Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother - Chapter 99

Chapter 99: I Want You To Cook For Me Always

Justin placed his bag on the table by the wall, removed his tie, unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, and went to wash his hands. As he rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, with graceful calmness.

He looked at his reflection in the mirror, while various thoughts swirled in his mind once more. His grandma was adamant about making him and Natalie meet, and then turning them into real siblings who would share the same father’s name on official documents. He and Natalie would undoubtedly become siblings.

But he didn’t want that. He wasn’t ready to accept her as his sister. Deep down, he knew she had become something more to him.

How could he possibly tell his grandma? What would she think? Would she ever accept it? And what about James, his father? These were the two people who had given him this life. What would happen when the truth came out? Would Natalie even accept their new relationship, along with the feelings he had now begun to develop for her?

What had started as a playful way to tease her was no longer just teasing. Everything had changed.

When he returned, Natalie had finished reheating the meal. She arranged it on one tray and brought it to the dining table, instructing him, “Have a seat.”

Justin sat down, his expression still serious. Natalie glanced at him but remained quiet as she placed the various dishes in front of him.

Justin looked at the food; it didn’t look like leftovers. She had clearly cooked an entire portion for an extra person—was it for him?

She even poured him a glass of water, though she noticed him staring at the food, lost in thought.

“Eat while it’s hot,” she said, placing the glass beside him.

Justin picked up the fork and spoon but then looked at her, who was still standing.

He said nothing, but Natalie somehow understood. She pulled out a chair and sat down.

As he ate, the room fell into a quiet lull. Natalie decided to break the silence. “You look tired. Was it a busy day?”

He hummed in response and continued eating.

The conversation seemed to end just as it began. She lowered her gaze, her fingers fidgeting nervously, having nothing more to say.

But then, Justin asked, “Did you cook all of this for me?”

Natalie hadn’t realized it while cooking, but she knew that unintentionally, she had ended up preparing food for two, and the second person was Justin.

She didn’t want to lie. “I thought, in case you came home…” Her words trailed off.

“Thank you.”

She was taken aback. It wasn’t something she ever expected to hear from him. Before she could respond, he spoke again.

“I want you to keep cooking for me—always.” His attention remained on the food.

Natalie looked at him in disbelief. Was it normal for a man to ask a woman to always cook for him? What did he mean by that?

“Will you?” she heard him ask, as he finally looked up, his gaze locking with hers.

For reasons she couldn’t fully understand, Natalie found herself compelled to agree. It was as if there was no other possible answer in her mind, caught in the intensity of his gaze, which now held something different.

“Hmm?” His deep voice resonated, urging her to respond.

She lowered her gaze to her hands once more, unable to bear the weight of his stare. “As long as you keep coming here, you’re welcome to eat.”

Though she had agreed, her reply made him realize that he was still an outsider in her life, someone she didn’t expect to stay with her forever.

He turned his attention back to his dish and continued eating as he spoke. “I plan to be here always.”

“Then I’ll make sure to cook one extra portion every day,” she replied softly, her gaze still fixed on her hands.

Neither of them looked at each other as they silently made this pact. Both their hearts were heavy with unrecognised emotions, but neither had the strength to acknowledge them at this moment.

When Justin finished eating, Natalie moved to clear the dishes, but he stopped her. “I’ll take care of it.”

“It’s alright, I can—”

“It’s late. You should go to sleep. I’ll handle the rest,” he said, carrying the tray to the kitchen. He placed it in the sink and began washing the dishes.

Natalie watched him, surprised. It was the first time she’d seen him doing household chores other than cooking. The last time he had cleaned the kitchen after she’d broken a glass, she had been asleep. Now, seeing him so at ease with the task, she realized that being in the kitchen wasn’t new to him. He wasn’t some pampered rich kid—he was capable of handling all sorts of work.

Sensing her standing at the kitchen door, he looked over at her, his expression questioning.

She quickly averted her gaze and left, unsure of what to say. Telling him, I’m mesmerised by the sight of a handsome man washing dishes would’ve sounded ridiculous.

Natalie sat in the bed, waiting for Justin to return to the room. ‘Why am I waiting for him? Umm…it would be inappropriate to sleep while he is there cleaning the dishes in my kitchen.’ Making an excuse, she continued to sit in the bed, going through her cellphone, waiting for him to return.

After a while, Justin returned and saw her focused on her phone. Without a word, he grabbed clothes from the wardrobe and went to take a shower.

He realised it was becoming his normal daily routine now. This home, this room felt like his own, and not to forget the woman sitting in the bed. It truly felt like this all belonged to him and he was free to come and leave this place as per his will.

Natalie was entirely aware of Justin’s arrival in the room, but somehow couldn’t dare look at him.

Soon she heard the sound of shower and put her cellphone aside, ‘Why am I feeling so strange or shall I say nervous about his presence in the room today? Has something changed?’ As she thought, she got the answer, ‘It must be because grandpa is not home and I am all alone with a man in this room. Umm…as grandpa is not here to see, shall I ask him to sleep outside?’ She shook her head, ‘Last time he made it clear he is the one to buy this bed. Then, I shall be the one to sleep outside.’

Just as she was about to get out of the bed, she stopped, ‘Would he find it like I am overeating to his presence in the room, when it’s nothing new for us to share a bed now? It might only turn things awkward or might upset him.’ She settled back in the bed to lie down, ‘better to pretend to sleep, than feeling more awkward.’

When Justin returned to the room, he found her sleeping. He realised she preferred to pretend to sleep than having to face him in the same bed. ‘Must be still awkward for her.’

Not willing to catch her pretence, he turned off the lights, quietly slipped inside the blanket and slept on his side of the bed.

His gaze stuck to the ceiling, sleep was far from approaching him anytime soon. He turned to look at her, ‘Has she fallen asleep now?’

He sighed, but something didn’t feel right. There was an unsettled feeling gnawing at his chest.

Before he could make sense of it, he found himself moving closer to her.