Chapter Twenty Three

"You don't trust me? Let's check your phone call history." Seeing her puzzled expression, Stephen started to look for her mobile phone around the room.

Okay, I trust you. But why did I call you? Why did I come here? Why did I even sleep in your bed?" Brielle asked a long list of questions. All of this made no sense to her. Stephen's house was far away from her workplace, she would not come to his house unless she had a good reason.

"Do you want to know? I picked you up from your workplace and you slept in my arms all the way home." A smile appeared on Stephen's lips. All of her subordinates saw him taking her in his arms. He was so deep in his thought that he did not notice the surprised expression on her face.

'What? What are you talking about? Did you take me in your arms? At my workplace, the military base?" Brielle could not believe this. Oh, God. What a shock! What a shame!

"Yes. I held you in my arms at that time. Is there anything wrong with that?" Stephen wondered. he could feel unaffected by other people's views. he did not think of it as a big deal.

Brielle fell silent for a moment. She realized that Stephen was incapable of understanding the gravity of this matter. "How many? How many people saw you hold me?" Brielle asked, taking a deep breath. She tried to control her anger and forced a smile on her face. The smile looked quite painful.

"Oh. You can take a guess. What would you do if I say that a lot of people saw you with me and sleeping in my arms?" Stephen deliberately said these words. he wanted to play with her.

"Stephen Chu. I'm not kidding. it's a serious thing!" Brielle blurted out. She used to call him. "Mr. Chu" and talked to him in a polite way. At the moment, however, she felt very angry. "I'm not kidding either. I am telling you the truth." Stephen's lips twitched in a smiled as he said these words. He liked how cute she looked when she was angry.

"Okay. I don't mind. But, what about my clothes? Who helped me into these pajamas? Was it you, Stephen?" Brielle noticed that she wasn't in her military uniform and was wearing night-clothes.

"Yes, that was me. I did it, but, so what? Are you unhappy with it?" Stephen spoke cheekily. Brielle twitched her lips. She felt a little uncomfortable being naked in front of Stephen. "Where are my clothes?" Brielle asked in an offended tone. She couldn't bear his complacent smile.

"What if I have thrown them away?" He kept mocking and tantalizing her. "What? Those are military uniforms! Did you know them away? How dare you do that!" Brielle said indignantly. Over the past years, Brielle had always been calm, clear, and determined. But she lost all control and went crazy now.

"Baby. You need to calm down. I'm just joking. I put them over there." He pointed to the corner as he comforted her. Then he stood up and moved toward her. Brielle looked at him with vigilant eyes. What was he doing? Was he angry? Unexpectedly for her, he passed her and went inside the bathroom. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Brielle seemed relaxed and began to look around the room with more interest. The room with more interest. The room was simple and clean, without any luxurious furniture or decorations. Obviously, it was a room for a single man. Because there was no lingering scent of a woman or any of women's cosmetics. She was delighted happy with the fact that he was a single man. Thinking of this, she could not stop herself from smiling.

"What are you thinking about?" Stephen stood close to her. His deep voice made her jump. Brielle's lips touched his cheek when she turned her head. This "kiss" held them in trance. She turned aside to hide her blushes.

Stephen recovered in time. he took her in his arms and gave her a French kiss. he gently nibbled and sucked her soft lips over and over again. Brielle was wide-eyed and her mind went blank "Close your eyes when I kiss you." Stephen said sweetly. They shared a passionate and long kiss on the lips. He didn't let her go until she couldn't breathe. She stayed in his arms and looked at him blankly.

In Brielle's memory, Stephen never kissed her. She didn't know that Stephen kissed her last night. She had mixed feelings. On the one hand, she was happy that he gave her a kiss that betokened his affection, but on the other hand, she was afraid. She didn't know if he really loved her. She wanted to turn away but she was already exhausted.

"Hey, do you like my kiss? Wanna continue?" Stephen would not tell her that he had a crush on her. Her face was flushed as she struggled back to her feet. She didn't even have the courage to look him in the eye.

"Where is Ariel? I miss him so much." Brielle tried to change the subject. The fact was that she was still immersed in that kiss. "I suggest you change into your clothes first." Stephen reminded her as he looked at her tangled hair.

"But I don't have other clothes here," Brielle said helplessly. Looking at her innocent and beautiful face, no one could say that she was a Colonel. "Don't worry. I have an idea. You can freshen up before you change. I have prepared new toiletries for you. Just for you. Not for other women." Stephen stressed that he didn't have a girlfriend.

He called for somebody to buy some new clothes. He changed into his clothes and left the room. After washing up, Brielle stepped out of the bathroom. She found her crumpled uniform in the corner. She wanted to pick up the clothes, but suddenly the door of the room opened. Ariel rushed in. He could not wait any longer and run into Brielle's arms.

"Mom, you're really here! So dad wasn't lying!" Ariel grinned from ear to ear and hugged Brielle tight, arms around her neck.

