Chapter 353
Chapter 353
Neil halted and then turned to look at me. “Any problems? I’m making lunch for you.”
“Hold your horses!” I voiced out again to stop him. I’ll never forget how he almost burned down the kitchen back at Sapphire River Community.
I really didn’t want my apartment to suffer the same fate.
Neil was holding a kitchen knife; his tall figure in my small kitchen seemed quite out of place.
The funniest part was that he was actually wearing my apron, which was obviously too small for him; it looked quite hilarious.
“Come on, get out.” I gestured for him to leave.
Neil walked out a bit confused as I took the knife from his hand. “I appreciate your good intentions, but my kitchen can’t handle it. You’re not gifted at cooking, so don’t force it. You’re just not cut out for it.”
Hearing this, Neil seemed to remember his kitchen fire incident, and his face stiffened a bit. He had been successful in many things in his life; he was pretty much a smooth operator in everything, but his cooking was a disaster.
He grumbled, “What if you get pregnant in the future?”
I didn’t get his point and looked at him puzzled.
“It’s said that when a woman is pregnant, it’s best if the husband can cook. Whatever she craves, he makes.” Neil’s serious face made me even more confused.
I couldn’t help but ask, “Where did you get this information?”
Neil replied, “Mitch sent it to me.”
I was speechless for a moment, realizing that I needed to correct his thinking. “If your wife gets pregnant, you don’t need to cook whatever she craves. Isn’t the money you earn meant to solve these problems?”
I felt like I was schooling him.
Neil raised his eyebrow and confidently replied, “Not necessarily. Food cooked with love is filled with affection. It’s good for the baby if the expectant mother is happy. The baby will have a better personality.”
There was no doubt that Mitch taught him this. Mitch was now a parenting expert, often sharing parenting knowledge with Cooper and Neil.
The image of them discussing parenting experiences instead of their previous playtime was quite comical.
“It’ll be fine; just pay someone to cook.” I had to make Neil give up this idea because I had a hunch that his cooking might be problematic. Even if it was not me eating in the future, I couldn’t let others suffer.
My constant refusal seemed to hit Neil hard; he looked disgruntled. He took off the apron, threw it on the couch, and then sat down. “Fine, then, you cook for me. I’m hungry.”
Without saying a thing, I picked up the apron, put it back in the kitchen, and then pulled out my phone to order food.
Neil snorted, “Don’t want to cook for me?”
“I have to go to the office in the afternoon, so I don’t want to cook.” I explained.
“Don’t give me the silent treatment in the future.” Neil completely ignored what I said, deciding to warn me. “Or face the consequences. You’re becoming more and more audacious; you’re not taking me seriously, huh?”
I kept my mouth shut, not responding to Neil. He was acting like a petulant puppy.
Since I wasn’t talking, he started talking about the Tibetan Mastiff at Sterling Estates. “Daisy misses you; when will you come see it?”
“You take care of it.” I felt a bit warm after thinking of Daisy, but I really didn’t have time to look after it. It was better off with Neil.
“Daisy is a gift from me; shouldn’t you be the one to take care of it?” Neil’s logic was strong. “You should bring Daisy here to accompany you. You’re living alone, so consider it a bodyguard.”
“No need.” I refused.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow, so we can go to Sterling Estates to get Daisy.” Neil’s tone was even more unequivocal than mine.
“Why don’t you just deliver it?” I didn’t understand.
Neil’s intention was clear as day; he wanted me to go to Sterling Estates so we could have more alone time. I was well aware, but I was good at playing ignorant.
He sneered, “You have to pick it up yourself, or I’ll deliver it to Sapphire River Community, to Mrs. Finch.”
Neil always threatened me.
Either I was being threatened by my mom or Neil, I’ve had enough.
“Let’s do it next Monday. I’m busy tomorrow.” I remembered my consultation with Snow tomorrow; it was very important to me, and I couldn’t cancel it.
Neil immediately asked, “What are you doing tomorrow?”
Naturally, I couldn’t tell Neil about it, so I just told a little white lie. “Still the same stomach problem, so I scheduled a check-up. I’ll pick up Daisy in a couple of days.” “You’re not eating properly and resting again?” Neil’s face instantly turned serious. “Previously, you took medicine, had someone cook your favorite food, vowed to take care of your health, and put on some weight; is this the result?”
I didn’t want this either, but things always seemed to spiral out of my control. Facing Neil’s questioning, I just lowered my head and played with my phone, acting as if I didn’t hear him.
Neil didn’t know what to do with me now. Now that I wasn’t talking, he had to soften his tone. “I’ll go with you.”
“No need!” I refused quickly. “My mom might accompany me, so you absolutely can’t show up.”
After hearing this, Neil’s face turned sour. My mom was currently the biggest obstacle between us, so he had no choice but to compromise.
If I was busy, then Neil was even busier. After lunch, he went to Whitmore Co., while I went to work. In the afternoon, I received a call from Snow. “Are you sure you’re coming tomorrow?”
“Mm, yes, what’s up?” I was a bit confused.
“Nothing; Bonnie Tueley, who came to see me last time, will also be here for a follow-up visit.” Snow’s reply was quite surprising. Did she know about my relationship with Bonnie? Otherwise, why would she tell me this? She couldn’t possibly only have time to consult one patient a day, right?
My heart was filled with unease and doubt again, so Snow explained, “Ms. Tueley’s case is quite complex and requires a longer follow-up time. So, I’m worried you might mind. But I have to go on a business trip the day after tomorrow. Could we reschedule?”
“When can we have the next appointment?” I asked.
“Mid-next month.” Snow replied.
My biggest worry right now was my fertility issue. I want it sorted ASAP, so I didn’t want to put it off for that long. I suggested, “You do the diagnosis for her in the morning, and I’ll swing by in the afternoon. Sound good?”
Snow stayed silent for a moment before agreeing. “Alright.”
After nailing down the specifics, I hung up. The next day in the afternoon, I drove over right on schedule. I thought Bonnie would’ve been gone by then. But when I walked in, there she was, crying her eyes out. Her eyes were red and swollen, full of despair.
