Selena looked at Tara, who leaned in with those bright, doe-like eyes full of affection, staring at her with an unblinking gaze. She felt a touch of admiration for Tara's warm gaze, even though it was mixed with a sense of mischief.
Selena raised a finger, tapping Tara on the forehead with a playful smile, teasing, "You may look innocent, but that mind of yours sure has a rebellious streak."
Tara didn't deny it; she simply caught Selena's finger, her lips curving as she murmured, "Is this the first time you're noticing that?"
As Mrs. Tan had gone downstairs and no one else was around, Selena glanced about warily, and, confirming the coast was clear, swiftly kissed Tara on the corner of her lips. The brief kiss, soft and fleeting, landed and vanished like a fish darting in water.
Straightening up quickly, Selena said, "There. Done."
Tara blinked, then let out a soft laugh, raising her hand to lightly touch the place where Selena's lips had brushed. With a glimmer of amusement in her eyes, she whispered, "You sure do everything fast, don't you?"
Her voice was soft, with a hint of teasing, like sweet cotton candy melting on the tongue, and Selena found herself sighing inwardly, realizing Tara had perfected the art of gentle teasing. Just as she was about to lean in again, Tara cupped her cheeks, guiding her to look up.
"Let me do it properly this time," Tara murmured.
In an instant, her warm lips met Selena's, and the kiss, though brief and without further intensity, left Selena breathless. A warmth bloomed across her face as her hand lingered against Tara's, fingers interlacing with hers.
"Selena, when you're with me, you don't have to worry so much," Tara whispered, her voice a gentle reassurance, her thumb grazing Selena's hand softly.
Selena shifted her gaze to Tara's face, noticing the earnest gleam in her eyes, and bit her lip.
Did it mean that being discovered was no longer a concern?
Back in Beijing, Tara had been insistent on hiding their relationship from her parents. Although Selena had wanted to ask Tara why she had changed her mind, the words stuck in her throat, unspoken. Before long, Mrs. Liu called up to announce that dinner was ready. Tara released the stuffed animal she'd been holding, standing and naturally taking Selena's hand in hers as she said, "Come on, let's go."
Trailing behind them, Mrs. Liu couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease as she observed their hands clasped together. She couldn't put her finger on why, but seeing them this way felt...unusually intimate. If she didn't know better, she'd think they were a couple.
Having practically raised Tara, Mrs. Liu had always been more of a grandmother figure to her. Smiling, she playfully teased, "You two seem even closer than a married couple!"
She had only meant it in jest, but the innocent comment landed like a stone dropped in a still pond. Startled, Selena quickly pulled her hand from Tara's, who paused mid-step, her eyes darting between her parents downstairs and Selena's retreating hand. She felt a twinge of hurt.
Tara kept her gaze lowered to mask her disappointment, forcing a small smile as she spoke lightly. "You like Ms. Selena, too, huh? Let's go—don't want to keep Mom and Dad waiting."
"Tara..." Selena called softly. Regret tugged at her as she watched Tara's hand drop to her side, just below her slightly open collar, where a glimpse of her collarbone peeked out. Tara only gave a gentle smile in reply, and in an even tone, added, "Come on."
Tara slowed her pace to match Selena's as they descended the stairs. Selena's ankle still hadn't fully healed, and she moved carefully. Walking side-by-side without holding hands, they slowly made their way down. Mrs. Liu, lingering on Tara's comment, recalled the pride in Tara's voice when she'd said, "You like Ms. Selena too, huh?" Perhaps she had misread; maybe they were just very close friends.
Watching the two walk shoulder to shoulder, Mrs. Liu felt a sense of comfort. Tara had grown up without any close friends due to her strict upbringing, and later, she had become distant from her parents. Having Selena around brought warmth to what would otherwise be a lonely dinner.
Mr. Tan pulled out a chair for Mrs. Tan, and Tara helped Selena settle into her seat. Mrs. Tan smiled as she poured Selena a bowl of clear corn and rib soup. "I heard from Tara that you prefer mild flavors and love corn soup. I asked Mrs. Liu to show me how to make it, so I hope it's to your taste."
