The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

It was the weekend.

Vivienne was tending to some tasks in her room when she received a call from Percival.

"Vivienne, come on down. Let's grab a bite to eat." Percival's voice dripped with affection.

He hadn't seen Vivienne for several days now, and he was missing her terribly.

Vivienne was multitasking. Her fingers were moving swiftly over her keyboard as she responded. "I

can't. I'm busy."

"Vivienne! It's been almost a week since we last saw each other." A hint of petulance appeared in

Percival's voice.

Vivienne was a bit taken aback.

So, he was whining because they hadn't seen each other in a week?

"I'll take you out for a strawberry cake." Since Vivienne remained quiet, Percival dangled this as bait in

front of her.

Sure enough…

Vivienne's eyes lit up. "Strawberry cake?"

Percival's lips curled into a tender smile. "So, are you in?"

Vivienne pursed her lips. She contemplated for a moment and then said, "Only if you make it."

Percival smiled gently. "Alright, I'll make it."

After hanging up, Vivienne tidied up a bit and headed downstairs.

Downstairs, Scott was giving Percival a disdainful look. He was seemingly trying to deter him from

stealing away his precious angel, but he couldn't openly object.

"Vivienne, come back soon. Come home right after you eat. Don't stay out too late." Scott emphasized

before Vivienne left.

Vivienne responded with an indifferent "okay" and then left with Percival.

In the car, Percival buckled Vivienne's seat belt and started the car, asking, "I didn't see Mr. Hawthorn

today?"

He had found out a few days earlier that Dorian had moved into the Brooks Mansion. He had intended

to invite the Dorian’s family over for dinner, but Vivienne said they were busy, so the plan was

momentarily shelved.

"They had something to take care of." Vivienne answered casually.

Percival glanced at her. "Something's on your mind?"

"No."

Percival looked at her exquisite face for a moment, then broke into a smile. "Vivienne, did you know

that whenever you're troubled, you carry this 'keep out' aura around you?"

Vivienne was taken aback. "Do I?"

"Yes."

Vivienne chuckled. "Perhaps I didn't sleep well."

She didn't want to tell Percival about Dorian's situation until she had confirmation.

Since she wasn't willing to talk, Percival didn't press her further. "Grandfather asked me to invite Mr.

Hawthorn to the Ellington's for dinner tomorrow."

Before Vivienne could say anything, Percival added, "We should extend some hospitality to Mr.

Hawthorn now that he's in Rivenwood."

He noticed a subtle change in Vivienne's emotions whenever Dorian was mentioned.

Although he wasn't sure what had happened between them, he had faith that Vivienne could handle it.

Vivienne paused for a moment. "Okay, I'll pass on the message."

...

At Percival's private apartment.

Percival parked the car and brought the freshly bought ingredients into the kitchen. As he tied on his

apron, he said to Vivienne, "Vivienne, sit back and relax. I'll handle this."

Vivienne nodded. "Do you need my help?"

Percival hesitated for a moment, then laughed. "No, you just focus on eating."

He remembered all too well the disaster that was Vivienne in the kitchen. None of her dishes were

edible.

Since Percival had said so, Vivienne didn't bother arguing.

She settled down on the couch, making herself comfortable as if she were at home, and began to play

a game.

It was a rare sight to see Percival busy in the kitchen.

Two hours later, a meal of four dishes and a soup was served.

Vivienne, attracted by the aroma, put down her phone and came to the dining room.

Although she had tasted Percival's cooking before, she was still impressed by the flavor and

presentation of his dishes.

Percival smiled at her. "All the ingredients are fresh. I know you like spicy and sweet food and dislike

sour, so I modified the menu accordingly."

He then served a piece of strawberry cake. "This strawberry cake is for you."

Vivienne's eyes lit up at the sight of the cake. She scooped up a spoonful and popped it into her mouth.

Her mood instantly brightened up.

"Mr. Wolf, are you doing this on purpose?" She squinted her eyes as she exclaimed, "You’ve made all

my favorites! Are you trying to win me over with food?"

"Of course." Seeing Vivienne enjoy her meal satisfied Percival. He leaned in and gave her a gentle

peck on the nose. "If I want to win over your heart, I have to first conquer your stomach."

Percival looked at her and laughed. "Feeling smitten yet?"

Caught off guard by the sudden kiss, Vivienne's cheeks flushed a faint pink. She cleared her throat and

mumbled, "Maybe a little."

He was handsome, well-built, considerate, and a great cook.

Mr. Wolf was indeed perfect, to a fault.

Percival sat down and enjoyed the sight of Vivienne eating.

Watching her was pleasing to the eye, and he felt satisfied even without eating anything.

He just wished that time could slow down a bit. He was reluctant to send her home so soon.

"Vivienne." Percival propped his chin on his hand, smiling as he asked, "How about staying the night?"

Vivienne looked up at him and saw the burning desire in his eyes. She smirked. "Mr. Wolf, are you

trying to seduce me?"

Percival took her free hand in his, and his cool lips moved closer to hers. "Yes, Vivienne, I am trying to

seduce you."

Their temperatures gradually rose.

Moments later, both Percival and Vivienne were struggling to keep their emotions in check. They were

on the verge of crossing a line they shouldn't.

Percival quickly pulled himself together and reached out to gently touch Vivienne's head. "Vivienne,

you need to grow up a bit more."

Last time, he almost lost control with Vivienne, which led him to feel guilty for quite a while.

He almost forgot that she was still a nineteen-year-old girl.

Vivienne, with her heart fluttering due to his touch, was a bit disappointed when he pulled away. "You're

doing this on purpose!" She swiftly accused him.

Percival, faced with her seemingly predatory gaze, felt a bit awkward. "Sweetie, just wait until you're a

little older. Wait until we can legally get married."

Vivienne found herself wanting to pounce on him again as she looked at his thin, attractive lips.

On second thought, she better not.

Mr. Wolf was right!

She was still a child.

Children shouldn't do what adults do.

Yes! That was how it should be.

...

After dinner.

Since it was still early, Percival decided to take Vivienne for a stroll in the nearby mall.

Vivienne didn't need anything, but Percival was always in the mood to buy her something.

No matter how much he bought, it seemed never enough. Nothing seemed to adequately express his

affection for Vivienne.

As they were wandering around the mall, just as they entered a luxury brand store, a surprised voice

called out to her.

"Mr. Ellington?"

Percival and Vivienne turned around to see Mila and Calista. The mother-daughter duo just happened

to be shopping there too, huh?

Calista stared at them. For a moment, she doubted her own eyes.

They were only engaged, yet they acted like a newlywed couple while strolling around the mall. How

could she not feel envious?

Mila looked even more upset. Each time she had visited the Brooks Mansion, she had been turned

away. All because of Vivienne.

Now, seeing Vivienne felt like a bad omen. It made her uncomfortable, even at a glance. Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.

Percival glanced at them without a second thought and turned back to Vivienne. "Vivienne, is there

anything you'd like?"

Vivienne glanced at the items on display, but she wasn’t particularly interested in any of them. "Nothing

special. They're all pretty ordinary."

Calista felt awkward when she realized that she was being ignored.

When had she ever been treated with such disregard?