Chapter 62 Gracelynn's Text
Chapter 62 Gracelynn's Text
It was finally the following day.
Eliza stirred bright and early.
After Tanner was done with his work the previous day, he spent the rest of his time with her. No matter
if she was sketching or listening to music, he'd just cuddle with her back to him, doing absolutely
nothing.
She was rather bashful about his sudden gentleness.
"You..."
She wanted to ask why he clung to her, but she then thought it didn't feel right as soon as she spoke,
an absolute buzzkill. Plus, their position was super intimate!
"Don't say a word."
Tanner mumbled.
She wouldn't understand how distressed he was when he scooped her out of the cold bathwater. Now
that it was in the past, he felt secure holding her quietly in his arms.
At night, she even had to prove to him she had fully recovered, no more dizziness, no more sore throat,
no more weak limbs!
She didn't get why he was so concerned, but she'd be lying if she said she wasn't happy; he really had
her swooned!
……
Tanner's sleeping face was right in front of her; only when he was asleep did he not appear so
intimidating.
"Morning, Mr. Deleon."
Whispering, she snuck a kiss on his forehead while he was asleep. She traced his sharp features
lightly as she latched her gaze on him, only getting out of bed a while later.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom; Eliza had gone to wash up. Back in the bed,
Tanner opened his eyes, his smile revealing his good mood.
"Morning, Mrs. Deleon."
Seeing Tanner was still in deep slumber when she came out, she tried to keep the noises down, not
wanting to rouse him, putting on some light makeup to make herself appear more dainty.
With that, she tiptoed outside, slowly closing the door.
Breakfast was almost ready, and Eliza waited patiently on the sofa, texting Gracelynn.
"Gracelynn, how have you been lately? I'm free today. Do you have time? I've missed you."
Gracelynn didn't reply to her, but she wasn't in a hurry either, snuggling on the sofa, flipping through the
channels.
There generally wasn't anything interesting in the morning, so she turned the TV off after changing a
few channels.
Gracelynn still hadn't replied, but Aunt Bell had gotten the breakfast ready.
After setting the table, Aunt Bell first invited Mrs. Deleon to the dining table before going up to tell Mr.
Deleon breakfast was ready.
It was spaghetti for breakfast that day, and it smelled amazing.
However, Eliza didn't look too happy.
Apart from waiting for Tanner, there was another reason she didn't touch her plate. Then again…
There was also a bowl of cherry tomatoes on the table. No one would notice if she snuck a few bites,
right?
Usually, only Aunt Bell would stay aside when they had breakfast. The other servants had other work to
do, so there wasn't anyone else there right then.
It would still take some time before Tanner came down; it should be fine if she ate a couple. Having that
thought in mind, Eliza quietly popped a few in her mouth.
Ms. Bell caught what Mrs. Deleon was doing as soon as she came down, but she only smiled and said
nothing. To give her more time to 'commit her crime', she consciously walked to the kitchen.
Mrs. Deleon sure was adorable…
……
Eliza was sitting upright, waiting when Tanner came down.
He naturally saw the sad-looking bowl of cherry tomatoes on the table. Aunt Bell wouldn't make such a
rookie mistake; this piglet must have snuck a few bites.
Eliza was also a little mortified; she had only planned to eat a couple, but she had been the only one
downstairs, so there were only a few left by the time she realized. Anybody with the right mind could tell
why.
Having a nagging feeling that Tanner was looking at her with a judgmental gaze, she looked up, and
sure enough, she saw a hint of contempt beneath his eyes.
Eliza wanted to explain herself but didn't know what to say, looking all hesitant.
Tanner took his seat, speaking with morning hoarseness.
"I can still afford some fruits."
He thought her reaction was exceptionally adorable, teasing her; sure enough, she was even more
mortified.
Quirking his lips, he was in a good mood all because he was pleased with Eliza's performance that
morning. So be it that she snuck a few bites of the cherry tomatoes; after all, he had long known he had
gotten himself a piglet.
After the minor episode, they began eating.
The spaghetti was delicious, but she never liked them very much growing up.
Raelyn loved spaghetti, so breakfast in the Stone residence was quite often that. But she would be
criticized nearly every time as she wasn't good at picking them up. She'd either twirl too much spaghetti
up, or she couldn't twirl any at all.
On the contrary, Raelyn's sophistication was on a completely different level. It was hard to look elegant
eating pasta, but Raelyn could do it.
Because of their drastic differences, her stepfather would diatribe her or her mother. But she still
adored her older sister. Not only was she talented, but also graceful; she was the epitome of perfect.
