Carl's voice was low. He talked about nothing but Jessica's studio in the end.
Jessica listened quietly without interrupting him.
Until his voice gradually faded away.
It seemed like he fell asleep again.
Jessica was hugged by Carl with her back against him, so she could not see his face, nor could she
confirm whether he had really fallen asleep again or not.
She stared at the ceiling in the darkness and asked, "Can you stop working overtime?"
In the dark and empty room, the unanswered questions seemed lonely.
Jessica waited for some time, but she didn't hear Carl reply.
She felt a steady and even breath later.
He did fall asleep again.
Perhaps this was the answer.
She believed that Carl's kindness to her was entirely sincere.
But playing nice didn't mean he loved her.
Maybe he did that only out of habit.
It was always hard to quit a habit.
...
The next day.
When Jessica woke up, she heard the sound of water from the bathroom.
With a creak, Carl opened the door and came out of the bathroom. He saw Jessica leaning against the
bed. He grinned, showing his healthy teeth to her. He looked just like a teenager.
"You're awake now?"
Time left a mark on her, but not on him.
"That early?" Jessica asked him.
Jessica didn't look well. Carl thought that was because she just got up, so he didn't have a second
thought.
That was actually because of her morning temperament.
"I still have work to do. Do you want to get up now or later? If you get up now, I'll drive you to the studio.
If you get up later, I'll have Molly come and pick you up."
Carl walked to the bedside and sat down. As he spoke, he was about to kiss Jessica.
Jessica slightly tilted her head to avoid him. Carl only thought that she just woke up, so he didn't mind
or get angry at all.
"Alright then, get some more sleep?" He thought that Jessica hadn't woken up, and even reached out
to gently scratch the hair beside her ears.
Jessica did not say a word and got back to her blanket, pulling it over her head.
Carl added, "I'll make breakfast for you and put it in the fridge. Remember to have it when you get up."
Only when the door was closed did Jessica get out of the quilt and sit at the head of the bed.
After some time, Molly called her.
"Jessica, I'm at your door. I'm here to take you to the studio. I'll just let myself in then?" Jessica had
given Molly the key to her house.
"Sure." Jessica hung up the phone and got up to wash up.
After Molly entered the room, she first heated breakfast for Jessica, then went into the bedroom, and
helped Jessica settle her outfit of today.
While Jessica was eating breakfast, Molly held her chin and watched from the side. With an envious
expression, she said, "When can I find a boyfriend, just like my cousin, who makes breakfast for me?"
Love was always appealing to the young.
Jessica glanced at her and said calmly, "It's not too late for you to have Christopher learn to cook."
Molly was immediately shocked.
Jessica added, "However, as far as I know, you may still need some extra efforts to make that happen."
"No, Christopher and I, we..." Molly tried to explain.
Jessica put down the spoon and looked at Molly as if she were saying, "Go ahead, I'm listening."
Molly couldn't say anything under Jessica's gaze. It seemed that whatever explanation she made would
be too weak to convince her.
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