His Toxic Addiction-Chapter 32: Breathlessly tight.

The little conversation after almost an hour of staring contest and just nodding from Arissa started going well as Arissa spilled out little information about herself.

Mrs. Wyatt beamed seeing small smiles from Arissa and the fact that she now knows little about Arissa down to her likes and dislikes, Mrs. Wyatt felt like throwing a feast for herself.

It wasn’t easy getting Arissa to warm up to her but it was worth it and for that, Mrs. Wyatt made mental notes concerning everything they talked about.

Mrs. Wyatt also realized that her daughter-in-law was a very simple person with the desire to live a low-key life despite her parent’s previous title. With a high intellect added to her great personality, Mrs. Wyatt is certain she had the world’s best daughter-in-law. And her knowledge is also surprising.

"So why do you work at an orphanage?"

Arissa’s shoulder slumped upon hearing the question, "I wanted to know what it felt like in a happy home. The children there are nice and warm. During my three years there, I felt a strong bond with them, and *soft sigh* it was hard leaving them," she trailed off with a soft warm smile and Mrs. Wyatt couldn’t help but return it.

"Your kindness is a bit too dangerous for you," Mrs. Wyatt’s tune was suddenly serious and Arissa frowned in an instant - why is she saying such?

"I’m not kind Mrs. Wyatt," Arissa upheld as the relaxed air around her turned sharp and protected. She is only kind to loved ones and a stranger has no right knowing that.

"I never meant it that way dear," Mrs. Wyatt expressed as she sat up on her seat noticing the change in Arissa’s countenance, "I meant, you have to think about yourself first. From your whole personality, selflessness is labeled around it and to be frank, in a world as rough as this, that is a death license you have there," Mrs. Wyatt’s voice softened as she advised. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel-com

Arissa raised her left brow as she denied the woman’s words within herself. If there is any kind person between them, it’s her - Mrs. Wyatt, so, why is she shifting roles?

Arissa said nothing in reply but simply gave Mrs. Wyatt a tight smile before dropping her glass back on the tray.

...

Later that day:

"Hey," Richard greeted as he stood up from his seat and wrapped Arissa in a warm hug, "I missed you,"

"Richard!"

Richard knew why she called him in between his hug but instead of doing as she wished, he tightened the hug, "Until you wrap those delicate arms of yours around me, am not sure I would let you off my arms so soon," he informed her noticing how stiff she was and waiting for him to take his hand off her.

"Take your arms off me, Richard. I’m not a hugger and you know that." she enlightened him as she tried to pull away from his hug.

Richard smiled as he rested his chin on her head, "Ouch!!" he yelled when her fist landed on his rib and immediately, he released her, "What was that for?" he asked as he held his rib and sat on the chair close by.

Arissa rolled her eyes at his exaggeration from just a small punch as such, "I told you to step back remember?"

Richard’s sky-blue eyes glared at her as he leaned his back on the backrest of the chair he was seated on, "I only wanted a hug from a cousin," he shot back since she is allergic to apologies, "Was it so bad?" he asked as he faked trouble seating up.

Arissa smiled at his top-notch acting, "I warned you," she defended herself as she sat on the next chair across from him.

Richard smiled as he sat up on his seat and stooped his acting, "You look different," he complimented.

Arissa’s right brow raised in doubt, "Positively or Negatively?" she asked taking her face mask off her face.

"Tsk," Richard clicked his tongue tiredly, "A thank you would do Arissa,"

"No thanks," she rolled her eyes at his request for a thank you, "I never asked for it,"

Richard sighed, "Still the same," he murmured.

Arissa ignored him as she signaled a waiter and order food from the menu, "How about you?" she asked Richard who just sat there nonchalantly presumably annoyed with her lack of thank you.

"I’m good," he said with a wave of his hand as he returned the sweet smile the waiter offered to him.

"You don’t want anything for yourself, sir?" the waiter asked again with a smile as she ignored Arissa’s presence after facing Richard.

Well, he deserves a little attention. Whereas, it’s not every day you see someone who looks more handsome than ’Paul Walker himself.

Richard smirked as he looked at the lady’s cleavage that she offered generously as she leaned down to his face position and showed him a nice view of it from her white t-shirt that has three buttons left open.

And for her face, she is also beautiful with her well-oiled black hair and a nice hourglass figure that gave out a great display - well, thanks to her breathlessly tight outfit.

"Back to business love," Richard suddenly said facing Arissa, and the woman’s face fell in an instant as she turned to Arissa, and with a small bow, she hurried out of their sight, with her head a bit too bowed.

Arissa scoffed as she looked away from the lady back, "You shouldn’t have dashed her hopes that way,"

Richard took one last look at the lady behind them before darting his gaze back to Arissa, "You can’t confess you were not annoyed a while ago,"

"I wasn’t," she spluttered out, "I mean I was. She just ignored me like I wasn’t here," she went on to confess when Richard gave her a questioning brow.

"You are too dominant for a lady Arissa," he said seriously, and suddenly, his expression turned delighted, " But guess what, I am super happy you were jealous a while ago that I would be stolen from you,"

Arissa’s face fell as she eyed him.

"Don’t be such a fool. I just felt ignored and that’s it." she clarified.

Richard smiled as he placed his hand on the table and a fist under his jaw, "That’s some progress dear cousin. Jealousy is always the first step." he smiled after conveying his annoying message to her.

Arissa chuckled before kicking his knee from under the table with her sneakers, "Put in mind always that we are cousins," she explained as if explaining to a toddler while watching his hurt expression.

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