Ruby naturally brought the contract, though Jay did not even read a single page before pushing it to Zoe. "Your call."Zoe was left gritting her teeth—it was such a cheap move on his part! To anyone else, this would look as if he respected her, even spoiled her.But he was obviously trying to paint her as the villain!Still, Zoe restrained herself and opened the contract, reading every clause carefully… until her eyes sparkled when she reached the part of monetary rewards.It really was eight figures… she was going to be rich overnight even if she had to split it with Jay! And she was unaffiliated, so she did not have to pay anyone aside from the tax people, and she would still keep a lot.She would be able to afford a house immediately! And with her interested, there was just no way she would say no."What do you think, Ms. York?" Ruby asked politely. "We can amend any clauses you find inappropriate. My lawyer is waiting downstairs."Ruby was certainly sincere about this,
Jay nodded, seemingly unconcerned. "Sure."Zoe in turn feigned nonchalance, since she was not the one losing out in their 'marriage' anyway."Have you read the program schedule?" Jay suddenly reminded her. "What schedule? This one?" Zoe glanced at the document in front of her—she was too preoccupied with the contract to check the specifics of the schedule."Take a look," Jay said.Zoe picked it up and read it seriously, but the program scheduling was still reasonable. Unlike other reality shows, there were no tasks or missions involved, and no survival skills needed—it was nothing more than a trip for couples, a relatively conscientious variety show in that sense.As such, Zoe was not at all affected when she was done reading."That's it?" Jay asked her. "What's the issue?" Zoe asked, perplexed.Jay said begrudgingly, "Filming starts the day after tomorrow. They'll be bringing cameras when they come to interview us.""So?" Zoe was still mystified—they could come all they wa
Yelena had been sleeping together with her daddy every night since they moved in.But if her mommy slept with her daddy, where was she supposed to sleep? She loved her mommy, but she did not want her mommy to steal her daddy."You're old enough to sleep alone," Zoe replied in annoyance—since when did Yelena become so reliant on Jay? Jay had just spent days with Yelena, and she was totally on his side already."But you're older than me, Mommy. You should sleep alone more than I do," Yelena argued with righteous indignation.Zoe was actually speechless, while Jay chuckled subtly nearby, having zero intentions to defend Zoe.It was Clara who quickly told Yelena, "How could you argue with your mommy about rooms, Yelena? You can sleep with me if you want. It's been a while since we slept together, and I'm beginning to miss you.""But…" Yelena was left in a dilemma. "I really like sleeping with Daddy.""Then what about me?" Clara pressed, though it was just teasing at that point.
Zoe did not refuse—what could she do since she had already agreed to it?!"Then I'm getting in bed," Zoe said, adding before she did, "I've taken a bath, and my clothes are fresh."Jay was taken aback, but soon realized that Zoe was aware of his hygienic tendencies and was worried he would hate it. But he would never hate her, whenever or wherever. He did not have the courage to say it, however.Soon, Zoe lay down on the very edge of the bed and slept there, reluctant to have any body contact with Jay.Jay did not move closer either, and the space between them could fit three Yelenas.Silence ensued, and even though it was soon very late, neither fell asleep.The last time they shared a bed was that one time.Jay gulped—he decided that he must not dwell on it and gently turned around to look at Zoe.They had been keeping their backs to one another, but he stared at her back quietly anyway.The silhouette of her form was especially clear under the soft lights kept on in the
Two days later, the production crew arrived for the prelude interview at Jay's apartment.Zoe had Clara leave the house with Yelena, since she was not eager to let her daughter make a public appearance just yet. The production crew was also ethical enough to censor Yelena's face during the occasional glimpse of her in the camera.The host asked, "Who usually cooks at home?""Neither," Zoe replied. "Jay is busier, and I can't cook. Moreover, we don't stay home that much, let alone cook."The host could not help grinning, surprised that her response was so candid—the other couples tended to keep up appearances, making themselves appear more affectionate for the sake of appearances.He then asked, "Who's usually taking care of the child?" "Jay does when he's at home. I do it when he's not around," Zoe replied.Once again, it was no lie—ever since Yelena and Zoe moved in, Yelena actually spent more time with Jay than even Clara."What do you think of your better half?" the host
Their first destination was a coastal city.It turned out that there were a total of five couples for this season of Journey of Love, and everyone would only gather once they arrived at the destination.Naturally, the production crew had kept everything under wraps, and none of the participants knew who the others were until they actually met.That was why Zoe only found out that Cora and Bob were taking part as well after she actually saw them.They certainly run into each other too often, but she did not let anything on since they were in front of the cameras. Cora naturally hated Zoe so much Zoe thought she would kill her the instant they met, but somehow she acted like they were close. "Hey, Zoe! What a surprise, you and Uncle Jay were taking part too?"Zeo naturally played along. "Yeah, I'm surprised too. The production crew's been keeping everything from us, so I didn't know who the others were."They appeared almost intimate, while Bob and Jay shared a smile of tacit und
