Chapter 13 Up at 5 am to Make Chicken Chowder–Unbelievable.
Chapter 13 Up at 5 am to Make Chicken Chowder–Unbelievable
Stella had always loved sparkly things–gold, diamonds, stars in the sky….
And paired with her doll–like looks and lovable personality, she had always drawn attention wherever she went.
So her parents gave her the nickname Sparkle.
Very few people knew about it–just family.
Her younger brothers rarely used it. Only her parents ever called her that.
Stella couldn‘
remember the last time she’d heard it.
If she went by the current timeline, it had to be fifteen years ago.
The moment she heard that word, her heart skipped a beat.
How did Nathan know?
Your nickname is Sparkle?” His voice was much clearer now–calm and gentle as usual
Stella frowned. “Huh? Weren’t you just calling me?”
Nathan sat up in bed as he answered the call, trying to steady his breathing and smooth the covers.
He’d only meant to lie there for a bit, soak in the scent she left behind–but he’d ended up falling asleep.
He hadn’t slept the night before. Same with last night. He couldn’t fight the exhaustion anymore.
Twisted, shameless, depraved–as he had always been
Half–asleep, when he got her call, her name had slipped out before he could stop it.
That nickname he’d buried in his heart for over twenty years–he had never once dared say it out loud.
He pressed his fingers into the wound in his palm, using the pain to force himself back under control.
He shouldn’t have slept here. It was too disrespectful to her.
And she must never find out about the darkness he harbored–he’d only scare her away.
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His mind raced, and then he said, “I was in a video call. One of my subordinates‘ daughters is also named Sparkle. I was saying hi to her
Stella blinked, “You’re still working this late? Impressive, Mr. Workaholic. Come open the door.”
She knew it. Nathan knowing her nickname didn’t make sense.
No way Ethan would’ve told him either. He might be annoying, but he knew boundaries.
So that’s what it was.
“Okay, I’m coming now,” Nathan said.
What nickname?” Ethan asked, confused.
Stella hung up and waved a hand. “Nothing. Just a mix–up. Nathan was talking to his subordinate’s daughter on a video call. I thought he was calling me.”
Ethan raised a brow, rotating the bracelet on his wrist. “What a coincidence. You and Nathan seem to be pretty connected.” Stella kicked him. “Get lost!”
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Chapter 13 Up at 5 am to Make Chicken Chowder–Unbelievable
A few minutes later, the villa’s ornate front gate opened, and Nathan appeared in a white shirt.
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He was still wearing his silver–framed glasses, shirt buttoned all the way up–refined and restrained, like some untouchable. flower blooming on a snow–capped peak.
Ethan stepped forward quickly. “Mr. Nathan, sorry to bother you this late. I’ll bring my sister back earlier next time.”
Nathan smiled gently. “It’s fine. I wasn’t asleep yet.”
Stella walked in with her snacks, then turned and gave Ethan a final glare. “Drive safe.
The walk from the gate to the living room passed through the garden–it was a bit long-
Nathan followed behind her, his shadow completely covering hers.
Only then did Stella realize just how tall he was.
“Why are you so tall!” She looked back at him
Under the moonlight, his features were deep and striking. He had that quiet, lofty air–clean, restrained, almost untouchable.
That little tea–colored mole on his nose was especially alluring.
Suddenly, Ethan’s words came to mind: Notice Nathan’s good qualities.
She’d already found one
Nathan was dangerously good–looking-
He had this impossibly pure and noble vibe–even when he smiled, he still felt like someone untouchable.
The kind that made you wonder just what he’d look like if he ever actually let go.
“You’re not short either,” he said softly.
Stella raised her chin like a proud little peacock. “Exactly, I’m only eighteen–I’m still growing. I’ll get taller!”
Nathan’s glassy eyes watched her quietly beneath the moonlight.
The garden was in full bloom, but next to her, all of it faded into nothing.
Feeling good, Stella stepped into the villa and set the snacks down in the living room. “Nathan, if you want any of these, help yourself. No need to ask.”
Then she darted upstairs.
Nathan watched her retreating figure, eyes darkening behind his glasses. His fingers curled into the wound in his palm again. Sparkle had shared snacks with him, and he had slept in her bed.
He was disgusting.
After closing the door behind her, Stella took another shower and curled up in bed.
The blanket was still warm.
What kind of fabric was this? The heat retention was amazing.
She didn’t think much of it. After scrolling on her phone for a while, she drifted off.
The next morning. Stella woke up pretty carly–around eight.
After washing up, she headed downstairs and immediately caught a delicious smell coming from the kitchen.
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7:37AM P P :
Chapter 13 Up at 5 am to Make Chicken Chowder–Unbelievable
She ran over.
There stood a tall man in an apron, stirring with pale, elegant hands.
Black apron. White shirt. Tied neatly at the waist.
The stark color contrast made his slim waist stand out. It was kind of hot.
Stella’s eyes lingered before she quickly looked away–then spotted the golden soup in the pot.
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Her mouth instantly started watering. She patted Nathan on the shoulder. “Mr. Nathan, you start your day with stuff this
rich
Nathan stiffened for a second, then turned with that same gentle voice. The housekeeper made chicken broth yesterday. I’m using it to make chicken chowder.”
Stella’s peach blossom eyes curved into a grin. “Wonder if your tenant, Stella, is worthy of a bowl of this chicken chowder?”
For good food, she didn’t care about pride.
She loved chicken chowder. Lucas used to bring it to her all the time in senior year.
“Of course.” Nathan smiled, those glassy eyes behind his lenses focused on her.
The housekeeper, standing just inside the doorway, twitched at the corner of his mouth.
He hadn’t made any chicken broth yesterday.
Nathan had gotten up at five a.m. to make it himself.
Five in the morning. To make chicken broth.
He’d never heard of anything like it.
Now it all made sense the boss was into this girl.
“Wait, why are you the one cooking? Isn’t there a chef?”
Stella watched Nathan drop noodles into the pot..
They had a housekeeper–no way there wasn’t a chef, right?
“The chef had something to do this morning, Nathan replied gently.
The housekeeper twitched again.
Something to do? The guy had been forcibly given the morning off.
He’d gotten a call from Lewis, the chef, in a total panic.
Lewis thought he was being fired. He’d sobbed about how this job paid way better than any outside gig and was super easy.
Felt like the sky was falling on him.
After polishing off a big bowl of chicken chowder, Stella gave Nathan a thumbs–up.
Mr. Nathan, your cooking’s seriously amazing!”
It even tasted familiar.
Almost exactly like the chicken chowder Lucas used to bring her.
And Lucas, being a spoiled rich boy, obviously hadn’t made it himself–it must’ve been their private chef.
