The Housewife's Return To Her Alluring Prime - Chapter 46: Chapter 46

Jared's words caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but stare at him. He didn't even notice the awkward look on my face and just snorted low. "You dress so nicely every day now.
"I bet a lot of guys have noticed you. Victoria, you need to understand that outer beauty will never beat inner beauty. You don't have to dress so flashy just to impress me every day."
I honestly thought Jared was out of his mind. I dressed up to feel good about myself, not to please him. "Honey, if an ugly freak stood in front of you, would you care about its inner beauty?" I asked with a smile.
"That's boring," Jared said, taking two sips of his coffee before standing up. "You're not coming tonight? Yvonne said she wants to come over."
"No," I said with a little anger this time. Jared thought I was being unreasonable and didn't bring it up again.
As evening fell, I left work. Melissa suddenly invited me to her and her boyfriend's place for dinner. If I hadn't been in such a bad mood, I wouldn't have wanted to intrude on their time alone.
But maybe catching some of their good energy would help me, so I said yes. On the way, I bought a bunch of fruit.
When I got downstairs, I struggled carrying it all and set it down by the elevator door, leaning against the wall to catch my breath.
"What are you doing here?" a deep voice said behind me, surprised.
I turned to see Nathan holding two bottles of red wine. He was dressed casually. The light shone down, and as he looked at me against the light, his gaze was clear.
I glanced at the elevator, then back at Nathan. I felt like there was some secret I didn't know about between them. 'Melissa is playing matchmaker ?' I thought.
"Is it too heavy? I'll help you carry it upstairs," Nathan said, reaching out and easily lifting my big bag of fruit.
"Thanks," I said, my scattered thoughts calming down. I hadn't made any secret plans with Nathan. I was just going to a friend's house with him, so it didn't cross any lines.
"What's wrong? It's the first time I've seen you blush," Nathan smiled, asking as we rode the empty elevator.
I touched my cheek and said, "The car was parked too far, so I had to walk."
"Oh," Nathan said, his voice dropping a bit.
"Is it a custom in your hometown to bring a gift card when visiting someone's new home for the first time?" he suddenly asked.
"Ah," I was surprised. "Is this the first time Melissa's boyfriend is staying at his new place?"
Nathan nodded. "Right, I brought a gift card. Since we came together, if I gave one and you didn't, it might seem off."
I opened my purse right away. "I'll give cash."
Nathan laughed and quickly slipped his gift card into my bag. "Forget it. I'll just give him a bonus later. No need for a gift card."
I looked at the gift card in my bag, ready to take it back, but then I heard him quietly say, "Just keep it for now. My pockets are shallow, and if it fell out, that wouldn't be good."
I didn't know what else to say. He cared about me. The elevator arrived. Melissa had already opened the door, waiting for me, but she didn't expect us both to show up.
"Victoria, you and Mr. Hallman have some luck. In a city as big as Hachester, you meet in the same elevator," Melissa said with a smile, helping with the bags. "Thanks for the gift, Mr. Hallman."
Nathan chuckled softly. "Ms. Murphy bought the fruit. These two bottles of wine are for Zachary."
Right then, Zachary, wearing an apron and holding a spatula, came running over excitedly. "Mr. Hallman, Ms. Murphy, thanks for coming. You two, make yourselves comfortable. Melissa, go ahead and take care of our guests. Just three more dishes to finish up."
I gave Melissa a teasing look. When Zachary called her Melissa, it sounded so cheesy. The tough, strong Melissa blushed all of a sudden.
With Nathan by my side, I didn't dare tease her, so I politely sat down on the couch. Melissa got busy making coffee for us. Nathan was calm and collected.
When he reached for the coffee with his long, pale fingers, the veins on the back of his hand showed clearly. My heart skipped a beat.
"I'll go help Zachary. You two relax," Melissa said, leaving us alone.
Nathan glanced toward the kitchen at the happy couple and smiled. "They look really happy."
I looked too. Zachary cooked while Melissa washed dishes. The sounds of pots and pans clanging gave off a warm, homey vibe.
Seeing this, I suddenly thought of my previous life, how I was always alone in the kitchen. Jared wouldn't even come in to grab a bowl, let alone share that kind of couple closeness.
"My friend finally found someone who can satisfy her appetite," I smiled.
"Zachary's from Caelora. His pork's the real deal," Nathan added.
"Oh, I get it," I laughed. I'd heard men in Caelora were known to be very attentive, but I wasn't sure if that was true.
As I watched the kitchen, I felt a burning stare on me. I immediately looked down and calmly sipped my coffee. Nathan seemed to feel that staring was rude and quickly drank his coffee, too.
"Ms. Murphy, I didn't expect you to come," Nathan said quietly, worried I might think the wrong thing.
I looked at him sincerely. "I trust you."
Nathan stared at me in surprise. "Why?"
"Nothing. I just think you're honest and not scheming." Nathan was a science geek with clear eyes, not like someone with hidden agendas.
Nathan felt a bit underestimated. He lowered his voice. "You don't know me that well yet."
I smiled at him. "We're just friends. No need to dig too deep. As long as you seem trustworthy, that's enough."
Nathan's clear eyes darkened for a moment. He said no more. Dinner was great. Zachary and Melissa were outgoing and talkative. After a few toasts, it was my turn. I got tongue-tied.
Nathan smiled at me, so I blurted out, "I wish you a happy marriage and lots of kids."
"Victoria..." Melissa protested, blushing hard and giving me a playful glare.
Zachary happily thanked me. "Thanks for the blessing, Ms. Murphy. We'll do our best."
Melissa's eyes lit up. She looked shy but happy. We talked about light, fun stuff at the table. I didn't drink because I had to drive. Nathan drank a little. He had a driver with him.
Zachary drank a lot. He was happy. Melissa only had a little. When the party ended, Nathan suddenly swayed next to me. I instinctively reached out to steady him.
"Sorry, I'm a little drunk," he said, eyes red and breath heavy.
Zachary was dead drunk. Melissa had to take care of him. Nathan and I got ready to leave. "Victoria, watch Mr. Hallman so he doesn't fall," Melissa said worriedly.
I nodded. At the elevator entrance, the motion-sensor light suddenly went out. The elevator came slowly. We were in total darkness. Nathan stood silently beside me, like a tall white birch tree.
My heart pounded. I wondered if I didn't have the courage to do what Jared did. 'How could he be so affectionate with Tracy in front of me all these years?'
Thinking that, I glanced at the elevator still stopped on the third floor. Nathan suddenly swayed. He put his hand on the wall. I reached out and held his other arm. In the dark, he looked at me, and I stared right back.
"Victoria..." Nathan's voice was hoarse and barely recognizable. I responded softly. Then I felt his breath suddenly move closer but stop about two inches from me.