Jay leaned in to kiss Zoe on the lips again before quietly leaving, content.He then spent three long hours making one soup and three dishes, and while it did not look good, Zoe woke up when she smelled the fragrant aroma.She was too hungry and had not eaten for almost a day.As she sat up, Jay asked her, "You're up?""Yeah," Zoe replied, stretching. "Are you done?""Yeah. See if you like it."Zoe sat in front of the dining table, staring at the food that hardly looked appetizing."Let's make do for now. I'll visit the other couples tomorrow and learn from the best." Jay clearly saw Zoe's look of aversion. Zoe, however, said nothing and took the knife and fork from Jay to start eating.She might have been really hungry, since it did not taste as bad as she thought."How is it?" Jay asked nervously."It's okay." Zoe did not hold back her praise."That's good," Jay replied, heaving a sigh of relief. "Thanks, darling," Zoe suddenly said."It's my honor to be praised by my
Zoe did not sleep well because she was really not used to Jay hugging her in her sleep, and so firmly at that.She could even feel his breath spraying over her nape. It was hot, and it tickled.Frustratingly, he was sleeping perfectly fine and kept holding her the entire night without moving, while she listened to his breathing assume a regular rhythm.Zoe was a little miserable at that.She had been worried that Jay would be the one to expose them, since he had always been distant to her. In fact, she was scared that he would push her away when she hugged him earlier.To think that he would get into character more than she did… Sighing to herself, she did her best to coax herself to sleep.She was naturally unaware that the man feigning sleep behind her opened his eyes just then and tightened his hold further.-The next day, Zoe was jolted awake by her alarm clock.They were supposed to go out to sea at seven, and she therefore had to wake up at six to put on makeup for
Soon, another nurse emerged from the delivery room with a small bundle. "Is the mother's family here?""Yes!" John exclaimed loudly."The delivery was successful," the nurse said. "The baby weighs eight pounds—""How is she?" John asked in agitation, not caring about the child."She's fine. The doctor is just helping her clean up and she'll be out soon," the nurse replied.As John breathed a sigh of relief, the nurse reminded him, "Aren't you the father? Here's your child."John took the baby off her arms, staring at her for a moment as the others flocked around him. "Oh, she's so fair!" Zoe could not help exclaiming. "That's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.""Are you saying that your son's ugly?" Bob teased."To be honest, yeah," Zoe replied without thinking.Jay cleared his throat—even if it was a subjective opinion, it still hurt to have his own baby called ugly."Let me carry her," Zoe volunteered just then, and John did not hesitate to hand her his baby.As Zoe
"What?!" Zoe exclaimed in shock.Beside them, John's face fell despite being usually stoic.Still, even before anyone could react, he scooped Cordy up in his arms and left.Zoe did not hesitate to follow, but Jay reminded her, "We're the hosts, Zoe.""Don't care." Zoe was completely unconcerned. "Ask my mom and your sister to handle the guests. I'm going with Cordy!"Jay hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow since there was no reasoning with Zoe.Sam and Quinn also realized that something was out of place.As they pulled away reluctantly, Bob shouted from below, "If you're done kissing, we're going to the hospital! Cordy's going into labor!"Quinn hurried after them as soon as she hurt, but Sam caught her. "Slow down. We can catch up."In fact, most of the guests were leaving as well—it was as if the banquet for Zoe's son was actually intended for everyone else.The poor boy was certainly unlucky to have such unreliable parents!-As everyone rushed to the hospit
"I'm swelling from my pregnancy," Quinn explained. "It's not your fault."Sam was left staring at her for a while before asking, "So, what should I do?""I'll put it on when I slim down.""Oh." Sam was a little disappointed, since he had always dreamed of having her put on the ring he had custom made.But this was fine—they had all the time they needed, and the most important thing for him is that Quinn was marrying him!He rose to his feet just then, and everyone was cheering as soon as he did. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"Quinn blushed right then, and Sam could see that she was embarrassed.He did not want to make things awkward for her, even if he was quite eager at the moment.Heaven knows how much he missed that night's drunken fumble they had. In fact, during the times he remembered it in dreams, he had to wash his pants when he woke up.Still, just as he took Quinn's hand and started to leave, he felt a softness on his lips—Quinn was kissing him! Sam's heart pounded thunderous
