After getting their marriage license, Dakota went back to her career.
She had signed a contract and was coming out of the national Museum.
A figure in a white blouse and skirt walked under the shade, with a pale green collar adorned with pearl fringe that swayed gently as she crossed the threshold.
"Mr. Gardner."
The director of the national museum personally escorted her out, saying, "Once again, welcome to our team!"
Dakota shook hands with him, unusually humble.
She smiled gently, "It's also an honor for me to be able to participate in the relief version replica of the murals at the National Museum upon my return to here."
Today, Dakota had come to sign her work contract.
She is a sculptor and muralist who just graduated from the Fine Arts Academy of Florence with a bachelor's and master's degrees.
Dakota hadn't returned just to get her marriage certificate.
But the National Museum had opened a new gallery and wanted to reproduce the murals in relief form. Dakota received this job offer and finally returned from Italy.
The director bid farewell to Dakota, agreeing that she would start working the following Monday.
Dakota stood there elegantly, watching the director leave and saying modestly,
"Goodbye. See you on Monday."
But the moment the director's back disappeared from sight, the elegant beauty in the skirt lost all grace, running to the shade of a tree, hiding from the sun, and calling Lailah—
"Lilah, my darling."
She whined like a little coquette, "Where are you? Your dear, adorable Dakota is melting. Come pick me up quickly, save me."
Dakota had left early in the morning when it was still cool.
It was quite cool then.
Never did she think it would get so hot by noon.
To make matters worse, she had chosen not to carry an umbrella to match her qipao look, as even if she had brought one, it wouldn't have blocked the sun effectively.
Lailah couldn't stand Dakota's cutesy voice, sighing, "Send me your location, Princess."
Dakota quickly sent her location.
Her skin was delicate and couldn't withstand the harsh sun, so she went to the nearest café nearby to wait.
Lailah arrived soon, "Where are you going?"
"The mall."
Dakota slumped in the passenger seat, no longer looking elegant, "Only shopping can soothe my heart that's about to melt from the heat."
Lailah couldn't help but chuckle.
"Alright." She turned the steering wheel, "Next time, call Curtis to pick you up. His company isn't far from where you work."
"I don't want to." Dakota pouted, "Let's keep things happy today while shopping. Don't jinx it, we're not talking about jerks."
Lailah shook her head, somewhat helplessly.
Look at this.
These two bicker so fiercely that the media even spread rumors about the Gardner and Pineda families planning a union, which is utterly ridiculous!
However, there's an old saying that's quite true:
Opposites attract.
In other worda, just as Dakota signed for her third bag of the day, she looked up and saw Curtis, looking all dapper and showy.
Curtis stands nearly six feet tall.
Compared to his usual laid-back, carefree demeanor, today, in a professional setting, he looked more refined and restrained.
He wore a well-tailored black suit.
The precisely cut jacket revealed broad shoulders and a narrow waist, complemented by a white shirt and black vest underneath, with understated silver collar fastenings and carefully selected cufflinks.
Although his expression was still defiant, this outfit brought out a rare aristocratic charm from deep within him.
Dakota's smile froze.
Curtis happened to glance over casually, their gazes locking.
He raised an eyebrow slightly.
Then he slowly turned around to face her directly.
His lips curled, a smile that hid a sharp edge.
Biting his teeth, his tone was resentful.
"It's been a long time—"
"Kota."
Dakota inwardly cursed her bad luck. This was supposed to be a happy shopping day, and she'd even avoided staying in the wedding house, yet she still ran into him here.
At that moment, Noe turned to look over, "Hey? Dakota! Lailah! What a coincidence, you guys are here too!"
"Yes." Dakota crossed her arms.
She glanced at Curtis with a haughty look, "Fate brings enemies together"
"Miss Gardner, you've been living quite comfortably outside, haven't you?"
"I'm giving you your freedom"
"Thank you for being so considerate, Miss Gardner."
"Hmph, you're welcome."
"..."
When rivals meet, the atmosphere is strange.
As soon as Dakota and Curtis started talking, the tension between them was like lightning and thunder.
Noe and Lailah moved aside and whispered, "What are they arguing about? Why can't I understand?"
"I don't know." Lailah shook her head, "But I feel like Curtis... somehow he seems like a lonely and resentful husband who's been waiting at home for too long."
"Huh?" Noe was surprised, "Can we really use that description for Curtis? But you have to admit, it kinda fits..."
But both of them waved it off, "Forget it! Just speculating! There's no way it's possible!"
Dakota and Curtis both turned their heads away.
Not paying any more attention to each other.
Noe, acting like a goofball, chuckled, "Hey, have you two eaten yet? How about joining us? My treat!"
Dakota: "..."
Lailah: "..."
She smiled and turned to Noe: Really, thanks for the invitation, but maybe you should let them go their separate ways.
But once Noe spoke, there was no taking it back.
Curtis, however, replied calmly, "Sure."
Fifteen minutes later.
Dakota found herself seated opposite Curtis, her 'plastic' husband whom she hadn't seen for several days, at the same table.
The atmosphere remained tense.
Noe tried to lighten the mood, "Order some food! This restaurant is amazing! You can't go wrong with anything you choose!"
But neither Dakota nor Curtis made a move.
Dakota reclined, elbow resting on the table, idly tapping her cheek as she looked at him.
Curtis sat with one leg crossed over the other, his dark eyes still filled with resentment.
Noe: "……"
He looked at Dakota, then at Curtis, and finally grabbed the menu, "Fine! I'll order!"
Lailah sat quietly sipping water, not daring to speak. She felt like she was losing her mind, the more she looked at Curtis, the more he seemed like a resentful puppy, complaining that Dakota hadn't been home in ages.
This is just ridiculous.
Where did these two get a home?
Lailah stood up, "I need to go to the restroom!"
It must be the heat causing her to almost get heatstroke, making her think such things. She needed to splash some water on her face to calm down.
Noe looked up at her blankly, "Hey, that's perfect, I need to go pick out some seafood at the front hall."
After he spoke, he paused for a moment.
Then he turned to warn the two, "While Lailah and I are gone, you two better not sneak off to argue again!"
Curtis: ? Curtis: "Depends on my mood."
Dakota: "I'll try my best."
Lailah and Noe stood up to leave.
Dakota smiled sweetly, seeing them off, but the moment the door closed, her smile vanished, and she kicked the opposite leg with her heel.
"Curtis!"
Dakota looked livid, "Why did you agree to eat with Noe? What if our cover is blown?"
