He looked so proud as if he did some major accomplishment already. Sid was feeling smug and ecstatic. He was itching to help Laurice actually cook and was hoping he could possibly learn a few tricks and recipes from her. He's definitely going to put in effort to learn his way into and around the kitchen from now on. Perhaps only then will his 'wife' tend to fall deeply inlove with him. He smirked inwardly.

Sid glanced at the woman who seemed to have purposely kept silent for sometime now already. However, the instant he saw her face, he immediately stop daydreaming. Sid could not decide whether to laugh or cry at the moment. The woman's feelings were written all over her beautiful face.

Puffed cheeks. Pursed lips. Squinted eyes. Knitted brows.

'She's mad. No doubt about it.'

And he knew exactly why Laurice was annoyed. Well, he got too excited so he was touchy and forceful towards her. He's definitely not sorry about that. But he could not afford to offend the 'wife' any more than he did.

'Hehe. Darling, don't be upset.'

He halted in his thoughts.

What the h*ll!?!

His thought process is getting ridiculous. He was acting all immature it was so uncool of him.

F*ck. 'I just gave myself away.'

Not willing to embarra.s.s himself any further, Sid hesitated for a moment before he finally stealthily withdrawn his hand from the woman.

...

Laurice sighed.

'Finally.'

She thought Sid will give her a difficult time convincing himself to let go of her hand already. Not that she hated it though. It was actually quite the opposite. She blushed with the thought and tilted her head to hide her embarra.s.sment.

Laurice didn't bother thanking him for his 'good' conscience.

"Let me help you. Just tell me what to do." Sid said to her rather sheepishly.

Laurice was stunned for a second but then a sudden sense of warmth gently swept over her. She looked at the man with a confused gaze. The man answered her with a serious expression instead. Her eyes fell towards the man's other hand and was now obviously checking up on his wound.

Sid was caught in a daze.

'Cold hands. Warm hearts.'

Sid have always believed that Laurice was a loving and caring woman. She may looked a bit distant but he knew it was all in the surface. Under her facade, was a gentle and warm person. He just wasn't expecting to feel such intense emotion from her simple gesture. It was warming up his heart.

"I had it treated." He simply declared. He does not want to make her worry. Besides, it was his own carelessness that he got burnt anyway. But it was okay now. The doctor rea.s.sured him.

He heard Laurice sighed in relief.

"That's a relief then." She verbalized.

Laurice was about to release his hand when he suddenly grabbed her by the wrist and taunted, "Are you worried about me?" He looked serious on the surface but Laurice knew better.

'Eehh??!!'

What is this man up to now?

"Naturally." Laurice replied nonchalantly. She spoke rather casually as if she wasn't affected with his teasing at all. It was as if she was saying that if someone else she know got themselves hurt, then she would naturally be worried about them as well.

The man looked obviously disappointed. He was pulling such a long face it was hilarious. Laurice tried to stifle her laughter but she failed to do so.

'Pffttt'

The man looked even more terrible now.

Laurice burst out laughing.

...

Sid was suppressing the smile that nearly broke out from his lips. He just stared at the woman who was laughing so happily. She looked even more beautiful laughing wholeheartedly like that, it was unbelievable almost. The way her eyes squinted and the sound of her laughter was so captivating. He almost sucked in his breath.

'Wow. She's just ... so beautiful.'

That's what he thought the whole time.

This was the first time he ever saw her smile and laugh so much it was overwhelming.

'So, it actually takes nothing to make her happy.'

Sid was glad with his discovery.

He kept the pretense for as long as he could, just so he could hear Laurice's laughing voice. It sounded so sweet in his ears. He felt his day was already complete.

...

Laurice coughed a few times to regain composure but one busy body just can't keep his hands to himself.

She was momentarily dazed by the man's actions.

Sid wiped the happy tears at the side of her eyes. It seemed she laughed way too hard it almost brought her to tears.

"Are you happy now?" He teased. He looked refreshed somehow.

Laurice felt she was being played at. She harrumphed.

"Thank you for worrying about me. That's so sweet of you." Sid said.

'Oh! Please, stop!'

This man is just too cunning.

'Trying to get the words out of me now huh?'

Fine.

"I know. Am i not the sweetest?" She countered.

'Take that! You insufferable man!'

Sid looked even more pleased.

He beamed.

Laurice was dumbfounded.

Sh*t. That was a mistake.

It was not good news to tease the devil.

Sid grinned widely and said, "Yes. You're indeed the sweetest Laurice. My Laurice."

'MY??!!!'

"You! Arrgh. Stop with your nonsense already. Are you gonna help me cook or what?" She groaned. Laurice tried to calm her heart down that was beating out of her chest. Just now, she heard that possessive p.r.o.noun and she felt a bit complicated, she felt slightly nervous and giddy and touched.

Laurice decided not to give it any more thought and just busied herself in the kitchen.

'Whatever!'

She completely ignored the man who was obviously making fun of her.

Sid on the other hand relented and did not say anything anymore. He decided he will give his 'wife' time to accommodate him and acknowledge his feelings somehow. He believed it wouldn't take that long before that day comes. Well, he sure hopes so.

...

Sid washed his hands and started helping out by thawing the meat in the sink while Laurice was prepping some vegetables as sidedishes.

The pair surprisingly shared a harmonious s.p.a.ce in the kitchen together thereafter. Laurice started cooking while Sid was a.s.signed with rather menial tasks. He was watching her cook attentively and was asking her questions from time to time as well. According to Laurice, there was no need to fuss since she was just basically frying. It was that simple and true enough, the cook didn't take much time and effort to finish. Soon they were already eating breakfast on the table across each other.

They ate peacefully while sharing some small talks about cooking, about the weather and such when Laurice finally remembered something.

"Ahm, about last night ..." Laurice muttered.

She noticed the man paused before putting his utensils down and s.h.i.+fted his gaze towards her.

Laurice felt something was off with his expression. The mood around him turned gloomy for some reason.

Sid stared blankly at her and spoke, "What about last night?"

'Gulp'

Laurice couldn't utter another word back.

Sid was looking rather menacing.

He looked quite scary. In fact, he sounded scary!

Why, what did she do?

The atmosphere around them seemed weird as well.

Somehow, Laurice felt a reversal of roles. She felt like a 'husband' coming clean from his transgressions to his angry 'wife' at the moment.

She trembled slightly on her seat.