Mutual Interests
1602 Words
The moment Eric appeared, Michael was the first to spring into action, pulling the string on the party popper.
Everyone shouted "Happy Birthday!" in unison, pushing the atmosphere to its peak.
Anna slowly pushed the cake cart toward Eric, speaking each word deliberately, "Happy birthday, Eric."
She was shy and nervous, but she didn’t want to wait any longer.
Anna looked up, meeting Eric’s gaze. Her voice was clear and unhesitating, “Eric, I like you. Will you be with me?”
Her eyes were filled with resolve, and Anna knew that she would never again be as brave as she was in that moment.
As soon as the words left her lips, the room erupted, everyone cheering and chanting, “Be together! Be together!”
But Eric wasn’t swayed, nor did he yield to the pressure of the crowd. He didn’t accept her confession.
“I’m sorry, I don’t like you.” Though brief, his words cut deep.
Without a second glance, Eric walked away, not even stepping into the room. Anna stood frozen, unable to recover for a long while. It was Michael who finally took her home.
After that, Anna and Eric lost all contact. A few months later, Eric left the country.
And that parting lasted five long years.
"From today on, you'll move in with me." Eric's voice held the weight of a command, leaving no room for objection.
Anna furrowed her brows slightly, "But my parents' house..."
"I always keep my word."
Anna knew Eric’s character all too well. Once he made a promise, he always fulfilled it.
Eric lived at Luming Academy in the northern suburbs, one of New York’s most luxurious residential areas, surrounded by top-tier educational resources. The villa had been a gift from Eric's parents for his eighteenth birthday. Though he now owned many properties, he mostly resided here. The house's value had likely soared to over a billion dollars by now.
The car slowly rolled to a stop at the villa's entrance. Anna looked up at the opulent mansion, pausing for a moment. This wasn’t her first time here.
Back in high school, she had stayed here for a few days.
That was when Eric had just finished his college entrance exams. Anna, Michael, and a few close friends often came over to hang out with Eric.
Sometimes, when it got late, they would simply spend the night.
Their relationship had been so close back then. She still vividly remembered Eric lounging on the sofa, legs crossed, watching TV, listening to music, and casually holding a game console, completely at ease.
“What are you standing there for?” Eric, hands in his pockets, called impatiently.
“Oh.” Anna followed him slowly into the villa.
The interior was just as lavish as she remembered, decorated in light tones with grey accents and brown highlights. The marble floors were understated yet elegant, paired with a grey and white rug that exuded simplicity and style, perfectly matching the owner's character.
Anna glanced around briefly. Everything was just as it had been—even the vases hadn't moved.
“Your belongings have already been moved to the master bedroom by Ray. From now on, all my meals, clothing, and daily needs are your responsibility.” His tone was businesslike, as though they were discussing a contract. “Your phone must be on twenty-four hours a day. You are not to get too close to other men. If I hear any rumors about you with some male celebrity, you’ll face the consequences.”
Anna felt less like a wife and more like she had sold herself.
But in the end, wasn’t their marriage just a transaction? Both of them were merely getting what they needed.
Eric paused, one foot on the stairs, as if remembering something. He turned to Anna and added, “By the way, I don’t like my private life made public.”
“I understand,” Anna replied. A secret marriage—this would actually be easier, sparing her many unnecessary troubles.
—
In the following days, Anna didn’t see Eric again, nor did she receive any word from him.
Lily had postponed all of Anna’s business engagements to give her time to immerse herself in her script, so she spent her days alone in the villa.
Eric disliked having strangers in the house. Despite his wealth, he only hired a part-time cleaner, not a live-in housekeeper.
So, in the vast villa, Anna was completely alone.
She was just debating whether to call and check on Eric when her phone rang.
“Anna, it’s Dad.”
Anna’s eyes flickered, “What’s going on?”
“Nothing important, really. I just wanted to call and see how things are going with Eric. He’s treating you well, isn’t he?” Kevin asked.
Anna hesitated briefly, “He... he’s treating me well.”
