HEIRESS REBORN: MARRYING HER EX-FIANCÉ-Chapter 81: Christmas morning

’’...Thank you.’’ Ayana’s nerves melted at the warm praise. ’’I’m glad you’re enjoying the pasta.’’ She returned the words with a smile of her own.

’He said the pasta is delicious.’

On the inside, Ayana was like a shy kid who got praised for doing a good job.

For some reason, she thought all the scars, burns, cuts and efforts that she had done just to learn cooking were certainly worth it in her past life if she could get praised from her fiancé.

Breakfast on a Christmas morning was light and comforting. They sat across from each other, engaging in soft conversations as they finished the pasta dish, and had some cinnamon rolls with the chrysanthemum tea.

’’So, care to explain?’’ Axel needed an explanation. He was more than sure that he had escorted Ayana outside. Yet she had somehow magically appeared in his kitchen, and he even indulged himself on breakfast with her.

Axel honestly appreciated her thoughtfulness to spend the Christmas morning with him, but he wanted to know the reason she returned back to his apartment.

’’.....’’ Ayana wordlessly held his gaze before she averted them, letting her eyes wander elsewhere in the kitchen.

’’I learned cooking because I had a goal. I had stopped because the goal was simply my fantisies and foolishness.’’ Her words started calmly.

’’I have experienced something so horrible that I wouldn’t want to experience again. I sometimes overreact because your words unintentionally bring up some memories that I wouldn’t want to remember.’’ She brought her gaze to her fingers nervously fumbling with each other on the island.

’’I can’t tell you what I had experienced, but believe me when I’ve always said you did nothing wrong.’’ She looked up at him. ’’It’s all on me and not you, Axel.’’

It’s her deep insecurities that followed her from the past life.

After Axel had prepared the hot cocoa yesterday night, they spent the rest of the hours watching television together. Since Axel had personally driven them down to his apartment, she would have to call her driver to pick her up, and so she did.

However, Ayana felt uncomfortable on how they ended things. Even the walk down to vehicle with Axel was silent and awkward.

She had no doubt that the main cause of this was her.

Axel had been nothing but a good and thoughtful fiancé over their years together. She was one with a heavy baggage like her past life. If she did not resolve the tight knot in her heart, Ayana knew that the rest of her life wouldn’t be peaceful and calm.

Yesterday on the road, she had felt so unease that she instructed the driver to turn around back to the apartment building. Axel’s door code was no secret to her. He did tell her himself.

Before heading up, she had instructed the driver to have Paige pack some dresses for her and bring them early in the morning.

To make up for how they ended things, Ayana decided to try her cooking after a long time. Axel’s refrigerator and cabinet was stocked with groceries, so Ayana had no hard time in deciding what to make as their breakfast.

’’The food is an apology.’’ Ayana said, pausing briefly. "I thought you might not be happy with me, so I wanted to show you my cooking skills."

Axel listened intently, his dark eyes fixed on her as she spoke.

"The food tasted nice, right?" she asked, a flicker of doubt still lingering in her tone. "It’s my first time cooking in a while."

Though Axel had already assured her of how good the pasta was, Ayana couldn’t help but seek confirmation again.

’’...it tasted very good, Ayana.’’ Axel could see the self-doubt on her face right away. His gaze softened as he was not one stingy with praises, especially to his fiancée. ’’I particularly loved the cinnamon rolls.’’

’’...Um.’’ Her cheeks warmed up a bit as she shyly listened to his compliments.

’’Did you use my bathroom...or you changed at home and came back?’’ Axel scanned the new set of cozy wear on her. This was different from what he saw on her yesterday.

Ayana did not answer at first as her blush deepened at the question.

’’...your bathroom.’’ Her reply came out soft. ’’I did a little tour around your apartment this morning. I apologize for snooping around.’’

’’It’s not snooping around when you’ll be living here in the future.’’ Axel said like it was a matter of fact.

’’.....’’ Ayana wondered if his plan was still make her feel even more conscious first thing in the morning.

’’You can come here once in a while, even when I’m not around.’’ He continued. ’’This is our home when we get married.’’

Over the years, Ayana has gotten used to Axel’s tendencies to be very vocal, especially about their future together. But this time, her eyebrows furrowed slightly at his words. ’’I thought you’ll be living in the Kratos mansion.’’

She wasn’t even aware that he had an apartment. All these years, she had assumed that he still lived back at the Kratos mansion.

’’That’s grandfather’s home, not mine.’’ He explained. ’’I prefer if we had our own little space together. Besides, my great uncle and his family tend to visit sometimes, if not frequently.’’

’’Oh...’’ Her eyes flickered in realization as her fingers wrapped around the warm mug. It seemed the relatives were the actual reason why he wanted avoid the Kratos mansion as much as possible.

Come to think of it, she hasn’t visited the Old master Kratos for quite a while now.

’’When will you be returning to Paris?’’ Ayana asked, a moment after she sipped her tea.

’’This afternoon I guess.’’ Axel replied, looking thoughtful. ’’I want to spend my Christmas as much I can with you.’’ He ended with a smile.

Ayana silently avoided his gaze.

’’What a tease you are.’’

’’It’s not when I’m speaking to my future wife.’’

The blush that was beginning to fade on Ayana’s cheeks returned back in full force.

’’...Shut up.’’

Axel chuckled slightly, the sound of his voice low and warm as the two of them eased into the comfort of the quiet Christmas morning together.