Meanwhile, Bet and Yvonne were at a ssic barbecue joint.


    Yvonne had been filming on set recently, and her assistant, following Sandra''s instructions, had been preparing her low-fat meals three times a day: vegetables, chicken breast, and shrimp.


    She was so sick of it she could practically see green.


    "If Sandra finds out I''m eating barbecue while filming, she''s going to kill me," Yvonne said, but it didn''t stop her.


    Grilled beef,mb, fish fillets... she didn''t hold back on anything.


    "Then we just won''t let her know," Bet said with a warm smile, using the tongs


    to ce a piece of grilled meat onto her te.


    As expected, Yvonne ate until she was stuffed.


    Instead of heading straight home, they drove to a spot by the river not far from Cherry Bay to walk off their meal.


    It was evening, and the river shimmered under the glittering neon lights of the skyscrapers that lined its banks.


    Yvonne wore a trench coat and a mask, her long hair hanging loosely. Her casual, low-key outfit made her look nothing like a celebrity.


    Bet was out of his uniform and in casual clothes. He held Yvonne''s hand as they strolled slowly along the riverbank.


    "Quiet all of a sudden. What are you thinking about?" Bet asked, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.


    Yvonne replied, "A phrase just came to mind."


    "What phrase?" he asked.


    "It reminds me of a peaceful evening song by the water," Yvonne answered, her gaze fixed on the shimmering river. "It feels so warm andforting, like the feeling of home."


    "Hmm," Bet smiled faintly. He casually wrapped an arm around her shoulder and, through her mask, gave her a light kiss on the corner of her lips.


    But Yvonne instinctively frowned, her eyes darting towards a shadowy area nearby. "I think someone''s taking pictures of us."


    "Just noticed? Looks like your senses are getting dull," Bet chuckled.


    "You already knew?" Yvonne ced a hand on his firm chest and gave it a light tap. "You knew and you still kissed me? Are you trying to get us on the front page?"  fo


    "It''s fine. I''ve had someone take care of it. Nothing will be leaked," Bet said, ruffling her hair. Then he took her hand and they continued walking.


    Although Bet had parked the car by the river, they walked all the way back to Cherry Bay.


    Having just eaten, they both smelled faintly of barbecue smoke.


    The first thing Yvonne did when she got home was take a shower.


    Yvonne used the master bathroom, while Bet used the other one.


    After showering and drying her hair, Yvonne emerged from her room in a nightgown.


    Bet was already done, standing tall and straight by the living room''s floor-to-ceiling windows. Night had fallen outside, and the river''s surface reflected the city lights still Shimmering.


    Yvonne walked up and hugged him from behind.


    Bet turned around, his eyes softening as a smile touched his lips. "Barefoot again?"


    "Yeah, I forgot," she replied casually, standing barefoot on the cool floor.


    "Naughty girl," Bet said, lightly tapping her nose with his finger. Then he swept her up off the floor, pressing her against the window as he Rissed her.


    Helen had stayed in her room, only greeting them briefly when they first came in.


    She tactfully remained out of sight, not wanting to disturb them.


    But while the humans were considerate, their dog was not.


    As Bet and Yvonne kissed, Bullet sat at Bet''s feet, wagging his tail, his big


    head tilted up, watching them with his wide doggy eyes.


    Therge dog, almost waist-high, was impossible to ignore.