Chapter 58
After a lunch break, Lia felt guilty as she left the office, only to rith into an anxious Phoebe.
“Lia, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for you to be lectured by Mr. Ford for so long: Phoebe apologized profusely. “It’s all my fault for speaking out of turn.”
“Phoebe, it’s not your fault. I wasn’t lectured
Lia felt guilty, sorry for the trust they placed in her, but she was lectured–she was actually asleep inside
“Lia, it’s my fault,” said Phoebe.
“We were just talking about work. It took longer than expected, but it really has nothing to do with that.” Lia made up an
excuse
Phoebe sighed in relief. “Oh, that’s good to know. I’ll make sure not to speak out of turn again, Lia,”
“It’s okay. Get back to work,” said Lia.
“Lia, do you have plans tonight? I want to treat you and Millie to dinner, Phoebe asked.
“Phoebe, you don’t have to. I might need to work late tonight,” she replied.
“Lia, I heard there’s a popular ‘Muscle BBQ near the company. Want to check it out with me?” Phoebe didn’t want to go alone. It would be boring.
Wow, Muscle Men BBQ? Millie, who had just come out of the break room, overheard. “Phoebe, I’m in! I want to go!” Muscle BBQ? How does Phoebe know about everything? Lia thought to herself.
“Sure, Millie, my treat. Lia, you should come too.” Phoebe invited.
“No, you guys go ahead.” Lia wasn’t interested in this, and she didn’t want to be misunderstood by him.
“Lia, come on, we’re just going for BBQ. The muscle show is just background noise. Just don’t let your boyfriend know abour IL Phoebe hooked her arm around Lia’s, trying to persuade her.
“You guys have fun. I need to work late. Have a good time. Lia declined again.
“Millie, how about we wait until Lia is free to go?” Phoebe suggested.
“Sure, I have no problem with that,” said Millie.
“No, no need to wait for me, just go ahead.” Lia felt helpless.
“Alright, we’ll take some pictures and show you later,” said Phoebe
Millie nudged Phoebe with her elbow, smiling. “You want to take pictures of the good or the men?”
“Hehe, is it wrong to love beautiful things! We’re still single. There’s nothing wrong with it. Phoebe laughed.
“Mm, you’re right. We’ll take pictures together,” said Millie.
Lia returned to her office, thinking, Restaurants nowadays sure know how to market. Perhaps I can learn something from them. Floral Island could be a paradise for couples, but what else could it be?‘
She casually glanced at the flowers on her desk. ‘What can flowers do?‘
Chapter 58
Dec
Suddenly, Lia had an idea.
Work ended at six.
“Lia, we’re heading out now.” Phoche and Millie stood at the doo to Lia’s office, their excitement obvious.
“Okay, have fun,” said Lin
“Lia. Mr. Ford is still in the office Millie glanced toward the general manager’s office.
Being assistants, Phoebe and Millie often worked overtime,
“Mm” Lia knew that Phoebe and Millie were both afraid of him. As their superior, she could understand that. If it were in the past, she thought she might have felt the same way, full of respect and awe.
After about ten minutes, Lia was still focused on working on the quarterly report.
Coby came out of his office and walked to the secretary’s office. Her office door was open
The sound of knocking echoed, and Lia instinctively looked up. When she saw who it was, a smile appeared on her face.
“Lia, still not off work!” He leaned lazily against the doorframe, smiling with his eyes and brows.
She scrunched her small nose. ‘Almost done, Mr. Ford. You go ahead.” She needed to finish this report today.
Coby took a long stride toward her, pulled a chair, and sat beside her. T’m waiting for my wife.”
Lia smiled slightly. “It doesn’t seem appropriate for me to make you wait, Mr. Ford.”
“Says who? I think it’s great,” said Coby.
“Want some coffee?” Lia asked, concerned he might be bored.
“Do you want some?” asked Coby.
Til go get it.” Lia stood up.
“Sit down.” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll go.”
Lia looked at his back, feeling sweet inside.
Who would’ve thought that the usually cold and serioUS
him was actually quite considerate in private?
Not long after, Coby returned with a cup of coffee and set it on the table.
Only one cup?
Lia was curious but didn’t ask further.
Coby picked up the coffee and handed it to her. “Try it”
It was right in front of her mouth, so it’d b
rude not to drink it. Lia took a small sip.
This was exactly her preferred flavor. “Did you add sugar?”
