Chapter 201
Chapter 201
Marina knew her place. And she was well aware of the deep–rooted fixation on matching family backgrounds in this circle.
She had no intention of making the same mistakes her mom, Kathy, did.
She would never let herself get trapped in a one–sided relationship.
Just then, the tempting smell of barbecue from a street stall drifted in through the window, making Marina’s stomach rumble with hunger.
“Daron, how about we just eat something here?” Marina suggested, quickly steering the conversation away.
Daron gave her a long, thoughtful look, then finally pulled the car over to the curb.
Marina bit her lip, catching a flicker of compromise in his deep eyes.
She looked away. As soon as Daron parked the car, she immediately opened the door, ready to step out without hesitation.
But just as she bent down to get out, Daron reached out and gently stopped her.
Marina turned back, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
Daron’s gaze dropped to her feet.
“Are you sure you want to get out like that?” he asked.
Marina glanced down at her ankle and realized she’d totally forgotten. Her slipper was awkwardly dangling there.
If she stepped out like this, she’d be a total mess in front of everyone, and who knows what kind of jokes they’d make at her
expense.
But right now, she was starving.
Daron caught the hunger in her eyes and, without a second thought, pushed open the driver’s door and stepped out.
“What do you want to eat?” he asked.
Marina’s eyes lit up, and she immediately started blurting out all her favorite foods.
“I want grilled beef and…” she began, just kept going, one dish after another.
Daron saw the excitement sparkling in her eyes and couldn’t help but spoil her a little.
“How many do you want?” he asked.
Marina held up five fingers.
“Five of each, please,” she said.
Daron nodded. “Got it.”
Marina smiled and said, “Thanks, Daron.”
Daron glanced at her face, his tone softer than usual. “Anything else you feel like having?” he asked.
1/4
Chapter 201
Marina cocked her head, her gaze drifting to the people at the street stall, laughing and sipping on cold beers. She wasn’t much of a drinker, but suddenly, she kind of wanted to join in.
“If I could get a bottle of beer, that’d be perfect. Buy me a beer, will you? Just one, I swear I won’t get tipsy, she grinned.
Daron raised an eyebrow and asked, “Are you sure?
He still doubted whether she could handle her drink.
Marina nodded. “Yes”
‘Honestly, what’s the point of having barbecue if I don’t have a cold beer to go with it? she thought to herself.
Seeing how determined she was, Daron just turned and headed over to the stall.
Marina propped her chin on her hands, elbows resting on the car window, her gaze trailing after Daron as he walked away. She couldn’t hide the fondness in her eyes, a gentle longing she didn’t even realize was there.
After ordering Marina’s barbecue, Daron headed over to the 24–hour convenience store next door to grab the beer she wanted.
He just grabbed a single bottle from the shelf and went straight to the cashier.
Daron knew all too well that Marina was not good at drinking.
Three beers and she’s done for, completely out of it.
After paying, Daron walked out of the convenience store and saw that Marina’s barbecue still wasn’t ready yet.
He glanced back at the car and spotted Marina sitting quietly in the passenger seat, her head down, looking at her phone.
He took out his phone and shot her a quick message.
Daron: [The stall owner wants to know if you want spicy or not?]
Marina: [Spicy!]
She hadn’t had barbecue in forever, and today she was starving. She was craving it like crazy.
She wanted them extra spicy.
As soon as Marina sent her message, Daron shot back a reply almost instantly.
Daron: [No.]
Just one word, to the point.
For some reason, Marina couldn’t help but picture Daron being all domineering and controlling in her mind.
She looked up and glanced over at him.
Daron happened to look her way too, but then he quickly lowered his head, his elegant fingers dancing across his phone
screen.
A few seconds later, Marina’s phone buzzed with a new message.
2/4
7:47 pm G ppp
Chapter 201
Daron: [You’re starving today, and extra spicy stuff will wreck your stomach. You want me to ads for help from the files Family again and get you another appointment?
Marina stared at the message, totally stunned for a moment.
Wait, did Daron actually pull some strings with the Milner Family to get Elnora an appointment with Janette? she thought. her mind spinning.
Her hand tightened around her phone without her even realizing it.
Honestly, getting an appointment with a top expert like Janette was never easy.
And Elnora was only in the early stages of stomach cancer. If Daron hadn’t used his connections, there’s no way she would se ever become Janette’s patient.
Marina’s heart was pounding so hard, she felt like it might leap right out of her chest.
She lifted her eyes, gazing out the car window.
The stall owner packed up the barbecue and handed it to Daron.
Daron reached out and took it.
Cooking fumes were swirling all around the barbecue stall.
Marina couldn’t help but think, ‘He must be stained with a lot of cooking fumes by now!
He was such a clean freak and always cared about how he looked. He’d hate smelling like that.
After grabbing the packed barbecue, Daron just walked right over to her without a second thought.
He came up to the passenger side and handed her the barbecue.
Marina grabbed it and was about to hop out of the car.
“Let me just eat it out here. The smell’s so strong. If I bring it home, it’ll probably…” she started.
But Daron shut the door before she could get out.
“Don’t bother, it’s getting late. Eat in the car or at home, up to you,” he said.
Marina obediently settled back into her seat.
Daron got back behind the wheel and drove to his place.
Marina kept the barbecue wrapped up the whole way, cracking the window for fresh air. She was worried the smell would stick in the car.
While waiting at a red light, Daron glanced over at her.
“Aren’t you hungry? Why aren’t you eating?” he asked.
Marina gave a faint smile and replied softly, “I’m just afraid the fork might stab me in the mouth. I’ll wait until we get home.
Daron arched a brow, a teasing glint in his eyes. “What, you don’t trust my driving skills?”
3/4
AB
748 pm G P p
Cliopper 201
Daron let out a soft, low chuckle.
Yim eat if youire bungry. li have by take the rarent chores,成为way
Marina felt her heart flutter at how exeyring he was way South her dark.
‘I want to eat at home with a beer, Marina said, jest stating what the wed
“Sure, Daron said without missing a beat
The light turned green, and Daron hit the ga
Back home, Marina handed him the barbecue,
“Let me get my stuck slipper off, she said.
Daron took the barbecue, set it on the table, and headed into the bathroo
Marina immediately crouched down by the door, trying to get her suck digger of
She tugged at it a couple of times, but it wouldn’t budge.
Daron came out of the bathroom with some body wash, crouched down in front of her, and poured sore oso ber
Seeing him reach out to help her pull the slipper off, Marina instinctively stopped him
“No…” she said.
She pulled her foot back, but before she could even finish her sentence, Daron had already slipped the slipper off her ankle
with ease.
He did it in one smooth motion. Even though he was such a clean freak, he didn’t mind at all. Not a trace of hesitation or distaste.
Marina bit her lip, her eyes softening with emotion.
4/4
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
