Back to Love: A New Beginning
Chapter 45

Chapter 45:.

On the way back, Derek drove slowly and steadily. Soon, the bustling streets along the highway were disappearing from my view.

We were stuck in a traffic jam halfway back to the villa,

There was a long wedding caravan ahead of us, and next to them was a nicely decorated hotel. Clearly, there was a wedding ceremony here.

The well-dressed groom led the bride out of her wedding car and into the hotel, the bride was wearing a beautiful white wedding dress, smiling happily as she snuggled into his arms.

As I watched them, I suddenly felt Derek’s hand on mine. When I turned my head, I discovered that he had a serious look on his face

“I’m sorry. Eveline, but I can’t give you a wedding at the moment.”

Perhaps he said this because he realized that I was looking at the newlywed couple with envious eyes.

Projecting one’s feelings onto someone else’s story was common.

To tell the truth, I didn’t expect any of that. I was no longer a pure and innocent girl who was only looking for romance. And besides, romantic stories usually began with love. Without it, romance would never exist.

“Relax I have no desire to pursue unrealistic things. I never thought of having a big wedding for my second marriage.”

In fact, when I married Shane, our wedding was very simple. I had never had a big wedding before. Although I was speaking calmly at the time, there was still a trace of bitterness in my voice.

Derek took my hand firmly. “It has nothing to do with you getting married a second time. It’s just that it’s not the right time yet. I’m still preoccupied with other pressing matters.”

“I understand,” I said, looking down at my feet.

The brief silence caused a slightly awkward atmosphere between us.

Fortunately, the traffic jam dissipated.

Derek broke the silence as he started the car back up.

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“I’ll book a table at a restaurant for us tonight. There may not be a big wedding, but it’s necessary to entertain some guests.”

He was referring to a get-together with his good friends. I thought it was a waste of money to go to a restaurant, so I suggested he cook at home. But he told me he didn’t want me to wear myself out. However, I insisted on cooking for our guests, so he moved the dinner banquet to his house.

After going to buy some ingredients at the supermarket, we went home. Once home. Derek called his friends and I called Louise as well.

Upon hearing that we were having a dinner party at Derek’s villa, Louise jumped in without hesitation.

She really wanted this dinner to be a success, because Derek’s reputation might suffer.

While washing some vegetables, she said she would help me. I declined his offer, but when I turned around, I saw him cutting up a fish.

I was surprised to see him doing it.

His herculean figure was slightly hunched over, and the cuffs of his white shirt had been rolled up. Soon, the fish had been clearly cut, almost as if it had been expertly prepared by an expert.

At this moment, I felt as if time had stopped flowing AND all I could see was this magnificent man in front of me, able to turn the kitchen into a captivating setting.

“Are you really a good cook, Derek?” I said in a voice laden with bewilderment.

Derek stared at the fish in his hands and laughed.

“I guess I’m not bad. But I don’t usually cook.”

“Why not?” I asked.

He placed the cut fish on a plate and began washing his hands. The sound of running water accompanied his voice.

“I only cook when I’m in a good mood. The truth is, I don’t like cooking when I have to eat alone. But things are different now. I have a wife now. I can eat any random food, but I can’t let you do the same.”

His words inadvertently revealed a lonely part of his life, and it gave me a desolate thrill.

“Don’t you have to show up on time at work every day?” I made it sound like I was asking casually, but in reality I had been dreading asking him this question for a long time.

If people found out I had no idea what my husband did for a living, they would surely make fun of me….

“I have a flexible work schedule, so I’m almost always free,” he commented.

I was speechless. His response did nothing to give me any details.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

“Oh, it’s probably them. I’m going to open the door.”

As soon as Felix and his friend entered the house, they started making a ruckus. It was as if they were planning to overturn the house. I had no idea if Louise had just bumped into them outside the house, or if she had run into them somewhere else, but they all came together

The moment I returned to the kitchen, she rushed into it and asked me what was going on. I had planned to tell her this business today

“Derek and I have a marriage certificate.”

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