Chapter 602
Chapter 602
Pearl was taken aback for a moment, then broke into a bright smile. She replied, “With you and Owen around, I’m not scared at all.”
Aria gently tousled Pearl’s hair and said, “Don’t worry, this will all be over soon.”
When Owen got home from work, he found the living room pitch-black. He could just make out a figure sitting at the dining table. He asked, “Madelyn, why’s it so dark in here?”
In the next instant, warm golden candlelight flickered to life.
Seeing the scene in front of him, Owen stood frozen, momentarily stunned.
The dining table was draped with an elegant tablecloth, laden with gourmet dishes, surrounded by vibrant flower petals, while exquisite candelabras cast a soft, warm glow. A birthday cake sat at the center of the table.
“Happy birthday,” Aria said softly, her face glowing in the candlelight with a tender smile.
Owen’s heart skipped a beat, warmth flooding through him. He approached slowly. His voice was slightly husky with emotion as he said, “Wait for me-I’ll go change into something more comfortable.”
Three minutes later, Owen emerged in comfortable loungewear.
Just as Owen was about to pull out the chair next to her, Aria stopped him with a gentle smile. She said, “Why don’t you sit across from me? It’ll be easier for us to talk.”
Owen gently slid his dinner plate to the spot closest to her. “This way, I can be closer to you,” he murmured.
Aria chuckled softly and said, “Alright.”
Owen took in every lovingly arranged detail, his gaze finally resting on the slightly imperfect-yet unmistakably homemade -cake. He asked, “Madelyn, did you make this yourself?”
Aria replied, “Yeah, I made it with Emma. The rest is from Amour Bistro. I just reheated them.”
Owen said softly, “I love it.”
One could tell from Aria’s place that she preferred simplicity. She wasn’t one for decorating, nor did she buy anything unnecessary. But for Owen, she went out of her way to create such a warm, inviting space.
Aria said softly, “Let’s eat first.”
Owen barely touched the main dishes, yet he polished off every last crumb of the cake Aria had made for him.
“Aren’t you stuffed?” Aria asked, amazed.
Owen replied softly, “I’m fine.” He gazed at her, his eyes shimmering with affection, like starlight.
Aria’s cheeks flushed under Owen’s intense gaze. Unable to take it any longer, she stood up abruptly with a shy smile. “Let’s go see what everyone got you,” she suggested.
Owen obediently followed and settled onto the sofa.
1/3
1:01 pm
Chapter 602
The table was piled high with gifts, including those from the Shaw family relatives, all of which had been carefully packed and shipped over by Emma.
Owen said softly, “That’s too many. Let’s save the rest for later.”
Aria teased, “Not opening mine?”
“Open it.” Owen nodded. His gaze swept over the gifts and asked, “Which one’s from you?”
Aria said, “Guess?”
Owen studied the gifts for a moment before picking up an exquisite velvet box. He asked, “This one?”
Aria was surprised. She asked, “How could you tell?”
Owen grinned and said, “We’re on the same wavelength.”
Owen had a single piercing in his left ear-an accidental souvenir from a past mission that never closed up. He had once inadvertently caught a glimpse of Aria’s sketch-a design for matching couples’ earrings.
Judging from the box size, he immediately spotted Aria’s gift among the pile of presents.
Owen opened the box to reveal a pair of burgundy vintage-style stud earrings that, when joined together, formed a perfect
heart.
Aria gently picked up the earring for his left ear and said softly, “Let me put it on for you.”
Owen sat obediently on the sofa, tilting his face up.
Aria struggled to put the earring on but couldn’t manage. She said, “Should we just give up?”
“It can go in,” Owen murmured. He gently but firmly guided her hand. With a bit of pressure, the earring finally slid through.
Aria winced at the sight, suddenly regretting she’d ever given him those earrings.
Owen flashed her a playful grin and asked, “So, how do I look?”
“Looks good,” Aria said with a smile. Just as she was about to rise, Owen suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into his embrace.
Aria tumbled onto his lap. “What are you up to?” she protested.
Owen’s gaze burned with intensity as he slowly drew closer to her lips.
Aria leaned back slightly. “But we just ate,” she said.
Owen murmured, “It’s fine. We could always do something else to help with digestion.”
Aria smiled and said, “Let’s open the presents first.”
“We can save them for tomorrow,” Owen murmured.
2/3
pm
