His lips curled into a smile. 'This variety show trip has been quite worthwhile.'They returned to their resting place in good spirits. But as soon as they stepped inside, a pungent and offensive smell of something burned assaulted their nostrils. Wyneth's face turned a shade paler. Finn crinkled his nose instinctively, asking, "What's that smell? Is the place on fire?" Derek was speechless. 'Seems like our lunch is off the table today.' While he was contemplating, a sudden clamor erupted from the direction of the kitchen. Quickly, they rushed over, only to encounter Giada screaming and rushing out of the kitchen, almost crashing into Finn's open arms. Finn managed to sidestep just in time."Y-You're back." Giada's face reddened upon seeing the trio. "Lunch isn't ready yet. You might have to wait a little longer."They all turned to look at the kitchen. Or rather, what was left of it. The ingredients and crockery the production team had prepared were largely wasted; burned, chopped
Finn stepped in to start the clean-up, with Wyneth following suit to get a cloth, only to have Derek snatch it up before she could lay a hand on it. The two men wasted no time diving into the kitchen's disarray.Giada stood off to the side, a shocked look plastered across her face. 'Is it my imagination or are these two guys competing to do Wyneth's chores?' she grumbled silently, resentment building. 'Why, though?'Despite the kitchen being attended to, Wyneth was not just standing around idle. She waited until Finn cleared a bit of space, then ventured in to assess the surviving ingredients. 'Due to the weather, we don't store much food, and fresh ingredients are usually just enough for the day. Giada has wasted so much... What's left...' Wyneth mulled over it for a moment before turning to the others. "Ever had aglio e olio? How about we have that for lunch?" The remaining ingredients were hardly enough for a full meal. If they attempted to cook, the resulting portions would be pi
Finn and Derek had already gone outside, and she did not want to stay here anymore."Fine, go ahead."After Giada had left, Wyneth set to work, neatly dicing up the pancetta. She was about to heat up some oil and commence cooking when she noticed some garlic cloves set aside had not been peeled or minced. Closer examination revealed some still ensconced in its papery shell, not at all ready for the pan. A silent sigh passed through her. She collected the garlic without uttering a complaint, dutifully beginning the task of peeling and mincing. It was no issue in her mind; these culinary skills were not innately acquired. They were learned, honed over time. No one springs forth from birth with a chef's knife in hand.Outside, Derek and Finn were chatting. Even though Derek had lost the previous game, he had the audacity to pull out his phone and propose to Finn, "Hey Finn, how about we follow each other on Facebook?"Hearing this, Finn cast him a contemptuous glance."If I remember
By the time the aromatic scent hit, Giada could not help but feel her stomach rumble, and her cheeks heated up in response. But both Finn and Derek seemed to be unconcerned. Neither of them even looked her way. As a result, she felt an unexpected sense of being ignored.When Wyneth brought out the aglio e olio, Giada had to force herself to swallow the saliva that had formed at the smell. 'How could it smell this amazing? It must be an illusion! Why else would I find the aroma of such a common dish so tantalizing?' she thought, as she had always looked down on it before. 'Wyneth must've sneaked in some secret seasoning. It probably won't even taste good.'For hygiene's sake, Wyneth brought the food outside to serve it. The ingredients were scarce, but the spaghetti was abundant. Giada saw the amount Wyneth was serving her and immediately protested, "I-I don't want that much, a little will be enough." At her words, all three of them turned to look at her. Giada laughed awkwardly. "I d
At least, her beauty was less infuriating now."I'll take care of the clean-up today." Derek began gathering the dishes. It was not a lot, and Wyneth seemed exhausted, so she simply nodded in agreement.Seeing Wyneth's worn-out state, Finn decided to check in on her. "Tired, huh? Want to take a nap?"Wyneth did feel a wave of fatigue wash over her. But as she glanced around, she could not spot any suitable spots for her to rest."There is..." Giada pointed at a room nearby. "When I lost my way earlier, I stumbled upon it. There's a little bed and a blanket inside, should be good for a rest. Not the cleanest, though."Wyneth looked at Giada with a touch of surprise. 'An illusion? She doesn't seem as hostile now?' She replied, "I'll take a look." Wyneth got up and walked toward the room Giada had pointed out. Upon opening the door, she found a small bed and blanket, likely a resting spot for the workers. It was more than just unclean; it was downright filthy. But then again, she was
By afternoon, Giada had joined the rest in the toil of the day. After messing up in the morning, she would have no chance of redeeming herself if she dared to slack off in the afternoon. By the time they returned in the evening, she was dog-tired, collapsing on the oxcart like a spent hound.Finn, as usual, was using the rechargeable fan to cool Wyneth down."You can stop," Wyneth abruptly said."Huh?""The wind is picking up." Wyneth leaned back, her gaze fixed on the distant sunset.Following her gaze, Finn took in the fiery sunset. The sun was nearly swallowed by the horizon, and at last, a breeze began to sweep away the day's relentless heat. In these peaceful fields, the twilight hour was always extraordinarily serene.Wyneth closed her eyes, relishing the cool breeze. Strands of her soft, dark hair danced with the wind, and her face, illuminated by the setting sun, appeared even more tranquil.Finn had always been a stickler for cleanliness. These past few days, enduring t
