Rearing her head, Irene's palm-sized cheeks lit up with a hint of mischief. "Don't you like it?"Isaac caressed her cheek. "I do, but I don't like others watching it."Irene giggled as she wrapped a hand around his arm. "Talk about toxic masculinity.""No, I simply love and treasure you that much," Isaac argued.-They headed to a seedy nightclub, and Irene stiffened since she never visited such places."Calm down," Isaac told her. "I'm here."Irene leaned into him in turn. "Why would I be afraid? It's not the wolf's den."Isaac smiled lovingly, and they found a booth seat at the corner, ordering two cocktails.Men and women were brushing against each other in the dance floor ahead, dancing maniacally amidst the deafening music. It seemed to help them forget the mundaneness of life or monetary issues, allowing them to go as wild as they wanted.Such might be the charm and pleasure of a night life—a place to forget life's conundrums and to lose oneself.However, while those w
Irene fried the egg, tomato, and ham, cooking everything with the cup noodles and making sure Isaac watched.She really doubted he would not get angry, especially when it was daybreak."Oh, this is so good!" she exclaimed as she ate, twirling the noodles on her fork while grinning ear to ear. "Care to have a taste?"Isaac simply watched in silence, leaving Irene bored. "You're so dull."Isaac frowned. "I'm going to take a nap."Seeing that he was really not hungry, Irene gave up on teasing him. "Okay. I'm going to do it later."-It was nighttime over at Zidonia, but Zachary never came home.Lulu was worried and unsure if he was avoiding her but was afraid to call.If she did, Zachary would have the wrong idea and become convinced that she still had feelings for him and could not give up completely.She did not want to leave him hanging—if anything, she wanted him to give up to start a new life.Star also happened to be bothersome tonight, refusing to sleep. She kept bawling
Zachary turned to stare at her. "Is that concern I hear?" Lulu lowered her head uncomfortably. "I'm paid to do this. You're my employer, and it's only right that I do my best."Her cool, distant reaction left Zachary stung.Chuckling coolly, he said, "You're really up for the job, huh? Taking good care of me and my daughter. Doesn't that mean I should give you a raise to properly reward your performance?"Naturally, Lulu did not take his sarcastic remarks and replied calmly, "I won't refuse if you're offering more pay, Mr. Slate."With that, Zachary's attempt at provocation came up short.Bzzt—Zachary's phone rang in his pocket.Taking it out to see that it was Isaac's number, he headed into his room and closed the door before answering."Hello—""It's me," Stan Hill said from the other end.Zachary thought he was seeing things and checked the caller again, but it really was Isaac's number.So why was it not Isaac?Holding the phone against his ear again, he asked, "Hell
Seeing that Zachary was really angry, Stan promptly hung up.He would never say anything even if he actually had an idea—the man was really pissed, and if Stan spoke now but his idea proved lacking, the man might really stop being friends with him.On the other hand, Zachary was left staring at the phone screen and frowning.Was there something wrong with that dude?He could just say it if he had no ideas, but he had to stall.And now he exposed himself and fled… What a tool!He threw off his phone, glaring at it with rising irritation.His mood was not that bad earlier, but Stan had to make a mess of things.As he scratched his head in annoyance, his phone rang again.He stared at it, his brow furrowing deeper.What more did Stan do? He had zero ideas, but he could sure give a lot of crap!Answering before the other person could speak, he snapped, "Quit messing with me, Stan. Do you think everyone gets to walk all over me? I'll skin you with a scalpel the next time I see yo
There was a knock on his door—it could only be Lulu since there was no one else.Zachary quickly composed himself, straightening his clothes before opening the door.To no surprise, Lulu was standing outside, impassive, just like a babysitter paid to take care of Star.Even her tone was formal. "I've cooked something. You can have it if you like, Mr. Slate."Zachary did not want to be upset, but it hurt to see Lulu being distant.Restraining his flaring emotions, he said quietly, "I'm not hungry. Don't bother me if there's nothing else."He slammed the door shut with a bang, leaving Lulu surprised.She did not want to bother him since he was in a bad mood and started to leave.But when she did, the door opened. Zachary snapped when she saw that she was going to leave, "Do I have to die before you understand I can feel hurt too, Lulu?"Lulu stopped and turned back, asking in bemusement, "Do you have to sink that low? Do you have to like some woman who was married and has been w
Lulu believed that Zachary was not in his right mind, and therefore did not think about what he said—maybe he would come around after one night.However, Zachary pursed his lips. "I guess you don't know me.""And do you know me?" Lulu shot back. "You wouldn't complicate things if you did. What's wrong with you being my employer, and me staying as Star's babysitter? Do you have to make things so awkward—""I get it," Zachary suddenly said."What did you get?" Lulu asked."You'd understand soon enough," he said meaningfully and closed the door.This time, he did not open it.Lulu was surprised, but she did not bother over it much.Even if she was moved by Zachary's affection, she had to be cold.She and Zachary could not go back now, and she could not get over herself.What was broken would always be broken, and the cracks showed even if mended.Zachary was probably obsessed just because things ended badly between them.But would they really be happy together?Would he be re
"Alright, I'm hanging up now," Ken said and slipped his phone into his pocket before heading inside to pick up Star.Lulu could only watch as he did, her knuckles clenched as she restrained herself.Eventually, she asked softly, "Where are you taking Star? What does Zachary want?"Ken turned to look at her. "Why don't you just give in?"While Lulu stayed speechless, he carried Star out of the house. "Don't worry. I'll take good care of her."Lulu started to follow him. "I'm coming too. I can help.""You can't follow me," Ken said. "Zachary can't carry out his plan if you leave.""His plan?" Lulu's heart skipped a beat. "What more does he want? Does he still not get it?""Well, duh." Ken shrugged. "Neither of you are making sense to me, honestly. What's bugging you so much that you have to do everything the hard way?"Lulu simply lowered her head in silence.Ken rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'll have my say. All you need to do is say yes, and Star would have a family. What's stoppi
The woman Zachary brought had permed hair and wore a black miniskirt that bared her fair, slender legs.She was an ordinarily attractive hooker, and Lulu turned away with just one look.That was when Zachary asked, "How many men have you been with? I'll sleep with as many women, and then we're square."Lulu turned toward him in shock. "Are you crazy?""I just want us to be equal." Zachary shrugged. "You think we're not, don't you?"Lulu's lips twitched, but she could not say a thing.She did think that, but it was against her will—how could she do this?"I won't change my mind whatever you do," she said, turning away. "Do whatever you like."Zachary stared at her for several beats. "Fine."He took the woman to his room.Seeing that he was serious, Lulu ultimately gave in. "What's the point of being mean to yourself?""What are you talking about? She's smoking hot," Zachary retorted with a twinkle in his eye. "And she's just the first of many. I'd even have a new girl every d