Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 188

Serendipity Cafe.

After the Lucinda and Stefan left, Cecilia hung around for a bit, watching as the foot traffic dwindled on the street before she decided to head out.

Just as she was about to lock up, she felt a presence by her side and turned to find herself looking into Owen's deep-set eyes.

She held his gaze for a moment, then turned to survey the street. No sign of Owen's bodyguard car or his girlfriend Ruby.

As she continued to lock up, she asked Owen, "Why are you alone? Isn't your girlfriend out of the slammer today? Shouldn't you be with her all night?"

Owen took a couple of steps forward, offering to help close up.

"I don't remember asking for your help, don't expect a reward for your unsolicited kind gesture."

Owen gave her a sidelong glance, "The allowance I give you every month, most people would take two to three years to earn. You're already ahead, no need to be so stingy. You're usually a generous person, why are you being so tight with me?"

"Because you're richer than me, I just want to put your money in my pocket, not the other way around."

Owen shifted the subject, "do you always lock up at night?"

Even though Cecilia and Lucinda were friends, if Lucinda was taking advantage of Cecilia, he couldn't let it slide. He needed to talk to Lucinda.

It's not because Cecilia was his wife in name that he's helping her. He's just a righteous guy, he couldn't stand to see Lucinda bullying Cecilia using Stefan's power.

"Is the door heavy?"

"No, Lucinda usually locks up because she lives nearby. I have to ride my bike home, so she always rushes me to leave early. Since the cafe reopened, the business got really good, that's why I'm still here. Mr. Coleman came to pick Lucinda up, so I let her go first."

Owen said, "Lucinda said she's stronger, it's easier for her to lock up than you."

Cecilia gave him a look, "I used to work out, I'm not weak. Probably stronger than the average girl."

"Heh." Owen let out a sarcastic chuckle, "The stuff you learned, they're not really useful. You might have an advantage over weaker women, but you're no match for men. There's a natural gap in strength between men and women."

Cecilia used to take Taekwondo classes.

In Owen's eyes, Cecilia really couldn't take a punch.

"Anyway, as long as you can fend off thugs."

Owen wanted to say that she couldn't fend off a powerful thug.

Like him, but he's no thug.

As Cecilia was about to take off on her e-bike, Owen grabbed the handlebars.

"What's up? Anything else? Tell me, I'll give you a couple of minutes."

Owen chuckled, "Your time is precious? You talk like you're very busy."

"Yes, my time is very precious."

"Is it safe for you to ride home like this so late?"

Cecilia retorted, "If I don't ride home like this, how should I do it? Should I fly home?"

She spread her arms and mimicked flying, laughing at herself, "I don't have wings, I can't fly home. I don't want to walk, and rolling home is out of the question. So, riding my e-bike is just right, I can enjoy the night view. The night view in Pinehurst is pretty good."