Love is the Sunshine novel Chapter 71

Before she could reply, Terence leaned down and kissed her on the lips. It was only meant to be a small kiss, but when their lips met, his lips took a mind of its own. He had not seen her in two weeks and his body wanted more than just her lips.

Carla stopped talking and tried to stay as silent as she could. If she made any amount of sound, even the tiniest one, she was afraid he might mistake it for her wanting more. Terence might have only wanted to brush his hand with hers but now, he gave more than that with his kiss and caress. What a mistake!

"What is on your mind? Shall we have some dinner now? I can't stay long. I'm leaving again tomorrow morning. So you have to stay with me after dinner!" Terence finally broke his embrace around Carla. He filled her plate with food and filled a bowl of porridge for her.

Carla sat down to eat and savor her food. As she took another bite, she asked Terence, "Why do you have a key to my home?"

Terence sat across Carla, about to enjoy the last spoonful of porridge in his bowl, when she asked him the question. He placed the bowl on the table and faced Carla before he answered, "This is 'our' home, Carla. Of course I have a key! Why didn't you tell me earlier that you were going to move while I was gone? I would have returned earlier to help you move and spend more time with you."

He wouldn't have known about the move if Sean hadn't called and told him.

Carla laughed at herself for asking such a silly question. Of course Terence had a key! He was the one who chose this house for them. She owed him this favor.

When they finished eating, Carla stood to clear the table and clean the dishes. But Terence stopped her and took the plates from her. He was going to wash the dishes this morning.

Terence continued to clean the kitchen after he finished with the dishes. Carla watched this tall figure move around inside the small kitchen. He had been born into a well-off family but his feelings for her had never changed.

She just imagined how it was like in his own home. Terence lived in a sea view villa, surrounded by dozens of house help staff and bodyguards. He was never alone. He never needed to do anything at his home. And yet, here he was, humming while he cleaned the kitchen in her small home.

"What's on your mind?"

While she was imagining his home life, Terence had already finished and exited the kitchen to join her. He wiped his slightly damp hands in a kitchen towel and draped it on the dining chair. He wrinkled his forehead while he stared at Carla and asked, "Why do you have those dark circles under your eyes? Have you been having trouble sleeping?"

Carla didn't exactly know what her problem was these days. All she knew was she had trouble sleeping at night and was still up way past midnight.

"Is it your work? You can always look for an easier job. Or just resign. Stay here. I can take care of you, support you. I just don't want to see you suffer or get sick,"

Terence whispered. He caressed her under her eyes, down her cheek, and around her jaw.

"It's not work," Carla said.

"Then it must be related to your health then. How about we do this? Tomorrow I'll leave in the afternoon so I can come with you to the hospital in the morning," Terence took her hand and escorted her to her bedroom.

He laid her down on the bed and went back to the kitchen to get her a glass of milk to drink. He handed her the glass and said, "Drink the milk. It'll be good for your sleep."

"Thanks," Carla said and took the glass. She finished it before she placed it on her nightstand.

Terence watched her finish her milk. He gave her a kiss on the top of her head. He smiled at her and said, "Rest. I'm just going to take a shower." He took his bathrobe on the way to the bathroom.

When Terence closed the bathroom door, Carla turned her attention to the vanity table near the window.

She lifted her legs off the bed and strode to the table. She pulled open the bottom drawer and pulled out a small black box. She opened the box to reveal a beautiful gemstone ring.

She suspected that her insomnia was related to this ring.

When she found the ring, Carla had invited a reliable and very expensive jewelry expert to appraise its value.

She needed to know whether it was a fake or the real thing. And if it was real, she wanted to know how much it was worth.

If it was a fake ring, then she wouldn't need to go to great lengths to hide it.

But, she was in total shock when she got the result.

It was a two-hundred-year-old antique. The work on the ring was fine and exquisite and it had been preserved so well, so it looked like it was brand new. This ring was especially rare and was estimated to be valued at ten million at least. Carla was so confused. Why didn't her parents tell her about this family treasure? Was it really her family's?

If they had sold it a long time ago, they could have saved their family. They could have used it for the best medical care in the world!

Carla didn't understand.