"Uh-huh."


    "So, you''re not going for that paternity test anymore?"


    "Uh-huh."


    Elysia was puzzled, "Why? You suddenly believe me? Just this afternoon you were all about getting that test done." Tarquin said, "I''ve looked into your eyes and seen the honesty there. You don''t strike me as someone who''d lie."


    Elysia was speechless... Was he implying she usually wasn''t honest or pure?!


    "Stop zoning out,e have a drink."


    Elysia pouted, "Drink by yourself. I''m heading to bed."


    Like she''d want to share a drink with him. They weren''t exactly chums, were they?


    "You''re sleeping in my room tonight," Tarquin suddenly dered.


    Elysia was taken aback, turning to him with suspicion in her eyes, "What do you mean?!"


    Tarquin was all nobility, "I''ll take the study, you can have the bedroom. You''re ady; you shouldn''t be ufortable."


    Elysia was dubious, "Are you... caring about me now?"


    "Suppose so."


    Elysia couldn''t grasp it, "Didn''t you say you stopped suspecting me?"


    Why be nice if he wasn''t suspicious?


    Tarquin rified, "Like I said earlier, it''s about treating each other with respect. I''m a man; it''s only right to be considerate towards you."


    Blinking a few times, Elysia murmured an agreement. She certainly didn''t fancy the couch!


    "Thanks, then."


    Without further ado, she headed towards Tarquin''s bedroom.


    Tarquin called after her, "Are you still mad? Not ready to make peace?"


    "Huh?"


    "If you''re not angry anymore, thene have a drink. It''s a special peace offering." A peace offering?


    Elysia''s eyes rolled in thought before she finally approached.


    Taking the ss Tarquin offered, she dered, "Mutual respect, let''s stick to that!"


    And with that, she downed it in one go.


    Fresh out of the shower, she was like a blooming daisy, simple and beautiful.


    The mix of her body wash and shampoo''s fragrance filled the air, captivating Tarquin.


    Watching her, he was momentarily lost.


    She had a bit of wine at dinner and now a full ss, her fair skin blushed like a blooming rose or like cherries in spring.


    If she truly was the one he had been searching for, fortune truly smiled upon him!


    The desire for beauty is universal, and he felt blessed by the heavens!


    After finishing her drink, Elysia grumbled,


    "A true man keeps his word. Let''s live in harmony! No bullying, no provoking each other!"


    Tarquin snapped back to reality, seeing her empty ss, he poured another.


    Elysia protested, "I''ve already had one!"


    Tarquin gently said, "That was for mutual respect, this one''s for living in harmony."


    Though reluctant, the thought of harmony made her ept the ss and drink. Then...


    "This one''s for Elijah''s speedy recovery."


    "This one''s for your child to grow up healthy, happy, and carefree."


    "This one''s for your bestie Blossom to have a life full of peace and joy."


    "This one''s for the health and well-being of everyone you care about."


    One drink led to another, and after five or six sses, Elysia burped,


    "No more, no more, I''m stuffed! I''m not drinking another drop!"


    But Tarquin filled her ss once more, "This one''s for your swift road to wealth, to bing a wealthy woman." Wealth?


    Bing a wealthy woman?


    Alright, alright, she had to drink to that!