CEO Ex-Husband, Don't Bother Me-Chapter 21: Igniting the Flame

"I’m fine!"

Lara declared boldly,

"Let’s go home. If he dares to bully you again, I’ll teach him another lesson!"

Ronan flicked her on the forehead.

"I’m not sure if you taught him a lesson, or if he taught you one!"

Lara protested indignantly,

"Hey, Ronan Joyce! How can you side with an outsider!"

Naomi Shaw watched the affectionate sight of Ronan with his arm around Lara walking ahead of her, then glanced back at the tightly shut door. A faint sense of loss welled up inside her, and she lowered her head as she returned to her apartment next door.

The man got up, pulled a stack of cash from the wallet on the nightstand, and tossed it to the woman. He ordered coldly in Thailo,

"Get out!"

Then, without a backward glance, he walked into the bathroom.

Ever since the day Lara and Julian had their big fight, Naomi hadn’t seen him back at his place for a whole week. She wouldn’t see him when she got up early each morning to make breakfast, and she wouldn’t see him come home when she returned early from class, even if she waited up until midnight.

She was very worried about him. Given his current situation, he could face danger at any time. The problem was, she didn’t have his phone number and had no way to contact him. Though she’d warned herself to forget him, it wasn’t something she could do just by telling herself to. The only thing she could do was keep her concern for him a secret.

When Naomi Shaw returned to The Shaw Residence for the weekend, she heard from Ian Shaw that Julian Donovan hadn’t been back there all week either. Ian Shaw also casually mentioned that it seemed Julian had another woman.

Upon hearing this, Naomi felt a piercing pain in her heart, as if stabbed by a needle. To think she had been worrying about his safety every day, while he was merely reveling in the arms of another woman, too preoccupied to come home.

But then she tried to fool herself, offering up her own reassurances. ’He wouldn’t be with another woman. Doesn’t he love his girlfriend so much? How could he betray her? Dad only said it *seemed* that way; maybe it’s just a rumor.’ Only by consoling herself like this did the pain in her chest begin to ease.

That evening, Naomi and Lara had just finished dinner at home when Ronan arrived. The couple went into Lara’s bedroom, whispering sweet nothings. A short while later, sounds that would make one blush and set the heart racing drifted out from inside. Unable to bear it, a beet-red Naomi fled the apartment.

As Julian drove back, he spotted someone sitting on the stone steps in front of the neighboring apartment. After parking, he realized it was Naomi, fiddling with her phone out of sheer boredom.

She was only in shorts and a tank top, trembling slightly in the night breeze. The forecast had called for a typhoon, and the winds were already starting to pick up. Julian frowned. He walked over after parking his car and asked,

"Why are you sitting out here?"

’Since I see her as a little sister, it’s normal to show some concern, right? Especially on a night like this, with a typhoon rolling in.’

Seeing him return, a flash of pleasant surprise crossed Naomi’s face, but she blushed the moment he asked his question. She glanced at the apartment and said in a very soft voice,

"Lara and her boyfriend are... inside..."

Julian understood immediately. Seeing her trembling, he spoke, doing something he never would have before.

"The wind is picking up. You can wait it out at my place."

She lifted her small face, her expression one of pure astonishment; clearly, she hadn’t expected him to invite her over. Julian, looking a bit impatient, turned and went inside. Naomi glanced at her own apartment, then followed Julian into his with a sense of resignation. ’Those two won’t be finished anytime soon.’

Julian went straight to the fridge after entering, grabbed a can of beer, and started chugging it. When he turned and saw the timid figure behind him, he remembered he had a guest to entertain.

"What would you like to drink?"

Naomi glanced at his fridge, which was filled with nothing but beer, and smiled awkwardly.

"Just some plain water would be fine!"

Only then did Julian remember that his fridge contained nothing but alcohol. Back when he lived with Juliet Jennings, the fridge was always stuffed with all sorts of things—yogurt, sodas, and the like.

Hiding the gloom in his eyes, he sipped his beer and headed for the kitchen.

"I’ll go boil some water."

Naomi scurried over to stop him, saying softly,

"I can do it myself. You look exhausted. You should go get some rest."

Julian was indeed exhausted. He had spent a whole week staking out that bar and had only returned after completing his mission. All he wanted now was to fall into bed and get a good night’s sleep.

The sight of her—her soft, fluffy hair; her light pink top accentuating her porcelain skin, so delicate it looked as if it would bead with moisture at the slightest touch. Especially the way she looked at him with those large, dewy eyes while speaking such considerate words... It made Julian’s blood surge. He awkwardly averted his gaze, said nothing more, and turned to head upstairs.

Behind him, Naomi hesitated for a moment before asking,

"Julian, have you had dinner?"

Julian didn’t turn around.

"I’m not hungry!"

Naomi had only guessed he hadn’t eaten, and his words now confirmed her suspicion. Looking at his exhausted back, she said, "You have to eat even if you’re not hungry. Why don’t I make you something first? You can sleep after you’ve eaten."

As soon as the words were out, Naomi clamped her mouth shut and looked up at him uneasily. ’He’s going to find me annoying again, isn’t he?’

Julian stood on the stairs, looking down at her. She stood there timidly, like a young wife who had erred and was awaiting her husband’s punishment. By all rights, he should have walked away and ignored her. But he didn’t move. Instead, he opened his mouth and agreed.

He was annoyed with himself the moment he spoke. He refused to admit her eyes had some bewitching power over him, consoling himself with the thought that he was probably just really hungry.

When Naomi heard him agree, she beamed at him as happy as a child.

"Julian, you go on upstairs and take a shower and change. I’ll have it ready in a little while!"

With that, she turned and hurried to the refrigerator. But when she opened it, her little face scrunched up in a frown.

"Oh, dear! Your fridge only has curry powder and instant noodles!"

Even the most skilled chef can’t cook without ingredients. As good a cook as she was, she couldn’t make something out of nothing.

Helpless, she had no choice but to close the refrigerator door.

"I’ll go get some ingredients from next door!"

Their fridge was stocked with all sorts of ingredients Lara had bought, constantly asking Naomi to make her all kinds of delicious food.

"Don’t go to all that trouble. Just make whatever."

Julian glanced at the large raindrops that had begun to fall outside and stopped her. Naomi obediently replied,

"Oh, okay. Then I’ll just make you some curry!"

Julian said nothing more and headed upstairs.

By the time Julian showered, changed, and came downstairs, a plate of Thailo-style curry was already on the dining table, its rich aroma filling the air. He actually didn’t care for Thailo cuisine at all; he’d clearly lost weight during his time here. And yet tonight, this simple plate of curry made his mouth water. ’Am I really so hungry that I’m not picky anymore?’

Next to the curry, a spoon, a napkin, and a glass of water were all neatly arranged, a testament to her meticulous nature. The food was ready, but she was nowhere to be seen. Julian glanced toward the kitchen and saw her bustling about, wiping things down like a virtuous little wife.

He walked over and leaned against the doorframe.

"What are you doing?"

Naomi turned and smiled at him.

"Oh, I noticed your kitchen looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in a while, so I’m just tidying up for you. The food’s ready, you can eat!"

Julian frowned, seemingly disapproving of her actions.

"I hire a housekeeper for this kind of thing!"

"Oh, come on, it’s just something I could do in a moment. Why hire a housekeeper for it!"

He had to admit, her cooking was excellent. He devoured the entire plate of curry in no time. While he ate, she kept busy in the kitchen, making them feel like the most ordinary of married couples. For a fleeting moment, he felt the urge to let go of the hatred in his heart and just live on in such simple peace and quiet.