Faux Vows, True Desires

Cecilia had no clue that Owen's parents were planning to pop by with a marriage proposal that day.

As she stepped out in the morning, she found Owen waiting at her front door, umbrella in hand.

"Why didn't you come in?"

Cecilia, also holding an umbrella, casually asked him, "Have you had breakfast yet?"

"Just got here, haven't eaten yet. I'll have my assistant grab me something on the way back to the office."

Owen gestured for Cecilia to close her umbrella as he tilted his towards her, "Come on, I'll give you a ride to work. The rain's let up a bit, but it's not stopped, and the buses are a nightmare in this weather." They had been together the previous night, so naturally, she hadn't ridden her electric scooter home.

That's why he had come early to drive her to work.

"You'll be starved by the time you get back to the office."

As she spoke, she walked alongside him. "I'll pick up some breakfast for you. But you know, the breakfast joints around here are all about muffins and breakfast burritos."

With one hand holding the umbrella and the other wrapped around her, Owen drew her closer to his side, shielding her from the rain. The umbrella was angled over her.

"As long as it's from you, I'll eat whatever. Go for the muffins, and maybe some soy latte? I remember you once got me muffins and soy latte."

Back then, he had been starving, and Ruby could not care less if he had eaten or not, only complaining that he wasn't there to see her.

But Cecilia, even while nagging him, knew he'd skipped breakfast and would still pick up some muffins and a hot soy latte for him.

Perhaps it was those little gestures that made him feel her warmth, and gradually, he found himself falling for her.

Cecilia glanced at him and laughed, "People would say I'm torturing you. You're the big CEO of the Ikella Group, worth billions. And here I am, offering you breakfast in the form of dollar muffins." "I think the muffins you buy taste great. Haven't you heard the saying 'love makes a simple meal taste like a feast"?"

Cecilia was silent.

Truth is, Owen wanted to be part of her ordinary daily life.

And he was bringing her into his world.

In the future, whether it's high society or regular folks, they'd adapt to each other, ensuring a lasting relationship.

Cecilia said, "We're not even remarried yet. Can't call us husband and wife!"

Owen said, "It's a matter of time! Anyway, you can't escape me in this lifetime. Just marry me and be my wife, will you?"

After picking up some muffins and two soy lattes from a nearby bakery, Cecilia handed Owen a few muffins and a soy latte, sipping on her own latte. "Mom made some dry noodles for breakfast today." "Are your mom's noodles any good?"

Owen asked as he took the muffins and soy latte.

"My mom's noodles are delicious. I've learned how to make them. I'll cook some for you when I have the time."

Owen's face lit up with a smile, "Great, I'll look forward to it."

They walked arm in arm towards Owen's car.

Once inside, Owen wasn't in a rush to drive off, choosing to eat his muffins first.

He finished them off swiftly.

"Don't come pick me up on an empty stomach in the future. You'll ruin your stomach and then I'll have to take care of you."

Owen smiled mischievously, "Cecilia, I love it when you show concern for me."

"Who's showing concern? I just don't want you to harm your health and die young. I wouldn't be able to inherit your wealth and become a wealthy heiress."

"Don't worry, however long you live, I'll try to live just as long. I won't go before you, nor do I want to follow after. We'll be together, in life and death."

"Ugh, who wants to be with you forever? I plan to outlive you."

Owen chuckled heartily.

Seeing that Cecilia had finished her latte, Owen took the cup from her hand, "I'll throw this away before we head out."

Cecilia was happy to let him play errand boy.

Watching him step out to dispose of the trash, her gaze softened. He had changed so much!

When she first met him, he had an air of arrogance and always cared about appearances.

Now, he was just like anyone else, all his pride and pretense put aside for her.

A few minutes later, Owen returned to the car and drove off.

Neither of them knew that after Owen's car had left, two nondescript but burly men in sunglasses emerged from another alley.

They had been keeping tabs on Cecilia, waiting for a chance to grab her when she was alone.

These two were hired thugs, paid by Luna.

Their job was to watch Cecilia and find an opportunity to kidnap her.

But now, it seemed they had little chance to make their move.

With luxury cars picking her up and dropping her off daily, even if the thugs didn't recognize Owen, they knew better than to cross someone who could afford such an expensive ride. "We've been watching for two days and haven't found a chance."

One thug commented, "Who's the guy picking up that chick? Any idea?"

"No clue. Must be some sugar daddy situation, right? No wonder someone's paying us to keep an eye on her, probably the wife wanting to get rid of her rival."

"We've got half the cash already. Even if it takes a few days, we need to find a chance to let the others know when to move. We can't handle it alone; and if we did, it'd be kidnapping, a serious crime." They weren't eager to commit a crime as grave as kidnapping, even though the promised reward was hefty, a cool half a million split between them.

"You're right. I'll call Kris and let him know the situation. The woman's routine is pretty simple, just between Serendipity Cafe and her home. We can't do it, but maybe Kris can lure her out."

As long as Cecilia was alone, they would find their opportunity.

"Then call Kris. And ask for an advance. Staking out like this is exhausting."

"It was agreed we'd get the rest after the job. Kris might not go for it."

"Best if we get it, but we'll see. I have a bad feeling about this. Let's secure the money first."

Agreeing with his partner's logic, the thug made the call to Kris and casually mentioned needing more cash. Kris swore at them, but after the call ended, within minutes, he transferred a few hundred dollars to each of them.

"A few hundred dollars is better than zip," grumbled one of the thugs, shrugging off the sting of settling for less.

The pair flagged down a motorbike, hopped on, and ordered the rider to take them to Serendipity Cafe. They were resuming their tailing job, determined to keep a close eye on their mark.

But as they arrived at Serendipity Cafe, the two goons were in for a surprise. Standing at the entrance of the cafe were two hulking figures in sharp suits, looking like they'd stepped straight out of a mobster movie.

These were Jay and Rex, the muscle Owen had sent to safeguard Cecilia.