Selena took the bowl gratefully, tasting a spoonful. "Mrs. Tan, it's absolutely delicious, better than anything in a five-star restaurant."
Mrs. Tan's smile deepened. "Well, have as much as you'd like."
Tara seized the opportunity to add, "Mom, don't you think Selena is great? You two get along so well—maybe we should invite her back more often."
The fondness in Mrs. Tan's eyes grew. She genuinely enjoyed Selena's company; she was warm, polite, and carried a quiet elegance. If Selena visited often, that would mean Tara would come back more frequently, too. Mrs. Tan had sensed that Tara's estrangement had been aggravated by the recent matchmaking attempts, so she had resolved to work on their bond. And Selena seemed to make that easier.
"Of course," Mrs. Tan agreed warmly, adding more food to Selena's plate. "You have to come back with Tara whenever you can, alright?"
Then, placing a perfectly cooked shrimp onto Selena's plate, she insisted, "You're far too thin—eat more."
Selena watched Mrs. Tan's motherly gestures, feeling a quiet warmth spread through her chest. Her biological mother had only ever viewed her as a means to an end, someone to be used. The small, caring acts Mrs. Tan offered freely now were things she had never known. Here, where even her most guarded wounds felt comforted, Selena felt an ache she hadn't known was still there finally begin to heal.
Dinner was warm and filled with laughter, going far better than Selena had anticipated.
Afterward, Mr. and Mrs. Tan settled in to watch the evening news downstairs. Meanwhile, Selena and Tara helped Mrs. Liu clear the table before retreating upstairs. Tara's room was meticulously clean, and nothing had been rearranged, everything left as it had been, following her preferred order.
Once inside, Tara gently led Selena to the chair by her desk before heading to the mini fridge, pulling out some fresh grapes and mangoes. She washed them in her private bathroom, preparing a fruit platter as a post-dinner snack.
While Tara was busy, Selena's eyes drifted to a picture frame on Tara's desk. Curiously, it was empty, with only a torn corner of a photo remaining, clinging to a staple in the frame. She picked it up, asking, "What was this a picture of?"
The photo looked as though it had been ripped out in a fit of frustration. Given Tara's usually calm nature, it must have been something significant.
Tara's hand froze momentarily as she cut a mango, her voice dropping slightly as she answered, "Nothing, just an old friend."
She then carried the fruit over to Selena, holding up a glistening green grape by her fingers. "Here, Sister, have a grape."
As Selena opened her mouth to take the grape, Tara's fingers lingered a bit too long by her lips, brushing her cheek in a way that sent a ticklish warmth to her face. Despite her curiosity about the photo, Selena sensed from Tara's reluctance that it might not be the best time to press further.
They spent a while longer chatting before Selena noticed the clock nearing eleven. She patted Tara's arm, standing up. "It's getting late. I should head back to my room to sleep."
But Tara held her hand, tracing her palm in gentle circles, her eyes brimming with a tender warmth. Tilting her head, Tara's voice softened into a playful murmur, "Do you really have to go? My bed is plenty big."
She glanced at her bed with a coy smile. "And very soft."
Selena chuckled, seeing Tara's reluctance to let go. Then, as Tara's arms slipped around her waist and she nestled her head against Selena's stomach, Selena couldn't help but look down at her, her thick lashes fluttering slightly. "Just let me hold you for a bit longer," Tara whispered, her voice quiet and soft. "Even if you let go of my hand in the hallway, let me hold you a little longer."
Her fingers instinctively moved to caress Tara's smooth earlobe, and she reassured her, "But I'll need to change into my pajamas, won't I? My suitcase is still in the guest room."
Hearing this, Tara's eyes brightened, glistening with anticipation as she jumped up, determined. "I'll get it for you!"
Selena laughed, watching Tara dash out of the room, the familiar Snoopy character on the back of her hoodie bouncing along with her. When Tara returned, she was carrying not one but three pajamas in hand, her smile mischievous as she asked, "Now, Ms. Selena, which will it be? The cozy cartoon print, the silky satin, or...the black lace nightgown?"