At their home.
Ella took a shower while David brought the ingredients they bought at the supermarket and started cooking.
Time passed slowly, and Ella finished her bath. She went into the bedroom to dry her hair, the faint scent wafting through her nose making her empty stomach rumble. After her hair was dry, she turned off the blow dryer and returned to the kitchen.
David stood in front of the kitchen, tasted the broth with a spoon, then added a little more seasoning. He turned his back to her, his back busy squirming around in the kitchen making the lonely cold space cozy.
Just like last time, Ella silently watched David prepare the ingredients for the dinner menu.
A few minutes later, she got bored, so she approached David who was cutting the lotus root.
"What is this?" she asked, directing her gaze to the pot on the stove.
"Lotus root." He answered softly, his fingers skillfully sprinkling a little more sugar into the hot pot.
"Do you need my help?" Ella asked.
"Okay, you can help me cut the scallions," David said and gave her another knife.
Ella took the knife and started cutting. Suddenly, she felt an arm around her waist.
Ella's body seemed to freeze as David was behind her. It seemed that he was hugging her from behind. She could feel the warmth from his body.
David closed his eyes and smelled the scent of her hair.
David could feel his temperature rising. Just her scent made him feel unnatural.
"So, our dessert?" Her voice came.
David held her shoulder and turned her to face him. He tucked her silky hair behind her ear. "You will be my dessert."
Ella's heart skipped a beat. She put the knife down. "You're not serious."
David curled his lips and stared at Ella, he felt his throat go dry. His gaze fell on Ella's plump lips.
And then he lowered his head, placing his lips on hers.
Ella felt his lips on hers, she closed her eyes and kissed him back.
Hot breath on her face, soft, hot lips on hers, lips like an electric current running through, making Ella engrossed in the kiss.
The kiss, which had been soft and gentle, turned passionate, with his right hand lifting Ella's head while his left held her across. While kissing, Ella's whole body heats up, gasping breaths come from her chest, and the sound of breathing gets heavier and heavier.
The kiss did not know how long it lasted, they seemed to be attached.
Ella put her arm around David's neck. He was breathing faster and faster, from Ella's lips, his lips moved to his cheeks, his ears. His hand gently caressed her neck. His body was stimulated. He wants more. He could feel the burning sensation inside of him.
His hand slowly moved down her chest. Ella closed her eyes, she was hesitant, not knowing whether to stop him or not. She knows she wants more too, but she doesn't think it's the right time yet.
David felt as if Ella wanted to stop. So he stopped what he was doing. He straightened up and stared at Ella's beautiful face.
Ella regained her composure. She opened her eyes and saw David looking at her with gentle eyes. Embarrassed, she lowered her head, noticing that one button had been opened.
He held her chin up. He looked her straight in the eye and said. "I love you and I respect you." I'm willing to wait until you're ready." David said and then he buttoned Ella back.
Ella pursed her lips. She felt moved by his words.
"After we get married for real, I will give you a memorable honeymoon," David said while kissing her eyes.
Anthony Group has a branch in Italy. There have been a few cases of counterfeit goods and contraband, and David has to go there to solve them. He's gone for about two days. Since he was in a hurry this time, he didn't bring Ella with him. People do not believe that a famous corporation like Anthony would do this illegal thing.
Every day, Ella worked overtime until eight or nine o'clock in the evening. Every time she finished the work, her whole body was tired but she was happy because the job was done. It's okay to be a little late. From now on, no one will be able to rebuke her.
Outside the company, it was very dark. Since she works on a high floor, when she looks out, she immediately touches the sky shimmering with stars.
Since David was not around, Ella had to go home alone, of course, with her bodyguard.
The last days of winter are almost over. The street is cold and noisy. Ella sat inside the car, looking out the window, each car, each person walking back and forth. She remembered one thing, their refrigerator was empty. So she told the driver to stop in front of the grocery store, and she bought some essentials. Taking out a bag of food, with a bill in her hand, she mumbled, living independently to know how hard her parents were in the past. Everything has to be taken care of.
Ella can buy shoes, buy nice clothes, but can't buy a gift for her father. She went back to the grocery store and walked around the store to see if there were any items suitable for the elderly. She picked up a box of Korean ginseng and brought it to the cashier. She thinks that when the work subsides, she will go back to her hometown to visit her father.
In the middle of the night, Ella is awakened by the ringing of the phone. David asked if she was asleep.
"I was sleeping and you woke me up." Ella yawned as she answered him.
"I'm sorry. I called you because I missed you." David's voice was both apologetic and tired.
"Have you finished your work yet?"
"Almost done, but I still don't know who the spy is." David was a little sluggish.
"Take care of your health." On the other end of the line came a clear voice.
"I know. There's been a lot of bad things going on lately, so be careful. Don't go out without a bodyguard." David could hear Ella's sleepy voice so he said a few more sentences and then hung up the call, not forgetting to wish her good night.
***
A few days later, David returned from a short business trip. As Ella brought coffee into David's office, she heard him talking to his assistant.
"Is everything okay, general manager?" Key asked.
"It's okay, but it costs quite a bit."
The key is a bit agitated. "Why, this mistake is not ours, why should we compensate? Doing so is like admitting that this evil trick is done by our company?"