Chapter 43: A Dangerous Secret

Chapter 43: A Dangerous Secret

"But you seem to forget that it was this 'ugly idiot' who taught you how to make that cake," Lydia Moore "innocently" reminded him, feeling satisfied when she saw Aaron King's eyebrows knit together. Then, she spoke more sincerely, "Because we're friends, I want to do everything I can to make sure you find happiness." Even though he had never acknowledged her as a friend, Lydia had always believed that he was someone worth trusting and supporting. She hoped she could be there for him when he needed someone.

Friends? The word stung Aaron King as he looked at her, a hint of pain in his eyes. From as far back as he could remember, no one had ever said that to him. The girls he encountered were always shallowly attracted to his looks and wealth, doing everything they could to become his girlfriend. The boys, on the other hand, either feared or hated him, resentful of his arrogance and overbearing nature but too intimidated to challenge him.

Over time, his personality had become more violent and cold, distancing himself from others, dismissing everyone as unworthy of his attention, and forgetting that friends were even a thing. But now, she was telling him that she was his friend, and those words stirred a long-buried longing for warmth and care within him.

Unable to tolerate how she repeatedly touched the vulnerable parts of his heart, Aaron King pushed her away coldly and silently walked over to the wooden table, placing the cake down. He sat on the swing chair, staring out the window in sullen silence.

What's gotten into this demon now? Lydia Moore sighed inwardly, but she wasn't ready to give up on cheering him up. Determined, she followed him and sat down on the swing chair opposite him. She tried to win him over with a series of silly faces and smiles, but Aaron stubbornly turned his face away, displaying a childishly stubborn expression.

After several failed attempts, Lydia finally gave up. This young master was truly difficult to please. She had done everything she could to make him happy, but he still wore a sour expression. What would it take to extinguish the fire in his heart?

"You've improved a lot since last week. You must have—" Lydia began, but before she could finish, the previously silent Aaron King suddenly blurted out, "I didn't practice at home!" Realizing how absurd his words sounded, he quickly coughed to cover his embarrassment, crossing his arms and looking away.

Lydia stared at him in surprise, her mouth hanging open. She had intended to say, "You must have added some jam," not… Could it be that someone had secretly been practicing making cakes at home? He's such a simple guy! Lydia thought, stifling a giggle as she noticed the faint blush on his face.

Seeing the sparks of anger in his eyes, she quickly nodded with mock seriousness and said, "Right, I know you definitely didn't practice at home."

"I said I didn't, so I didn't!" Aaron King, flustered by her overly serious expression and barely suppressed laughter, slammed his fist onto the wooden table in frustration, causing the utensils to clatter. Lydia instinctively stuck out her tongue in fear.

But then, as if she had discovered something extraordinary, her eyes widened in amazement. "You're wearing the uniform!" she exclaimed. Sure enough, the usually defiant Aaron King was dressed in the bakery's uniform, the very one he had mockingly called a "clown suit" a month ago. The light-colored apron with a Garfield print gave him a unique charm, even though he usually had the air of a model.

"Oh… I get it. You're wearing new clothes because it's your birthday, right?" Lydia said with a playful smile, imposing her interpretation on him. "But you really do look handsome in that uniform, like a prince." By the end, she was almost in a daze, staring at him with hearts in her eyes.

Did this idiot really think that this childish work uniform could outshine his designer clothes that cost a fortune? Her taste was truly unique. But what Aaron King found even harder to bear was how he seemed unable to maintain his usual aloof and proud image in front of her. She had a knack for bringing out the side of him that he tried so hard to keep hidden.

With that thought, he responded with a defiant tone, "I didn't have any silly thoughts like that. I just wore it because I felt like it, so what!" he challenged, his hand moving to undo the apron.

Seeing this, Lydia quickly panicked and tried to apologize, "Just pretend it was my mistake, okay? I just thought you looked really handsome in it, that's all. I didn't mean anything by it. Please pretend I didn't say anything, and don't take it off, okay? Please, please…" she pleaded, looking at him with big, imploring eyes. If she had known that Aaron King's personality was this difficult, she would have made sure to act like she hadn't noticed anything, avoiding this awkward situation altogether.

Her rare display of vulnerability made the anger in Aaron King's heart dissipate significantly, and he even felt a sudden urge to laugh. But outwardly, he maintained his stern expression, though his hand stopped moving, and he turned his gaze back to the window.

Somehow, the streets had quieted down, and the noise of the day had gradually faded into silence. Yet, the streetlights still blazed brilliantly, and the colorful lights adorned the cityscape. The transparent glass window reflected Aaron King's sharply defined face, his sensual lips curved into a subtle, charming smile. His nose, aristocratically high and straight, perfectly outlined his facial features. The diamond earring in his left ear caught the light, casting a dazzling blue glow.

Noticing how he was lost in thought as he gazed out the window, Lydia Moore finally broke the long silence with a soft voice. "How about we play a game of sharing secrets?" she suggested, her face lighting up with a big smile. She had always wondered about his motivation for learning to bake, and tonight seemed like the perfect opportunity to ask. If she didn't, she feared her mind would go crazy with speculation.

"What's that? No way!" Aaron King snapped, frowning in disgust as he instantly rejected the idea. Sharing secrets? What kind of childish nonsense was that? Was her IQ still stuck at a kindergarten level? Besides, he had absolutely no interest in her secrets.

"But sometimes, sharing the secrets you keep hidden inside can make you feel a lot lighter. At least you won't have to carry such a heavy burden alone, and that's a good thing, isn't it?" Lydia's clear eyes sparkled, her voice soft and soothing. "Cakes must hold an important place in your memories; otherwise, you wouldn't have taken the time to learn how to make them. For you, cakes probably symbolize happiness and warmth, and that's exactly why I suggested you take a part-time job at the bakery. Because I believe that true happiness is something you have to seek and work for yourself, and in a place filled with love like the bakery, you'll definitely find the happiness that belongs to you."