Sweet to the heart

Chapter 11

“I’m not that obsessed.”

Emily instinctively denied it, but then felt guilty and glanced at Frank. She wasn’t sure how long he had been standing behind her or how many times he had seen her watch his video. Her face felt a bit warm, and she wondered whether she should explain why she was watching his video. Since the video was sent by Summer, and given that she and Frank were preparing for their marriage, talking about Frank in private with Summer might not be ideal if he found out.

Emily thought for a moment, then looked up and said, “I was just casually scrolling.”

“Just casually scrolling and found my video?” Frank raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly. His eyes held a hint of amusement, looking less serious and aloof than usual, with a touch of roguish charm.

Emily had always thought he was the type of man who was calm and mature to the core, aloof and proud in public, and similarly so in private. Seeing such a carefree expression on his face now was a bit disorienting. She wondered if he had always been this way, or if it was something he had developed in the business world. Everyone has a youthful and impulsive side. She was curious if he had ever gotten into fights when he was younger. She suddenly wanted to see what he looked like when he lost control.

She couldn’t help but imagine him with a sideways grin, displaying a flamboyant and reckless demeanor.

Seeing her bright eyes fixed on him without speaking, Frank leaned in closer.

His face came suddenly close to hers. His jaw was tense, his sexy Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his deep-set eyes met hers. Their gazes locked, and Emily’s heart skipped a beat. Coming to her senses, she leaned back and created some distance between them. She cleared her throat, turned her face away, and avoided his intense gaze.

“Well, it’s just a coincidence. I happened to come across your video while scrolling through my phone.”

Frank noticed her evasive response but didn’t call her out. He smiled slightly, walked over to the table, pulled out a chair, and began unpacking the takeout, placing each box on the table with a casual demeanor as if he didn’t mind the situation at all.

Emily stood up and helped him unpack the takeout boxes. Seeing the wedding ring on his finger, she thought it would be better to be open about their relationship to avoid misunderstandings.

“I just saw a comment saying you’re wearing a wedding ring. I don’t usually pay attention to such details, so I watched the video a few more times.”

Frank paused for a moment while lifting the lid off a food container and explained in a calm tone, “Everyone knows I’m married. Not wearing the ring could be troublesome.”

Emily nodded in understanding. After all, despite their efforts to project a loving couple image, it wouldn’t save them from being seen as a "plastic couple" by others. If he didn’t wear the ring, those marketing accounts might seize the detail and spin it negatively. They might even be inundated with rumors about their divorce.

The two sat across from each other. Frank handed her a set of utensils. As Emily took them, her eyes naturally fell on his hands, with the clear diamond ring gleaming under the chandelier.

Emily looked at his hand and then at her own bare fingers. She took a spoonful of porridge and said, “I’m working at Beauty Magazine now, and nobody knows my identity. You shouldn’t mind if I don’t wear a wedding ring, right?”

Emily was aware that maintaining the image of a loving couple was a shared responsibility. She needed to cooperate when necessary, but since few people knew her identity, she didn’t need to be as cautious about the media as Frank.

Frank’s gaze was deep, as if harboring some unspoken emotion. Emily didn’t hear him speak and looked up in confusion.

Frank’s eyelashes fluttered as he repressed his emotions, his tone indifferent, “It’s up to you.”

“Okay, then remind me to wear the ring when we visit the family home next time. I’m afraid I might forget,” she said, wanting to keep appearances in front of relatives and friends.

“If you forget, then don’t wear it.”

Emily was slightly stunned, not expecting Frank to say that. He lowered his head, his lips pressed together, and his gaze cold, as if he didn’t want to engage her.

Emily had long been accustomed to his icy manner of speaking. It still stung a bit, and she muttered under her breath, “You’re upset again.”

One moment, things were fine, and the next, he was moody. It was like he could change his attitude faster than flipping a book.

Frank caught her muttering and glanced at her with a slight smile, noticing her displeasure.

Emily quickly finished her porridge, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and without looking at him, stood up and left the room, leaving the takeout boxes for Frank to clean up.

She had her own temper too.

If he didn’t want to interact, she had no desire to be in the same room with him.

Emily reached the door, and she heard Frank say, “I’m not upset.”

Emily paused, realizing he must have heard her complaint and was now explaining.

She responded with a bright smile, “I didn’t think you were upset.”

“……”

After returning to the bedroom, she locked the door from the inside and placed the spare key in the drawer. After taking a shower, she went to bed with noise-canceling earplugs.

Frank finished his work and went out of the study to find the bedroom door locked and the spare key missing. He wasn’t angry and went back to the study to get his backup key.

Emily was a bit scared of the dark when she was alone, so she kept a warm yellow light on by the bed. She lay on her side, with her long hair spread out behind her. The bedclothes were kicked to his side, and she curled up on the right side of the bed, even in her sleep avoiding the left side.

Frank walked over quietly, adjusted the surrounding blankets, picked up the earplugs that had fallen to the floor, and placed her phone on the nightstand before getting into bed himself.

His movements were gentle, but the bed inevitably creaked under the additional weight, causing Emily to stir. She turned over, and the blankets ended up beneath her.

Frank thought she had woken up and said tersely, “Cover up the blankets properly.”

The response was a steady breathing sound. Frank turned his head and saw Emily with her face buried in the pillow, not moving.

Her face was delicate, with a smooth forehead, a well-defined nose, soft contours, and fair, tender skin that looked delicate.

Frank leaned against the headboard, staring at her for an indeterminate amount of time. His gaze grew intense as he leaned in closer to her face, contemplating whether to kiss her.

Perhaps sensing danger, Emily stirred restlessly in her sleep and turned her back to him.

Frank’s gaze softened slightly, and he chuckled at her reaction. He adjusted the blanket for her, turned away, and closed his eyes, waiting for his own inner tension to ease.

The next morning, Emily woke up to the sound of her alarm and found her phone on the nightstand, knowing that Frank had been in the room again.

The door was locked, and the spare key was in his possession, so it was clear that he had another spare key hidden somewhere.