He gave a mischievous smile, put away his phone, and half-lay on top of her. Picking up a frosted bread from the plate, he took a bite. “Do you remember what you said last night?”
Callie feared he would bring up old issues. She instinctively shook her head, then felt something was wrong and cautiously nodded.
Nelson smirked. “It’s okay, I remember.”
Her curiosity was piqued despite herself. “What did I say?”
“You said…” Nelson deliberately kept her in suspense. Under her expectant gaze, he slowly continued, “You said, I’m the most handsome man you’ve ever seen.”
Callie was at a loss for words.
Nelson fed the last bite of frosted bread into her mouth and swiftly got out of bed. “I have no plans this afternoon. Let’s go out for a walk.”
It was rare for Nelson to have no schedule and completely private time.
When they went out, Callie changed into a beige long trench coat. Nelson held her hand and put it in his coat pocket as they discreetly exited through the back door of the villa.
After walking out of the villa for a while, they entered a bustling street near the seaside. Many people were selling seafood, and roadside stalls sold various trinkets made from shells. There were even foreigners setting up easels to paint portraits for tourists at high prices.
Nelson and Callie were too striking in appearance, but fortunately, no one recognized them yet.
Many inns lined the street, with windows adorned with vibrant flowers whose names they didn’t know.
Callie tightly clasped Nelson’s hand. This was the Ylosea port she loved.
She stopped in front of a handmade crafts stall. Nelson looked down. “Do you like this?”
She nodded at him. “I want to try.”
So they tried.
The stall owner handed them two small stools and enthusiastically invited them to start.
The components were round beads, chains, and some bells and shells. Callie carefully selected some and asked Nelson to hold the chain while she threaded the beads one by one.
But the beads were too small and required good eyesight. She often missed the mark. Nelson frowned tightly and tapped her head. “You’re so clumsy.”
So they switched places. He threaded the beads deftly, eventually getting so absorbed that he enjoyed it immensely. “This is quite fun.”
Nelson measured her wrist with his hand and finally made a perfect and beautiful bracelet. The oddly shaped shells clinked against the bells, sparkling in the sunlight with a pleasant sound.
Callie was overjoyed. “It’s beautiful, better than those luxury bracelets.”
Nelson smiled faintly.
The stall owner showered them with compliments.
Callie suddenly realized, “But I already have prayer beads on my wrist. Wearing this might not be appropriate.”
Nelson frowned. She had a sudden idea. “How about this? I’ll give you my prayer beads, and I’ll wear the bracelet.”
Nelson refused. “You keep it; it’s for protection.”
“You need it more than I do. I just want something pretty.” Callie insisted, taking off the prayer beads and putting them on his wrist. “I got these at Ipdite Temple. Sienna gave them to me personally. Now I’m giving them to you, for your peace and safety, Nelson.”
He wanted to refuse again but seeing her sincere expression, he didn’t.
He asked the stall owner, “How much for the bracelet?”
The owner named a price-five hundred and two dollars.
Callie muttered softly, “She seems to be overcharging us.”
Such a small amount couldn’t be called overcharging. His wife seemed unaware of her status as Mrs. Oconnor.