Everyone waited patiently for the final outcome.Quinn's eyes were welling up with tears, threatening to gush if she so much as blinked.She did her best to hold back her tears—to be strong!Sam pursed his lips in turn, his Adam's apple bobbing.A long while passed, and it felt like a century for Quinn when she finally heard him say, "Yes."Quinn's tears started falling in happiness as Sam declared loudly, "I'll marry you, Quinn—it's what I've always wanted to do! I won't let you go even if you regret it eventually! You only get to be with me, and I'll never let any other man claim you! I'll become very overbearing… eventually!""I won't regret it," Quinn said, determined.She certainly would not regret marrying him!Zoe walked up to them with perfect timing just then, and Sam did a double take.He finally remembered that Zoe was the host of this luncheon and was going to leave with Quinn when Zoe whipped out a small red velvet box."You know what's in here, don't you?" Zoe a
However, Sam had already pushed Quinn away before she could tell him. But even if he did not love her or did not want to be with her, she would never stay with Ryan.She had been disappointed in Sam, wondering why he would give up so easily.Was she that unimportant to him?Therefore, if it were not for Zoe and Cordy showing her that video or telling her so much, she would never have known that he loved her for years…Sam's heart ached even as he looked into Quinn's tearful eyes.He reached out a hand, but soon withdrew it—would he not burden her?Even so, it hurt to restrain himself as he watched her, and he was actually getting the feeling that Quinn loved him…But she already had Ryan's child…Well, he was fine with that, as long as the child was Quinn's.But would she not mind?"I will marry you, Sam," Quinn said slowly and clearly then. "Not because you're a good man, not because you prepared so much for me, and not because of how much you prepared for me, but because I
Everyone in the hall was staring at Sam and Quinn, while Quinn took center stage, staring fixedly at Sam.He stood in the middle of the crowd, watching her silently.She in turn felt fear that he would turn and leave, just as she did not know if she had the courage to stand before him again and to declare her feelings for him in front of so many others.Nonetheless, amid the deafening silence, Sam suddenly walked toward the stage.His pace was slow as if his feet were made of lead, but he was also unusually determined.Quinn's heart raced uncontrollably right then!Everyone else was watching them nervously, especially Cordy and Zoe, with the latter being especially concerned that the cowardly Sam would bail.Fortunately, he was a man who showed responsibility. He would not leave Quinn alone and embarrassed.Hence, as everyone looked on, Sam stood before Quinn, his gaze flickering as their eyes met.He gulped ever so slightly, his emotions clearly ruffled even as he did his bes
The guests were encouraging, loudly asking, "Why?!""Because of a woman," Sam's recording replied."Who is it?""Quinn Summer," the Sam on the screen said slowly and clearly, leaving the Sam who was in the hall stunned.What the hell?! That was the proposal video he prepared before! Why did it show up here? Did Zoe make a mistake?!He knew it—leave anything to Zoe, and she would mess it up!He started striding toward the stage, intent on stopping the recording, when John and Bob intercepted him with a look of utter guilt while the recording continued. "Quinn is my wife, and we've been married for years, but I've never really loved her—not because I don't, but because I'm afraid to. I feel too insignificant in comparison to the one she loves, so I'd always hurt her… painfully and childishly. I regret that so much now, Quinn. How could I have abandoned you for so long because of my own jealousy? I'd rather hold you in my sleep every night, but my damned pride denied me that for y
At the banquet hall, Jay and Zoe were thanking their guests with their children in their arms.Then, Zoe announced excitedly, "Please give my best friend, who is also my son's godmother, a warm applause as she comes on stage!"Sam stood at a corner of the hall, watching as Quinn walked up the stage, only realizing just then that her belly was clearly swelling despite her baggy clothes.Time flies—he had not left that long ago, but she and Ryan already had a child.She was not worried about giving him a stroke, was she?He watched as Quinn took the mic and looked around below searching, seemingly searching.After a while, he thought she was looking at him, but by the time he looked up, she had already turned away.Maybe she was looking for Ryan before remembering that Ryan was not there?Nonetheless, Quinn spoke into the mic, saying, "I'm honored to be chosen as the godmother to Zoe's son, and she's been saying he'd be engaged to my child if it's a girl. I already love my godson
As their eyes met, Sam turned frantic and averted his. "Of course.""Really?" Quinn asked."Would I lie to you?" Sam asked a little grumpily."And you didn't bring her back?" Quinn asked."I'm on a schedule, and it'd be taxing for her if I bought her along," Sam said, making things up as he went along. "I'll bring her along when things are less busy.""Is she pretty?" Quinn pressed."What, have I ever picked an ugly one?" Sam snorted smugly. "You know I prefer curvaceous types, and there are plenty of those abroad.""Do you have a photo?"Sam was silent for a while and eventually said, "Yeah.""Can I see it?""What, does she have to pass your assessment?""Just curious about the girl who can tempt you to settle down," Quinn replied. "You'd be humbled." Sam hastily came up with an excuse."I won't," Quinn said, determined."You'll see her when I bring her home." Sam refused nonetheless."I would like to see a photo now.""No, she's not that photogenic. It'd be slander a