Chapter 157
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At the parking lot , the designated driver handed the keys back to Aria but hesitated before leaving . He asked , “ Um … could i get your number ? ”
Aria looked up slightly at the young man opposite her and said coolly , “ I’m divorced . ”
“ Huh ? ”
‘ Is this the kind of lame excuse pretty girls use to reject guys nowadays ? ‘ the driver thought .
He was about to speak when a car door slammed shut , cutting him off .
Just then , a tall , coolly detached man strode over , his presence instantly shifting the atmosphere .
He immediately got the hint , flashed an awkward smile , and scurried off . “ Oh , I see . You already have a boyfriend . Sorry to bother you ! ”
Aria shot Owen a puzzled look . The moment she saw him , it clicked . The driver had totally gotten the wrong idea .
Aria’s mind suddenly flashed with an image of Kim . Thinking of all the hardships Cloe had endured over the years , she scowled and said , “ Your brother is such a jerk ! ”
Owen had gotten the full story from the manager . He nodded . “ True that . ”
‘ A grown man picking on a woman and threatening her with business ? No wonder he’s still single . Serves him right . ‘ He thought .
He added , “ But I’m not like him . ”
Aria didn’t reply . She walked straight into the elevator .
A faint , mellow scent of alcohol lingered in the confined elevator space .
Owen glanced down , his eyes catching a glimpse of the faint rash on her earlobe . He froze for a second , then instinctively leaned in closer .
Aria instinctively sidestepped and snapped , “ What are you doing ? ”
Owen glanced at her and asked , “ Are you allergic to alcohol ? ”
Owen was stunned . ‘ Who on earth drinks when they’re allergic to alcohol ? ‘
Aria touched her ear and replied , “ No. ”
She was indeed allergic to alcohol , though not severely . A small amount didn’t really bother her . Before missions , she’d always take an allergy pill as a precaution .
To this day , no one knew about her allergy .
She hadn’t planned on drinking much tonight , so she skipped the allergy pill. It was just a minor rash , no big deal .
Owen let out a humorless chuckle , his eyes devoid of mirth . “ Ms. Saxon , do you take me for a fool ? That’s clearly an allergic reaction . How much did you drink ? ”
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Aria looked at him coolly and asked , “ Are we really that close ? ”
She didn’t really hold a grudge against him – if anything , it was negligible . But after she’d bitten him , there was a bit of personal history between them .
Owen met her gaze in the mirror and said with a wry smile , “ I thought we were friends . Guess I was just fooling myself . ”
He lowered his head , his eyes dimming with hurt , a shadow of sorrow passing over them .
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wea , 4 Jun M
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Aria glanced at him through the mirror , a hint of doubt flickering in her eyes .
‘ Were my words really that hurtful ? Guess I shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds me ; she thought to herself . After all , she’d been enjoying his cooking for a whole week , Maybe that remark was a bit too harsh .
Aria could feel the heavy silence in the air , struggling to find the right words .
The elevator doors opened , and she was the first to step out , leaving the cramped space behind .
As she opened the door , Owen called out with a hint of helpless concern in his voice , “ Do you have any allergy meds at home ? ”
Her hand hesitated on the doorknob . She hadn’t expected him to care . “ Yes . ”
Owen asked softly , “ So , are we friends then ? ”
The doors slid open with a soft chime as Aria replied , “ Yes . ”
“ A deal’s a deal . Don’t forget to come by and try my cooking tomorrow morning . ”
With that , Owen closed the door .
The beauty cream had long been tested , yet Owen still kept texting her gentle reminders . [ Have some breakfast ] , [ Don’t forget tunch ] , [ Remember to eat dinner . ]
She thought to herself , ‘ He’s probably referring to that ‘ lifetime of free meals ‘ promise he made . If he gets married , will he still treat his wife to meals all the time ? How can he throw around promises so casually , without a second thought ? Is Owen being so attentive out of guilt for ruining my mission all those years ago ? ‘
She wasn’t even hurt . In fact , she was the one who bit him . If anyone felt guilty , it should be her .
Aria popped an allergy pill . Suddenly , a thought struck her .
Aria thought to herself , ‘ If Owen ever gets a girlfriend , how’s he gonna explain these bite marks to her ? ‘