Chapter 213

213
As they walked out , a woman’s voice rang out behind them , scolding a boy “ Remember , when you start dating , never let a girl carry the gracenes or pay for them . Got it ? Here – take these . ”
The boy grumbled , “ What if she’s the one in charge of the money ? Like , married couples sometimes … ”
“ That’s different , but you still shouldn’t make her carry bags . Got it ? ”
“ Okay , okay , I get it , ” he muttered .
Aria and Owen both heard every word .
By then , they were already at the entrance , so neither of them bothered to explain their situation .
Once home , Owen took the heavier bag from Aria . “ If you’re not in a rush , you can wait in the living room – you don’t need to go back . ”
“ Sure , ” she agreed . Running back and forth really was a hassle . “ I’ll help out in the kitchen . ”
But that plan fell apart – Owen wouldn’t let her near the stove . “ It’s a family tradition : if a girl steps into the kitchen , the guy’s doomed to die alone . ”
Aria stared at him . “ You actually believe that ? ”
He shrugged . “ Yep . ”
She rolled her eyes , but when Owen handed her the apron and asked , “ Could you tie this for me ? ” she agreed .
He slipped the apron over his head but didn’t turn around . “ You’re not going to turn around ? ” she asked .
“ Oh , right . ” He spun around , sighing inwardly . Did she really not see him that way at all ?
She tied the strings behind his back , neat and secure . “ Done . ”
“ Thanks . Cooking gets messy , so I’m shutting the door , ” Owen said .
“ Okay . ”
As she turned away , Aria blinked .
Owen lived alone – he could tie his own apron , couldn’t he ? Maybe he just asked because she happened to be there .
That suspicion lingered for a moment , then faded .
She waited in the living room , and that was when Anabel arrived .
Aria explained at once , “ I’m not Owen’s girlfriend – I’m just his neighbor , here for dinner .”
“ Oh ? ” Anabel glanced at the two doors in the hallway . “ So you live across the hall ? ”
“ Yeah . Come on in . ”
Anabel stepped inside , spotted Owen in the kitchen , then slid onto the couch next to Aria , grinning wider by the second . “ Do you remember me ? ” she asked , leaning in .
Aria nodded . “ Sure do . You’re the kid I splashed with ink . ”
Anabel gave an embarrassed smile and , after a beat , said sincerely , “ I’m sorry . I got caught up in all those rumors online . I thought you’d scammed a ton of people . I was wrong .”
1/2
213
Aria replied calmly , “ Well , in the end you were the one who got inked . You don’t need to apologize just learn from it , okay ? Don’t rush to judge people from the moral high ground , especially if you’re only hearing one sido . ”
Anabel nodded earnestly , holding up three fingers . “ I promise , never again . ”
Elsewhere in the apartment , Hannah caught a new message , dashed into the bathroom , and grabbed Liam just as he stepped out .
“ Liam , I found news about Mono ! ” she said , excitement lighting up her face .
His eyes widened . “ Really ? ”
She nodded . “ The International Art Competition organized by the Dluoland Association just wrapped up . Morio was both the final judge and the regional judge for Huthailia , and he’s coming to the Art Union next week to help evaluate pieces .
“ I also found out Mono’s remaining originals are all with his apprentice . If we can buy one – maybe even two ! -we’ll be able to impress the selection committee and , if we gift one to Benjamin , lock down the partnership .
“ Mono’s apprentice must be talented too , so if we can’t get Mono’s original , his student’s work might be the next best thing . ”