These casual words carried away the longing and careful protection he had for her in a foreign country all these years.
Anaya thought of the hardships he had suffered in the past, her chest stuffy all of a sudden.
"Are you trying to get my sympathy?"
Hearst said, "Kind of."
Anaya was speechless.
The little bit of sympathy that she had a moment ago vanished in an instant.
Walking out of the kitchen, she asked symbolically, "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Hearst stopped cutting the vegetables as if he wanted to speak, but he paused for a few seconds and said, "Kiss me."
Anaya immediately left.
Hearst smiled and went on cooking.
Anaya deliberately made things difficult for him. She didn't offer any help the entire time. She ignored him on purpose.
Hearst was not annoyed. He finished the housework alone.
After packing up, he was ready to leave.