Chapter 1389: Is this how the two of you bond?

[SKYLINE PLAZA: Finn’s]

The second Nina stepped foot into the mansion, she took in the enormous space. Unlike the place she was used to, this one was ten times larger. After all, her apartment was only the size of this large living room.

Considering Nina had lived in a mansion as a child, she should have been used to it. But alas, part of her wasn’t used to it anymore. Or rather, she wasn’t used to living in a place that wasn’t under her control.

"Finn?" she called, pushing away her fleeting thoughts. Her brows rose as she sniffed, following the scent until she reached the kitchen.

There, inside the kitchen, was Finn. The corner of her lips curled as her eyes softened, watching him work. That white apron he was wearing surely looked good on him.

Leaning against the entrance, Nina watched him in amusement. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen him work in the kitchen, but despite the countless times, it never got old. It reminded her of Jessa. Jessa, after all, didn’t like cooking.

Quite ironic, since Jessa was a cook in her own restaurant.

But Jessa used to dislike cooking. She only did so because no one else would feed the family. It just showed that when people care, they’ll willingly do things they don’t like—or aren’t used to—because they care enough to do them.

’He cares...’ she told herself, smiling despite recalling what happened in the office today. ’... and I’ll protect him, myself, and the two of us.’

She might not have gotten confirmation about who wanted to kick her out of the company, but Nina decided right then and there that she wouldn’t back down so easily. Now she felt more determined.

"Oh, you’re back?" Finn noticed the petite figure by the entrance. Glancing at her, he smiled and placed the ladle aside. He quickly made his way to her, reaching out to hold her arm. "Have you been here long?"

Nina smiled, but instead of answering, she slipped her hand into his arm and hugged him.

Surprised, Finn froze a bit. "Nina, my apron is a bit dirty."

"It’s alright," she whispered, resting her head on his chest. He smelled like the dish he was cooking, with a tinge of his perfume. It was an odd combination, but not an unpleasant one.

"Bad day at work?" he sighed, slowly resting his hands on her back. "We can talk about it."

Nina kept her eyes closed, enjoying his presence and warmth. "Mhm," she hummed, the corner of her mouth curling. "It’s just... I missed you, and you really look good when you’re focused on something."

A short smile escaped him. "Haha. Really?"

"Mhm. And also, it smells really good," she whispered, opening her eyes slowly as she looked up at him. "What are you making this time, Finn?"

"Nina, is there something wrong?" he asked, looking deep into her eyes.

"Nothing," she shook her head. "It’s just work."

Not that she was lying. It was just work, and for her, she didn’t want to get him involved as much as possible. Nina knew his relationship with his parents was already strained. If she told him about almost getting fired — if not for her boss and only assuming who was behind it — Finn would snap at his parents.

No, she wasn’t doing this to save Finn’s relationship with his parents. Perhaps a little. But she was mainly doing this because it was a fight she needed to face alone. It was her career on the line, and when it came to that, she always figured it out. Just like she always did, without asking for anyone’s help.

At the end of the day, Nina was an individual outside of this relationship.

"Are you sure?" he asked, and she nodded with a smile.

"Why are you asking?" she returned. "Do I look like the world is ending?"

"Not really, but you’re... strangely sweet," he pointed out and smiled. "Not that I’m complaining."

She pressed her lips together to stop herself from smiling too much. "I am always sweet," she quipped. "What are you making? Need help?"

"Not really... but I might need someone to taste it," he said, releasing her from his hug, only to hold her hand. "Come, try it. I’m testing out a few recipes."

"Finn, it seems you’ve been really getting into cooking dinners," Nina noticed as they reached the kitchen, watching Finn get her a new clean spoon from the drawer.

"I’m not going to back down," was all he said, picking his phone from the counter to show her a message log. "Someone is challenging me, and I don’t like being challenged."

Deep lines appeared between Nina’s brows, her eyes shifting to the phone. She leaned closer to get a better look, only to notice it was a message log between Finn and Zoren. Her face contorted a bit, because the message log had no letters in it.

The brief exchange, from what she could see, was just a back-and-forth of stickers and some pictures. Pictures of the last dish Finn had made for them, and Zoren’s—what she assumed was Zoren’s dish for Penny.

"..." She opened and closed her mouth, looking up at him before blurting out, "Is this how the two of you bond?"

Because if one just looked at Finn and Zoren, one might think their messages were of great importance. But alas, it seemed Finn and Zoren communicated just by sending stickers.

How was that possible?

"Bond?" Finn chuckled as he retrieved his phone, moving the spoon she had yet to take from him. "The way I see it, it’s not bonding. Rather, he’s trying to defend the title of being the best husband and the favorite son-in-law. I’m not backing down without putting up a fight."

"..." Nina blinked several times. ’But that means... you’re the challenger and not Zoren, right?’

But Nina kept her thoughts to herself, sighing faintly before smiling. As she took the spoon from him, she humored him,

"You are already the best in my eyes," she winked. "But don’t lose to him."

Slowly, his mouth stretched into a grin as he shrugged. "Never."