Alexander Sterling turned his head and looked at Evelyn Vance.
Evie wasn't sure if Alexander had heard what she just said. She quickly changed the subject. "Let's head back and cook! But there's no beef in the fridge. We can grab some on the way home!"
Alexander nodded without a word.
A gust of wind blew. Evie couldn't help but shiver and pulled her clothes tighter.
"Why didn't you wear more when you went out?" Alexander frowned.
"I was in a rush this morning and forgot my jacket," Evie answered sheepishly.
She hadn't felt cold inside the house at all. But now that she was outside, the wind made her shiver.
Alexander took off his coat and draped it over Evie's shoulders.
"No, no, we're about to get in the car!" Evie protested politely.
"Put it on," Alexander insisted, ignoring her refusal.
Evie grabbed the front of his coat and looked down at the hem. Then she looked up at Alexander with a pout. "It's way too big. It's like wearing a dress. It almost touches the floor!"
Alexander glanced at her, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Whose fault is it that you don't eat enough? No wonder you haven't grown," he said, ruffling her hair.
"If I got fat, I still wouldn't be as tall as you! Besides, if I grew that tall, I'd never get married," Evie shot back.
She felt embarrassed the next second. That wasn't the right thing to say in front of Alexander.
"Don't worry about that," Alexander said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and guiding her forward.
"..." Evie looked up at him secretly and muttered, "That's easy for you to say."
Alexander didn't respond. Evie lowered her head and followed him. It was much warmer than before.
She turned to glance at him. He was only wearing a thin smoky-gray shirt.
"Aren't you cold wearing so little?" Evie asked, feeling a bit guilty.
"I'm fine. You're like a heater," Alexander replied lightly.
Evie was speechless.
Just then, Alexander's phone rang. He let go of Evie to answer it.
Evie walked slowly ahead. Wrapped in Alexander's coat, she moved like she was carrying a heavy shell.
When Alexander finished his call and put his phone away, he looked up and saw a child-like figure in front of him. She was hunched over, walking slowly, like a turtle carrying a heavy shell on its back.
And this little girl was now his wife. Two months ago, he wouldn't have even dreamed of it.
He took a picture with his phone.
Years later, when Alexander saw that photo of just her back, he could still remember this funny scene. He couldn't help but smile.
He put his phone away, strode forward, and wrapped his arm around Evie again.
Because Evie was so thin, Alexander's arm tightened unconsciously. It was as if he was making sure he was actually holding a person.
Evie looked up at him, startled.
"You're too thin. You need to gain some weight."
In Evie's mind, that sentence automatically translated to: "Get fat so I can eat you."
She couldn't help but shrink back.
"Still cold?" Alexander pulled her closer.
"No, no, I'm actually really warm!" Evie quickly shook her head.
Alexander smiled and loosened his grip.
They reached the garage. Alexander went to get the car while Evie waited for him to back out.
She couldn't help but pull his coat tighter. It was big, but it was really warm. With Alexander's embrace just now, she was actually feeling a bit hot now.
Then she thought: if she ever got into a fight with Alexander, she wouldn't stand a chance. He was so strong. He could knock her down with one hand.
Pfft. Where were her thoughts going again? She had no reason to fight with Alexander. Besides, they were civilized people. Gentlemen used words, not fists.
"Should we call Mom before we go?" Evie asked, looking down at the car.
"Call her and let her know," Alexander said.
"Oh," Evie replied, getting into the passenger seat.
Alexander dialed the home number and handed the phone to Evie.
Evie looked at him, confused. "Tell Mom we have plans tonight and won't be eating at home."
"Oh," Evie answered. The next second, she heard a voice on the other end. She quickly said, "Mom, it's Evie!"
"Miss, it's Chloe. Please hold on. I'll get the lady of the house," Chloe said on the other end.
Evie felt awkward until she heard Eleanor Sterling's voice. "Evie, what's the matter?"
"Mom, Alexander and I have something to do tonight, so we won't be home for dinner," Evie said, glancing at Alexander.
"Alright. Come back for dinner next week," Eleanor replied.
"Okay, thank you, Mom!"
After talking to Eleanor, Evie breathed a sigh of relief. When she tried to hand the phone back to Alexander, he didn't take it. "Keep it for now," he said.
Evie had to put the phone in her bag.
Alexander drove Evie away from Sterling Mansion and headed straight to the supermarket to buy groceries.
Evie picked out the vegetables while Alexander pushed the cart and waited, answering his phone from time to time. Even on weekends, he was still busy.
Evie picked some vegetables and some fruit. Thinking that Alexander liked sour food, she bought some oranges. The oranges were sweet and sour this time of year, just right for his taste.
As she was picking the oranges, Evie thought about how Alexander's taste was really similar to a pregnant woman's. He was a man, so he should be more tolerant of sour things!
She couldn't help but sneak a glance at him. Then, a strange image formed in her mind: a tall man like Alexander being pinned down by Owen Clarke, who was acting like a sissy. She shivered.
She was really being influenced by Emily Hart. How could she think of such a weird picture?
She quickly shook her head to get rid of the horrible image. The next second, she met Alexander's gaze.
Evie was suddenly embarrassed. She could only keep smiling to cover it up.
"Are you implementing a three-guarantee service?" Alexander pushed the cart over and looked down at her, asking slowly.
"Huh?" Evie looked at him, confused.
"For the sake of the next generation's IQ, I'm thinking about whether I should return the product," Alexander said, touching her head. "Evie, I don't like oranges."
"Oh, then I won't buy them," Evie said, taking the oranges out of the bag and putting them back.
After they finished shopping, Evie went to the cashier with Alexander. Suddenly, she understood what he meant. Her face turned bright red in an instant.
After paying, Alexander pushed the cart and said, "Don't leave any valuables behind."
Evie turned to the cashier and asked, "What valuables?"
"Let's go, silly," Alexander said, reaching for her hand. With his other hand, he pushed the cart toward the exit.
Alexander loaded the groceries into the trunk, returned the cart to its designated spot, and then got back into the driver's seat.
Evie followed him into the passenger seat, buckled her seatbelt, and sat obediently, like a well-behaved student.