This afternoon tea was probably the most agonizing experience Yvan had ever endured.
But then again, Matilda was the only person in the world capable of making Mr. Boyd feel so constrained.
She was having a blast, occasionally feeding Criss a bite, looking every bit the adorable couple with their practiced ease. All the while, Yvan watched from the sidelines, his inner turmoil boiling over.
It seemed the tables had turned, and now he was the one swallowed by this agony.
He wondered if Matilda had felt this same despair watching him flirt with other women back in the day.
Yvan remained silent. When it was all over, he stood up to pay the bill, only for Criss to find out it had already been settled.
Matilda guessed it was Yvan and approached him quietly, "Did you cover our bill?"
"Hmm?" Yvan was pleasantly surprised that Matilda would come over to talk; he thought he was completely invisible to her. His eyebrows lifted slightly, a sparkle lighting up his eyes, "I did say I wanted to invite you for tea, so naturally, I paid."
"I feel a bit bad; we had quite a crowd, must have been expensive," Matilda paused, "but you don't seem to mind the cost."
"It's not the money I care about; it's you."
The words slipped out before Yvan could stop them.
Then he blinked, "If I said I was worried about the expense, would you—"
"I'd transfer the extra to you," Matilda's voice turned cold, "Drop the flirtatious act."
Yvan clicked his tongue, his face a mix of mischief and obsession, as if he wouldn't give up without a fight, "Matilda, can't you spare some love for me? I'd really try to be good to you."
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