That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 33
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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That’s not what kissing means!
Episode 33
Following Vanessa’s recommendation was an excellent choice.
Evelyn went on to order two more slices of fruit tart and devoured them.
The Adrianne Territory where she had lived made it difficult to obtain top-quality fruits.
Perhaps that’s why the candied apples and strawberries tasted incredibly sweet.
Watching her face genuinely filled with admiration, Theo chuckled softly.
Her cheeks puffing up with each bite and her munching lips were utterly adorable.
After eating her fourth dessert, Evelyn finally put down her fork.
“…I ended up eating alone again.”
To her embarrassed voice, Theo replied.
“What’s wrong with that.”
Seeing her face that said ‘I’m embarrassed for mindlessly eating by myself…’, he continued.
“I’m quite enjoying myself. Watching you.”
“What?”
“So there’s no need to make that expression.”
Evelyn tried to understand his words.
Come to think of it, Theo wasn’t one to enjoy food.
Sometimes light eaters feel satisfied just watching people who eat a lot… Could Theo be that type?
‘Then I should satisfy him to my heart’s content!’
She was confident when it came to eating.
Thinking about eating lots of sweet things in the future made her smile naturally.
A genuine smile spread across her entire face.
“Thanks to Theo, I’m happy all day today!”
Happy…?
Theo was left speechless by her dazzlingly bright smile.
The desire to make her happy surged within him.
Those in love find rational judgment difficult.
Moreover, sadly he had no romantic experience, and as always, decided to win through quantity.
Theo called the server again.
Then he swept his finger across the menu from beginning to end.
“Bring everything out.”
“Do you mean for takeout?”
When the server asked back in surprise, a firm answer came.
“We’ll eat here.”
“That’s too much for two people to eat…”
To her concern, Theo shook his head.
“This woman can handle it. Didn’t you see earlier? The cake disappeared in the blink of an eye.”
The young ladies around them looked on with admiration and interest. Evelyn’s face instantly flushed red.
‘What on earth is this situation!’
Her identity as a glutton had been unintentionally exposed in front of strangers.
Flustered, Evelyn tried to smile and stop him.
“Theo, stop joking… Everyone thinks it’s real. Hoho…”
“Have you seen me tell lies?”
He said with a satisfied expression.
“I know you love desserts more than anyone. Since we found a place you like, eat to your heart’s content.”
Murmuring sounds could be heard from here and there.
“She must really love cake.”
“She was going to eat it all by herself!”
Evelyn’s face was now so red it looked ready to burst.
“Theo, I’m fine… Please stop…”
She had forgotten about the hundred handkerchiefs incident.
This man never did anything in moderation.
Evelyn hurriedly gulped down her remaining tea.
Then she urgently stood up and grabbed Theo’s arm to pull him.
Of course, he wasn’t built to be easily moved.
“What’s wrong? You should eat more.”
“No! I’m really full!”
“That can’t be.”
Theo seemed not to believe Evelyn’s words.
It was because of the amount of food he had seen her eat so far.
Having no choice, Evelyn had to make another excuse.
“I want to see other places before the sun sets, please…!”
At those words, Theo dropped his suspicion.
“That’s right, it’s almost dinner time.”
Only then did he get up from his seat.
Everyone’s gazes followed them closely until they left the teahouse.
‘I don’t think I can come back here again.’
Evelyn made a tearful expression.
* * *
Ramona Street was a place for women. Charming teahouses, elegant clothing stores, and knick-knack shops lined the street.
Unlike when looking at dresses earlier, Evelyn’s eyes moved busily. Mainly at dolls and toys.
Things she had wanted as a child but could only look at due to lack of financial means.
Perhaps due to that lingering regret, she still enjoyed looking at them as an adult.
When Evelyn looked through the window at the interior of a knick-knack shop, Theo suggested they browse together.
As soon as they entered the small store, a middle-aged woman warmly welcomed them both.
“Please browse as much as you like. They’re old items, but I maintain them every day.”
As she said, the interior was neatly organized.
Cloth animal dolls and accessories were displayed on the table.
‘How cute.’
