CHAPTER 21: CHAPTER 21: HOLDING HER

"Stay here and rest after lunch, don’t bother running back," Zane Sterling said with such calm that Autumn Lowell couldn’t help feeling flustered inside.

"I’ll just nap at my desk, I worry about not sleeping well on a new bed, and I don’t want to disturb your rest," she declined.

Zane didn’t reply, as usual, his face giving nothing away.

Her anxiety felt normal—a newlywed not wanting anyone to find out; if she slept here often, she’d slip up eventually.

The lunch was excellent, clearly prepared with care, not at all like something ordered in.

"Did the housekeeper make this?" she broke the awkward silence.

"No," Zane paused, "my mom made it."

Autumn was so startled she nearly choked on her food.

"My aunt told my parents you went to the hospital for early pregnancy tests." His voice was steady, so much that Autumn couldn’t read anything from his expression.

She panicked, but seeing him so composed made her heart sink a little.

"So, about us getting married..."

"They know. After things are less busy, I’ll take you home to meet them."

"Oh."

She had almost forgotten—he had family. Unlike her, just looking out for herself.

Soon after eating, Zane started to clean up, as always not letting her help.

"I should get going," she pressed her lips together, feeling the urge to escape.

Being alone with him was suffocating—her heart raced oddly fast, cheeks flushing red.

"Wait," Zane walked to the desk, Autumn following beside him.

"Give me your phone," he sat down, reaching out his hand.

"Huh?"

She was stunned for a few seconds, but still handed him her phone.

Zane fiddled with it, typing quickly.

"WhatsApp is linked to the Intimate Pay. If you want to buy anything, just buy it."

Right after saying that, he saw her contact name for him: Vampire Boss.

He smiled and changed the remark to Husband, even updated the phone number name to Husband.

Autumn’s eyes darted around, unable to meet his gaze, her palm sweating coldly.

"I’m not very good at sweet talk. If I ever do something wrong, just say so, I’ll fix it."

When he finished, he handed the phone back to Autumn.

"Okay," she nodded.

It was obvious: he really wasn’t great at sweet talk.

She finally walked out of the CEO’s office, her burdens feeling a little lighter.

——

After work that afternoon, Autumn drove to the mall to buy a few sets of winter clothes, some warmer layers too.

With not much new winter stock this season, choices were limited—she could only pick warmer items.

She didn’t expect to bump into a familiar face at the mall.

"Sophia!" A woman called out, walking over.

"Miss Walsh!"

Zoe Walsh, a university professor, was a close friend of Autumn’s mom.

Miss Walsh was called that by Autumn Lowell too; she was pretty much Autumn’s old friend now.

It was Zoe who’d taught Autumn calligraphy, actually.

She dressed casually, but her poise and grace made her stand out everywhere.

"Shopping too?" they both said at the same time,

She’d heard Zoe was always living in City A, didn’t expect to run into her here.

"Here to buy stuff for my son, that one never gives me peace—always working, heading out of town for a business trip tomorrow, so here I am seeing what else he needs."

Zoe sized up Autumn, "You’re really good-looking!"

Autumn blushed at the compliment and quickly hooked Zoe’s arm, pulling her off to shop together.

"It feels rare to see a friendly face—I need to buy clothes too, can you help me pick?"

"Sure! Maybe help pick stuff for my son too, you young people probably have similar taste."

And so, the two shopped for two or three hours at the mall.

"Have you eaten? Come to Auntie’s place for dinner?"

They sat with shopping bags piled up, sipping milk tea on a bench to rest.

"Can’t, Miss Walsh, I still need to get back home, got things to do."

She suddenly remembered Zane had said to eat at home tonight—it was already past eight, no clue if he’d be waiting for her, or just eat alone.

"Alright. I’ve got things too, let’s catch up next time!"

"Sounds good, Miss Walsh." She tossed an arm around Zoe Walsh affectionately.

After a quick goodbye,

Autumn got in her car, checked her phone, and saw ’Husband’ had called her and sent WhatsApp messages.

[When are you coming back?]

She almost jumped, dialing him back in a hurry. [Sorry, ran into a friend at the mall and ended up chatting for a while.]

[No worries, when are you coming home?]

[Heading back now, should be home in about ten minutes.]

[I’ll wait for you.]

[Okay.]

Suddenly having someone waiting for her—it felt weird, and kind of nice in a way she couldn’t describe.

Somehow, her ears were burning red.

She started the car and drove towards the apartment.

On the way, passing street vendors, she couldn’t resist stopping to buy a bouquet of tulips.

Parking in the garage, she stepped out clutching the tulips, smile all over her face.

"You’re back," Zane’s voice called out.

"!!" Autumn startled, instinctively taking a step back.

The air was a bit awkward. Autumn quickly composed herself, closed the car door, and walked over to him.

"Why are you here?" she asked.

"Waiting for you."

His gaze landed on the tulips in her arms.

Autumn’s heart gave a little flutter—not sure what to say next.

"The flowers... They’re for you." Her ears grew hot; she carefully handed him the bouquet, not even sure if he would accept it.

Zane looked at her, then at the flowers, slowly reached out and took them from her. His warm big hand brushed against her slender fingers—it was like an electric shock between them.

"Thank you." She could see a hint of joy on his face—if you didn’t look closely, you’d miss it.

Autumn pressed her lips together; why did she have to give him flowers, of all things? What was wrong with her? She almost regretted it as she quickly withdrew her hand.

Just as things got awkward, Zane moved closer, reaching out and pulling Autumn into his arms.

The hand holding the flowers wrapped around her waist, his other arm pulling her close by the shoulders.

"!!" Autumn flinched, her little hands left hanging, body stiff, his scent enveloping her completely.

He was so warm—even with only a thin shirt, she could feel his burning chest.

She hardly dared to breathe, heart pounding, her whole body buzzing like electricity.

Should she hug him back?!

Autumn wrestled with herself, sweat forming across her brow.

The embrace was gentlemanly enough—not too close, but more than enough to throw her emotions into chaos.

She swallowed, and finally put her little hands around his strong back.

After a while, they let go, Autumn’s gaze flitting everywhere, not knowing where to look; Zane, though, stood calm, looking straight at her.

"Have you eaten?" Autumn remembered suddenly.

"No, I was waiting for you."

Uh. This was... awkward.

"Sorry, I forgot..."

She really had forgotten—forgot she wasn’t alone anymore, forgot she was married.

"It’s fine, you’ll get used to it."

"Mm."

After a short exchange, Autumn walked to the trunk and grabbed the clothes she bought today.

Zane said nothing, handed her the flowers back, then took the shopping bags from her and headed for the hall.