บท 171: 171. From hate to...

As Rory was least expecting Derek to actually call her Sunshine in front of her mother, she almost aspirated the juice and ended up spitting it out all over herself and coughing vigorously after that.

"Oh my dear! Sorry, have some water!" Charlotte was quick to offer Rory a glass of water while rubbing her back in a circular motion, a frown etched on her face.

As much as she wanted to tease her daughter right now, she couldn't help but wonder why Derek would give her an endearing name. What was he up to? How did their relationship grow from hate to... To... What could she even call it?

"I'm sorry, are you okay?" It was Derek who asked this time. He didn't know he was the cause of the near death experience.

Rory had recovered from the cough but her face was still red from blushing and coughing hard. She badly wanted to give that handsome man the hardest glare, and on instinct, she raised her head to meet his gaze and did just that.