Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Tina arrived at Jared Farrell's apartment in Blue Cove, but it was Hayden Cohen who opened the door. His surprise was palpable as he saw Tina dragging a suitcase.

"What's this?" he asked. Tina didn't respond; she just pulled her suitcase inside, only to find Jared seated on the sofa, with Nathan Lehman attending to his wounds. Sophia sat nearby, covering her mouth as she tried not to giggle at the sight of his hand.

Earlier, Tina had heard Sophia crying so dramatically, she had imagined Jared's encounter with a wasp to be a dire tragedy. Now seeing him, it turned out to be just a swollen right hand. "How did you get stung by a wasp?" Tina asked with a smirk, awaiting his explanation. It was just his luck to be stung today of all days. If only the wasps had finished the job!

"It's just bad luck," Jared muttered, avoiding her probing gaze. He hadn't intended to follow Tina; it was his men, who were tasked with monitoring Sean, and had incidentally traced her. Despite her mask, he recognized her instantly from a photo sent his way. On a whim, he had followed her. Reflecting on it now, he admitted his haste. Tina must have realized it was him, and she likely wasn't pleased. He doubted his ability to appease her this time.

His eyes fell on Tina's suitcase, and with a shrug, she looked at his swollen hand like it was his rightful punishment, stating boldly, "Your hand is injured. It would be difficult for you to manage on your own, so I moved in to take care of you." Jared was momentarily stunned. Had Sophia mentioned his injury when she phoned Tina? "I'm not... welcome?" Tina asked, tilting her head.

"Why would I be? Tina, your willingness to take care of me couldn't be more welcome," Jared said, smiling.

Right then, Jared almost felt grateful to the wasp. Although he suspected Tina's reasons for staying went beyond tonight's incident and probably also involved the jade pendant he wore. But that was okay by him.

"Enough, what's this? Must you really do this in front of me and Nathan?" Hayden intervened impatiently, gesturing towards Jared's hand, "Better just focus on healing him, so it doesn't go to waste."

Tina set down her suitcase, sat next to Jared, and examined his wound-it wasn't large, but wasp venom made it frighteningly swollen. She began applying the ointment she had prepared. "The ointment makes your hand look even more like a hoof," Sophia giggled, looking at Jared's greasy appendage.

"I'm sending you to mom," Jared shot a glare at Sophia. "No!" she protested, clinging to Tina's leg, "If Tina is staying, so am I."

Watching the siblings bicker, Tina finished applying the ointment, and to prevent Jared from smearing it, she carefully wrapped his hand in gauze. From every angle, Tina was beautiful to Jared-the long lashes fluttering slightly seemed to tickle his heart.

Hayden, observing the couple, felt the air thick with saccharine pink bubbles that clearly made him, Nathan, and Sophia seem more than redundant. Thus, he turned to Nathan and commented, "Do you smell that? It's the stench of romance." Nathan rolled his eyes without a reply. "Since Mr. Farrell has his fiancée to look after him, I better take care of myself," Hayden remarked, pulling out his phone to order food. Suddenly he turned to Tina with a mischievous grin. "Since you're here to take care of Mr. Farrell, you can cook, right?"

"Yes, what about it?" Tina cut him short, slicing the medical tape with scissors.

"Well, it's late and we're hungry. Why don't you make us some midnight snacks? Let's have the honor to try the food you prepare for Jared," pleaded Hayden, grinning.

"No problem." Tina gathered the medicine and gauze and asked, "Jared, do you have ingredients in the kitchen?"

"There's everything. I've personally checked," Hayden interjected.

"Then, how about I make some noodles? Any dietary restrictions?" asked Tina.

The three men had no objections, and neither did Sophia. "I love anything made by Tina," she cheerfully declared.

Satisfied, Tina made her way to the kitchen. Curiously, Hayden and Sophia peeked in as Tina began by boiling pork bones for broth, then enhancing it with spices and fresh shrimp-it certainly looked professional.

Hayden nudged Jared with his elbow, saying, "This fiancée of yours is a catch. Not only a skilled doctor, but she can cook and holds twin Ph. D. s-you lucked out."

"Isn't it obvious? Tina can do everything!" Sophia retorted disdainfully.

Jared had never expected that Tina, who was usually so proud, would cook for him. Watching her busy in the kitchen, he felt a profound sense of peace.

Fifteen minutes later, Nathan helped Tina serve five bowls of steaming noodles, garnished with green onions and topped with large shrimp. Hayden eagerly began eating, as did the others. Jared, hindered by his hand, smiled at Tina, "My hand's clumsy, could you feed me?"

Despite knowing Jared's left hand was perfectly capable, Hayden could only roll his eyes as he struggled with the noodles.

Just as Jared felt a burst of happiness from the food, his expression changed drastically. Hayden had already spat his noodles back out, and Nathan's face spoke volumes-Sophia was genuinely shocked.

"Now, is salt on sale, Tina?" Hayden asked amidst searching for water to rinse his mouth.

"Why? Isn't it good?" Tina frowned, looking at Jared. She thought it looked tasty.

Jared struggled to swallow the overly salty noodles and was at a loss for words. "Why don't you try it yourself?" Hayden, now genuinely worried about Jared's culinary future, remarked.