Harriet crept quietly into the kitchen, moving carefully to avoid making any noise. But Zoey, noticing her right away, crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"And what exactly do you think you're doing, Harriet Pierce?" Zoey asked, walking over with a pointed look. "You're supposed to be resting, you stubborn woman." She gave Harriet a light flick on the forehead.
Harriet just laughed, wrapping her arms around Zoey's shoulders. "I got bored lying around in our room," she admitted with a grin. "Figured I'd hang out in the kitchen where you are."
It had only been a day since Harriet's release from the hospital, her tests thankfully revealing nothing serious. Zoey ran her fingers through her hair and chuckled as she walked Harriet to a seat by the kitchen counter.
"By the way," Harriet said, settling into a chair, "we need to buy you a new car. I'm really sorry for wrecking yours." She laughed softly, rubbing the back of her neck.
Zoey chuckled, giving a small shrug. "I can always buy a new one. As long as you're safe, don't worry about it. Cars are replaceableâyou're not."
Harriet tilted her head, smiling. "I still insist on buying you one. I'm the one who caused the damage, so let me make it up to you with a new car. Consider it my apology gift?"
Zoey glanced over her shoulder, sighing playfully. "Fine, but please don't go overboard and buy some ridiculously expensive car."
Harriet's smile widened. "Don't worry, you'll get to pick it out yourself," she reassured, her tone warm and genuine.
Zoey just shook her head, scoffing as she continued cooking. "Did you wrap up everything in Zurich?" Harriet asked.
Zoey paused, glancing back at Harriet. "Yes, mostly. I still need to visit the bank to finalize the inheritance, but I've already talked to the lawyerâVera was a big help with that," she said, smiling gratefully. "I should probably get her something to thank her."
"That's good to hear," Harriet replied, resting her head on her arms across the counter, watching Zoey intently. "How about a trip abroad to celebrate?"
Zoey turned off the stove, removed her apron, and walked over to Harriet. "A trip out of the country, with you in this condition?" she said, looking Harriet over with a raised brow. "Absolutely not. You need to rest."
Harriet laughed, reaching for Zoey's hand. "Come on, it's not like I can't walk at all."
Zoey clicked her tongue, cupping Harriet's cheeks. "Stop being so stubborn. We'll travel once you're fully healed, but for now, focus on recovery." She punctuated her words with a series of light kisses on Harriet's lips.
Harriet grinned, her eyes brightening. "Think you could give me a few more?"
Zoey rolled her eyes. "I've already given you plenty, Harriet."
Harriet squinted playfully. "Don't you have an endearment for me? You just keep calling me 'Harriet'âfeels like we're just friends or something."
Zoey raised an eyebrow, smirking. "So...do friends sleep together?"
Harriet pretended to ponder, tapping a finger on her chin. "I mean...friends with benefits is a thing, right?" Zoey chuckled, playfully pinching Harriet's nose as she rolled her eyes.
"Come on, Zoey. At least call me something sweet," Harriet pouted, crossing her arms like a child throwing a tantrum.
Zoey laughed, shaking her head. "Alright, alright, I'll call you something sweet," she teased.
Harriet groaned, shaking her head with a dramatic eye roll. "You're impossible," she said, squinting in mock annoyance.
Zoey gently tapped her cheek. "Listen, just because I don't use some nickname doesn't mean I don't love you, Harriet. It's not the name that shows how much you mean to me," she said, gazing into Harriet's hazel eyes.
"Fair enough. You've got a point," Harriet replied, chuckling softly.
Zoey leaned in, brushing her lips against Harriet's. "You know you're not just 'Harriet' to me, right? You're my Harriet," she said, emphasizing "my" in a way that made Harriet's face flush.
Harriet laughed, pulling Zoey into a warm embrace. "You got me there, sweetheart. I love you," she mumbled.
"I love you even more, my Harriet," Zoey replied, burying her face in Harriet's shoulder, a content smile lingering on her lips.
