Love the Second Time Around Novel

Right then, my mind was already feeling fuzzy, and my temples throbbed faintly.

What did she say just now? She read the news on the Inteand assumed that | was Nicholas’ girlfriend, so she

has been waiting forto visit? She appears to be in her sixties or seventies; yet, she reads the gossip on the

Internet?

All at once, | was torn between amusement and exasperation.

Why is Nicholas’ personality the polar opposite of hers?

“Lili, I've decided not to give you fruit juice. The weather is chilly now, so it’s not good to drink that. | made you

milk tea instead, and it's strawberry-flavored. Do you like it? This is my favorite!”

Monica was all smiles as she placed the milk tea in front of me. Then, she stared atearnestly.

Seeing that, | was stunned for a moment. Is she hoping that I'll drink it right now?

“So, do you like it? If you do, hurry up and take a few sips to warm up.”

Strawberry-flavored milk tea, huh? She’s really young at heart! I've never seen anyone of her age drinking milk

tea, after all.

Picking it up, | could sense that the cup was warm, so Monica probably made it with warm water.

“Thank you, Mrs. Scott. It's delicious!”

When Monica heard that, she instantly beamed like a child.

After a moment's deliberation, | explained, “Mrs. Scott, Nicholas is a tad busy on set this month, so he can’t visit

you for now. Yesterday, he phonedspecifically to askto visit you. And everything | bought was according

to his specifications. They're all your favorite foods.”

Monica was again over the moon. Grasping my hand, she fervently asserted, “You don’t need to buy anything.

Next time, just cempty-handed. Lili, I can tell that your relationship with Nicky is very good. When are you

two planning to get married?”

Married? Isn't she going too fast? | feel as though | can’t quite keep up with her thought processes!

Having no other choice, I clarified, “Mrs. Scott, Nicholas and | are just friends. Our relationship isn’t what the

public thinks it is.”

“How could that possibly be the case? It’s all over the news. Besides, Nicky has even asked you to cover

and visit me, so he certainly has his heart set on you.”

Huh? That doesn’t make sense at all. Nonplussed, | insisted, “We're really not a couple.”

At that, Monica put on an understanding expression and waved a dismissive hand. “Alright, | know there are

many rules in the entertainment industry, so it's okay even if you refuse to admit it. It’s enough as long as |

know that you two are dating,” she replied. “Lili, stay for lunch, okay? I'll cook sdelicious food for you!”

I hadn’t seen anyone in the house ever since | cin, so | surmised that she usually lived alone.

Recalling her advanced age, distress washed over me.

“Sure! But I'll cook, Mrs. Scott. Just take a rest and watch stelevision or something.”

Hearing that, Monica patted the back of my hand and grinned from ear to ear.

“I love a woman who can cook. It looks like Nicky will be in for a treat in the future.”

| was thoroughly amused by her words. After mulling it over for a while, | decided to give up on convincing her

about my relationship with Nicholas.

Never mind, I'll just let her believe that if it makes her happy. Anyway, Nicholas and | both know that we're only

friends.

Monica then ledinto the kitchen and toldabout where | could find the utensils and ingredients. When |

had a rough idea of things, | urged her to go to the living room and watch television.

Just then, Nicholas called. “Have you gone over to visit my grandmother, Liliana? How is she?”

“Yup. Your grandmother is fine, and she seems to be in high spirits. Would you like to speak to her? I'll hand the

phone to her.”

“Sure!”

Hence, | temporarily turned down the heat and went in search of Monica with my cell phone in hand.

Monica's smile brightened further when she heard her grandson's voice. She even sang my praises to Nicholas,

saying, “Nicky, Lili is cooking lunch for me. Do you want to cback and eat before going back?”

Truth be told, | was actually a touch embarrassed, for my culinary skills pale in comparison to Nicholas’.

I had no idea what Nicholas said to Monica, but she chortled in delight.

When Monica returned the cell phone to me, Nicholas murmured, “I'm sorry, Liliana. My grandmother must have

talked your ear off. She has a childlike character now, so please don't take offense at her.”

Chuckling, | replied, “Don’t worry, for I don’t mind as long as she’s happy.”

After that, Nicholas hung up since he was already being called for his scene.

Indeed, | heard it when Monica asked him whether he was coming back to eat, but | didn’t mention it since he

didn’t say anything about it. Considering how busy he was, | reckoned that he probably had no tto make a

trip back even if he wanted to do so.

Unexpectedly, he truly turned up when lunchtcabout, and | was done cooking.

Monica was elated, and she kept bombarding him with questions.

After having lunch with her, Nicholas and | then left the old house.

When | left, Monica repeatedly urgedto cover and visit her often in the future.

| merely smiled and acquiesced.

The narrow alley right after we exited the old house was rather isolated with few people, so Nicholas and |

walked side by side.

“Thank you for everything, Liliana.”

“Don’t be a stranger with me. You've helpedso many times, so this trivial matter is nothing. Besides, your

grandmother is really adorable and interesting.”

Nicholas’ expression turned exasperated, but his smile remained bright. Thus, it was clear that he definitely had

a close relationship with his grandmother.

“Actually, | feel bad that I'm so busy with work, but Grandma said she likes to watch my movies. For that reason,

| want to film a few more movies in recent years so that she can enjoy watching them.”

That cas a surprise to me, for | never expected Nicholas to have such a reason behind his acting career.

We chatted as we strolled down the road, so we were already close to the main road before we knew it.

| then asked Nicholas to leave first while | took a taxi hmyself.

Just after | had alighted from the taxi outside my residential area, | heard someone calling my name.