At the restaurant.
Eulalia fixed her hair and looked a little nervous as she stared across the table at Alexander. Alexander wasn't wearing the suit from the other day. Today, he had on a simple white hoodie, casual and relaxed.
He seemed easy to get along with, his actions and words never offending anyone. He was tactful, and when he looked at Eulalia, his gaze lacked any greasy or uncomfortable intensity.
"Do you like meat?" he asked. "I like it too."
"Order whatever you like. Let's just relax and enjoy," he said.
He said slowly, "Let's eat well and enjoy. Afterward, we can take a walk in the park behind here. I know a spot with a nice view."
Eulalia nodded quietly, her demeanor calm and gentle. She was nothing like the loud and animated person she was around Grey. At that moment, she looked every bit the refined lady.
Her posture, her way of eating—everything about her was elegant.
"I haven't been there yet. I heard there's a lake in the park?"
Alexander nodded. "Yes, there's also a black swan."
After saying that, Alexander glanced at his phone, a barely noticeable frown appearing between his brows. He stood up, and with a curious look from Eulalia, he said, "I'll take this call, something with work."
"Okay, go ahead," Eulalia said softly.
Alexander returned after a few minutes, and Eulalia wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she thought Alexander looked a bit tired after the phone call.
She pursed her lips, gathered her courage, and used the fork to place a piece of meat on Alexander's plate. "This one's taste good, go ahead and have it."
"Thank you." Alexander rubbed his brow, looked up at her, and after a moment, he sighed. "It's no wonder men want to find a woman to settle down with. You're thoughtful, and you know how to care for people."
The most important thing...
Alexander's gaze lowered, settling on Eulalia's abdomen. The area was partially obscured by the table, but through her clothing, the soft curve of her waist was evident. Her figure was neither too thin nor too full, perfectly balanced—ideal for bearing children.
Eulalia had already felt that there was something odd about Alexander's comment. When she raised her eyes, she found him staring at her...
She lowered her gaze as well, staring at her own stomach?
The look in his eyes was devoid of warmth, like he saw something to be used, and it made her pause for a moment.
Alexander quickly regained his composure, offering a faint smile. "I'm not great with words. Don't mind me, but... I think you're really wonderful."
Eulalia blinked, murmuring a soft "Oh."
Then, Alexander used the serving fork to pile her plate with more food. Once they had finished eating, he took out a small box and slid it toward her. "Open it, see what's inside?"
Eulalia hadn't expected him to bring a gift—after all, it was only their second day together. She felt a little awkward, realizing she hadn't prepared anything herself.
"You didn't have to," she said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"I'm serious," Alexander said, his eyes fixed on her with quiet sincerity.
Eulalia froze for a moment.
"I don't make decisions about relationships lightly. Since I've decided, I want to take it seriously, want to make it work. Whatever I give you, it's because I truly want to." Alexander spoke with earnest conviction.
Eulalia's face flushed instantly. She had always preferred more mature men, and Alexander, who rarely joked and whose expression was always serious, made her feel... that perhaps, this time, she had truly found the one in her fate.
It seemed as if Alexander knew exactly what she didn't like, never once crossing her boundaries.
"I'll prepare a gift for you next time," she murmured softly, gently opening the box to reveal a necklace lying inside.
Alexander said, "Can I put it on you? I think it suits you really well. Your skin is so fair."
Eulalia had taken off the bone necklace that Grey had made for her when she was dressing today. Now, her neck felt empty.
She opened her mouth, "I..."
"Or is it that you don't like it?" Alexander interrupted her, but his tone had lowered, and he seemed a bit disappointed.
Eulalia hurriedly said, "No, I like it. Thank you."
Then, Alexander stood up and walked behind her, holding the necklace.
Eulalia clenched her hands, her body stiffening as she grew nervous.
She felt her hair gently swept aside, the presence of a man looming behind her. His breath brushed her skin, and she pressed her lips together, unsettled by the unfamiliar scent of a stranger. In the next moment, the cool touch of the necklace pressed against her collarbone, sending a shiver through her.
