Chapter 112 An Awkward
Accident
“I’d better leave it in the past,” Yvonne said firmly. For a fleeting moment, she had considered telling Norton her past. But as the cool evening breeze brushed against her face, she quickly regained her composure and changed her mind.
Norton’s sudden interest in listening intently was likely a fleeting curiosity. Soon enough, he might accuse her of playing games again, manipulating the situation to gain his sympathy.
The car soon pulled up to the supermarket. Despite the late hour, the sprawling store was still bustling, its shelves neatly stocked with fresh produce and essentials.
Since their purpose was to shop for groceries, Yvonne guided Norton directly to the relevant section, her steps purposeful and her demeanor calm.
They made their way to the seafood section, where the shelves were lined with an assortment of fresh catches. Yvonne pushed the cart, her eyes scanning the options as she turned to Norton. “What do you feel like eating? Go ahead, pick whatever you want.”
Norton raised an eyebrow, eyeing the seafood with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. “Didn’t you say you only
make simple dishes? These…”
He gestured at the array of seafood with a hint of doubt. “Are you sure you can handle cooking these?”
Yvonne returned his look with a confident grin. “I can steam them. Simple enough,” she replied, her tone
steady.
Norton was momentarily at a loss for words. His lips twitched slightly, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she was teasing him. Without a word, he took the shopping cart from her and began pushing it forward.
Yvonne followed closely behind. “So, you’re really not having seafood tonight?” she asked, a hint of relief in her
voice.
A sense of satisfaction bubbled up inside Yvonne as she posed the question. She knew some types of seafood could be a hassle to clean, especially those with a pungent smell. She had no clue how to mask the fishy odor, and the last thing she wanted was to disappoint Norton with a subpar meal. If that happened, it would surely push her further from her goal.
Norton’s gaze lingered on the seafood, his expression bordering on disdain. “Seafood this late in the day probably isn’t fresh. I prefer it when it’s flown in early in the morning,” he remarked.
Yvonne was momentarily speechless. “What a picky man,” she muttered under her breath.
Without missing a beat, Norton turned left, steering the cart toward the meat section.
Chapter 112 An Awkward Accident
Yvonne, her patience wearing thin, quickly pointed at the assortment of meats. “These aren’t fresh either,” she said with a hint of sarcasm. “The best cuts are usually sold in the morning.”
She flashed him a knowing smile, hoping to drive the point home. “Look, these pieces only appear appealing
because of the lights. We should avoid buying them.”
Her suggestion wasn’t so much an attempt at logic as a thinly veiled plea to stick with something simpler.
Vegetables, she knew, were far easier to work with. Quick to prepare and clean, they could be ready in minutes,
offering minimal fuss. She was hoping they could avoid the hassle of an elaborate meal.
Norton raised an eyebrow, his expression darkening with displeasure. “Are you planning to starve me?”
Yvonne quickly rushed to defend herself, her tone almost apologetic. “No, of course not! I just think vegetables would be a great choice. It’s getting late, and heavy meals can be hard on digestion. Plus, vegetables are healthy
and light, great for weight management.”
But Norton’s expression shifted from surprise to something colder, sharper. His eyes narrowed, a silent
you calling me fat?”
warning flickering in them. “Are
Yvonne quickly stammered, her words tumbling over each other. “No, not at all! You’ve got six–pack abs; you’re fit and strong. I’m sure a lot of guys look up to your physique. Honestly, you’re in better shape than most…
you’re the best.”
Her smile felt more like a nervous twitch than genuine enthusiasm.
Norton’s lips twisted into a slight sneer, clearly unimpressed. “Yvonne, you really are a master at sucking up,
aren’t you?”
Yvonne clamped her mouth shut, deciding silence was the better option. She wouldn’t waste her breath if he
didn’t want to hear it.
Despite Yvonne’s best efforts to steer Norton toward something lighter, he seemed determined to have beef for dinner. She sighed inwardly, realizing the conversation was already lost.
Her eyes darted around the section, her mind working quickly to find a solution. Finally, she spotted some braised beef nearby. “Sir, could I get two pounds of braised beef, please?” she asked the attendant.
Norton’s response was immediate and without hesitation. “I don’t eat that.”
Yvonne’s shoulders slumped slightly, but she quickly recovered. “Well then, let’s go for some steaks. I can cook
them for you tonight.”
“Do you honestly expect me to eat frozen steaks?” Norton’s eyebrow arched, his irritation palpable. “I want fresh beef prepared by you tonight.”
