Chapter 8 You Are Playing Me

Jonathan noticed the mocking smile on Kathie's face and couldn't help but ask, "Is there really nothing you're scared of?"

Kathie tilted her head back proudly. If he thought he could get her to admit something, he was way off.

"Not a thing," she replied.

Jonathan frowned, took a deep breath, and downed the medicine.

The foul taste hit him hard, making his stomach churn. He almost threw up but managed to keep it down.

Seeing his pained expression, Kathie teased, "You finished it, didn't you? Want me to get you a piece of candy?"

Jonathan thought, 'Damn, this woman still treats me like a kid!'

He lowered his head, a sly smile forming on his lips. He looked up, his gaze fixed behind her, and suddenly widened his eyes in feigned panic. "Watch out, there's a snake behind you!"

"Ah!" Kathie leaped into Jonathan's arms before she even realized what she was doing.

Luckily, she was petite, and Jonathan had regained enough strength in his arms. Otherwise, her jump would have undone all the progress they'd made in his recovery.

She clung to Jonathan's neck, too scared to look back. "Get rid of it, quick!"

Kathie had always been fearless, unbothered by mice or cockroaches, but she had a deep-seated fear of snakes. Jonathan had overheard her mention it to the kids once, and now it came in handy.

Feeling Jonathan's shoulders shake with laughter, Kathie slowly loosened her grip. Seeing his amused face, she turned around to find no snake in sight.

"You tricked me?" she said angrily.

Jonathan shrugged. "How could I? I was just testing. Seems you aren't entirely honest."

Kathie gritted her teeth. "Bastard!"

Jonathan laughed heartily, finally getting one over on her. She'd been giving him a hard time for days.

Kathie glared at him, her beautiful eyes practically glowing with anger.

Then she realized something was off. She could feel another heartbeat against her chest, a large hand on her waist, and her whole body felt like it was on fire.

She was in Jonathan's arms!

Kathie's cheeks turned crimson, and she practically jumped out of his embrace.

Jonathan felt a sense of reluctance as she pulled away. Her slender waist had felt so soft, and from that angle, he had caught a glimpse of her ample chest, sparking his imagination.

His gaze was so intense it felt like it could burn through her.

Kathie couldn't stay any longer. She turned to leave but was stopped by Jonathan.

"Didn't you say you'd get me some candy?" he asked.

"There's none left."

She wouldn't give him any even if she had some. Kathie realized that being around this man always made her lose control.

Kathie went to the backyard, where her three kids were preparing ingredients for lunch.

Kyle looked at her flushed face and asked worriedly, "Mommy, are you okay? Are you feeling sick?"

Zachary chimed in, "I heard you scream earlier. Did someone bully you?"

Eileen ran over and grabbed her hand. "Mommy, your hand is so hot, and your face is red like an apple."

Kyle's eyes lit up. "Did you kiss the handsome man?"

Kathie was speechless.

How did her son even know about such things?

She fanned her face. "No, it was the medicine fumes. Kyle, don't say things like that, or I won't make your favorite food."

Kyle immediately behaved. "I'll listen to you."

"You guys keep working. I'll be in the kitchen," Kathie said.

As she went into the kitchen, Kyle called his siblings over. "Zachary, did you notice? Mommy's acting weird. She wouldn't look us in the eye when she talked, which means she's hiding something."

They knew their mom well. Whenever she hid something from them, she had that exact expression.

"Yeah, and she seemed a bit shy," Zachary added.

Eileen, looking wise beyond her years, said, "Mommy spends all day with the handsome man. Of course, she's shy."

Kyle and Zachary exchanged jealous glances and asked in unison, "Who's more handsome, us or him?"

Eileen sweetly replied, "You guys are."

Even though Eileen liked Jonathan, she knew her priorities. She liked Jonathan because he made her feel safe, just like her mom did.

Kyle nodded in satisfaction. "That's more like it. Remember, the four of us have to stick together."

Zachary asked, "So what do we do next?"

Kyle eyed the basket of green onions and smiled. "He's been freeloading here, and Mommy's been treating him. He should help out."

Zachary agreed and immediately called Jonathan to the backyard.

Jonathan, feeling bored, was happy to help. "Tell me what you need."

Kyle handed him the basket and pointed to the cutting board on the stone table. "We're not tall enough. Can you chop these green onions? Mommy's making something delicious."

Jonathan had never set foot in a kitchen before, but now he was taking orders from a bunch of kids.

"No problem." He then didn't think much of the task and started chopping.

Zachary noticed the pieces were too big and reminded him, "Seven, they need to be really fine."

Jonathan didn't suspect the kids had any ill intentions and tried to chop as finely as possible.

But soon, his eyes started to sting, and tears began to flow uncontrollably. He even sniffled.

Kyle and Zachary exchanged amused glances.

Kyle teased, "Seven, I just asked you to chop some onions. Why are you crying? Do you think we're bullying you?"

Jonathan was speechless.

He realized he'd been tricked. Who were their dad? These kids were so mischievous at such a young age.

Eileen saw Jonathan's red eyes and shouted toward the kitchen. "Mommy, come quick! The handsome man is dying!"

Jonathan felt awkward. She didn't need to exaggerate.

Kathie rushed out, seeing Jonathan with his eyes closed, tears streaming down his handsome face. It was both pitiful and funny.

"What happened?" she asked.

Zachary confessed, "Mommy, we asked him to chop some onions, but he doesn't know how and got them in his eyes."

Kathie pushed Jonathan, who was in a wheelchair, to the sink. "Poor rich boy, experiencing real life must be tough for you. If you were stranded on a deserted island, you'd starve."

She couldn't help but mock him. All he did was play a little prank, and she held such a grudge.

Despite her words, Kathie wet a towel and gently wiped his eyes.

Being so close, Jonathan could smell her cool fragrance, which had a calming effect.

"How does that feel?" Kathie asked.

Jonathan tried to open his eyes, his vision blurred by tears. He looked at Kathie, thinking she might be the woman he had been with four years ago.

Kathie teased, "If people found out you cried over chopping onions, they'd laugh their heads off."

Jonathan immediately dismissed the thought; it couldn't possibly be her!