
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