He didn’t drink his coffee with sugar.
“Just half a spoon,” he said.
Chapter 58
Tll pour another cup Eia was about to get up.
“No need. His eyes flashed with a sharp gleam as he lightly rappel her small face.
“I wasn’t really after coffee, I just wanted to taste… Coby looked her in the eyes.
Lia caught the heat in his gaze and unconsciously licked her lips. The door. is still…uh…
The door was still open.
He got a taste, and now he craved more, savoring the coffee’s sweetness between their lips.
Coby enjoyed it a lot.
Half an hour later, Lia finished her work. Honestly, it shouldn’t have taken this long.
They left the building, one after the other. He held her hand, their fingers tightly interlocked.
“Lia, what do you want to eat?” he asked.
“Anything is fine.” Lia didn’t have any particular cravings.
Coby lightly scratched her palm, his gaze deep and affectionate, Anything, really?”
Lia smiled softly. “I’m really craving some garlic confit right now
Sure. As long as you will still kiss me afterward,” said Coby.
He pointed to his mouth.
Lia smiled sweetly. “Let’s go!”
He raised an eyebrow, deliberately teasing. That’s not an answer
Lia stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear, ‘Actually, I like the taste of garlic.”
Coby tilted his head and kissed her cheek. “Then I’ll have a lot!”
When this man acted childish, he was incredibly cute.
83%T
The night market had a variety of street food. It was located near the university town, so there were plenty of people, mostly college students.
They arrived during the peak time, with many students out looking for food. Coby kept her close, protecting her.
Several pairs of eyes turned toward them. Lia looked at him in his suit and apologized. “I didn’t think this through. We should’ve come next time.”
Coby’s gaze was focused entirely on her. “Why?”
“Your outfit doesn’t quite fit in here,” she said.
He pinched her slender waist lightly. “Do they look at me like I’m some kind of monkey?”
Lia pouted her red lips. “What monkey could ever be as handsome as you?”
He carried an aloof aura, and in formal attire, he exuded a vibe that kept people at a respectful distance
Back in school, girls must have adored guys like him.
Chapter 38
Probably because they read too many romance novels.
Lia recalled how Cora had once passionately recommended some novel to her. But having been around people like tocar for so long, she had no romantic fantasies left. In real life, wealthy, gh–quality men were often just playboys.
Of course, there were exceptions.
Coby leaned down close to her ear, his voice soft and teasing “So, Lda, are you jealous?”
Their intimate gestures sparked quiet murmurs among the people around them.
Embarrassed, she tugged at his sleeve. “Everyone’s watching!”
Coby was unconcerned. Tm the one who’s jealous. Those men’s ares are way too obvious”
Lia met his gaze. “But they’re all looking at you.”
Most of the onlookers were women. Wherever he went, he was the center of attention.
He took off his jacket and tied it around her waist.
“Pencil skirts are great–I love seeing you in them. But I don’t like others staring, especially in crowded places,” said Coby
He decided to buy her longer pencil skirts in the future.
“Come on, let’s go,” Lia said, pulling him forward by the arm. If they stayed any longer, the crowd really would be gawking at him like a monkey.
Coby casually wrapped his arm around her slim waist. “But we haven’t bought our food yet.”
“You really want it so bad?” she asked, surprised. She’d thought he was joking.
“I’m serious,” said Coby,
Lia realized he was surprisingly childish at times.
Coby stopped in front of a stand selling garlic confit toasts and inspected the offerings.
“Want to try it? This is the exotic black garlic confit,” said the stand owner.
The toasts also had onion and parsley inside.
“Just try it. Everyone loves it!” the owner said.
“What’s the difference between garlic and black garlic?” Coby asked as he’d never tried black garlic before.
“Well, one’s fresh, the other’s fermented. The vendor explained
Lia looked at Coby with amusement.
“One of each.” Coby decided.
Lia tugged on his sleeve again. “Are you sure we can finish all this?”
Leaning in close to her ear, he whispered, “Of course. I’ll even finish you afterward.”
Blushing furiously, Lia pinched him hard, embarrassed by his cheeky remark. Since when had he become so naughty?
After strolling through the night market, they ended up with other food as well.
Chapter 58
Back home, Lia stared at the table laden with stacks.
“We should share some of this with the others. It’s too much for ist us to finish,” said Lia
This man had bought everything that caught his eye, without thinking if he could eat so much.
