35 We are already married.

Facing Deming's questions, Lifen was tongue tied. She didn't know how to answer him when she also didn't knew why his presence affects her.

"Sir, I will go and heat again the dishes I have prepared. Hope to see you downstairs soon", she said in a soft tone and retreated back without daring to look back at him.

Deming had a victorious smirk on his face. He thought to himself, "the things are progressing. I surely have a strong effect on her".

After changing he came downstairs where Lifen was waiting, "Oh so you have cooked all this. Whoa! there is sweet and sour pork. How do you know it's my favourite ".

"There is nothing to know, I guess because more than half of the population likes it too. That was a little simple for me to cook", Lifen retorted back.

Deming squinted his eyes in disbelief, "Are you sure?".

Lifen nodded. He sat on the dining table excitedly as if he has got something which cannot be missed and won't be available in future. She served him everything in small amounts thinking that he might not like it.

"For whom are you saving the rest? And why are you standing, have a seat. Serve yourself. According to the contract we should have lunch and dinner together", there was an cunning grin on his face, "And if I let you serve me the food then I doubt I won't satisfy my appetite".

Lifen was embarrassed. She said in a hurried tone, "I didn't meant that. I was just a little nervous that you won't like it".

Deming smiled to her and said mockingly, "No more excuses. I know you want to eat everything by yourself. Sit and share them equally. Don't you know sharing multiplies the love".

Lifen coughed hard. Who wants to multiply love, I want to multiply the distance between us.

They sat and comfortably finished the lunch. "Were you nervous with this food? You shouldn't be kidding me. I mean it's not bad. I suggest you to start your own restaurant, it would soon become the best in the country", Deming boasted her skills.

But the praises haven't shown any effect on Lifen, "Thanks for your praises, Sir. I will go and do the dishes". She again went to the kitchen to do the dishes.

"Doesn't this give a similar feeling of marriage. You cook for me as a dutiful wife and then manages the household. It looks so good. When are we getting married?", he said as if it was the most easy question.

Married! We are not even in a relationship and he is talking about marriage.

"Pfft...Sir I think you have got some wrong idea. I am just paying off my hospital bills in this way as you didn't accepted the monetary terms. It's not like I will be cooking for you everyday", Lifen tried to maintain a soft tone but she was losing her patience. He was already at her bottom line.

"But, what's wrong in getting married?",Deming poked her again. He knew that she is getting out of patience and can explode anytime. But he love to tease her.

As expected by him, he has crossed her bottom line. She turned her head and looked at him, "Sir I need a permission from you. Can I get 5 minutes break from your contractual terms, I need to settle something personal".

Deming was excited to see her Wild Little Cat avatar, so he nodded profusely. Getting the permission, Lifen closed her eyes and exploded out, "Who wants to get married to you? I am not nuts. There is nothing wrong in getting married but for marrying you need to get the approval of the one you want to marry but in this case the answer is a big 'no'. Even if this world comes to its end, I won't ever agree to marry you".

After letting out the frustration for the whole day, she understood that it won't be easy to work with him. She slowly opened her eye and to her surprise, Deming was smiling ear to ear.

He took a long stride and stood right in front of her. He gently leaned on her pressing her back on kitchen slab and gazing into her eyes, "Why did you closed your eyes?"

Lifen didn't expect this question coming to her. She had closed her eyes to avoid his intense eyes because it affects her but she didn't expect that he will ask the reason for this.

"5minutes are over so now you are back into the working hours. The question is still there, if you don't answer then you will be punished" Deming said. His eyes were having a pinch of devilish happiness.

"Sir...I think I can answer this but not in this position. We should straighten up first. Then I can think of the answer", Lifen said in a fidgety way.

Deming shook his head, "Nope answer me like this. It will be easier to punish you in this position ".

"Sir may I know what's the punishment ".

"You will get to know when you get it. The countdown begins, 10..."

"9"

"8"

"7"

"You can't begin a countdown...how can I answer so fast"

"6"

"Wait I will answer because I got something in my eyes, so I can't open it "

"Wrong answer"

"2"

"You have skipped the numbers"

"Nope you have wasted it on giving wrong answer"

"1, Time over"

Deming inched closer pressing her more to the kitchen slab and whispered in ears, "Now get ready for the punishment".