The Bound Between Us

Chapter 227

Anastasia lifted her head and spotted Herman standing behind her, hands propped on the back of the couch, smiling at her.

Quickly composing herself, she asked, “All done with your stuff?” All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Herman took a seat next to her, replying, “I’ve handed off the rest to my colleagues. Couldn’t keep my wife waiting. She might get all sorts of ideas.”

This swanky club offered certain… special services. Melinda, who’d just shown up, was one of the special service providers.

Anastasia hadn’t experienced it firsthand, but she knew. So Melinda’s words earlier had thrown her off a bit. Knowing Melinda, being in this place, with Mr. Winchester around… all easily led to all sorts of assumptions.

Had she ever been in this line of work?

She found it hard to believe. No matter how poor or how starving she was, she would never choose this line of work. Forcing a smile, Anastasia asked, “You guys always conduct business in places like this?”

“Can’t lie,” Herman answered honestly. “I come here often. But I promise you, I’d never do anything to betray you. You’re welcome to check up on me anytime.”

This made Anastasia laugh. “I trust you.”

If she couldn’t trust the man who’d been with her through thick and thin, then she couldn’t trust anyone. Her life was saved by Herman, plucked right out of Cloud Mountain. Otherwise, she would’ve died in that car accident.

Herman took Anastasia’s hand, asking, “Why are your hands so cold?”

After saying this, he draped his coat over her. “You just got out of the hospital, can’t catch a cold now. Let’s go home.”

“Okay.” Anastasia melted in his warmth, her heart warming up too. She often thought how lucky she was to have met a guy like Herman.

Herman led her out of Neon Dreams. Nelson had already gotten the message and had Herman’s Chevy waiting in the Neon Dreams parking lot.

Herman told Anastasia, “Wait here for a sec. I’ll bring the car around.”

“Okay.” Anastasia stood still, waiting.

Herman headed for the parking lot to get the car, and Nelson was waiting by the car. “Mr. Salstrom.”

Herman held out his hand. “Keys.”

Nelson handed over the keys quickly, and Herman instructed, “Stay here, send the president home later, and treat him well.”

“No worries, Mr. Salstrom. It’ll be taken care of,” Nelson assured.

Herman got in the car and drove over to pick up Anastasia. Instead of taking Anastasia straight home, he drove to a small restaurant nearby. “Let’s have some hot soup to warm you up. You’ll sleep better when we get home.”

Anastasia hadn’t really had dinner yet, so she was a bit hungry.

They walked into the restaurant, and Herman ordered two servings of pasta and a bowl of thick soup.

Anastasia looked around the almost empty restaurant. “This place used to be packed.”

Herman told Anastasia, “The economy’s been rough these past couple of years. International turmoil has hit us at home. A lot of brick-and-mortars have gone under. Restaurants are the hardest hit.”

Anastasia didn’t really know much about international economics, but she knew enough about the price changes for basic necessities.

“Yeah, meat prices have gone up a lot this year. Gas prices have spiked a few times too. If this keeps up, I won’t dare to drive anymore. Now I’m kinda gład my car got totaled in an accident. At least I can save some money on gas.”

Herman chuckled, playfully flicking her forehead with his index finger, “Such an innocent girl. You were in the hospital for two months, and all you thought about was saving on gas, never mind the pain your body’s been through.”

While speaking, he served Anastasia some soup.

Anastasia gave a small laugh. Seeing all this, she was deeply moved. Love is shown in the smallest details of life. Herman’s kindness made her feel so emotional.

Anastasia took a sip of the soup, then in a light-hearted manner, said, “I heard the honeymoon period only lasts a year. In the second year of marriage, couples start to get bored. If they have a kid, maybe they can hold on to the marriage…”

Her hand was suddenly grasped tightly by him, his dark eyes staring intently at her, and then he said seriously, “You can’t be this insecure.”