Dear second fiancé

CHAPTER 8. eyes don't lie [HIATUS]

''What was that all about?!'' Lydia leaned against the closed door in her nearly empty and dark one-room apartment. Brushing the hair back she kicked the shoes off and went by the couch to pick up the fluffy blanket and a few cosmetic products from the bathroom before stuffing it all in a huge tote bag.

''He's acting all weird all of a sudden. It's as if he—" Lydia dropped the bag accidentally by the entrance, ''No no, can't be.. Don't go overanalyzing now..'' She shook her head and away with the lingering thought.

By the entrance of the penthouse apartment, that spacious entryway larger than the bathroom of Lydia's old apartment, taking off their shoes and jackets happened in complete silence. Lydia picked up the tote bag on her shoulder and began to take steps towards her own bedroom on the left.

''Have you had lunch yet?'' Dean's sudden question breaking the silence stopped her on the spot.

''I haven't even had breakfast yet.'' Lydia chuckled softly.

''You kidding m— Wait for 30 minutes..'' Dean brushed his hair back and seemed oddly frustrated, muttering to himself while walking past her.

Lydia watched him go by the kitchen and open the door of the stainless steel fridge, two of them side by side with a build-in ice machine on the door of the other. In Lydia's opinion a bit excessive, his actions more so. Why go through the trouble if it made him so annoyed, she thought. But couldn't bring herself to say a single word. Dean had already pushed his own tasks aside for the day enough. How could she complain about him preparing a meal on top of that no matter how much she wanted to stop him and say he — yet again — did not have to.

But she had already tried to decline his efforts multiple times without success.

''He's a bit pushier than i thought. I should set those boundaries while i still can.'' Lydia thought, yet found herself oddly smiling once she reached her own bedroom.

A quick fresh-up and changed clothes later, Lydia opened the door and was immediately hit with the lovely scent of fresh steamed vegetables and the sound of something sizzling on a frying pan.

''Smells nice..'' Lydia came behind Dean and took a peek, startling the man on the spot but only with a small flinch, ''Oh— I got my revenge.'' She smiled brightly with her eyes curving up along with the cheeks. Lydia wondered she must've gotten him good, for the way the tips of his ears began to gather some color after their eyes met.

''We don't have much in our fridge but I'll call in an order later..'' Dean worked diligently, flipping the omelette made out of five eggs it seemed by the thickness of it.

''Can i eat all that..'' Lydia stayed close beside him, staring down at the pan.

''Making sure the chef does his job, Ms. Inspector?'' Dean's voice was low and heavy, but when Lydia raised her gaze to meet his — there it was. Once again. That soft and gentle smile with a hint of mischief. Did he just crack a joke —Dean?

''Hmh.. I didn't know this side of him..'' Lydia couldn't help but hold the gaze all the way until Dean was the one to break it, switching off the stove and moving the frying pan over a cold spot on the cooktop.

''Sit down, I'll finish making your plate in a minute..'' Dean nodded his head back towards the kitchen island and the stools on the other side of it.

''Oh— okay..'' Lydia's whole expression was a shape of a question mark, bumping into the corner of the island while distracted by this situation all together. Pressing the spot she hit, avoiding making any sound from the sudden stinging pain which went away as quick as it came, Lydia couldn't help but lean against the palm of the hand while staring at the broad back. The white shirt tucked inside neat straight black pants, the leather belt around his waist.