“That’s good. Knowing you’re happy puts my mind at ease.”
Anna was about to hang up, but after a moment's hesitation, she asked, “Dad, how is Tianyi...?”
“Tianyi is doing much better now, thanks to the Eric family’s support. It shouldn’t be long before the situation stabilizes.” Kevin’s voice was filled with relief. He had poured so much of himself into Tianyi, and seeing the company improve lifted a great weight off his heart.
“That’s good.” Eric had indeed fulfilled his promise, pulling a company on the brink of collapse back from the edge.
“If you get the chance, thank Eric for me.”
“I will.”
How could she thank him?
Eric lacked for nothing, and giving him a gift seemed too simple.
After much thought, Anna decided to cook him dinner.
That day, Eric was in his third meeting. The company veterans had been arguing over a port project for two hours.
Bored with listening, Eric lowered his head to check his phone. Suddenly, a message from Anna popped up on w******p.
Anna: Are you coming home tonight?
Eric stared at the message for a while before replying with a single question mark.
Anna: I made sweet and sour pork, clam steamed eggs, spicy chicken gizzards... are you coming home?
Eric smiled silently and replied, “I’ll be home by eight.”
Everyone in the meeting room exchanged puzzled glances, wondering who had messaged their usually stern and emotionless boss, causing him to show such an expression. After all, Eric was known for being cold and meticulous at work.
Anna smiled with satisfaction as she looked at the sumptuous dinner spread on the table. Glancing at the clock, she noted that Eric would be home in just a few minutes.
Eric had always been particular about food, even in his school days. She hoped these dishes would suit his taste.
Anna went to the kitchen and took out a bottle of red wine that the store clerk had recommended. She wasn’t very knowledgeable about wine herself.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of the front door unlocking.
Wasn’t he supposed to be off in a few minutes? Why was he back so soon?
Eric took off his coat, changed into slippers, and walked straight into the dining room. Seeing the steaming dishes on the table, he raised his brows in surprise. “Did you make all this?”
Anna nodded and murmured, “Mm-hmm.”
“Go wash your hands—let's eat.” Anna placed the last reheated dish on the table.
At the dinner table, as Eric slowly lifted his chopsticks and took a bite, Anna couldn’t resist asking, “Is it good?”
Looking into Anna’s bright, starry eyes, Eric paused for a moment before replying calmly, “Not bad.”
For him to offer even that much praise was a high compliment. Anna finally relaxed, relieved that he liked it after all.
Feeling elated, Anna even served Eric a bowl of chicken soup.
“Thank you,” Anna murmured softly halfway through dinner.
Eric paused, his spoon mid-air, “There’s no need to thank me. We’re just getting what we need from each other. You should know by now—I’m a businessman. I don’t make deals that don’t benefit me.”
With that, the atmosphere froze.
“Oh.” After that, Anna quietly finished her meal, not saying another word.
When they were done, Eric placed his chopsticks down leisurely and said in an indifferent tone, “Wash the dishes when you’re finished.”
“I made all this food, and you can’t even say thank you. Now you expect me to wash the dishes too? How ungrateful.” Anna muttered under her breath.
“What did you say?” Eric’s eyes narrowed, his voice turning colder.
“I said, understood.” Anna quickly corrected herself.
Eric nodded and turned to head upstairs.
By the time Anna had finished cleaning the kitchen and gone upstairs, Eric was already asleep.
Despite having been married for several days, this was their first time sharing a bed.
She watched his handsome, peaceful face for a while before heading to the bathroom for a hot shower. After spending the entire afternoon in the kitchen, she smelled of grease.
Once she was done, Anna carefully climbed into bed, afraid of disturbing the man beside her.
Just as she was about to drift off, a strong, warm arm suddenly wrapped around her, pulling her close.
Eric rolled over, covering her with his body, his eyes glowing with intensity.
His movements were no longer as rough as before, and by the end, Anna found herself wrapping her arms around his neck willingly.
- Writer
