Chapter 202
Chapter 202
Daron casually set the slippers aside, “Here,” he said.
“Thanks,” Marina said.
She glanced at the dirty slippers, looking super awkward.
By now, she couldn’t even call them white anymore. They were just straight–up gray–black.
Just as Marina felt embarrassed, Daron reached out and grabbed her ankle again.
Her ankle was a bit red from how hard she’d tried to pull free earlier.
Daron inspected it closely, only letting go after making sure it wasn’t swollen.
“It’s getting late, Come on, grab a bite and then get some sleep,” he said.
“Okay,” Marina replied.
Her expression was anything but natural. She was just embarrassed.
Thankfully, Daron didn’t make fun of her at all. He simply set her foot down and went straight to the bathroom.
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Marina let out a sigh of relief and tidied up a bit. She wiped her feet down with a wet wipe, rinsed off in the bathroom, then threw her coat into the washing machine. Once she was sure she was clean, she finally stepped out of the room.
As soon as she walked into the living room, the strong smell of barbecue hit her.
Knowing Daron probably wasn’t a fan of that smell, she quickly switched on the air purifier and closed the doors to the bedroom and study.
Daron came out of the bathroom, drying his hands. When he saw Marina frantically closing all the doors, he couldn’t help but look a little exasperated.
With all the doors closed so the smell wouldn’t get in, Marina shot Daron a careful look before asking, “Mr. Zamora, do you want to have some?”
Daron’s brows knitted slightly at her words.
He said, “Before you got the barbecue, I was Daron. But now, suddenly, you call me Mr. Zamora? You use me and then just kick me to the curb?”
With that, he walked right past her.
Marina hurried to explain, “Of course not! I just thought you might not like me calling you Daron.”
Daron walked over to the wine rack, grabbed a bottle of red wine, and set it on the table.
“Yeah, I’m not a fan of that. I’d rather you call me something different,” he replied.
Marina just stood there, totally blank.
“Besides Mr. Zamora and Daron, is there really any other way I could address him? More cheesy?‘ she wondered.
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Chapter 202
Daron opened the wine and poured it into a decanter. Noticing Marina still rooted to the spot, he asked, “Not hungry anymore?
“I’m hungry,” Marina replied, finally moving.
As she spoke, she made her way over and started unwrapping the barbecue.
Daron sat down across from her, a subtle smile flickering in his sharp eyes.
Once Marina had unwrapped the barbecue, she thoughtfully picked up the first one and handed it to Daron.
She said, “Daron, here.”
Daron’s eyes warmed as he reached out and took the barbecue from her.
When he grabbed it, his warm fingers grazed hers for a split second.
Marina’s heart skipped a beat. She jerked her hand back and plopped down. She grabbed the barbecue and started eating, taking her sweet time.
She’d been resisting the urge all the way home, but the moment she took a bite, pure satisfaction washed over her.
‘Damn, this is amazing,‘ she thought to herself.
Daron watched her, and a faint smile appeared on his face. He pulled out the beer she wanted from the bag. He popped it open with one hand, poured it into a glass, and slid it over to her.
Marina said, “Thanks, Daron.”
Daron didn’t say a word. He just poured himself a glass of red wine.
The wine in his glass glowed with a wickedly rich red under the lights.
Marina had always thought Daron had perfect hands, but watching him lift the wine glass so naturally, those fingers looked even more charming.
He looked at her from across the table.
Marina caught on, raised her glass, and reached out to clink it with his.
“Good luck with your matchmaking trip to Vrufield tomorrow, Daron,” she said, raising her glass.
Their glasses clinked. Marina took a hard swig of her drink.
Daron shot her a look and asked, “Are you just ignoring everything I say?”
He took a sip of his wine, then set the glass down on the table.
“I’m heading back to Vrufield tomorrow, but it’s not for any matchmaking,” he added.
Marina nodded awkwardly. “Alright, I forgot.”
Tomorrow was Joyce’s birthday, and Daron was heading back to celebrate with her. They’d known each other for a long time, and both families have been trying to set them up for ages.
Daron gave her a sidelong glance and said, “You’d better really have forgotten.”
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Chapter 202
Marina shot him a sheepish smile, and when she saw he’d finished his food, she quickly grabbed another one and handed it
over.
Thankfully, Daron didn’t seem bothered at all by what she’d said just now. He just took the barbecue without a word.
If Kara saw someone eating barbecue with red wine, she wouldn’t be able to resist whispering in Marina’s ear, “Trying to act all fancy!”
But when Daron did it, somehow it just seemed natural, like he made it look elegant without even trying
Marina held her glass, eyeing the red wine sitting in front of Daron.
She thought, ‘Red wine with barbecues. What would that even taste like?
‘I’ve never tried that before. Now I kinda want to give it a shot!
Maybe it was the curiosity practically shining in Marina’s eyes, but Daron suddenly handed his wine glass over to her, a playful glint in his gaze.
“Want a taste?” he asked, his tone light.
Marina looked up at him, curiosity getting the better of her. “Is it good?” she asked.
Daron slid his glass over to her and said, “Why don’t you just try it and see for yourself?”
“Let me just grab another glass and pour some in,” Marina said.
She couldn’t use his wine glass directly, so she got up to grab another glass.
Daron frowned, his voice low. “Are you put off by me?”
Marina shook her head and replied, “No way, I’d never think that. I’m just worried you might not be okay with it.”
She forced a smile as she answered, but Daron read her like a book. His voice was calm as he said, “I’m not put off by you.”
Marina suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
Daron, still seated, reached out and took the wine glass back from in front of her.
Just when Marina thought he wasn’t going to let her use his glass, he simply passed it over to her.
“Here,” he said.
Marina was totally caught in a bind. She couldn’t bring herself to take the glass, but not taking it would be even weirder.
Daron lifted his hand again, basically telling her to hurry up and take it.
Left with no choice, Marina braced herself and took the glass. She gave it a quick sip and then shoved it right back into Daron’s hand.
Daron asked, “How is it?”
Marina took a slow sip, savoring it. She replied, “Actually, it’s pretty good. There’s a bit of sweetness at the end. Not like those bitter wines I’ve tried before.”
Daron nodded and said softly, “Yeah, this one’s more for women anyway.”
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Chapter 202
Marina raised an eyebrow and asked, “Then why’d you pick this one?”
Daron said, “It’s got a lower alcohol content. I’ve got some important business to take care of in Vrofield tomorrow, so I’m just keeping it light tonight with you.”
Important business? Marina thought, feeling a little sour inside.
She managed a small smile, pushing down that sour feeling, and replied softly, “Alright.”
She thought, ‘Seriously, what could be more important than getting married?
‘Even if Daron and Joyce aren’t officially together yet, it is only a matter of time before they end up together.
As for Daron and me, we are completely impossible to be together.
‘And after that, we will only get farther and farther away from each other.‘
AD
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.
