First girlfriend

''You always do this? I mean... do you cook for yourself and the dishes as well?" Diana unabashedly flipped the topic.

"Yes.'' 

''Then, what about Ivy?" she asked.

''She does the cleaning and other stuff,'' Maxim answered, "Sometimes cooking when mom comes over."

''Oh,'' That made sense given what Ivy said about going to Maxim's place once or twice a week where she handled most of the work, ''Then, did you do it back in the school days too?" 

''Sometimes. When Mom was not around or she was sick,'' he did not seem to be affected as he told that to her but her heart ached. 

''It must be hard on both of you.'' 

Maxim's gaze cut to hers and she was taken aback when she noticed a hint of anger simmering on his face, ''Pity?" he asked. 

What..? Her brain rumbled for a moment before she realized what he was getting at, ''Nope. It's concern. Care. I am not pitying you...'' she breathed almost in disbelief.