Chapter 119

Alice's lips twitched. "Who's the anxious one now?" I muttered. Three days ago, he'd insisted it wasn't about exchanging favors for sex. And now, before anything had even happened, he was already displaying his intentions?

Caden noticed her firm expression and smiled. He had matured quickly. In the past, even a few teasing words from him would have made her blush. Now, she maintained her composure effortlessly. He walked over, watching her crack eggs. "I'm just joking. No matter what, I wouldn't take advantage of someone who isn't feeling well."

I handed her a glass of water. "Drink this."

Alice eyed the hot water with distrust. "Why are you being so kind? You didn't get this from the toilet, did you?"

Caden was speechless. I still couldn't forget that incident with the toilet water. "If I hadn't caught you that day, were you really going to give me toilet water?" I asked.

Guilt flickered across Alice's face. "Do you really want to know the truth?" I asked.

"Yeah."

Alice hesitated. "I don't think I should say it."

Caden's expression hardened. "Are you really incapable of even telling a lie?" he said coldly.

Alice shrugged. "Liars are punished."

"You won't be punished if you just tell me the truth," Caden said.

Alice was silent. Then she clicked her tongue. "See? If you don't want to hear my answer, then stop asking. You're just making it harder on yourself."

Caden didn't respond. He should have let her drown in the pool at the Gray family estate. He looked at the grocery bags, feeling no sympathy. "Get started. I want five dishes and a soup."

Alice's eyes widened. "Five courses and a soup? At this hour?"

"If I don't finish it, I throw it away. I like five dishes and a soup. I think it's a complete meal."

Alice sighed, knowing he was upset. Clearing her throat, she searched for a way to calm him. "I was just kidding. If I really disliked you, why would I come here to cook? I haven't even been discharged yet, and I'm not at full strength…"

"If you're really that weak, how come you still have so much energy to argue?" Caden said, staring blankly. "Get going. You don't have more than thirty minutes."

He turned and walked away. Alice stood stunned, gritting her teeth. Five dishes and a soup? She could dream on. She'd have to eat whatever she cooked.

Just as she finished silently venting, she heard Caden's footsteps returning. I forced a smile. "You were joking about all that, right?"

Caden picked up the glass of water, poured it into the sink, and looked at her blankly. "You're overthinking it."

Alice couldn't believe it. He really was incredibly mean.

After an hour, Alice put the plates on the table: stir-fried pork, shrimp, and a bowl of grapefruit slices. The food was simple, but colorful, aromatic, and flavorful—more than enough for Caden.

Caden noticed there was only enough tableware for one person. He looked at her. "Aren't you eating?"

Alice shook her head. "I already had dinner before I came here."

To demonstrate, he casually popped a grapefruit slice into his mouth. His gaze unchanged, he said, "Then get away from me. I don't want you ruining my appetite."

Alice was speechless. It was impossible to deal with him. Rolling her eyes, she turned and walked away, head held high.

Suddenly remembering something, she turned back and picked up the plate of grapefruit. He went into the living room and found a sofa. I touched it; the fabric was high quality but too firm. I sat to try it and realized it wasn't soft at all. Unable to contain myself, I asked, "Is this couch for cutting fruit? It's hard as a rock."

Caden frowned, looking at the grapefruit. "You don't eat on the couch," he said.

Alicia looked down at the grapefruit. "Okay," I muttered.

When Caden finished eating and entered the living room, he found Alicia lying on the couch, happily eating the grapefruit, completely ignoring his earlier order. She knew she was breaking her own rule, but she didn't care. Seeing Caden approach, she looked at him cheekily. "Can you get me a pillow? I have a headache, and this couch is awful."

Caden didn't know what to say. Of course, he knew this could happen.

The television showed an old romantic drama; the scene depicted a heated argument ending with the woman slapping the man before storming off. The protagonist ran after her, refusing to let her go.

Caden grabbed a pillow and gave it to Alicia. Then he sat beside her, watching the show silently.

Alice looked at the few remaining grapefruit slices. She felt too full to finish them. "Do you want some?" I asked. "I saved them just for you."

Caden leaned back, stretching lazily. "Only if you feed me."

Alice's lips twitched. "I can't. My head hurts."

Caden glanced at her. "Are your hands connected to your head?"

"Yes," Alice replied, defiantly stuffing more grapefruit into her mouth.

Without warning, Caden leaned closer, pinning her beneath him.