Intent on peeling the apple perfectly, Holden initially didnât register Arianaâs words.
It wasnât until Ariana repeated his name a few times that he noticed Ariana was calling him.
âYes?â he said, his eyes filled with tenderness.
Ariana blinked innocently and made her request.
âI really want to eat the dish you used to always cook for me.
â
Caught off guard, Holden paused.
He knew Arianaâs good appetite was a promising sign, butâ¦
âYouâre not allowed to eat meat right now,â Holden said apologetically.
Hesitant to disappoint her, he added, âOnce youâre better, Iâll make sure to prepare it for you.
You can have as much as you want then.
â
âBut Iâm craving it now.
You donât know how tough things were for me at the Conata Manor.
â Ariana pleaded, âPlease grant me this simple wish.
If you prepared it for me, I would be so happy that I would jump out of bed and do a spin for you.
â
Hearing this, Holden felt both amused and resigned.
âI should have kept Sonia out.
Sheâs led you astray,â he teased, feeding Ariana a slice of apple.
Ariana savored the apple, then tugged gently at his sleeve, her eyes shining with a silent plea.
No one could resist her pleading look, least of all Holden.
âFine, you win,â Holden replied.
Gently pinching her earlobe, he said, Iâll go to the kitchen and cook for you shortly.
â
Arianaâs face lit up with delight.
âYou can start cooking now.
After the meal, fetch a wheelchair for me.
â
âA wheelchair?â Holden asked, puzzled.
âYes, I want to go outside and breathe some fresh air.
Iâve been cooped up in this bed for days, and I miss the sun,â Ariana said, her voice filled with longing.
Ariana looked cute, and Holden felt his heart flutter.
Fondly caressing Arianaâs face, his fingertips traced her face to her lips.
His eyes darkened, and his self-control wavered.
Dropping the fruit knife he had been holding, he lowered his head and ki*sed Ariana.
The atmosphere in the room became affectionate.
Ariana didnât resist, ki*sing him back with fervor until the intensity nearly overwhelmed her.
Reluctantly, Holden pulled away.
Resting his forehead against Arianaâs, Holden drew deep, labored breaths.
After a prolonged moment, Holden clasped her hand and whispered, âAgreed, Iâll fulfill any request you have.
â After a pause, he inquired softly, âAny other wishes?â
âNo,â Ariana replied.
But then, she quickly changed her mind and made more requests.
Holden agreed to each one without hesitation.
His heart swelled with joy as everything seemed to go in a better direction now.
âIâm really hungry.
Now would be the perfect time for you to head to the kitchen and prepare the dish for me,â Ariana said softly.
Prompted by her words, Holden left the room.