Next to the sunlit seaside villa, even in winter, the temperature here remains relatively high.
Like a refreshing autumn day, Vanessa Sterling left the house in the morning wearing a white casual sports outfit, riding her bike.
She rented a storefront two kiloters away, opening a cat cafe.
Actually, it wasn’t solely her doing. Though she earned so money previously by drawing comics, most of it was managed by Miles Sterling.
Besides, she naturally couldn’t use the bank cards under her na now, and the unfinished comics couldn’t continue to be created.
She opened this cafe not far from ho; Jasper Jones funded it, and it was his idea. She just ran the store and helped take care of the kittens inside.
On leisurely days, Jasper Jones would bring his computer to the cafe, find a corner to sit and draw.
The shop is also filled with books, conveniently located near a university, attracting many who choose a spot inside to read, study, or simply cuddle with the cats.
Although Vanessa Sterling never experienced such a lifestyle before, she gradually started enjoying the change.
Even if she’s not working in her area of expertise, she’s slowly adapting and liking her current lifestyle.
At least, in a certain sense, she’s free.
Jasper Jones’s affection for her is no secret.
But maybe because she had rejected Jasper Jones, he hadn’t brought up such matters again.
During this period, she noticed Jasper Jones’s kindness to her, aware that few would abandon their previous lifestyle to co to this unfamiliar city and start anew with her.
The cafe closes at six in the evening. Vanessa Sterling prepared enough cat food and drinking water for the kittens, checked to ensure nothing was missed, before she locked the door and left with Jasper Jones.
Jasper Jones reached for the bag of books in Vanessa Sterling’s hand and asked, "What do you feel like eating tonight?"
Vanessa Sterling thought for a mont, then said with a gentle smile, "Still craving braised beef with tomato sauce."
Jasper Jones chuckled indulgently, "You never tire of it, but it’s the dish I’m best at."
Vanessa Sterling said, "Aren’t you going ho tomorrow? I planned to have you make extra and store it in the fridge so when you’re not around, I can just heat it up."
Jasper Jones responded, "I’m only gone for two days, no point in freezing it. It’s not as fresh. Just make do at the cafe for a couple of days, I’ll cook for you when I’m back."
Vanessa Sterling’s smile faded a bit, "Since it’s a rare visit ho, spend a few extra days with them. I’m accustod to living here now, familiar with the surroundings. No need to worry about ."
"It’s fine; I rarely visit them. Most of the ti, I lived alone before. They’re divorced and have their own families, so it’s not ideal for to intrude often. This ti, I’m just going to handle so affairs. They don’t need my company; I’ll return once everything is done."
"Alright then." Vanessa Sterling quipped, "The cat litter at the cafe is almost out. I’ll wait for you to co back to restock, so I don’t have to move it around."
Jasper Jones replied, "Of course, wait for to sort it out. You wouldn’t be able to move it with your small fra. Just prepare a purchase list and send it to . We’ll deal with it when I return."
Jasper Jones treats her really well, so much so that Vanessa Sterling often questions why he does so much for her...
She understands clearly, Jasper Jones is willing to stay here because he likes her.
Yet, she’s not ready to spend a lifeti with him. She doesn’t understand what love feels like, doesn’t know if this ans she’s in love, and has no clue how to love soone.
Since Jasper Jones hasn’t confessed again or pushed her to decide, she’s beco an ostrich, avoiding those thoughts.
Her experiences differ from ordinary people, and her way of thinking often considers these.
She has nothing, and might only be able to live in this place forever.
But Jasper Jones is different; he still has the option to choose a more dazzling life, marry a regular girl, leave this place, and venture further.
Thus, she avoids discussing love topics out of insecurity and fear.
She’s cautious not to overly rely on soone because she’s afraid that if one day he leaves, she’d struggle to adjust to living alone again.
For the rest of her life, she should quietly grow old alone.
Early the next morning, around four, Jasper Jones prepared breakfast for Vanessa Sterling before heading to the airport.
A little after six, Vanessa Sterling woke up, went downstairs for breakfast, and liked catching the morning news.
"Yesterday’s jade auction hosted by the Sterling Group concluded successfully. Our station interviewed Mr. Miles Sterling, the main organizer of this auction, and our station..."
Before the news anchor could finish, Vanessa Sterling picked up the remote and switched channels.
Recently, she inadvertently hears about his affairs.
News pushed to her phone often relates to him too, as the once scandalous heir of The Sterling, now focuses on business, attracting onlookers curious whether he’d succeed.
Judging by the recent dia praise, clearly, Miles Sterling can accomplish what he sets out to do, if he invests effort.
But Vanessa Sterling doesn’t care about his change, nor wants to hear news about him.
Seeing the nice weather today, it’s not enough to dampen her mood with such news.
After breakfast, Vanessa Sterling grabbed the blanket to sunbathe on the second-floor terrace.
Standing there, overlooking the vast ocean, sunlight glistening golden on the sea surface, blooming flowers revealing no hint of winter on the balcony.
Vanessa Sterling rode her bicycle to the cafe, having lunch there with everyone.
After lunch, she carried her easel to the seaside.
Finding a set of stairs along the coast, she picked an angle, set the easel under a tree, took her palette, mixed colors, and started painting on paper...
Though the beach isn’t a tourist area, the villa clusters built by the sea are everywhere here, the local residents often return to stroll and have fun on the beach.
Several art wedding photography studios also opened nearby; obviously, the scenic beach beca the backdrop for outdoor shoots.
The day is clear, the sea fogless, with clear blue skies and azure waters under the bright sun, attracting nurous photography crews near the beach for work today.
"Cynthia, look this way, you and Dan get closer, Dan, hold Cynthia."
"Hey, good, this one looks nice."
"Today’s weather is great, let’s aim to shoot several more sets."
Vanessa Sterling didn’t pay attention to the photography team behind, only heard the gentle sea breeze, focusing on the distance, sketching what she saw on paper stroke by stroke.
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