Dakota still didn't believe Curtis's fibs.
She pursed her lips, turning her head to look out the window without much thought, unexpectedly spotting a very artistic fondant cake shop by the roadside.
In the glass display window bathed in the glow of the setting sun,
A delicately purple fondant cake, depicting a dreamy castle, was prominently displayed.
Dakota couldn't help but look a few more times.
Her gaze followed the big cake, even turning her head to keep watching as the car drove past, seemingly reluctant to part with it.
Curtis noticed her little action and followed her gaze, "Want some cake?"
Dakota slowly turned her body back.
She shook her head, "Too sweet, and besides, we've already passed it. Turning back would mean going around in a big circle."
Curtis lazily turned his head to look at her.
He clearly saw that Dakota's eyes sparkled when she encountered the fondant cake shop.
So Curtis made a U-turn at the next intersection.
Dakota asked in confusion, "What are you doing? Shouldn't we be heading straight to Whispering Pines?"
Curtis lifted a corner of his lip, chuckling lightly, "Drive back and buy Mrs. Pineda a little cake."
Dakota's gaze froze.
She stared at Curtis's profile, surprised that he would choose to drive back to buy her a cake.
Fifteen minutes later.
Dakota received the bear-shaped fondant cake the staff had packed for her. She picked up the cake box, peeking inside through the transparent side, feeling a bit dazed.
Cake...
Curtis actually bought her a cake?
In the past, even on birthdays, no one ever bought her a cake. At most, her grandmother would bake a simple one at home within her means.
And now Curtis actually bought her one?
Dakota couldn't help but suspect that this dog was just being unpredictable, so she lifted her face proudly, "Thanks, puppy."
"Hmm?"
"Today isn't any special day, why did you specifically detour to buy me a cake?"
"Weren't you craving it?"
Curtis, with a lazy posture, had one hand in his pocket, intending to reach out to help Dakota carry the box, but she held it tightly, showing no intention of letting him touch it.
So he calmly withdrew his hand, letting her hold it herself, "It's just a cake. If my Mrs. Pineda wants a cake, does she need to pick a special day?"
Dakota seemed quite delighted.
She was very satisfied with Curtis's answer, neglecting to notice how he addressed her, and refrained from arguing, which was rare.
"It does show some husbandly awareness, you're behaving yourself."
As Dakota spoke, she lifted the cake to look at it again, her eyes sparkling brighter than a crescent moon, her lips curling into a smile.
Curtis stared intently at Dakota.
That heart, no longer innocent, was further enticed by her gentle smile.
Dakota carried the cake as she walked outside.
The evening breeze gently brushed against her cheeks, a few strands of hair floating up, playfully resting on her lips.
Curtis instinctively reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear.
Perhaps noticing his movement out of the corner of her eye, Dakota turned to look at him, meeting his gaze full of apparent affection.
Dakota blinked, her eyes resembling a starry sky.
"What's wrong?" Her eyes were innocent, seeming confused by his reaching motion.
Curtis's hand froze mid-air for a second.
The feeling of being caught made his back muscles tighten, but he appeared calm, tilting his chin to indicate, "There's hair."
"Oh." Dakota had no doubts.
She even tiptoed, lifting her face closer to Curtis, "I don't have free hands, can you help me?"
Dakota suddenly moved closer to him.
The lingering scent of her perfume, blending vanilla and grapes, mingled with Curtis's quickening breath.
A feeling of intense intimacy made his Adam's apple roll slightly.
He reached out, tucking the strand of hair behind her ear, his fingertips inadvertently touching her skin, causing a tingling sensation.
Curtis's gaze was dark and intense.
But Dakota was completely unaware.
She soon put her feet back down, her tone lively and proud, "Thanks."
She even winked at him playfully.
Biu—
At that moment, it was as if Cupid's arrow struck Curtis's already melting heart.
He couldn't resist Dakota's enchanting smile.
He even felt that if she looked at him for one more second, his heartbeat would give him away.
Fortunately, Dakota quickly retracted her gaze.
She cherished the bear fondant cake tightly, turning to walk toward the Bugatti, her footsteps sounding like cheerful chimes.
Curtis never thought Dakota could be so easily pleased.
He once thought that to make this pampered young lady happy, it would take a lot of money to buy her the prettiest and shiniest things in the world.
But he never imagined that all she wanted was a fondant cake she stumbled upon on the way home.
Back at Whispering Pines, Dakota carefully placed the cake in the refrigerator. After showering upstairs and having dinner, she brought the cake back to her room.
Click click—
The bedroom was filled with frequent shutter sounds.
Dakota took the bear fondant cake out of the packaging, placing it in various spots around the room, snapping photos with different backgrounds and angles.
She even posted about it on social media.
【Dakota】: I'm so happy today!
Friends and acquaintances from J City quickly arrived, colleagues liked it at lightning speed, and many who were merely listed as friends but rarely talked also joined in.
【Film Maker】: Is it Dakota's birthday? Happy 18th birthday to Miss Gardner! Getting more beautiful every day! Getting even closer…
【Investor】: Happy birthday to the beautiful Dakota!
【Forgot Which Tycoon's Second Generation】: Oh, happy birthday to the beauty, want to come out for a drink?
【Carley】: Eh? Dakota's birthday today? Why didn't you say anything at work? We would have celebrated for you!
【Macey】 replied to 【Carley】: The beautiful Dakota doesn't need our help for her birthday. I saw her being picked up by her boyfriend right after work!
【Carley】 replied to 【Macey】: Ahh, was he handsome? I missed it?!
The conversation had taken an unexpected turn.
But those who had known Dakota since childhood understood that her birthday was clearly in spring.
【Noe】: ? Something's off! @Jasiah
【Jasiah】: Dakota actually has the mood to buy a cake? Didn't she quit sugar?
【Lailah】: Wow! Who bought it? Could it be your arranged marriage partner?
【Noe】 replied to 【Lailah】: ?
【Jasiah】 replied to 【Lailah】: Who? Who's getting married? Who is Dakota marrying??
【Lailah】: Zip it.
The comment section under Dakota's post was buzzing with chatter, but she didn't bother explaining whether it was her birthday or not.
Those who didn't care wouldn't remember this day next year, while those who did wouldn't need her to explain.
But there was a group called [First to Date is a Loser], which became lively due to Lailah's bombshell.
【Jasiah】: What's Lailah talking about?
【Noe】: Dakota, are you secretly planning to marry someone else behind our backs?!
【Jasiah】: @Dakota
【Noe】: @Dakota
【Curtis】: @Dakota
Everyone: ??????
