Halma rolled her eyes at him, grumbling, “If you said you couldn’t get used to living in your family’s luxury mansion, I might actually believe you.
“I really have nowhere else to go.” Nathan grabbed her shoulders and said with utmost seriousness, “I had a big fight with my parents today. I think my dad was right. Everything I have now is given by them. But I don’t want to live like this anymore. I don’t want to be unable to speak up for my girl when she’s being mistreated. Starting today, I’m going to work hard to make your life better. I’m no longer Ace Baker’s son, nor am I Eugene Nolan’s nephew- I’m just Nathan Baker. Are you still willing to love this version of me?”
Halma appeared to be unmoved by his words, but in her heart, she was deeply astounded. He had a big fight with his parents and even ran away from home in anger, huh? She pushed him, saying with feigned disgust, “Who would like you now that you have nothing left? You’d best go back!”
Nathan laughed upon hearing that. I was in a much more miserable state back then than now, but she didn’t push me away even then. How could she really tell me to go back? She doesn’t mean it. He tightened his arms around her as he murmured, “No, I can’t go back anymore, I’ve vowed to not live with them anymore. If you don’t take me in, I’ll have to live on the streets.”
Halma frowned before asking with concern, “Do they know that you came out at such a late hour?”
Nathan reassured her by saying, “Don’t worry. They know I’m coming to you.”
She curled her lips before taunting, “Your parents already have a problem with me, and now you’re running away from home because of me. Can’t you stop attracting more animosity toward me?”
“I’m just returning the favor in kind.” Nathan lifted her chin with his hand. “This is me seeking revenge for you, little girl!”
The light in Halma’s eyes dimmed for a moment. Despite her annoyance, she said under her breath, “You don’t have to. They’re your parents, after all. Actually, I can understand why they did those things. It’s all for your own good.”
Nathan, however, let out a snort. “They never knew what I wanted. Anyway, let’s not talk about them anymore. Just give me a straightforward answer. Will you take me in or not?”
Halma raised her chin haughtily and snorted. “What if I say no?”
Nathan thought about it for a moment before stating, “Then I’ll ask again later.”
She could hardly hold back her laughter at that. “Look at you! You’re hopeless.”
“From now on, I’ll have to rely on you to take care of me,” he announced.
Listening to his words, Halma felt like crying, but she blinked back the tears about to well up in her eyes. Then, deliberately making things difficult for the man, she demanded, “In that case, you have to pay rent.”
Nathan agreed immediately upon hearing that. “Okay! How much is it?”
She pondered for a moment before saying, “You’ll be responsible for making three meals a day!”
Startled, the man asked again for confirmation. “Three meals a day?”
Only then did Halma realize that something was off. Annoyed and embarrassed, she stepped on his foot right away. “What are you thinking about? I’m only telling you to be in charge of making meals. I’ve been cooking for you all these years, so it’s about time you take over. She carried his suitcase into her house in a coquettishly proud manner.
Nathan held his foot while howling in pain for a while. Seeing that she was ignoring him, he grinned and picked up the things on the floor before following her into the room. Walking a few steps up to her, he asked with a smile, “So, are you finally turning the tables on me now?”
Halma let out a snort. “Of course! Every dog has its day, you know!” She held his chin between her fingers playfully like a rascal. “Who would’ve thought that you would end up falling into my hands, little brat?”
Nathan laughed with great satisfaction. Leaning closer to her ear, he replied affectionately, “Yeah, I fell into your hands willingly!”
