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Tonic soup.
(ARIELLE'S POV)
I paused in my meal, my cutlery gently slipping away. And then my face heat up in embarrassment. "Oh, Jared and I, we're working on it," I stammered, trying to deflect the conversation. But Jared quickly intervened, his expression sheepish. "Actually, Grandma, it's my issue. I'm the one who's been dragging my feet."
Not entirely convinced, and being her usual determined self, Nana insisted on making us a "tonic soup," with claims that it was a recipe she'd learned on her travels to a remote village. "It will reignite the excitement in your systems," she said, with a mischievous smile. Jared and I exchanged uneasy glances. The hell, this was not what we planned for. "Grandma, really, it's not necessary," Jared protested, mirroring my thoughts as well. But she wouldn't budge. "Nonsense, my dear. This soup will do wonders. Trust me."
After dinner, she left for the kitchen, and with the help of the chef, got busy with preparing the "tonic soup." Minutes later, she presented us with two steaming bowls of soup. "Drink up, my dears," she instructed, hovering and watching us like hawks.
Jared looked at his mother for help, but she looked away and rose to her feet.
"Um, I have to tend something," she said, and hurried out, leaving Jared and I to Nana. At this point, we knew there was no escape from the old woman.
Hesitantly, we took sips, the strong and bitter taste making our faces screw up.
"How's it, my dears?" Nana.
"This is... interesting, yes, interesting," Jared responded.
"And you, Arielle?"
"It's nice, quite nice," I said, even though it was anything but nice.
"Ah, see, I know my onions in this soup making thing. It's an acquired taste, you know," Nana chuckled.
Jared and I nodded amidst the slapping taste of the soup. Minutes later, we were done and the bowls were taken away.
"Aha, now that you're done, off to bed, you two."
My heart sank as I turned to Jared, seeking answers, but he looked as confused as me. What does she mean by "off to bed?" There's no way I'm passing the night here, it wasn't part of the plan.
I subtly nudged Jared, but he seemed helpless and clueless like me. My heart sank further when Nana ushered us towards a bedroom.
"You'll sleep here tonight. I know it might not be as comfortable as your bedroom back at your house, but it's not bad either. I specifically asked the maid to prepare it specially for you two."
No, no, no, no, no. This was not happening, I thought, panic setting in. I was not going to spend the night in the same room as my ex-husband.
"But Grandma, "I began.
"No buts, dear. You two need some quality time together. Now, get some rest."
With that, she closed the door, leaving us alone.
I turned to Jared but he quickly averted his gaze pretending to be on his phone. I sighed and picked up my phone.
"Excuse me," I mumbled and walked into the restroom, locking the door behind me. Quickly, I dialed my mom's number.
"Hey, Mom," I whispered, trying to keep my voice down when she picked.
"Arielle, where are you? I'm worried," my mom replied.
"I'm at the Smith's mansion. It's not funny, but Nana Jean asked me to sleep over."
"Sleepover? Why? That's definitely not the plan you had with Jared."
"Yes, it's not," I said, and then began to explain. I omitted the part about the tonic soup and sharing a room with Jared, not wanting to bother her. "Alright, make sure you're safe. And if anything comes up, don't hesitate to call my phone," she said, after I was done explaining.
"I will, Mom. Kiss Maverick
goodnight for me," I said. It was a
good thing he was asleep as that would have prolonged the conversation and even made him upset if he realized I was sleeping out.
"Will do. Love you."This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
"Love you too, Mom."
The call ended and I felt a bit better. I thought of calling Ashley but thought against it. I have this under control, I decided.
As I returned to the bedroom, Jared looked up from his phone. "Everything okay?"
But I didn't respond, not because I didn't want to, but because I couldn't, at that moment. Somehow, my gaze had drifted to his pants, and my heart skipped a beat. There it was his bulging manhood, outlined against the fabric, and I couldn't help but notice how... large it was. My skin flushed hot. This was bad. The soup. It had to be the tonic
soup.
I felt my face flush, embarrassment washing over me. This was seriously not happening, Arielle have some decency.
But Jared's voice broke the spell, "Arielle, are you alright?" He repeated.
I snapped back to reality, my eyes darting to his face. "Y-yes, I'm fine," I stuttered, trying to appear cool.
But I wasn't fine. My pulse was racing, and my mind was fogged. The damn soup was beginning to work, and I didn't like the feeling.
Trying to shake off how awkward I felt, I quickly announced, "I think I'll turn in early."
Without waiting for his response, I briskly walked past him, trying to control myself. My heart was still racing, and not just my face, my skin felt flushed, too. "Goodnight," Jared called out, his voice sending shivers down my spine.
"Goodnight."
As I laid on the bed, my head raced with thoughts. I thought of where Jared would sleep, and silently I hoped it was not in the same room.
Relief washed over me when he rose and walked towards the adjoining cloak room. He paused and stared in my direction and I kept my eyes shut like one who was deeply asleep.
I only snapped my eyes open when I heard the door shutting behind him. Phew, it was going to be a long night.
But despite my restless head, exhaustion soon set in and succumbed to sleep.
It wasn't long before I was jerked awake by a sound coming from the adjoining room. What happened? My pulse quickened, and a wave of curiosity mixed with concern washed over me. Was Jared okay? I had to know.
When I peeked through the crack in
the door, my breath caught. Jared was sitting on the edge of the bed, his eyes shut. The dim light cast shadows across his sharp jawline highlighting the tense muscles of his neck as he exhaled deeply. His dark hair, mussed just enough to give him a rugged edge, fell carelessly over his forehead. His face twisted in a mixture of concentration and pleasure...Wait.
My pulse skipped.
His right hand was moving quickly, his knuckles white as he gripped himself, and I didn't need to see more to know what he was doing.
The sound of his breathing was so shallow and fast.
This was wrong, so wrong, I shouldn't be here! But as I turned to leave, I was shocked to hear Jared murmur my name under his breath. "Arielle..." Without another thought, I shut the door and flew back to bed, burying myself under the covers.