While Stephen was busy ying cards, he did not forget to look at his phone from time to time, afraid of missing a message from Tessa.


    After ying several rounds of cards, he still had not received any messages from Tessa.


    However, he did receive a message from one of his friends, As Moore. "I heard you have an issue getting it up."


    Stephen frowned and pursed his lips into a thin line.


    Just as the game ended, Quentin got up to stretch. He then caught a glimpse of the message on Stephen''s phone as he walked past and immediately burst into uncontrobleughter.


    He wasughing so loud that he nearly lost his breath. "Is that true? Do you really have problems down there?"


    Stephen''s expression turned cold as he red at Quentin.


    Quentin immediately mped his mouth shut, forcibly swallowing the rest of hisughter. His face had even twisted into an odd expression from holding it in. "What''s the story behind his message?"


    Stephen stood up. "I''ll take my leave now."


    Grinning, Quentin nced at Henry, trying to convey the words. "Let''s go. This will be fun to watch." Then, he quickly followed in Stephen''s footsteps.


    At the bar, Tessa had just epted the freshly mixed cocktail from the bartender. She took a few sips and began swaying while she sang.


    By the time Stephen had arrived, Tessa was already belting the chorus of the song, but she waspletely out of tune.


    Quentin immediately covered his ears as soon as he stepped into the bar. "Oh my God! Who''s singing so horribly?"


    Recognizing that the voice belonged to Tessa, Stephen''s expression tensed, and he did not respond.


    As soon as they got closer, they realized that the person singing passionately on stage was none other than Tessa.


    Quentin nudged Stephen with his elbow. "Go and pull her down already! This is just noise pollution. Other people tend to sing for money, but she''s singing to take lives!"


    Standing still, Stephen replied, "Just let her sing however she wants."


    Quentin was at a loss for words. He then took his hands off his ears, sat down on a barstool, and said, "


    "Fine, spoil her then."


    Stephen sat down beside him, his eyes fixed on the stage, a doting smile on his lips.


    ncing between Stephen and Tessa with interest, Henry smirked and teased, "Tessa sure has some hidden talents."


    Quentin chuckled. "Honestly, it kind of grows on you after listening for a while."


    Tessa was drunk out of her mind, her mind hazy. She barely got any of the lyrics right and was singing off-key the entire time.


    Stephen, however, listened to the whole performance patiently before getting up and walking toward the stage.


    He reached out and grasped her wrist.


    The warmth of his touch spread through her skin, and Tessa turned as her dazed eyes met his. "Wow,


    you''re so handsome. I think you just might be my future husband


    BUMS


    That word, "husband," made Stephen''s heart skip a beat.


    At that moment, he felt like a wave of heat was surging through his body.


    His breathing became uneven, and he froze on stage, at a loss for what to do next.


    Tessa tilted her head slightly and


    smiled. Her rosy cheeks and cute dimple''s made her look extremely sweet, making it hard for away.


    wn


    to look


    The two of them stared at each other for a few seconds.


    Then, without warning, Tessa suddenly leaned forward and rested her head against Stephen''s chest.


    She nuzzled into him like a little kitten, murmuring softly, "You even smell just like my husband."


    Stephen always wore a clean, woody


    cologne, smelling like the cedar


    trees in winter. The scent was so pleasant that Tessa could not help but take a deep breath. "You smell so good..."