CHAPTER 255: CHAPTER 255: IF YOU CAN’T LOVE ME, THEN PITY ME

Tanya Sinclair opened the door. There were no men’s slippers prepared at home, so she gave Declan Pierce a pair of shoe covers.

While Declan was putting on the shoe covers, Tanya took the dishes he brought into the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Caden crossed his arms, looking seriously at the suddenly appearing Declan.

"Uncle Pierce, are you having dinner at our house tonight?"

"Yes." Even while sitting, Declan was taller than Caden. He looked at the little fellow in front of him and handed over a gift, a rare chess manual. "I didn’t prepare a gift for you last time we met, so I’m giving you this. See if you like it?"

Of course, Caden liked it, his eyes lit up.

He loved playing chess.

Whenever he had free time, he liked to think about games where there was no clear winner.

Declan’s gift touched him deeply.

But Caden didn’t let himself be bought, and with restraint, he said, "Thank you. But this is too expensive, I need to ask Mommy if I can accept it."

He ran to the kitchen to tell Tanya, who also thought the gift was too valuable. But seeing her son truly liked it, she smiled and said, "If you like it so much, just accept it. Remember to thank Uncle Pierce properly."

Declan had already come over. He took off his coat, standing by the door in a white shirt and black pants, his lips slightly curled as he said, "You’re welcome."

Caden went to the sofa to read the book he was holding.

Tanya looked at Declan by the door: "There’s juice, vegetable juice, and cola in the fridge. What would you like to drink?"

Declan didn’t reply immediately. He rolled up his sleeves and walked into the kitchen, the veins on his muscular forearm winding down to the back of his hand.

The man’s fair skin made the veins more conspicuous, his fingers long and beautiful.

Declan casually picked up a kitchen knife.

"Is there an apron?" he asked offhandedly, his hands not stopping.

While speaking, he had already deftly deboned and skinned a chicken leg.

His cooking skills were even more practiced than Tanya’s.

Looking back and seeing Tanya watching him, Declan smiled faintly and asked back, "What, surprised? You thought I wouldn’t know how to cook?"

Tanya paused, watching Declan’s profile.

The kitchen’s warm-toned light glowed around him. Tall and standing under the light, his sharp features seemed softened.

Tanya’s voice quietly filled the not-so-large kitchen.

"I know you can cook. And cook well," she said honestly. "In the winter of junior year, I saw you working in a restaurant kitchen."

The reason that day left a deep impression on her was because it was New Year’s Eve, a day for family reunions.

The restaurant had been booked early, full of families happily eating their New Year’s Eve dinners.

Tanya had been returning home with her grandfather after visiting her mother’s grave when, through the restaurant’s kitchen window, she accidentally saw Declan cooking.

He was not yet twenty, mixed in with a group of adults in their thirties and forties, almost drowned in the noisy, greasy smoke.

Yet Declan remained silent but proficient among them.

Until someone loudly called his name, Declan handed the spatula to a fellow cook and took two half-person-tall black garbage bags out the back door to dispose of the trash.

Though separated by just a wall, inside was a table of lively familial warmth, while outside, fine snowflakes fell, even the streetlamp light was cold.

The cold light shone on the thinly-clad young man as he dealt mutely with bags of smelly kitchen waste.

From a distance, Tanya watched, feeling a bit of heartache.

She knew how poor Declan was, every penny he had to earn himself to live.

She also knew how strong his pride was.

’Grandpa, wait for me for a bit.’

Tanya ran into the restaurant and found the busy floor manager. ’Hi, do you have a part-time student named Declan Pierce in your kitchen?’

’Yes, did that kid cause trouble?’ The floor manager was very anxious; he couldn’t afford any slip-ups at this time.

’No, no.’ Tanya hurriedly shook her head, pulling out the red envelope her grandfather gave her and asked the manager, ’Please give this to him, and wish him a happy New Year. You don’t have to tell him who it’s from, just say it’s from you. Please be sure to give it to him.’

Actually, Tanya’s thought was simple. Like Declan, she had no parents, but she was luckier. She didn’t have to work hard just to survive. She had a grandfather who loved her dearly.

The manager evaluated Tanya with a smile of understanding.

’That kid’s lucky, having such a sweet girl thinking about him. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he gets it.’

Declan’s hand paused slightly.

The counter was a bit low for him, he slightly lowered his head, his black hair shaded his eyes, hiding his expression.

"I know," Declan spoke softly.

"Hmm?" Tanya hadn’t caught on.

Declan turned around, his dark eyes captured hers, a faint smile flowing in them.

He said, "Tanya Sinclair, didn’t you even open to look at the red envelope your grandfather gave you?"

Tanya: "?"

Declan lazily said, "In that year’s red envelope, your grandfather wrote a message - ’May my granddaughter Tanya, have worry-free years, be safe and happy.’

Tanya was embarrassed, "...why didn’t you ever tell me this?"

"Tell you what?" Declan stepped forward, his tall figure almost enclosing her completely, raising his brow in inquiry, "Tell you thanks for pitying me by giving me a New Year’s red envelope?"

Tanya felt a little helpless to explain: "Declan, I never thought you were pitiful. I know during college you hated me, always opposing me, because you thought I pitied you, hurting your pride. I never meant that..."

"Then start now," Declan interrupted her, his dark eyes deep, clearly reflecting her face.

Declan’s Adam’s apple moved slightly as he hoarsely said, "From now on, pity me a little..."

If you can’t love me, then pity me... My princess.