Coby placed both garlic toasts in front of himself. “These two are mine:
“Fine, they’re yours,” she said, amused.
Lia shared the food with others.
“Lia, you try it first. He offered Lia to take a bite off the black garlic confit toast.
“Woo, it’s actually tasty.” Lia sounded surprised.
“Let me try.” He leaned in and cupped her face.
“Coby, stop messing around.” She protested, noticing his intent. She quickly put the toast next to his mouth.
He cleared his throat. “Not bad. But I wanted it from your mouth!”
“Wow, sir is so smooth,” one maid whispered in amazement.
“I can’t believe he’s such a flirt.” Another maid added, equally stunned.
“Feeding each other like that–I’m so jealous.”
“Shh, let’s leave. Stop gossiping
“I can’t imagine how happy they must be together.”
“Thanks to madam, we get some snacks too!”
The servants happily went to enjoy their food.
In the end, Coby had eaten both garlic toasts.
“Drink some
warm water. Lia handed him a cup of warm water,
He took it and finished it in a few quick sips.
“You didn’t have to finish it all,” said Lia.
“But I loved it. It was actually so good,” he said.
“Your stomach might get upset.”
“Then I’ll need something to soothe my stomach. How about you? He teased.
Lia didn’t know what to say.
Ring, ring, ring.
The phone vibrated. Lia glanced at it–it was a voice call from Phoebe.
“Answer it Coby looked at the phone.
“Okay,” said Lia.
10:34 Tue, Dec
Chapter 58
It was late. They should have already gone home by now,
Lia answered the voice call, and Phoebe’s excited voice came through immediately.
“Lia, did you see the photo I sent? It looks really good!” said Phoebe,
Photo? The man furrowed his brows slightly
Lia secretly glanced at Coby beside her. Phoebe, I’m still eating Can we talk tomorrow?”
“Okay, Lia, it really looks great!” Phoebe laughed.
After hanging up, the phone screen automatically showed Pisoche’s chat, and the photo was visible right away.
Lia quickly closed the phone, but he still saw it, a smile spreading across his face as he looked at her.
“Phoebe and Millie went to some place called Muscle BBQ, and he sent it to me. I didn’t think much of it.” Lia explained awkwardly.
“They used steroids for sure! It’s all looks and no substance!” said Coby.
Lia nodded in agreement. He was the kind who had both.
After dinner, they went for a walk.
After finishing up in the bathroom, Lia lay on the bed while he took a long time in the bathroom.
Coby looked at himself in the mirror, slowly buttoning his shir
‘Muscle, eh? I’ll show you musclef he thought.
Soon, he came out wearing a black shirt.
“Lia.” He kissed her soft lips.
“Hmm?” Lia looked at him, confused. “Coby, are you going out?
“Baby, do you want me to strip dance?”
“What?” Lia blinked. She couldn’t believe what she heard.
He gently scratched her little nose. “You forgot?”
“You’ve learned it already?” Lia sat up, a little embarrassed. “I haven’t learned it yet.
“No problem, today you’ll watch me and learn. You can do it next time,” he said.
Why did he want to do this tonight? Was it because he was jealous of those photos?
Surprisingly, he was quite a good dancer.
His fingers, with clearly defined joints, moved down from his Adam’s apple, casually undoing a black button.
One, two, three….
Lia silently swallowed, her face as red as a sunset.
It seemed he didn’t even need to dance for Lia to feel the strong visual impact.
10:34 Tue, Dec
Chapter 58
The fact that his movement was so clean made it quite visually pleasing and not uncomfortable at all.
He looked slim with clothes on, and strong with clothes off. It was simply perfect.
Broad shoulders, narrow waist, and a well–defined backside….
“Baby, do you like it?” he asked.
Lia lowered her gaze, her voice barely audible. “Oh yeah.”
Coby raised her chin. “Who looks better? Me or them?”
“Ahem…” Lia swallowed again. “Coby, do you need to rest?”
She really wanted to touch him.
The man smiled slightly. “Lia, how’s your body feeling?”
Lia wrapped her arms around him and shyly mumbled, Tm fine
“Don’t go to Muscle BBQ Just look at me, Okay?” he whispered gently in her ear, his warm breath making her ears tingle.
Lia’s heart raced uncontrollably. “Okay.”
His movements were more graceful, and she loved watching him
He took her hand and placed it on his firm chest.
His chest felt hot under her hand. She watched his dazed expression and slowly began to touch his body.
