I’ll Teach You, Marianne.

Chapter 230 – Anne’s Little Question

After various delicious dishes came one after another, replacing each empty plate, Anne finally gave up. She wanted to stop eating, her stomach was not able to indulge any more food. Yet according to Jack, Anne did not eat much. Because he didn't want to waste the dishes, Jack finally asked the waiters to stop bringing more food. This time, there were only a few desserts available on the table right in front of Anne and Jack. Those desserts looked lonely since they had not been touched by both Anne and Jack.

"Why did you order so much food?" Asked Anne quietly when she saw some of the waiters bringing in the food they had put on the table.

"It's not a lot, Anne, we only ate a few servings and there are still some dishes that you should enjoy after eating the steak that you didn't even finish," Jack replied lightly as he reached for the wine glass in front of him.

"I'm barely able to eat the steak and you want to give me more food?" Anne said in a high voice over Jack's words. "If we order too much and don't even finish it, we will just waste it. That's not a good habit to have. There are still many people out there who can't even eat. You better never order this much food when you can't finish it alone."

Seeing Anne angry like that made Jack smile, he slowly put his wine glass back on the table and took Anne's hand with a loving look.

Being stared at by Jack made Anne feel more uncomfortable, she tried to pull her hand which was being held by Jack. But unfortunately, his efforts were in vain, because Jack was holding her right hand tightly.

"You look even prettier when you are angry like this, do you know that?" Said Jack softly while teasing Anne.

"You are a liar," replied Anne curtly by looking the other way.

"I'm telling the truth. Do you want to see your face when you're angry? I can ask the waiter to get a mirror for you so you can see…"

"Jack!!! Stop teasing me or I'll get mad at you!!" Anne cut Jack's words full of emotion.

"Hahaha… please don't be angry at me. I won't tease you anymore, it's better if we change seats on the sofa. It doesn't feel comfortable sitting face to face like this," said Jack slowly as he stretched out his hand towards Anne.

Anne initially did not want to follow Jack's order, but because Jack's hand was in front of her for a long time, Anne grabbed it and followed Jack's footsteps which led her to a comfortable sofa not far from where they were eating.

When Anne was about to sit down, suddenly Jack grabbed her waist and made Anne fall right on Jack's lap. Realizing her uncomfortable position, Anne immediately got down from Jack's lap and wanted to sit away from Jack, but he swiftly restrained Anne's movement using his hand which immediately gripped Anne's waist.

"Sit close to me, let's enjoy the view together," Jack whispered into Anne's ear.

"Jack, don't be like this. We could enjoy the view while sitting normally. Many people are looking at us," Anne protested quietly, she seemed to be trying to free Jack's hand which was still on her waist.

"Yesterday you slept soundly in my arms when we were at the cinema, but why are you asking to be released now?" Jack asked quietly, trying to remind Anne of the events at the cinema.

Anne lifted her face and looked at Jack with flushed cheeks.

"Jack," Anne groaned softly, her eyes darting to the four people playing musical instruments. "We don't need to show off our affection like this. Shouldn't things like this be our privacy?" Anne gently asked a question she never imagined she would ask him.

Jack's heart was beating very fast at this moment, his chest even hurt from the hard work of the main organs in his body after hearing such gentle questions from Anne.

"This is not a showoff, Anne. I will just hug you and do nothing else. I want to enjoy the music they play with you sitting on my lap, nothing more," Jack answered quietly, trying to explain what was going to happen if he sat on the couch with Anne.

Anne smiled, her hand reaching for Jack's fingers that were still firmly entrenched on her waist. Without much effort, Anne was finally able to release Jack's grip, she then brought Jack's hand to her side and intertwined her fingers with Jack's hand, which was twice the size of hers.

"We can enjoy music this way," she said quietly, holding his hand.

Jack snorted. "Okay, fine. If that's what you want, I won't force you anymore. Though I think what I did earlier would make you more comfortable, if you want us to sit like this I won't say anything other than following your will."

Jack's answer made Anne smile, the man beside her had become weaker and always gave up to her wishes. As the musicians started playing again, Anne then sat down on the sofa, right next to Jack with their hands intertwined with each other.

Because the restaurant was on the rooftop decorated with glasses, they could see snowflakes falling from the sky. A romantic atmosphere that Anne had never imagined before, being able to sit in a luxurious restaurant while being accompanied by romantic music with a handsome man whom she had known for the last two years while enjoying the extraordinarily beautiful scenery.

"Thanks for today Jack, I enjoyed it," Anne mumbled softly with her eyes closed.

Jack, who felt that there was nothing special, raised one eyebrow. "Are you happy just because of all this?"

Anne took a deep breath when she got a question like that from Jack. It seemed difficult to understand what she was feeling right now.

"What is it?" Jack lowered his head and looked at Anne who suddenly fell silent next to him. Anne then leaned her cheek against her arm with her eyes still closed.

Jack stroked Anne's cheek gently before continuing his question. "What's bothering you?" He whispered softly.

"You shouldn't spoil me like this, Jack. I don't want to get disappointed again," Anne answered slowly while trying to speak her mind.

"What do you mean?"

"Jack," Anne opened her eyes and looked up at him who was staring at her without even blinking. "May… may I ask you something?"

Jack grabbed Anne's chin and landed another small kiss which Anne didn't avoid.

"Say it, what do you want to ask?" Jack's soft voice was clear when he spoke to Anne like that.

Anne gulped a bit, she released her grip on him and placed it on his chest. Her sad eyes flashed, showing a burden she wanted to release.

"I hope you're not angry with me, I just want to calm my heart for the question that has been running through my mind all this time," Anne stopped her speech and took a deep breath before continuing her question again. "If… if your ex-girlfriend came back, would you leave me and go back to her? You don't have to answer now… or you don't have to if you don't want to answer it or if it's bothering you."

Jack stared at Anne who was flustered, he knew for sure that Anne felt uncomfortable asking such a very personal question. Because he knew Anne was a person who didn't want to interfere in other people's affairs. But his little heart was very happy because of Anne's question. This meant that Anne was starting to care about him and this was a big improvement from the emotionless Anne.

Jack slowly pushed Anne's body to lie on the sofa and approached Anne's face which was already so red, his breath landed on Anne's cheek which finally made her tremble violently.

"Since our first meeting by the river two years ago at Newcastle Upon Tyne, I've decided to make you mine, Anne," Jack replied softly, his lips touching Anne's soft cheeks as he spoke.

To be continued