Athena replied casually, her excitement for her new car overriding any concerns. "What’s the point?"


    "What if it’s a marriage certificate and you’ve just signed it without realizing it? You could be married in seconds," Hera joked. However, her jest carried a serious undertone, cautioning Athena against signing any document without knowing its contents.


    "It’s not possible, right?" Athena’s head snapped towards Hera, trying to discern if it was all just a jest.


    "Of course, that one was just a standard release procedure, and nobody here would dare deceive you into signing something," Hera reassured, her tone carrying a mix of seriousness and jest. "But what if, in the future, you identally sell yourself without realizing it? Wouldn’t that be dreadful? Or perhaps Auntie might sneakily make you sign a contract to agree to marry someone." Her words danced between half-truths and jest, aiming to tease and rm Athena simultaneously.


    "Luckily, my mom isn’t as clever as you," Athena quipped.


    "That’s what you’re worried about?!" Hera eximed incredulously.


    "Why not?! I still want to enjoy my freedom, you know. I have no desire to marry early. But since my brother seemed to despise women, my mom has pinned her hopes on me to provide her with a grandchild. It’s be her life mission to see me married off early," Athena sighed. "As for you, your grandfather would probably do everything in his power to keep you away from those wolves."


    Heraughed. "I doubt Auntie would want you to marry early either. You’re the family’s darling, after all. She probably just wants you to experience your first love," she reassured Athena. Beneath her reassurance, Hera harbored a concern that Athena might eventually lose interest in men, which could be a headache for her family in the future.


    "Ha! What haven’t I experienced in my previous life? Tell me. Even things you haven’t experienced, I’ve gone through countless times," Athena sneered.


    "What haven’t I experienced?" Hera asked, a puzzled expression on her face.


    "Yep! You haven’t experienced being intimate. I have. I’ve been with someone before. I’m usually the one who takes the initiative," Athena boasted.


    Hera choked on her own saliva, unsure of how to respond. While Athena’s statement may have been true, was it really something to boast about? She cleared her throat and quickly changed the subject. "Let’s head to the mall already! We’ve spent enough time here," she said, choosing to avoid further discussion on the matter.


    Feeling victorious, Athena felt energized as she drove them to the most luxurious mall in the city, renowned for its array of high-end items.


    In just a short 20 minutes, they arrived at the mall, conveniently located near the car dealership.


    "Babe, I’ll drop you off at the entrance and then park the car over there," Athena said, gesturing towards the nearby parking lot.


    "I’ll just walk with you from there," Hera replied.


    "Nah, I’ll drop you here. Save your energy," Athena smirked, waiting for Hera to step out of the car.


    Hearing Athena’s words, Hera felt nervous. She knew that Athena was a shopaholic, and that was where she couldn’t match Athena’s energy.


    Reluctantly, sheplied, stepping out of the car and waiting at the entrance. Hera followed Athena’s car with her eyes as she attempted to park, but unfortunately, before Athena could secure the space, someone else swiftly maneuvered in and took it. With no other choice, Athena had to find an alternative parking spot and drove off.


    Left standing there, Hera sighed and texted Athena, informing her that she would go inside to find a café first and order some drinks for the two of them while waiting.


    Athena responded with an ’OK’ sign, so Hera walked inside. It didn’t take her long to locate a café within the mall. The café’s interior was inviting, adorned with numerous indoor nts hanging from the ceiling, climbing up the walls, and nestled in the corners. The ambiance exuded a charming Italian vibe.


    She selected a window seat, ensuring that Athena could easily spot her from outside. After sending Athena a text indicating her location, she called for the waiter.


    As she was texting, she sensed a shadow looming over her. With a gentle tone, she said, "Please get me a ss of orange juice and a hot mochatte. Thank you."


    After finishing her text, she realized that the shadow was still present. She looked up to find a man standing beside her.


    "It really was you," the man said.


    Hera tilted her head to the side, feeling a bit confused, as she gazed at the strikingly handsome man standing before her. She took in his appearance, from his chestnut-colored hair to his attire. His facial features were delicate, and though his green eyes were concealed behind golden sses, his stern demeanor contrasted with his refined appearance.


    Then the gears in her head clicked, and she remembered who he was. "Doctor! It’s you!"


    A subtle smile yed on his lips. "Took you a while to remember, huh," he teased lightly. "Judging by yourplexion, you seem to be doing better thanst time."


    Hera chuckled. <i>’Even outside of his shift, he still carried himself like a concerned doctor.’</i> "Yes, I’m doing much better now. Thank you for your carest time."


    "Merely fulfilling my duties," he stated, his tone indifferent.


    "Out shopping, Doc?" Hera questioned.


    "I’m meeting my mother and just happened to see you when I entered. And refrain from calling me ’Doc,’ especially in public. I prefer to remain inconspicuous," he retorted, the furrow on his brow intense enough to crush a fly.


    "I apologize, I wasn’t sure what else to address you as," Hera admitted, a hint of embarrassment in her tone.


    "No apologies necessary. You can simply refer to me as Zhane Everett, or Zhane for short," he emphasized, enunciating his name clearly.


    "I understand, Zhane..." Hera smiled, a faint pink hue tinting her cheeks as she almost slipped up calling him "Doctor" again. Fortunately, Athena arrived just in time.


    "Hera, sorry for the dy..." Athena began, then her gaze shifted to Zhane, standing beside Hera, and she was momentarily captivated by him. She stood rooted to the spot, staring.


    "Oh! Zhane, my friend is here. If you’d like, you can join us," Hera offered graciously, adjusting her expression.


    "No need. I’m actually on my way to meet my mother. I just dropped in to say hello and ensure my former patient is doing well," he exined, a subtle upward tilt at the corner of his lips. With a brief excuse, he left without casting a nce back.