The flirtation at the dining table

As she looked at the grave with tears in her eyes, her slender figure swaying in the wind, Raymond's protective instinct kicked in, diffusing his anger.

He pulled her into an embrace, speaking gently, "It's okay, I won't pursue it anymore, please don't cry."

Arabella buried her face in his shirt, crying silently, quickly soaking the fabric, her narrow shoulders trembling as she held onto him tightly.

Raymond comfortingly stroked her back, his tone a mix of indulgence and insistence. "Next time before you disappear, you have to let me know, understand?"

Arabella didn't respond.

Suddenly, a distinct rumbling sound echoed in the silent wilderness.

Raymond chuckled softly; he'd been running around since yesterday afternoon and was only now feeling the pang of hunger.

Arabella took a while to understand the source of the sound and then looked up at him. "Is that your stomach? Are you hungry?"

"Yeah, I haven't eaten since yesterday noon, no wonder I'm hungry," he said with a slightly