Not only was Larissa shocked, even Carabella was stunned, her mouth gaping open. Jefferson had always let Larissa give him leftovers, and the couple would surely laugh about it with satisfaction. However, the Jefferson she saw now was very different from the one she had seen six years ago. Was this because Jefferson suddenly wanted to be more thoughtful so he would appear more perfect in Larissa's eyes? Carabella still ignored Jefferson's sometimes attentive behavior.
Meanwhile, Larissa was still in shock, her jaw clenched. Her trembling hands hid under the table. "Why are you asking me? Isn't it obvious that Carabella can finish it, since she hasn't even tasted the cupcake yet?"
Jefferson grinned at the sweet woman with an innocent expression. "Because I can finish it. Why should Carabella help you?"
The thought of her beloved fiancé devouring a cupcake she'd bitten into instantly filled her heart with joy. Initially, she wanted to yell at Jefferson for being so rude to her, but now she chose to remain silent rather than ruin the sweet atmosphere.
"You really are a romantic, Jefferson!" Larissa patted her fiancé's arm and laughed gracefully. "You should have told me earlier."
"If I told you from the start, it would mean you still don't know my true personality."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have accused you so carelessly."
Jefferson immediately took a quarter of the cupcake and popped it into his mouth. "It's okay. I've actually been meaning to be romantic with you all this time to make you happy."
"I prefer you like this. You used to be so stiff."
"Anyway, whenever you can't finish your food, don't give it to Carabella, but to me instead."
Actually, for the first time, Carabella wanted to thank Jefferson for indirectly protecting her, although she was confused about his motives for changing his attitude. She had always believed that Jefferson would never do something this lowly because of his perfectionist attitude towards everything. On the one hand, she already knew that Jefferson's sudden attention like this was for the woman he loved to love him even more. Therefore, she could only enjoy this pleasure for a while.
"Carabella, it's a shame Jefferson ate the cupcake. Are you okay with that?" Larissa asked with a pitying look, but her intention was to keep Carabella from scolding her.
"It's okay. I'd rather drink your chamomile tea." Carabella took a quick sip of her chamomile tea, nervous about being stared at by Jefferson.
"By the way, I'm glad the three of us are finally here after so many years. Especially since Jefferson and I are getting married soon. I'll definitely invite you to our wedding."
"I'll definitely be there. I can't wait to see you two living happily ever after, even though we used to hang out together so often when we were little."
"I haven't forgotten that moment to this day." Larissa stared at the single rose in the basket for a moment. "Thank you for the flowers. I'll give you a gift even more beautiful than chamomile tea."
"No need to give me a gift."
"In fact, you have helped me a lot all this time, you deserve a reward."
Carabella grew increasingly uncomfortable with the current situation. Eventually, she got up from her chair rather than continue being a nuisance.
"By the way, I'd like to get back to work. Thanks for the invitation, Larissa."
"But, I'm actually curious. Why are you suddenly working here? Isn't your father usually the one who works?"
Carabella clenched her fists tightly. "Actually, I—"
"Why are you suddenly asking her something so trivial?" Jefferson protested, folding his arms.
"I was just curious because it's not usual for her to work alone in this house."
"I don't think we should interfere in his affairs. I didn't even ask her about it. I didn't even take the initiative to ask my parents why, and they have no right to tell me about my personal matters."
Larissa nodded, embracing her lover's hand affectionately. "I'll just follow you because I'm your fan."
Jefferson smiled faintly, gently stroking his fiancée's head. "I actually don't like hearing you think of me as a fan."
"Even though at first I liked you because I was your fan."
"I'd rather hear you think of me as your fiancé. After all, we're getting married soon."
"Moreover, Carabella will be our wedding witness too."
Carabella bowed her head for a moment and then quickly walked out of the garden gazebo. The longer she spent with the couple, the more her breath became labored. She was actually angry that she'd been invited to watch this free romantic drama just to make herself jealous. She wasn't that type of woman. Why was Larissa always looking for a way to bring her down?
Until late afternoon, Carabella remained hidden in her room, feeling unworthy of her presence in this luxurious home. Moreover, she would soon be moving into Jefferson's new residence. If Larissa were to discover her someday, would she be considered a fraud and Jefferson's mistress?
Now Carabella was searching for a way to escape this place. If only she hadn't believed him and signed that stupid contract, she would have been free to go anywhere she wanted. She was truly trapped in Jefferson's trap.
Carabella was about to leave her room, carrying her tote bag. She hurried toward the door, but nearly hit her head when it suddenly swung open. She immediately took a step back, welcoming the arrival of her extremely annoying young master.
"Why are you in such a hurry to get out of the room? Didn't I always tell you to wait here for me?" Jefferson scolded coldly.
Carabella retorted arrogantly. "Who are you? Why do you have the right to dictate my actions?"
"Because I am your boss!"
"But, I'm not a child who can be easily controlled! I'm not your puppet either!"
His blood pressure rose as he saw Carabella's increasingly arrogant and stubborn demeanor. His gaze sharpened, and his right hand lifted her pointed chin.
"I don't like seeing you being too obedient to others."
"What?"
"Is Larissa your boss? Why should you obey her?"