CH 12
1361 Words
Cecilia Cooper found herself wedged between the seat and Charles Dixon's muscular frame. His hand remained in the same position as before, but their faces were nearly touching, his thin lips brushing against hers in a way that sent a shiver down her spine. His voice turned husky as he said, "Teacher Cooper, how am I being ambiguous with you, huh?"
The warmth of his breath enveloped her, causing Cecilia to tilt her head back slightly, trembling all over. Still, she gritted her teeth and declared firmly, "What you're doing right now is definitely ambiguous!"
"Is it groping?" Charles Dixon smirked, his lips curling into a teasing smile. He pressed a long finger down, and with a click, he said, "It's unbuckled."
Unbuckled?
Cecilia stared at him, confused, until she noticed him tilt his chin, urging her to look down at her chest.
Following his gaze, she realized that the seatbelt was positioned right between her breasts. He had only been helping her unbuckle it…
Instantly, her cheeks flushed with heat, turning a shade so red it felt like they might bleed! She wished there was a mouse hole in the car for her to crawl into!
How embarrassing! This was truly the most humiliating moment of her life!
Sitting up straight, Charles Dixon released her hand, a playful smile on his lips as he casually remarked, "So, Teacher Cooper, do you owe me an apology for misunderstanding my intentions?"
This time, Cecilia Cooper truly had no excuse. She felt her face flush as she softly said, "I'm sorry!"
Charles Dixon frowned slightly, clearly displeased. "Why are you apologizing?"
Cecilia took a deep breath, trying to change the subject. "Mr. Dixon, we're home."
He remained seated, not moving an inch. "Teacher Cooper, since you've already said it, shouldn't you clarify a bit more?"
Her anger flared up instantly, but she suppressed it, gritting her teeth. "I really apologize for misunderstanding that you wanted to take advantage of me, Mr. Dixon!"
"As long as you feel sorry, that's enough..."
Raising an eyebrow, Charles Dixon opened the car door and stepped out. Cecilia followed closely behind, her heart boiling with anger. What an embarrassment...
The two arrived at the apartment, where Cullen Dixon had been waiting in the living room for quite some time. As soon as he saw Cecilia, his face lit up with a big smile.
Charles Dixon cast a deep, meaningful glance at Cullen, who immediately straightened up and sat up properly.
With a faint, cold snort escaping his lips, Charles tossed his black coat casually onto the sofa before heading straight into his room.
As soon as his brother disappeared, Cullen Dixon let out a sigh of relief, though concern lingered in his voice. "Teacher, why were you taken to the police station?"
"Some things are hard to explain at a glance; they can't be clarified in just a few words," Cecilia Cooper replied.
Shrugging his shoulders, Cullen stopped pressing for answers, his handsome face showing understanding. "I get it. Everyone has their impulsive moments. Teachers are human too, after all... Gurgle..."
Before he could finish his sentence, a loud rumble came from his stomach. Cecilia frowned; having not eaten all day, she realized she was feeling a bit hungry. She asked Cullen what he wanted to eat.
Cullen eagerly replied that he wanted dumplings. He hadn’t had any during the winter solstice, and today he especially craved them!
Cecilia smiled. Since she was able to get out today thanks to Cullen, she figured it would be a nice way to thank him!
After taking a shower, Charles Dixon changed into a comfortable set of loungewear, his hair still slightly damp. As he stepped out of his room, he heard a series of crisp sounds, as if someone was chopping something.
Entering the living room, he found Cecilia holding a knife, chopping meat, while Cullen was bustling around her side, clearly excited.
Hearing footsteps, Cullen Dixon turned around, his handsome face lighting up with a smile. "Big bro, the teacher is making dumplings."
Cecilia Cooper didn't look back as she continued chopping the meat filling, raising an eyebrow. Charles Dixon remained silent, his deep gaze sweeping over her back before he settled onto the couch and turned on the TV to watch the financial news.
As the intense gaze shifted away, Cecilia couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, focusing entirely on making dumplings.
Once the water boiled, she dropped in the plump, white dumplings that resembled Clara, letting them cook for a moment before serving them onto a green plate. After a moment's thought, she filled three plates.
Noticing this, Cullen Dixon wrinkled his nose and whispered, "My big brother doesn't eat dumplings with chives. He thinks they have a strong taste."
At his words, Cecilia paused for a moment. That man really was picky!
She quickly chopped up some celery, mixed it with the meat filling, and wrapped a plate of dumplings before tossing them into the boiling water.
Living in a high-end apartment definitely had its perks. Just downstairs, there was a large chain supermarket, stocked with fruits, vegetables, and meats.
She bought some chives and meat, along with some celery. Originally, she had planned to use the celery to mix with the vinegar and soy sauce for dipping, but now it served a different purpose.
Once all the dumplings were ready, Cullen Dixon brought them over to the coffee table.
Charles Dixon narrowed his eyes, studying him intently. Cullen shrugged, "The teacher originally packed dumplings with chives and pork filling, but since my big brother doesn't eat chives, he specially made some with celery and pork instead, and even added a three-flavor mix. My big brother is really getting the royal treatment! I'm so envious!"
With a furrowed brow, Charles remained silent throughout the exchange, his gaze always carrying a hint of curiosity.
Cecilia Cooper set down her plate and, upon meeting Charles's gaze, jumped slightly but quickly regained her composure. "I really appreciate it today, Mr. Dixon!"
"You should thank me properly!" His voice was deep and husky, a slight smirk playing on his lips as he picked up his chopsticks, elegantly lifting a dumpling to his mouth.
"Big brother, how does it taste?" Cullen asked eagerly.
At his words, Cecilia felt a wave of curiosity wash over her, mixed with a hint of nervousness. Although she pretended to focus on her dumplings, her eyes kept drifting toward him.
Charles's gaze landed on her face; her delicate features were flushed, and a bit of flour dusted her cheeks, which only made her look more tempting rather than ridiculous.
His eyes flickered with an intensity, and after sipping some soup, he finally spoke, "Not bad."
Hearing those words come from his notoriously picky mouth, Cecilia felt a rush of satisfaction. However, the way he looked at her felt predatory, making her lower her head to avoid his gaze.
Withdrawing his gaze, Charles Dixon elegantly finished a bowl of dumplings, leaving only half a bowl of broth behind.
As he stood up and was about to leave, he seemed to remember something and said, “Teacher Cooper, since you have nowhere to go tonight, you can stay here. Just make sure to clean up that mess in the kitchen…”
Cecilia Cooper's heart skipped a beat as she looked up, surprised by his words, but she felt genuinely grateful.
He seemed to be willing to help after all…
The next morning.
Cecilia Cooper woke up at her usual time of 6:30 AM. By the time she washed her face, brushed her teeth, and got ready, it was already 7:00.
As she walked into the living room, she saw Cullen Dixon sitting on the sofa. She asked, “Where’s your brother?”
After staying with her for a night, she felt it was only right to thank him in person.
Cullen Dixon, still yawning and half-asleep, replied, “He went for a morning run. It’s his routine…”
A faint sense of disappointment lingered in Cecilia’s heart. She exchanged a few more words with Cullen, asking him to pass on her thanks, before leaving the apartment…
- Writer
