Chapter 83

Alicia, accustomed to Caden's eccentricities, ordered groceries online. "What do you want to eat?" she asked, keeping it simple.

Caden, eyes closed, mumbled, "Whatever. I don't care." Alice knew better. "How about fish soup and a light beef stir-fry?" she suggested.

He rejected it immediately. "I don't like fish soup."

"Veal then?" she offered.

"I don't want either."

Surprised, Alice tried to be patient. "You're sick, your throat hurts. How about something easy to digest? A light soup?"

"I'll get hungry again too soon. I have work later," he replied nonchalantly.

"Then eat something heavier," she countered.

"That'll just make me run to the bathroom. Too much hassle."

Alice's frustration mounted. "What about pasta with mushrooms?" she suggested.

"I hate mushrooms," Caden flatly replied.

Through gritted teeth, Alice asked, "Then what on earth do you want to eat?"

Caden tapped his forehead. "Anything is fine."

Alice snapped, "Eat whatever you want. I give up!"

Caden's phone rang. He answered, "Hello?"

Hank's voice followed. "Mr. Ward, there's an afternoon meeting. Will you be joining us online?"

Caden nonchalantly replied, "Oh? Do you have any more information on what Randolph did?"

Hank was confused. He knew nothing of a Randolph.

Alicia, puzzled, thought, Who is he talking to? I never mentioned Randolph.

Caden rubbed his forehead. "There's no need for that. I've changed my mind; I don't want them anymore."

Hank, still bewildered, asked, "What do you mean?"

Frustrated, Alice stood. "What about shrimp? I can make scrambled eggs, too."

Hank, hearing Alice, turned up the volume.

Caden ended the call with a satisfied smile. "I can live with that."

Alice was speechless. What a pain! she thought.

Caden chuckled, aware of her silent irritation, but remained silent. Soon, the groceries arrived. Alicia carried them inside.

She heard Caden cough softly from another room. He was at his desk, working. When quiet, he was handsome. It was a shame he had such a sharp tongue.

Alice peeled a pear, sprinkled it with sugar, thinking it would be nutritious, given the doctor's report of his weakness. After covering the pot, she saw the cupboards were empty, as if no one lived there.

She ordered more supplies online. The cost shocked her. "Caden, you're reimbursing me for this, right?" she asked, exasperated.

Caden raised an eyebrow. "How much?"

Alice's eyes widened at the receipt. Over three thousand dollars.

"Three hundred and ninety thousand dollars!" she exclaimed.

"What the hell did you buy, gold?" Caden asked sarcastically.

"Are you saying you can't afford it?" she retorted.

"Correct," he replied indifferently.

Alice was speechless. He was incredibly stingy.

As Alice peeled shrimp, Caden supervised. She worked quickly and precisely, creating a pile of shell-less shrimp. Alice was impressive in everything she did. She looked up and asked, "Are you hungry?"

Caden's gaze hardened. "I just want to remind you that I have OCD. I can't have even a piece of shell around."

She was speechless.

Caden pointed at a shrimp. "See that? It's a shell," he complained. "Do it again."

Increasingly frustrated, Alicia blurted, "Caden, what the hell is wrong with you?"

Caden, exploiting his illness, replied, "Shells take away my appetite."

Alice, at her wit's end, said, "I could poke you in the eyes. If you can't see, it won't bother you."

The pear soup began to boil. Alice lowered the heat and added water.

Caden loomed over her. "What are you doing?"

The sweet aroma filled the air. Alice replied, "Take a look for yourself."

Caden recognized its cough-soothing properties. He smiled, but said nothing.

Alicia fetched water, then an idea struck her. She drank it quickly, hiding the cup. "Watch the stove," she said to Caden. "I have to get something."

Caden noticed her subtle movement. "Sure."

Once Caden wasn't looking, Alicia crept into the bathroom. She filled the cup with toilet water.

A mischievous smile crossed her face. Always so fussy, constantly criticizing, she thought. Enjoy this grooming surprise. Maybe your appetite will improve.

She hid the cup and headed for the door. Caden was gone. Perhaps he was on the balcony.

As she turned, a cold voice interrupted. "Miss Bennett, who are you looking for?"