Zoey swallowed nervously as Harriet led her into the Audi showroom, her hand wrapped tightly around Zoey's. Outside, two bodyguards stood byâHarriet's parents had lent her their chief security and driver for the time being.
"What's up?" Harriet asked, leaning in as she noticed Zoey squeeze her hand.
"You really meant it when you said I get to choose my car?" Zoey asked, glancing around the showroom.
Harriet nodded, grinning like a kid. "Yep. Pick whichever one you want."
Zoey groaned inwardly, rolling her eyes. What did I expect from Dr. Pierce? She scanned the showroom, eyeing the sleek and elegant cars on display. Of course, it's Audi... Audi! Although she could technically afford one, she'd much rather buy something practical.
"Is something wrong?" Harriet asked, noticing Zoey's hesitation.
Zoey glanced at Harriet, who was clearly still sore from her recent injury. "It's just... I don't think I need anything this extravagant," she murmured.
Harriet tilted Zoey's chin up gently. "Look, at least let me pick the brand, and you choose the model. Don't worry about the cost; I want to do this," she said, smiling warmly.
Zoey sighed, her gaze softening. "I know you can buy anything, but this is too much for just a car, Harriet."
"What's holding you back?" Harriet asked, raising a brow. "You spoil me all the time, and this is one of the rare chances I get to do something big for you."
Zoey bit her lip. "But all those things I do for you don't come with a luxury price tagâ"
"Are we really going to argue about this?" Harriet interrupted, eyes gleaming mischievously. "Because I'll buy you the whole building if you keep pushing."
Zoey's eyes widened. "No, you're not buying the entire building," she replied firmly.
"Oh, are you challenging me?" Harriet teased, standing as if to call over the staff, and Zoey quickly covered her mouth.
"Fine, fine! I'll pick a modelâjust don't buy the entire building!" Zoey hissed under her breath. "What would you even do with it?"
"Well, I could sell it and double the priceâunless that's too much," Harriet joked, laughing.
Zoey chuckled. "You and your money..." she muttered, shaking her head.
"Come on, choose whatever you want. I promise, it's not like I'm going to buy you a car every day," Harriet said, pulling Zoey closer and wrapping an arm around her waist.
As they strolled through the showroom with a staff member guiding them, Zoey's eyes drifted to a striking red car that caught her attention. She stopped, admiring its sleek design, though she immediately tried to dismiss the thought. Of course, the one I like has to be the expensive one, she thought, sighing inwardly.
Harriet noticed Zoey's gaze and grinned. "Ah, you've got good taste," she teased.
Zoey shook her head. "No, I wasn'tâ"
"Come on, do you like it?" Harriet pressed, smiling.
Zoey swallowed, torn. "It's... expensive," she mumbled.
Harriet smirked. "And?"
"And it's expensive, Harriet," Zoey insisted, trying to steer her away.
Laughing, Harriet waved over the staff. "We'll take the RS7 model," she said confidently.
Zoey gently smacked her arm, blushing. "Why did my eyes have to land on the priciest one?" she muttered.
Harriet just patted her head. "Look, you don't have to worry about paying for it. You like it, so it's yours. Consider it a gift."
Zoey huffed. "Fine, but I'll pay you back."
Harriet smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Or, you could just marry me."
Zoey froze, turning to Harriet with wide eyes. "You're not even kneeling."
Harriet grinned. "Oh, I'll kneelâ"
"Stop!" Zoey exclaimed, covering her face as Harriet began to lower herself, her cheeks flushing. "Just stop making a scene, please!"
"Are you stopping me because you don't want to marry me or because you're shy?" Harriet asked, tilting her head in mock innocence.
Zoey groaned, glaring at her. "What do you think? Of course, I'm shy!"
Harriet's grin widened. "So you would marry me?"
Zoey groaned in resignation. "You're impossible, Harriet," she muttered, laughing despite herself.