Reluctantly, Yvonne selected some fresh beef, though the idea of cooking it filled her with dread. She had never attempted it before, and the pressure gnawed at her. Her distraction was evident as they walked to the checkout, her thoughts far away.
At the counter, she was so lost in her worries that she accidentally knocked into something, clattering a few items to the floor. “Sorry, let me help with that,” she said quickly, bending down to retrieve the fallen goods.
To Yvonne’s surprise, Norton knelt beside her, silently assisting in gathering the scattered items.
Chapter 112 An Awkward Accident
“No need, I can handle it,” Yvonne said, her tone calm and composed.
“I just didn’t want you to feel embarrassed,” Norton replied, his voice low but firm, carrying a hint of concern.
Yvonne looked at him, confusion flickering across her face. She had only accidentally knocked something over; what was there to be embarrassed about? Mistakes were a part of life. But then, her eyes fell on the object Norton had picked up, and the reality of the situation struck her like a thunderclap.
Her heart jolted at the sight of a box of condoms, right there in the middle of a crowded store, and a wave of humiliation rushed over her. It was as if the universe had decided to play a cruel prank, Murphy’s Law at its
worst.
At first, Yvonne had mistaken it for a pack of gum, and the packaging was nearly identical. Without hesitation, she had bent down to retrieve it. But now, seeing the condoms in his hand, her cheeks burned with shame.
At that moment, it felt as though the floor had dissolved beneath her. She stood there, frozen, utterly unsure of how to proceed. The air around her grew thick with discomfort, and she scrambled to find a way out of the suffocating awkwardness that enveloped her.
“Miss, could you hurry up?” A tall, attractive man’s voice, tinged with impatience, broke the stillness behind
them.
Yvonne’s face flushed with embarrassment, but she didn’t let it show for long. Without a second thought, she hastily transferred the items into Norton’s hands, her movements quick and purposeful.
“You… pick them up yourself,” Yvonne mumbled, her cheeks burning. “I’ll wait outside.”
Flustered, she hurried away, her heart racing as she made her escape.
Norton watched her retreating figure, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Moments later, Norton emerged from the supermarket, a bag in hand, his expression composed. As they
walked out, neither spoke, the silence between them thick with unspoken tension.
In the car, they settled into the back seat, sitting close enough for their shoulders to almost touch. Still flustered by the earlier incident, Yvonne quickly scooted to the side, putting as much distance between them as
possible.
“Why so far away?” Norton’s voice, low and casual, broke the silence.
“It’s a bit hot,” Yvonne replied, avoiding his gaze.
Norton glanced at Leif, who was driving in the front seat. “Is it? Is it really that hot?”
Sitting in the driver’s seat, Leif replied with a hint of amusement, “Mr. Burke, it’s quite cool up here. But !
wouldn’t know about the back.”
Norton nodded thoughtfully. “Well, it’s a bit warm back here. Leif, could you crack the window a bit?”
Before Yvonne could protest or adjust her position further, Norton swiftly reached out and pulled her closer without hesitation. Her breath hitched, but she said nothing, unsure how to respond to the sudden proximity.
Just then, the car jolted as Leif slammed on the brakes. Yvonne, caught off guard, stumbled into Norton’s arms, her nose colliding with his chest.
Chapter 112 An Awkward Accident
The sudden impact made her wince. A sharp ache shot through her nose, but her mind couldn’t help but notice the solid firmness of his chest, the muscle beneath the fabric.
“What’s this? Are you really that eager to throw yourself at me?” Norton’s voice, a mix of amusement and
challenge, rang in her ears.
“Of course not!” she snapped back, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Determined to distance herself, she tried to push away. But just as she did, Leif braked again. This time, she was thrown back into Norton’s arms, her body pressing firmly against his. And in the chaos, she accidentally brushed against him in a place that sent a sudden jolt of awareness through both of them.
Yvonne froze, her breath catching. When she finally moved, her warm exhale ghosted over his lower abdomen, sending an unexpected shiver through him.
“Don’t move!” Norton’s voice was low and commanding.
Yvonne, however, wasn’t someone who would obey orders so easily. She needed to rise to escape this awkward position, but she couldn’t do so without making a move.
After a brief moment of hesitation, she shifted slightly, trying to reposition herself. But before she could fully move, Norton’s hand shot out, gripping the back of her head with surprising force, pressing her down firmly against his chest.
Requiem of A Broken Heart