"Yes, I'm here. You're getting so big! I almost couldn't lift you." She laughed. "Probably means you're eating well." Brielle nuzzled Ariel's forehead gently and lovingly. "Mom, when did you get here? How do you know where we live?" Ariel asked eagerly. He didn't expect his mom till evening, but when he woke up, his mother was right there by his bedside. When Stephen told him she would be there, he thought Stephen was lying. But it turned out he was telling the truth.

Brielle stuttered and didn't know how to answer. "I...that is..." She didn't know when she got here, not to mention where she was. She was taken here by Stephen, but she couldn't tell him that. It was too embarrassing. "Ariel, where is your father?" Brielle tried to change the topic.

"You are so reliant on me. I leave the room and you miss me already." That arrogant and teasing tone was so Stephen. Brielle regretted asking. She dodgedAriel's harsh questioning, but now Stephen was skewering her with his razor-sharp wit. So embarrassing!

Stephen leaned against the door gracefully. They grey gym outfit made him seem lazier and more approachable. He stared at Brielle and Ariel, smiling the whole time. The scene was so sweet, so Stephen Chu, with his beautiful wife and adorable son.

"No. I just asked randomly. Don't overthink it." 'Why do it every time. I'm around Stephen?' she wondered. "I didn't overthink anything. Or is it that you want me to overthink about you?" Stephen was having fun. She was more vibrant this time last time she was just a cold and aloof officer.

"Mr. Stephen, the staff of X Mall are waiting downstairs. They said you called them here." Brielle was saved by the abrupt voice. She felt quite lucky she was not as eloquent as Claire brook. She could never win against Stephen in a battle of words.

"Excellent. The clothes must have arrived. The mall staff is quite efficient. Tell them to bring the clothes upstairs." Finally, Stephen shifted his gaze. Brielle breathed a sigh of relief. Stephen glanced at her, walked over, and took Ariel from her arms. He set him down.

"Okay, son, your mother is tired now. You go have breakfast. Your mom and I will be along soon."When Stephen declared something, there was no wiggle room. It was like an order from an officer.

"Okay. But you have to come downstairs soon." Ariel got it. He loved it when his mother held him. But he also knew he was bigger than he had been at 2 or 3. It was only natural that she would be tired.

The clothes called out, "Mr. Stephen, can we bring the clothes in now?" Ariel was trapped inside by the apparel racks at the door. He gaped at several lines of clothing, wondering if Stephen had moved the whole mall home.

"Take them all in. They go in the closet." Stephen was oblivious to Brielle's surprised look. To him, this was normal. The staff hung the clothes skillfully. Brielle thought it was creepy that even her underwear was prepared, that there were all sorts of high heeled shoes, dresses, sec. She was too astonished to utter a single word.

Ariel giggled at Brielle's amazing look. 'Stephen doesn't do things halfway. This nothing. Just check out my closet. You'd be amazed.' Ariel thought to himself. "Mr. Stephen, these are all the newest styles. They are cut to the measurements you gave us. What else can we do for you?" the chief clothier said respectfully.

"That's all I need, thanks. Just send the bill to the Chu International Group." Stephen walked over, looked at the clothes, and nodded slightly. He looked satisfied. "Okay, Mr. Stephen, we will leave now." Then they left after glancing at Brielle.

"Okay, just choose an outfit and try it on. They all your size." Stephen said, gently. Brielle was still shocked. "What? These are all for me?" Brielle finally shook off her amazement and took stock of the situation.

Stephen said, "Who else? You think they're for me?" They would not fit for him, obviously. Stephen squinted his eyes and stared at her. "No, I mean in my closet, I only need one outfit to wear when returning to base. I have my own clothes there," Brielle explained.

"I know you have clothes there. These are clothes you can wear here." Stephen said naturally. "But how do you know my size?" She didn't remember telling him. "If I said I measured you myself last night, would you believe it?" Stephen moved in close and smiled evilly. Such intimacy scared Brielle and she stepped away.

"Stephen Chu, you're shameless." Brielle blushed and stared at Stephen angrily. Apparently Stephen didn't just change her clothes last night. "I am shameless only when it comes to my wife." Stephen looked at Brielle teasingly. She was such fun now.

'Stephen, you're just as bold and rude as when I first met you. Now you remember that I'm your wife. Where have you been before?' Brielle thought to herself. "As I recall, I'm your wife in name only. isn't that what you said?" Brielle restored coldly. It always got on her nerves whenever the topic came up. It was like Stephen was making fun of her feelings for him. So she would hide behind an icy demeanor.

"You really know how to hold a grudge. Okay, I'll head downstairs and wait for you. find an outfit you like. I'd like to eat breakfast together." Stephen noticed her mood and stopped flirting. He shouldn't press her too hard. he knew far too well what kind of hell that would bring him.

Brielle collapsed on the bed. She was weak that morning was too much for her. She didn't know what was real. She didn't know what was of a sudden Stephen acted as he cared about her. he told her they wouldn't sleep together anymore, and that she would never have his heart. But then how could she explain this morning? Was he playing catch-me-if-you-can? maybe it was a trick. he would entice her and she would fall in love with him all over again. Then he'd dump her. Like he did before. She resolved to never let that happen again.