"It's on." Alexander quickly stepped back, returned to the other side, and smiled at her. "It really suits you."
Eulalia's face flushed slightly.
"Really? Th-thank you."
"I'll be right back, I need to use the bathroom."
In front of the bathroom mirror, Eulalia looked at the necklace on her neck and gave a small, gentle smile.
They never made it to the park. Alexander had been called away by a phone call from his company. However, at some point, he had ordered a delicate bouquet of lilies.
Eulalia held the lilies as she made her way home, feeling a little light-headed, as though she were floating.
Although sometimes she found Alexander a bit odd, perhaps it was just her overthinking things.
In any case, at the moment, she thought Alexander was pretty good.
When she reached the bottom floor, she saw the tall, slender young man standing at the entrance of the building, silently staring at her—and the lilies in her hand.
Eulalia didn't notice him at first, then called out, "Grey!"
She walked over.
"What are you doing here? Did you forget something?"
As she walked closer, the shiny silver necklace around her neck became more noticeable.
Grey watched as the bone necklace he had made for her was no longer there and tightened his lips.
There was no need to ask—he knew exactly where she had gone, dressed so beautifully, and with the lingering scent of a man on her.
She went to meet her blind date.
She had taken off his necklace, which had been there just this morning.
Yet, he didn't have the right to ask.
Grey clenched his fists, lowering his gaze, his expression distant.
"Grey? Why aren't you speaking?"
Grey held his phone, which contained pictures of several houses he had seen today. He wanted her opinion—he'd buy whichever one she liked.
But before he could speak, the question came out uncontrollably, "The necklace..."
"The one I made... you don't want to wear it anymore...?" He lowered his gaze, staring at the ground, speaking without looking at her.
With his sharp features and towering height, he was clearly much taller than Eulalia, yet at this moment, in front of the petite Eulalia, it was as if he were the victim, as if he were the fragile one.
—The tall, fragile baby.
Eulalia hadn't expected him to ask such a question, and so bluntly. She paused for a moment, unsure of how to respond.
She suddenly felt guilty, as if a person on a diet had been caught sneaking food by their trainer.
Grey glanced at the flowers in her hand, as if understanding something, and let out a small sound, his tone growing cold.
Ah...
Eulalia felt something was off with the atmosphere. Why did she feel like she had done something wrong?
She suddenly gained some confidence, raising her voice. "Do you have something to say? If you do, just say it!"
Eulalia didn't think her tone was off. She always spoke to Grey like this.
But at this moment, Grey looked at her with hurt in his eyes. He pressed his lips together, fell silent for a moment, then suddenly handed her the phone. "I want to buy a house."
His voice was low and muffled. "Help me pick which one's good."
Eulalia took the phone, cautiously asking, "So... do you have money?"
Grey hadn't thought much of it before, but now he spoke clearly, "Yes."
"Once I buy a house, I'll buy a car."
He could buy a house and a car too. Anything another man could provide, he could as well.
He could buy flowers and necklaces too!
He longed to say, "Don't wear things given by others, wear only what I give you." His heart ached, the sight of her delicate, pale neck adorned with someone else's necklace was unbearable.
The scent of the necklace was unbearable—lingering with the musk of a human male, mixed with the lingering smell of sweat and food that seemed to have clung to her.
Eulalia didn't know what Grey was thinking, but she was taken aback by his words. She had always assumed him to be a penniless soul—yet he was wealthier than she had imagined?
Surprised, she opened her phone, scrolling through her album of houses, and asked, "So... why the sudden need for a house and a car?"
Grey froze for a moment, his face flushed red, and he stammered, unable to answer her question.
"Little cub... needs... needs to go to kindergarten."
Huh? Eulalia thought she had misheard.
What little cub?
She lifted her eyes and looked at him.
Grey became even more nervous, avoiding her gaze. "I will have a mate, so I have to buy a house."
Eulalia felt like the world was changing too quickly.
She widened her eyes. "What? Do you mean you're getting married?"
"Something like that." Grey touched the tip of his nose, blushing.
Eulalia:??? A face full of questions.
Grey:...completely red-faced.
