CHAPTER 186: CHAPTER 186: YOU’VE GOT A MOUTH—ARE YOU USING IT RIGHT?

Poppy Hale took a sip of juice.

"It’s all in the past; besides, you never said anything before. The biggest problem is Declan himself. Who told him to have a mouth but not know how to use it?"

He has a mouth but doesn’t know how to explain.

Can only deny their relationship.

All the problems lie with Declan Hawthorne himself.

Declan Hawthorne didn’t deny it, lowering his eyes to look at Poppy Hale beside him.

The steam from the soup pot rose, lingering around Poppy Hale’s cheeks. She seemed to be in a mist, her profile gentle and cool, like a different person from the one who amazed everyone by drawing a bow in the cold wind that afternoon.

At this moment, Poppy Hale always made Declan Hawthorne feel uneasy.

Compared to her past self, she has changed a lot.

He liked to see her vibrant and radiant, just as she used to be.

Every time Poppy Hale showed a gentle and reserved aura, staying distant, it stopped Declan Hawthorne’s breath.

He held Poppy Hale’s hand, rubbing her soft palm.

"Mm, it’s all my fault."

-

After dinner, they went home separately.

On the way back, Declan Hawthorne discussed with Poppy Hale, "Let’s go back to the apartment tonight. I want to watch a movie with you."

"Watch a movie?"

"Weren’t you watching movie reviews on your phone last night? There’s a projector at home, so we can watch at home without worrying about disturbing Florence and our parents. I have everything ready."

Poppy Hale raised an eyebrow.

"Did you peek at my phone?"

"What do you mean peek? You didn’t turn off your sound."

Poppy Hale liked having some noise in her ears while she painted.

In fact, she herself forgot what reviews she had watched; it was just random information swiped by on her phone.

Unexpectedly, Declan Hawthorne remembered.

"Okay, then I’ll tell my mom and let Florence know not to wait for me."

"I’ve already told Florence."

Poppy Hale glanced at Declan Hawthorne driving.

His phone indeed had Florence Lynch’s phone watch bound since a while ago, and the father and daughter often exchanged messages, which Poppy Hale didn’t deliberately inquire about.

When asked, Florence even said it was their secret.

"What did you tell Florence?"

Declan Hawthorne took out his phone and handed it to Poppy Hale.

Opening the communication app with their child, Florence had sent a voice message.

"I know you’re going on a date with mom. Go ahead, go ahead. Such worry!"

Scrolling up the screen.

Most of the father-daughter voice messages were actually in English.

"When did Florence get so good at speaking English?"

"Consistently speaking a foreign language with her, she’ll pick it up. Florence is very smart; she learns a lot just by hearing it once. The interview at the affiliated elementary won’t be a big problem; the choice is hers."

Even if Florence struggles with the interview, the affiliated elementary school evaluates comprehensively in all aspects, and the family holds a significant proportion.

As Declan Hawthorne’s daughter, attending the interview is Florence choosing the school.

Not the school choosing Florence.

Poppy Hale held the phone, just about to see what else they chatted about, when Declan Hawthorne took the phone away.

"Be careful not to get carsick. Has your driving license come through?"

"I’ve scheduled for the fourth test. After the test, I’ll get it."

Previously, Poppy Hale passed each of the tests on the first try.

After finishing the last test, she can get her driver’s license and drive to and from work herself.

Declan Hawthorne nodded.

"Just right, the car I bought for you is also parked in the garage."

"Didn’t mom buy me one?"

"No such thing as too many. You have to feel the car yourself to know which one suits you best."

He just wished the car Poppy Hale drove was the one he bought.

This little secretive thought wasn’t meant for outsiders but was enough to make Declan Hawthorne quietly happy.

Poppy Hale saw through his thoughts but didn’t expose him.

This man, sometimes he’s really childish.

-

Back at home.

While Declan Hawthorne was adjusting the projector, Poppy Hale took a shower and came out.

The house had floor heating throughout, so wearing a silk nightgown wasn’t cold; the temperature was just right.

Sitting on the sofa, Poppy Hale noticed that Declan Hawthorne had put on a romantic movie. The whole film’s rhythm was very artistic and ambiguous, with the male and female leads kissing in a sunlit room.

Declan Hawthorne’s hand rested on Poppy Hale’s knee, moving upward.

In the room, there was some aroma diffused. With a faint cracking sound, candles burst into flames.

Declan Hawthorne’s lips replaced his hand.

Fell on Poppy Hale’s thigh, wet kisses heading upward and stopping.

Poppy Hale’s hands clutched the sofa, the leather squeaking under her grip, unable to hold anything.

"Declan Hawthorne..."

Declan Hawthorne mumbled, looking up with a damp nose tip.

"Didn’t you say, I have a mouth but don’t know how to use it? Using it like this, are you satisfied, Miss Poppy?"

"Don’t do this..."

The protest sounded like a kitten, covered by the movie dialogue.

The sound of kisses in the movie layered with the invasive sound of Declan Hawthorne’s lips, resembling a symphony.

Poppy Hale’s mind was dizzy, blank, fireworks in bloom.

Afterward, she nudged Declan Hawthorne with her foot.

"Did you plan all this?"

"Not what just happened, this is planned."

Poppy Hale snorted softly, hearing Declan Hawthorne whisper in her ear.

"Sweetheart, don’t leave me again."

Like a stray dog abandoned by the roadside, pitiful.

"If you don’t say mean things, I won’t leave."

"Was what I just said nice? Seems like you were quite satisfied."

Poppy Hale reached to cover his face, stopping Declan Hawthorne’s kiss.

He knew she found it dirty, so he didn’t insist on kissing her.

"Sweetheart, I will always love you."

Poppy Hale chuckled.

"Words men say in bed can’t be believed."

"But we’re not on the bed now, we’re on the sofa."

Is this the point?

Sweat from Declan Hawthorne’s forehead dripped down, sliding into Poppy Hale’s neck. Her eyes blurred, but she was watching him.

In each other’s eyes, there was only one.

Declan Hawthorne chuckled softly, saying, "It’s okay, I will prove it to you."

"But sweetheart, could you love me a little more?"

Poppy Hale’s eyes grew moist.

Words she wanted to respond with were blocked by Declan Hawthorne.

He didn’t want to hear a rejection that had a fifty percent chance.

Whole-hearted love as before, he didn’t dare to expect.

Initially, he thought as long as Poppy Hale was by his side, both having each other was enough.

But people are greedy.

He couldn’t help but want more brilliant love, trying to find back the Poppy Hale who loved him wholeheartedly.

Time doesn’t return, and neither does the heart of a lover.

Declan Hawthorne wanted to selfishly retrieve.

He wanted to catch the moon in the water, to mend a broken mirror.

He wanted Poppy Hale to love him.

-

On the way back.

Allen Shaw drove, with Serena Sutton and Justin Hawthorne sitting in the back.

Justin Hawthorne pointed at the bar ahead, "Shaw, drop me off there, thanks!"

"At this time, you still have a drinking session?"

"Not really, just a casual drink with a few friends."

Allen Shaw parked the car, advising, "Be safe, if you run out of money or have an issue, call me."

"Got it, got it."

Justin Hawthorne left with a small bag.

Allen Shaw pointed to the front passenger seat, looking at Serena Sutton.

"Want to sit up front?"

"Alright."

Serena Sutton initially thought it wasn’t appropriate, but then thought she shouldn’t treat Allen Shaw like a chauffeur.

The car restarted.

Serena Sutton spoke, "You have a good relationship with the fifth miss?"

The concern and intimacy he showed Justin Hawthorne couldn’t be faked.