"It was just on the way," Henry replied faintly, taking off his tie.
Yvonne swiftly put down the cake and hugged him from the back. "Henry, thank you. I'm very
happy.â
She rested her face against his back and had her eyes closed, a sweet smile hanging on her face.
So what if it was bought on the way? He had brought the cake back himself.
Moreover, he did promise to gift her a cake and he kept his promise. He remembered it and she
was ecstatic.
Not expecting Yvonne to hug him, Henry froze slightly. "Let go!" i
He pressed his lips together before uttering the two words in a low tone.
Afraid of angering him, Yvonne reluctantly loosened her arms and took a step back to reinsert
distance between them.
Henry glanced at her with an unnamed emotion flashing across his eyes before heading upstairs.
Looking at his back, Yvonne felt her face blushing. She did not know where she got the courage to
throw herself on him just now either. What delighted her was that he did not push her away, i
"Madam." Sue came back from hanging the linen outside and was curious when she saw Yvonne
wringing the hem of her clothes bashfully. "Madam, what are you doing?"
Yvonne snapped out of her reverie nervously and averted her gaze. "No-nothing."
"Nothing? Why are you all flushed then?" Sue stared at her face.
Yvonne's hands went to pat her cheeks. "Am I?"
"Of course. Youâre crimson red. Are you having a fever?" Sue said and worriedly placed a palm on
her forehead.
Yvonne peeled Sue's hand off. "No, Sue, I don't have a fever. Keep this in the fridge for me."
She placed the cake on the couch into Sueâs hands.
The latter looked at the item skeptically. "Whatâs this?"
"Lake," Yvonne answered.
Sue was even more skeptical. "We don't have cake at home. I didnât manage to buy it in time. Did
you buy it yourself, madam?"
"No, Henry gave it to me.â Yvonne pointed upstairs.
Sue followed her finger and was struck with realization before she smirked at her, "Sir is back huh?
Thatâs why you were acting that way, madam. Sir must have done something to you and you
blushed from being shy, yeah?"
With Sue bringing up what happened just now, Yvonne looked away weakly. "Nothing like that. Sue,
g o refrigerate the cake now."
It was not what Henry did to her, but more like what she did to Henry.
"Okay, okay. I'll go do it now. Itâs about time too. What would you like to have, madam? I'll go
prepare it," Sue asked while checking the time.
Yvonne gave it a thought. "Sue, I'll prepare the meal today."
"You?" Sue was slightly astonished.
Yvonne nodded. "It's my birthday today. I want to cook personally and let Henry have a taste of it.
We've been married for three years but I've never prepared a meal for him before."
Recovering from her astonishment, Sue smiled kindly. "Sure. Iâll help you prepare the ingredients."
"Okay. Go to the kitchen first, Sue. I'll ask Henry what h e wants to eat." Yvonne made her way
upstairs.
Returning to the room and seeing that no one was inside, she headed for the study room.
"Henry." Yvonne knocked.
The man was going through some documents when h e heard Yvonneâs voice, replying without
lifting his head, "Come in."
Granted entry, Yvonne asked, "Henry, what would you like to have today?" "Anything's fine," said
man indifferently.
Yvonne thought about it. "I'll prepare a few of my best dishes then. I hope you donât mind."
Henry, who had been twirling his pen, stopped his ministration. "You?"
"Yup." Yvonne nodded.
"Where's Sue?" Henry pressed his lips together.
"I wanted to cook. It's got nothing to do with Sue," Yvonne explained with a wave.
Henry scanned the girl from head to toe. "Why have you suddenly thought of cooking?"
"Because I want you to try what I make," Yvonne answered shyly.
Truthfully, she was anxious. She knew how to cook but she could only make common dishes. Her
culinary skill was nothing like Sueâs. In addition, Henry was used to exquisite flavors since he was a
boy. Yvonne was not sure if he would like her cooking.
"Is it?â Henry nodded. "Go ahead then."
"Okay. I'll go downstairs now and let you know when it's meal time."
"Mm.â Henry hummed.
With a light exhale. Yvonne turned to head out. Two steps later, she was stopped by Henry. "Wait.â
Yvonne halted her stride and turned to look at the man. "What is it?"
"Happy birthday," Henry said.
Yvonne's eyes widened. "Ha-happy birthday?"
She pointed at herself like she could not believe it.
Henry furrowed his brows. "Is there a problem?"
He had only wished her a happy birthday. Did she have to be so shocked?
Yvonne swallowed, shaking her head like a rattledrum. "No-no problem."
Her tone was one of brimming delight.
Never in Yvonne's dreams would she imagine that Henry would wish her happy birthday. She was
already overjoyed when she received the cake â she did not expect to receive another surprise
now.
"Then off you go and close the door too." Henry waved his hand in dismissal.
"I know," Yvonne readily replied and left his study room with a splitting grin.
When the door to the study was closed, Henry closed his eyes in disdain.
Why did the woman still have this silly side when it had been days since she took lessons from the
etiquette coach? Why did it seem like she was never going to master grace and elegance?
"How silly..." Henry murmured to himself, rubbing between his brows in fatigue.
Buzz! His phone on the table rang suddenly.
With his hand leaving his face, Henry picked up his phone and saw Jackieâs name blinking on the
screen. He stared at it for a while before swiping the green answer icon.
"Henry, what took you so long to pick up?" Jacqueline grumbled.
Adjusting his seating position, Henry asked, "I was busy just now. Whatâs the matter?"
"What's the matter?" Jacqueline harrumphed, still upset. "Henry, you wouldn't have forgotten what
day it is today, would you?"
"I know, itâs your birthday," Henry responded.
Jacqueline was instantly pleased. "So you remember. I thought you'd forgotten it."
I wont.
"Then why didnât you call me or come to see me in the hospital?â
There was a flash of something in Henryâs gaze before he answered seriously, "Sorry, Jackie. I canât
go to you today."
"Why?" Jacqueline was taken aback. "Is something keeping you occupied?â
"No." Henry looked at the closed door of his study room. "Itâs also Yvonne Freyâs birthday today. Iâve
promised to spend the day with her, so I can't go to you for your birthday."
"What?" Jacquelineâs voice raised at once. "Youâre spending time with her. Then what about me?"
"I've asked Joe to deliver your present. It should be reaching you soon," Henry said, checking his
watch.
Biting her lips, Jacqueline was filled with resentment and jealousy but her tone came out soft and
sorrowful. "I don't want a present, Henry. Don't you understand why I'm calling you? I want you to
spend time with m e."
"I know, but I've promised Yvonne Frey. Sorry, Jackie!" Henry apologized. 2
Jacqueline got emotional, questioning him while she cried, "Is she more important than me?"