Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 286

< Chapter 286. Marriage First, Love La

Chapter 286: Marriage First, Love Later 2

The last of the sunset faded, and night fell.

Warm yellow lights flickered on in the living room.

‘I don’t have time to look after you,” Zach said, his voice cutting clearly through the silence.

Olivia looked up, her eyes meeting his. They were bright under the soft glow, but steady. “I don’t need you to look after me.”

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“You’re young and beautiful,” he said, his tone laced with self–mockery. “You want to settle for an old guy like me? You don’t feel like you’re being cheated?”

Olivia’s fingers brushed against her knee. “No.”

“Then what is this really about?” Zach leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. Only the glass coffee table sat between them–a distance just close enough for them to catch every tiny shift in each other’s expressions.

Olivia took a deep breath, the sound so faint it was almost silent. “To fulfill my grandfather’s wish. And to repay yours for covering his medical bills.” She paused for a beat before adding, “I know it sounds old–fashioned, but a promise is a promise. I intend to keep it.”

Zach watched her, his lips curving into a mirthless smile. “So, I can’t talk you out of this, can I?”

“No.”

Another heavy silence filled the room.

Zach stood up and walked toward the open kitchen. He pulled out two glasses. “Water?”

“Thanks, Olivia said softly.

He poured the water, walked back, and set one glass down on the coffee table in front of her.

Zach didn’t go back to his original seat. Instead, he sat on the sofa beside Olivia, leaving only the width of a throw pillow between them.

He took a sip of water, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. “Fine. Since you’re that insistent, you’ve got your wish. We’ll make a go of it.”

It felt like she’d finally checked off a grueling task. Olivia breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

“You hungry?” Zach asked out of nowhere.

Olivia nodded. “Starving.”

“I’ll make something.” He stood up and headed back to the kitchen.

Olivia was stunned. She hadn’t pegged him as the type who knew his way around a kitchen. She stood up to follow him. “I’ll cook.” “No.”

I can help, then. Prep work or something.”

“No need. I’ll have it done in a few minutes.”

Olivia frowned, confused.

He opened a massive chest freezer next to the French–door fridge. A cloud of cold mist rolled out, and Olivia instinctively pulled her cardigan tighter.

Zach grabbed a few containers and headed for the built–in microwave. “Ten minutes,” he said, his back still to her. “Chicken and Mushroom Stew, Braised Pork Belly, Tomato and Egg Stir–fry, and some greens.”

Olivia watched him start the timer, stunned. “Are those… leftovers?”

“No” Zach hit the start button and turned to lean against the kitchen island. “They’re pre–packaged meals.”

microwave began to hum.

Zach crossed his arms, his eyes locking on hers. “My mom’s housekeeper makes these every week and has them delivered. Portioned out, frozen, and ready to heat.” His voice was flat, like he was stating the most obvious fact in the world. “This is how I handle meals. It’s efficient. No thinking required. And no… company needed.”

Olivia looked from the microwave back to him. “Is this how you always live?”

Zach gave a faint nod. “Since I moved here, yeah. It’s all about convenience.”

Olivia didn’t say a word. She just watched him in silence.

He was nothing like Damon. They were total opposites.

Damon was warm, a family man, and emotionally in tune.

Zachary, on the other hand, was the opposite–rugged, blunt, and unapologetically casual.

Zach moved with practiced efficiency, sliding the heated food onto ceramic plates before setting them on the coffee table. Four dishes sat there, steaming and vibrant. The rich colors felt out of place against the cold, empty vibe of the living room.

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< Chapter 286: Marriage First, Love La…

Olivia sat down, staring at the elaborate “instant meal.” She didn’t quite know what to say.

“Try some,” Zach said, handing her a pair of chopsticks. “At least the taste is decent.”

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Olivia took them and picked up a piece of the Braised Pork Belly. It was tender, the sauce rich and savory–clearly the result of careful cooking. “It’s really good, she admitted honestly.

Zach started eating too. “My mom insists on having her maid prep these. Says it’s better than DoorDash.” He paused, then added, “If she knew I was ‘hosting my new wife like this, she’d probably come over here just to kick my ass.”

The words “new wife” hung in the air with an unexpected weight. A sudden silence settled between them.

“You don’t have to use that word,” Olivia said, her heart fluttering slightly. She kept her eyes fixed on the rice in her bowl.

“Which word?” Zach asked.

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