Chapter 14 - Strawberries

Kelsey didn't say a word on their way home, even when they reached his penthouse. Mason noticed her quietness but ignored it. He wasn't really up for a conversation anyway. Kelsey placed her purse on the couch and made a bee-line to the kitchen. She was completely starving. During the dinner, she couldn't stomach to eat anything. She couldn't eat as Mason and Jonathan discussed how she and Mason supposedly met and fell in love.

She opened the fridge and found some strawberries and whipped cream. She took them out together with a cold bottled water. She rinsed the strawberries and grabbed some to place on a plate. Then, she sat on a stool by the counter and poured some whipped cream on the strawberries and started eating them savoring the taste.

Mason was almost in his room to get change and call it a day when he suddenly felt thirsty. He made his way back downstairs and entered the kitchen to find Kelsey eating some strawberries. Mason's eyes bulged out of their sockets and he swallowed hard. He was completely turned on by her.

Kelsey's eyes were closed as she was savoring the sweetness of the strawberries and she slowly took a bit out of it. Mason was almost drooling staring at her. Then his eyes trailed from her lips to her neck and to her shoulder that revealed her perfectly smooth pale skin. She looked tasty enough to eat, Mason thought.

Kelsey felt like she was being watched. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Mason by the doorway staring and gawking at her. She sat up straight and placed the strawberry she took a bite out of back on the plate. She swallowed the remaining of it before speaking. "I'm sorry I ate your strawberries without permission." She apologized snapping Mason out of his trance.

He tried to composed himself and regain his posture. He shook his head repeatedly and cleared his throat. "Don't be silly, Kelsey." He answered as he took a cold bottled water from the fridge. "I asked you to move in and to marry me so that means that whatever I have is yours. You don't need to ask for my permission on anything. If you like to eat or cook anything, hit the gym, use the pool, do not hesitate to do so. You are free to do what you like around here. Feel at home, Kelsey."

"Thanks." She replied gratefully as Mason took a big gulp of water and tried to avoid her eyes.

"I'll be heading up now. Make sure that you turn off the lights when you're done." He reminded and was about to exit the door but muttered a quick good night before he left.

Kelsey stared at the door where Mason had just left with furrowed eyebrows. She wondered why he was gawking at her a few moments ago. She shook her head and finished eating her strawberries and headed to bed.

~ * ~ * ~

Kelsey woke up to some voices downstairs. She stretched her arms and let out a yawn. She quickly ran a brush through her hair, brushed her teeth and grabbed her robe to check what was with all the commotion downstairs. She slowly descended down the stairs and looked meticulously for the owner of the voices.

"What kind of a sick joke is this?" A woman said behind the close door of the kitchen and Kelsey couldn't help but eavesdrop.

"You told me to settle down. That's exactly what I'm doing, Gran." She heard the husky voice of Mason.

"But by picking a girl you hardly know? Have I not raised you well?" The woman frustratedly asked as Kelsey got more curious. 'Were they talking about me?' She thought.

"Well you didn't really give me a choice. I was desperate. Besides, just think of it as me helping another citizen out. She needs money and that's what I'm exactly offering her. It's a win-win situation." Mason explained nonchalantly.

"How could you put such an innocent girl in that position? Marriage should not be forceful. It should be a decision made by two people that are completely in love with each other." The woman replied. "I gave you three months, my son. Three months to find the love of your life."

"Maybe I don't have one, Gran. Maybe I'm not capable to love. Maybe I'm not meant to be with someone. Haven't you thought of that at all?" He furiously said to the woman.

"I believe in soul mates, my son. I believe that we are all destined to be with that one person that will love us forever." The woman said dreamily.

"Well I don't, Gran. It's as simple as that." Mason announced ending the conversation. For some reason, Kelsey was hurt. She felt something quenching her chest by what Mason has said. 'Maybe I'm not capable to love. Maybe I'm not meant to be with someone.' His words echoed in her head.

Suddenly the door to the kitchen opened revealing a frustrated-looking Mason. His hair was dishevelled like he just woke up but he was all ready for work as he was wearing his suit and he smelled of his cologne. Cinnamon with a hint of manly-wood smell. It was an addicting aroma to her. They were just staring at each other as if reading each other's mind.

Not long enough, an old woman with the same feature as Mason came out of the door and caused them to look away. Kelsey shamely bowed her head as she realized that they were just talking about her a few seconds ago.

"Good morning, you must be Kelsey Parker." The old woman greeted warmly with a smile on her face.

"Good morning ma'am." She greeted back politely and bowed her head in respect.

"Please, call me Delilah." She insisted extending her hand for Kelsey to shake. "I'm Mason's grandmother."

"It's finally nice to meet you." She said shaking her hand. "I'm guessing you already know the real reason why I'm here."

"I do. But no worries, I don't blame you, dear." Delilah said and shot a glare at Mason who stood there motionless. "Actually, I would like to invite you out to eat brunch. Will you be alright with that, dear?"

Mason's body stiffined. His grandmother rarely invite people to go and eat out. She was one of those who didn't like eating food that weren't homemade and healthy. So being astounded was an understatement for Mason.

Kelsey glanced at Mason as if asking him for permission. He was still contemplating but his grandmother kept shooting him daggers with her eyes and he finally gave up and gave Kelsey a nod.

Kelsey turned back to Delilah and smiled. "That would be lovely, ma'am. I'll just go and get ready. Excuse me?" She said as she rushed up the stairs to her room.

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