Olivier gazed at her calmly. His eyes seemed to say, "Go on, keep fabricating. I'm listening." Gwenda was so embarrassed she wished she could disappear. If she'd known this would happen, she never would have let him into the guest room! Shouldn't she have used the master bedroom?

"Also"

Olivier raised an eyebrow. "You didn't deny having a boyfriend when your dad asked."

"That that was because I didn't think I needed to explain anything to him."

"Really?" Olivier clearly didn't believe her. Chuckling, he stood and sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist. "I thought you were just pretending to reject me, while secretly believing we were meant to be."

Gwenda was embarrassed and annoyed. "You that's bullshit!"

"Why are you embarrassed? We'll be together sooner or later. It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"What together? I'm pretty sure I haven't agreed to be your girlfriend yet, Mr. Petit!"

Gwenda snorted, glaring at him.

"Well, it's not too late to agree now." Olivier laughed.

Scoundrel, Gwenda thought, eyeing him with disdain, unable to retort. He wore a smug expression.

The doorbell rang.

"The takeout's here."

"I'll get it." This time, Olivier went to the door.

After collecting their takeout, they sat at the dining table.

"Sit over here." Olivier was unhappy with the distance between them.

Gwenda remained unmoved. "No, I just had a fever. I don't want to get you sick."

"Do you want me to hug you while we eat?" Olivier cocked an eyebrow, his deep voice a low threat.

Gwenda stared, stunned. Seeing his serious expression, she reluctantly moved closer. Satisfied, Olivier broke eye contact and took the porridge from her hands. "Open up, I'll feed you."

"I can eat by myself." Gwenda felt uncomfortable.

"Open up." His tone brooked no refusal.

Gwenda was speechless. After hesitating, she let Olivier feed her, though she was deeply discomfited.

Dinner finished eventually. Olivier got her a glass of warm water and her medicine.

"Leave it." Gwenda had just eaten and didn't want her medicine yet.

"You're afraid of the bitterness?" Olivier easily saw through her.

Gwenda nodded, slightly taken aback. "Yes."

"I'll teach you a way to make it easier. Want to try?" Olivier asked, raising an eyebrow.

Gwenda was surprised. "There's a method?"

Olivier nodded, smiling. He took the medicine from the bag and handed it to her. "Place the pill in the middle of your tongue, then swallow it with water. You won't taste it."

"It really works?" Gwenda was skeptical.

"Give it a shot."

"Alright"

Gwenda took the medicine and followed his instructions. It was quick. She checked for any lingering taste—there was none.

"There's really no bitterness!" Gwenda smiled, her eyes lighting up as she looked at Olivier.

His pupils constricted, his heart skipped a beat. He reached for her waist, leaning down to kiss her without warning.

Gwenda froze. When she recovered, he'd broken the kiss, a smirk on his face. "Yes, there's indeed no bitterness at all," he said with amusement.

Gwenda's face blazed crimson. Her heart pounded, and she struggled to breathe.

"You you"

"What?" Olivier looked at her with a faint smile.

Gwenda pressed her lips together and pushed him away. "You're such a rascal!"

"Yep, I like being a rascal. So what?" Olivier said unapologetically, raising an eyebrow.