She picked up various dolls and examined them from different angles. She could feel their soft texture.
It was when Evelyn picked up a small pig doll.
“It resembles you.”
At Theo’s leisurely voice, she bristled.
“What? What did you say?”
Theo asked as if wondering why she was reacting that way.
“You’re both pink.”
“…”
Now that she looked, the doll’s color was exactly like her hair.
Just in case, she studied his face, but there didn’t seem to be any other meaning.
‘I got worked up by myself for nothing.’
Evelyn cleared her throat and headed toward the bookshelf located in the back.
“I’m going to look at the antiques.”
She walked away hurriedly, looking embarrassed.
The bookshelves positioned in one area extended long along the wall. They were mainly filled with old books and aged items.
The quiet and serene atmosphere put her mind at ease.
“What’s this?”
Evelyn picked up a wooden box.
When she opened the palm-sized box, a cozy illustration was revealed on the inside of the lid. It was a picture of a woman lovingly gazing at her baby.
A music box? Evelyn discovered a wind-up key on the side and turned it with her finger.
Then a long-forgotten memory came flowing back. It was the melody of the lullaby her mother used to sing to her every night when she was little.
When the short music ended, Theo approached from behind her.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m listening to the music box. But it’s exactly the same as the lullaby my mother used to sing to me.”
“Really? Let me listen too.”
“Yes, it’ll put your mind at ease when you hear it.”
Evelyn’s body stiffened as she was about to hand the music box over to him. Theo, who had been standing behind her, leaned his upper body forward.
Soon after, warm breath was felt on Evelyn’s nape. A low, subdued voice tickled her ear.
“Play it for me, quickly.”
The firm warmth touching her back was too distracting. If she turned her head like this, they would be close enough for their lips to brush.
She couldn’t understand herself. Even without seeing his face, Theo’s proximity, his gentle voice… stirred up a strange tension.
“…”
She didn’t want to show that she was conscious of him. Evelyn silently fixed her gaze on the music box.
With stiff fingers, she barely managed to turn the wind-up key. She only hoped it would look natural.
A gentle melody flowed from the music box. Though it was the same sound as before, she couldn’t concentrate. The time for the music to end felt particularly distant.
The gradually slowing melody soon stopped along with the wind-up mechanism. For a few seconds, she could feel violet eyes looking directly at her, but Evelyn pretended not to notice and only looked at the music box.
“It’s true, having it nearby puts my mind at ease.”
With those words, Theo took a step back. Then he took the music box from Evelyn’s hands. Along with another one that was displayed together.
“It wouldn’t be bad to fall asleep listening to the same sound at night.”
Holding two identical music boxes, he soon headed to the checkout counter.
As soon as Theo moved away, Evelyn let out a big breath.
“Haah-”
What was that just now? Why was I nervous?
He had too many dangerous elements. Along with his brilliant beauty, something else…
Thinking that, Evelyn shook her head vigorously.
‘Get it together! I can’t be enchanted by his face again!’
She fanned herself with her hand to cool her face, then approached Theo.
“Did you like the lullaby?”
“Yes, this is a gift for you.”
He held out a well-wrapped music box.
“Thank you, I’ll have to listen to it whenever I can’t sleep.”
“Yes, it’s also good to think of someone.”
At those words, Evelyn’s eyes widened. Theo’s lips curved into an arc.
“Your mother, I mean.”
* * *
That night, the music box Theo had given her sat on Evelyn’s bedside nightstand.
Even though she should have been very tired from walking around all day, sleep wouldn’t come at all.
She blinked blankly in bed, then got up and wound the music box. As the gentle lullaby echoed, she tried hard to recall childhood memories.
Gradually falling asleep while listening to her mother’s singing voice…
‘Play it for me, quickly.’
What cut through the peaceful recollection was Theo’s voice.
The music box’s melody brought back that moment at the knick-knack shop.
The body heat and voice she had felt from him pressed close, and…
“Aaah!”
Evelyn let out a short scream and roughly tousled her hair.
‘Get it together! Who am I thinking about in the middle of the night!’
The music box that she thought would help her sleep had the opposite effect instead.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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