"I know," Lauren replied.Soon after, Wyneth pulled up the covers and lay down. Staring at the ceiling above, she mused, 'Tomorrow, this filming will end. Time sure flies. I suppose I'm genuinely stepping into this circle now, right?' Just as sleep was about to claim her, she was jolted by Lauren's voice."Wyneth..."Turning toward the sound, Wyneth saw Lauren biting her lower lip, looking at her with a troubled expression."Can I ask you something?"Wyneth rolled to her side to face her. "Shoot."Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Lauren asked, "Why... why didn't you ask me?""Ask what?"Lauren's face twisted even more with uncertainty. "Why I switched teams." After the words tumbled out, she exhaled, as if a weight had been lifted."Why did you switch teams?" Wyneth returned, prompting a slight nod from Lauren. After pondering for a moment, Wyneth chuckled lightly. "Is there a need to ask?"Lauren opened and closed her mouth, words caught in her throat. 'So there's no
When dawn kissed the sky, everyone began to rise, packing their belongings.Lauren's spirits were high as she meticulously folded the sheets that Wyneth had given her, a picture of precise neatness. When Wyneth awoke, Lauren beamed at her. "These sheets, I'll definitely take them with me if I ever get invited to other shows. I'll use them at home too."Wyneth chuckled at the sentiment. "There's no need for that; they're just an ordinary set of sheets.""No! This represents friendship." Lauren carefully stowed them into her luggage with reverent hands. After they exchanged contact information, they finished their packing and ventured out together.This was the final day of the show, a free day, meant for dining and chatting. The meals were prepared by the farm's hosts, Mason and Bella, with the others lending a helping hand. When Wyneth emerged, the hosts were already busying themselves with food preparations, while the rest of the teams were still dusting off their sleep. Wyneth st
"I heard," Hayden sighed, thinking she might tell him not to touch her."What do you think?" Wyneth asked."Me?" A small smile formed on Hayden's lips as he gently kissed her. "It's whatever you want."Wyneth's eyes sparkled. "So, you'll listen to me?"Hayden hesitated. "Except...""What?" Wyneth's tone shifted to annoyance. "You aren't backing out, right? You just said it's up to me.""It's not that I'm backing out," Hayden said, "I just have one condition. I'll listen to you any other time, but there's one thing I can't do.""What thing?" Wyneth asked.Hayden leaned in and whispered in her ear. Wyneth's face turned a shade of pink, and she pushed him away, gasping."You're such a creep!" she exclaimed.Hayden took her wrist, drawing her close and kissed her earlobe. "What's the matter? Isn't this okay for us? Don't you think so?" As he kissed her, he began to unbutton her collar. His voice was low and smooth. "Just listen to me this one time. For everything else, whatever y
On the ride home from the hotel, tears rolled down Wyneth's cheeks nonstop. This time, though, she was not alone by the car window. She was nestled in Hayden's arms. He wiped away each tear, comforting her all the way."Don't cry. It's just a mix-up, okay? He said he's fine and will be around for a long time," Hayden whispered.Despite his soothing words, Wyneth's tears did not cease. Seeing this, Hayden, filled with concern, gently asked, "Is this not what you wanted?"Confused, Wyneth looked up. "What are you talking about? I'm beyond happy he's alive."Hayden smiled, gently wiping her eyes. "Then why are you still crying?""I'm crying because..." Wyneth bit her lower lip, with Hector's words echoing in her mind.She had always been upset, believing her father had not wanted her years ago. But just as she was about to leave, Cindy pulled her aside. "Wyneth," her mother said gently, "your dad did want you. When I divorced him, I had just one demand.""What was it?""I wanted o
Everyone was silent. Just before entering the private dining room, Wyneth blurted out, "Is he really dying?" Hearing this, Andrew's steps halted. Before he could answer, she added, "How long does he have? Why didn't anyone say anything before?"Andrew sighed and turned around. "Is that why you're here?" Wyneth pursed her lips. A wave of uncertainty washed over Andrew. 'This mom and daughter,' he thought, 'they're here because they got it all wrong. Mom is acting differently toward Dad, too. She was all tough before, but now she's gone soft, probably thinks Dad is dying. And Dad? He's just laughing, like he's having a good time with all this mess.' Andrew hesitated, then said, "Let's talk inside." He chose to hold his words for now.Hayden and Wyneth walked into the private dining room. Cindy was passing dishes to Hector. As they entered, every pair of eyes turned their way. A divorced couple and six sons stared at Hayden. Used to the predictable world of leadership, Hayden now ventur