Just when she thought Raelyn's actions were already great, Tanner was on a whole nother level than
Raelyn. He used the fork with ease, never making a sound the entire meal.
He was even a sight to behold when he ate while she struggled with the spaghetti.
Eliza was upset, and Tanner was speechless. She was probably the only woman who'd struggle so
much eating spaghetti.
His grandmother minded etiquette and manners so much. Did he really have to groom her into
somewhat a socialite?
Tanner was already done with his plate, watching Eliza, who had trouble twirling with her fork, stab the
spaghetti vengefully.
She thought eating spaghetti was the worst! At the thought of Tanner seeing her horrible table
manners, she surrendered no matter how delicious it was!
"I'm done."
She pushed the plate away and put her fork down.
Tanner tried not to laugh. Done? She barely touched the plate! This probably had to do with why she
ate so many cherry tomatoes.
"You're done?"
"Yeah."
Eliza didn't look happy. It was torture not to be able to eat such good cooking!
Tanner picked up her fork and twirled the spaghetti with barely an effort, bringing it right to her.Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.
He did it so effortlessly that Eliza was rendered dumbfounded, eating the spaghetti he fed before she
knew it.
"You saw that?"
His voice was as alluring as ever.
"Uh-huh."
Eliza nodded at once; he looked exceptionally charming right then!
Plus, she had finally learned what it was like to be fed. No wonder he kept insisting that she feed him.
Tanner was pleased to see her infatuated, smiling.
"You're not allowed to leave until you've finished everything on your plate."
He pushed the plate back to her, still smiling.
The sudden twist got her dumfounded again.
"I..."
Would she know what to do with just one demonstration? Of course, not!
Tanner sat next to her, having no intention of leaving. His Eliza didn't need to be intelligent or quick-
witted; she only had to get her basic etiquette and manners down well enough to appease his
grandmother.
With Tanner insisting, she resignedly continued her struggle with the spaghetti. She had wondered why
he had let her go back to see her family so easily.
Lo and behold! Spaghetti! She couldn't believe he purposely hampered her with it!
She was really horrible at twirling. Seeing that it was getting late, she could only beg that he showed
her some mercy.
"Tanner, I need to go out today."
"Mm."
Of course, he knew; he had even permitted it.
"It's getting a little late, don't you think? I should get going."
"You can leave after you finish your food."
Tanner commanded and threatened.
Eliza gritted her teeth.
With a stir of her mind, she decided to change her plan.
"Don't you have to go to the company today?"
"Don't try to change the subject."
He mercilessly cut her plan short.
How could someone twirl her spaghetti well when she even had trouble cutting up her steak? Though
Tanner wanted to groom her, she was doubtful of her capability.
The air was tense, then Eliza's phone beeped all of a sudden.
It was Gracelynn's reply!
Her phone was right next to her, but Tanner's limbs were longer, reacting faster than her. So
unsurprisingly, the phone ended up in his hands.
"I'll give it back to you after you've finished eating."
Another drastic measure.
"I don't mind getting you a new one."
Tanner wasn't going to budge, so she had no choice but to try.
Sure enough, Eliza was the type to perform under pressure. She had promised Raelyn, so she had to
go to the Stone residence; Gracelynn had replied to her, so she had to read it.
Hence, after many attempts and Tanner's prompts, she was finally able to twirl up a good amount.
A messy battle, but it finally ended.
Tanner was neither pleased nor not with her performance. She still had to work on her twists, but she
could at least do it now.
After returning her phone, he went upstairs.
"Come back soon."
He said in her ear.
Eliza wiped her mouth as her gaze followed him, her eyes smiling.
Tanner really meant well. Though she didn't get why he was so insistent, she had at least gotten rid of
one of her haunting trouble.
Despite the torture and complications, she felt a great sense of accomplishment.
She then rushed out. Learning her lesson, she had the chauffeur send her, seeing she was already
late. She could just alight when she was close to the residency.
Tanner watched the car leave on the second-floor window, feeling a little strange. So this was how it felt
to watch a beloved leave.
Eliza finally had the time to check Gracelynn's text after getting into the car. "Eliza, where are you?
How are you doing?"
"My life now is a mess. I didn't want to tell you, but I can't take it anymore. You're my best friend; you're
the only person I can talk to."
"I'm free in the afternoon. Let's meet at Hot Treats Cafe. We haven't seen each other in a long time."
Hot Treats Cafe used to be their favorite spot to hang out.
Reading her text, Eliza's heart twinged. What had happened when she wasn't around?