Chapter 17: Also a Proud One (1)

Words : 652 Updated : Sep 18th, 2025

Vera Wave happily reached for the pizza box, but the moment her hand touched it, another hand slapped hers away. The food she was about to enjoy was knocked from her grasp, and she looked at Kris Cooper with annoyance. "You told me to eat, didn't you? Why did you slap me?" A wet wipe was tossed over, accompanied by an order from the man himself. "Clean your dirty hands!" If he hadn't mentioned it, she'd almost forgotten. She had just touched him *there*; her hands definitely needed a good cleaning. Vera grabbed the wet wipe and quickly cleaned her hands. Seeing the pizza box in front of Kris, she unceremoniously dragged it over, picked up a slice with both hands, and took a bite of the cheesiest tip. So delicious! As she savored the rich, cheesy flavor, a look of pure contentment spread across her small face. Watching her enjoy it, Kris Cooper's gaze softened. Bite after joyful bite, Vera ate with gusto. What could make someone happier than indulging in a delicious meal when they were ravenous? Unfortunately, good things never last. Just as she was about to take another bite, a large hand reached out and snatched the pizza from her. Her hands were still frozen in the pizza-holding gesture, and anger flared on her small face. "You... What do you think you're doing?!" "My turn to eat." Kris Cooper raised the slice—now just a lonely crust—to his mouth and took a bite. Only then did Vera realize that, in her delight, she had unknowingly devoured all the cheesy parts, leaving only a pitiful crescent of crust. "Oh... I'm so sorry!" she apologized with a smile, reaching for the next slice. "I'll be more careful with this one, I promise." With a good portion of pizza now in her stomach, Vera wasn't eating with such fierce concentration anymore. While munching on her slice, she began to steal glances at Kris Cooper. Watching him elegantly eat the pizza she had started, she pursed her lips. She looked at the slice in his hand, then frowned. He's eating my leftovers directly? Isn't he... grossed out by me?! After stuffing the last of the pizza into his mouth, Kris Cooper dipped the crust into the salad dressing, then slid the salad bowl in front of her. "Mix it!" Money talks, she fumed silently. Fine, she'd mix. Vera took the small fork and gave the salad a couple of cursory stirs. "There." Kris glanced at the salad in the bowl and spoke again. "Pick out the watermelon, mango, and banana, and eat them." Besides those, the salad basically only had apples and pears left. This guy's palate was unbelievable—he wouldn't touch any of the best parts! "You... you're not eating these either?" "Too much sugar. Can't I be on a diet?" Vera glanced at Kris Cooper, who was lounging lazily across from her. "Actually, your physique is perfect. You don't need to diet." A faint smile touched Kris Cooper's lips. "Oh, really?" Vera popped a piece of banana into her mouth. "Honestly, your build is better than a model's. It's practically the golden ratio." Anyway, she was quite skilled at flattery. If she could sweet-talk him, maybe he'd give her another discount on the 'touching' fee from earlier. Kris Cooper took a sip of his drink and then handed the cup to her. "Seeing how honest you are, you can have this drink too, as a reward." "Thank you." Vera accepted with a smile. But as she brought the cup to her lips, she paused. "Um... did you drink from this?" Kris Cooper raised an eyebrow. "What? Are you disgusted by me?" "No, not at all!" Vera stared at the straw in the cup, then swallowed hard. She was genuinely thirsty, but...

Chapter 17: Also a Proud One (1)

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