In the end, Wyneth decided to stay. She could see the honesty in Matilda's words and knew she was sincere. Recognizing Matilda as not her birth mother made Wyneth realize she should not hold her to the same expectations. With acceptance, she focused on building her future with Hayden, freeing herself from doubts and reservations.With Wyneth's decision to stay, Matilda's heart swelled with joy and immense honor. Realizing Wyneth's sincere intentions, not merely chasing the Hamilton family's wealth, transformed their relationship. Matilda's newfound warmth toward her was evident. Gifts, once withheld, now freely flowed into Wyneth's room. At auctions, Matilda eagerly bid on items for Wyneth. During jewelry store visits, Matilda generously bought her gifts, swiping her credit card without hesitation, and welcoming her nearly as a daughter.Wyneth received a call from her mother. Even after so many years, her mom, Cindy, was still bossy. "Your father isn't doing well. You should come to
Just at that moment, a knock sounded from outside."Sir, your mother is back," someone said.Hayden could feel the person in his arms stiffen, her body tensed. "Don't worry, I'm right here," he reassured her softly."Your mother heard that Ms. Walford is here. She wants to see her," the voice from outside continued.'Meet me?' Wyneth bit her lower lip lightly. 'Why does she want to see me? To insult me again?'"She hasn't eaten yet. She can meet her after eating," Hayden said, gently turning down the request for Wyneth. Outside, everything fell silent."Won't this offend your mom?" Wyneth's voice filled with concern as she asked.Hayden looked at Wyneth, pausing for a moment before speaking. "I know she's been mean to you," he said. Wyneth's eyes widened in surprise. "I'm sorry." He bent down and lightly kissed her forehead. "You've been treated unfairly." Seeing her blink, he added, "Let's eat first. After that, I'll go with you."Wyneth was a bit nervous, but not as anxious a
Hector was speechless as Cindy mistakenly thought he was ill. Seeing her worried face, he felt the misunderstanding might not be so terrible. He shared a look with Andrew. His eldest son caught on immediately, giving a subtle head shake. Understanding the signal not to mislead Cindy any further, Hector hesitated before gently asking, "Can I see her? Even just a glance?" It had been many years since he last saw his daughter up close, and she had not called him "Dad" in all that time.Cindy, lost in thought, stared at Hector before finally nodding as if admitting defeat. "Fine, I'll call her."Later, Wyneth fell asleep. Upon waking, she found herself on the large bed in Hayden's bedroom. She saw Hayden sitting at the sofa, busy with a computer.Hearing her movement, Hayden immediately got up and walked toward her. "Awake? Thirsty or hungry? Want something to eat first?"Having slept through lunch, Wyneth was hungry, so she nodded. "Sure."After Hayden left to give some instructions,
'He shifts moods so fast,' Wyneth thought as she stared at her unattended ringing phone.Observing her delay, Hayden asked, "What's going on?"In his mind, a thought flickered, 'She seems reluctant to take the call. Perhaps there's tension with her eldest brother?'"He's calling now; must be about him," Wyneth whispered."About your dad?"They had decided to be together, and Wyneth did not hide anything from him. "Yeah, my dad."Hayden did not utter a single word."I don't like him," Wyneth softly said, staring at her ringing phone. "Answer it for me and say I'm asleep," she whispered to Hayden as she cozied up to him. Without a word, Hayden picked up the phone and conveyed the message before ending the call.After ending the call, a curious Hector asked, "Well? Where is she?"Understanding the situation, Andrew said, "She didn't answer the phone; she's asleep."Despite hearing the words, Hector felt something was off. He sighed, "She really doesn't like me.""Don't worry, D
"Trouble recognizing faces? What do you mean?" Hector Spencer asked.Andrew sighed. "Dad, he's Wyneth's ex-husband."Hector's eyes widened in surprise. "He is? No wonder I didn't recognize him. I must've barely seen him before.""Is that what's bothering you?" Andrew asked."What else would it be?" Hector replied, still taken aback.Andrew sighed. His dad, Hector, was good at many things and never stayed mad at people. But there was one funny thing about him: he could never remember faces of people outside their family. "You don't mind?" Andrew asked.Smiling, Hector replied, "Mind what? She's told everyone, so she must be ready. I've never been the dad she favored. If I object now, won't she dislike me even more?"Andrew was left speechless by this. He had not expected Hector to have no objections. "Seems like someone doesn't need your approval."Changing the topic, Hector asked, "What about your mom? Is she back?" He had been living alone for many years.Andrew exhaled. "I t
Everyone rushed to check out Wyneth's Facebook and, sure enough, they saw her admitting to the relationship, along with a freshly taken selfie.At first, Wyneth only wanted to write a post. But after Hayden tasted the joy of going public with their relationship, he suggested taking a wefie for the official announcement. Feeling his excitement, Wyneth agreed. They posted the wefie on Facebook, captioned "Officially Together". Yet, Hayden was not done. He captured another photo, this time holding her hand, eager to share their love with the world.Since Hayden was not a celebrity or idol, he had no fan feelings to fret over. Eager to declare his love, he did not hold back. His photo captured his sharp features and dark, gem-like eyes that shone under the camera lights. The image showcased his palm holding Wyneth's fair, slender hand. Their contrasting hands highlighted his affection, radiating warmly from the photo.After the photo came out, everyone was shocked. This included fans, p