Part 17

"17 

"We don't need to use the driver on the way home, Dad. Who knows, on the way, I might want to make a detour."

Once again, Chelsea surprised Carlos when they reached the lobby of the office building.

"But, you said you were tired earlier?"

"Well, who knows, I might want to stop and buy ice cream to relax a bit, or something like that? You know how the mindset of a fickle teenager like me works."

Carlos chuckled softly. "You're right, indeed. Okay, then. I'll request a ride-sharing service, and we'll go home together."

Carlos quickly grabbed his phone and called the driver who was waiting in the parking lot. He was prepared to be driven home as usual, as he was tired from work. However, this time, because of Chelsea's request, Carlos was willing to drive himself home.

As soon as they reached the car, Chelsea seemed to be thinking about how to captivate the handsome widower who was now focusing on driving. An insane idea crossed her mind, and she unbuttoned her shirt, which had been making her feel uncomfortable.

"Finally, this is off." Chelsea casually removed her shirt, revealing a tank top with thin straps that hugged her slim figure.

"What...?" Carlos asked but couldn't continue his question because when he turned to the side, Chelsea's shirt had already flown into the back seat.

"It seems like it's not easy to seduce Vano, Dad. I even have to wear tight clothes like this. If it weren't for Vano, I'd definitely refuse to wear them." Chelsea started venting to Carlos, twisting the facts to make sure he didn't have an issue with her current attire.

Too minimal and revealing, it was clear that Carlos would be tempted. That was Chelsea's plan.

"So, it was Vano who asked you to dress like that earlier?"

"Yes, Dad, why would I lie? Didn't I already tell you earlier?" Chelsea pouted slightly, as if she didn't want to be seen in a negative light in front of Carlos.

"Well, then, if it's uncomfortable, you don't need to do it again, especially when you come to the office. I don't want anyone to look down on you."

"In that case, I'll wear it at home. The important thing is to tempt Vano." Chelsea put on a pleading look, her eyes sparkling as she begged Carlos to grant her permission to wear minimal and revealing clothes.

Once again, in the name of winning Vano's heart, Carlos agreed to Chelsea's request. To celebrate this permission, Chelsea even hugged Carlos's arm. The car they were in nearly lost control due to Chelsea's behavior.

"We could get into an accident if you keep doing this," Carlos scolded her once Chelsea was sitting back in her seat.

"Well, because you always follow what I want. How can I not be happy with such sweet treatment?" Chelsea spoke as she hugged Carlos's arm again. She leaned against it. If you thought about it repeatedly, it seemed comfortable being close to him.

However, Chelsea tried hard to push those thoughts aside. Here, she wanted revenge, not falling in love.

"Dad, I want ice cream." Chelsea pointed to a stand selling various types of ice cream.

Without asking too many questions, Carlos parked the car and got out. Chelsea, who was dressed rather minimally, prompted him to ask her to stay in the car. He didn't want Chelsea to become a spectacle for others.

Getting the ice cream Chelsea wanted, Carlos returned to the car. Whether it was intentional or not, Carlos couldn't tell. However, Chelsea's way of enjoying the ice cream was undoubtedly seductive. Her tongue danced playfully, savoring the creamy dessert. Several times, Carlos shook his head to dispel the discomfort creeping up his thighs.

Avoiding anything suggestive, considering they were alone in the car, Carlos stepped on the gas to get home quickly.

"Where were you guys? It's this late, and you're just coming back?" Margareth immediately grumbled as soon as she arrived by Carlos's car. She was in a hurry and wanted to find out where her boyfriend had gone. It was almost nighttime, but Chelsea and Carlos had just appeared, arousing Margareth's suspicion.

"We didn't go anywhere, Ma'am. We just stopped to buy ice cream," Chelsea replied as she got out of the car. She also touched something on her back, as if she were adjusting something. This action caught Margareth's attention, and her eyes widened.

In her eyes, Chelsea had just changed her appearance. She was also surprised because Chelsea was wearing only a tank top. She examined the car once Carlos got out. How her chest tightened when she saw Chelsea's shirt on the back seat.

"What were you doing?"

Margareth grabbed the shirt and threw it at Carlos. "You..."

"Don't think negatively. Chelsea was just feeling stuffy, so that's why her shirt was there." Carlos responded casually, matching the facts.

"Feeling stuffy? Why would she feel stuffy? This girl can't possibly feel stuffy!" Margareth pointed at Chelsea with her index finger.

"Mom, I didn't do anything!" Chelsea whispered, trying to let tears flow from her eyes. It was difficult because her stomach felt ticklish watching Margareth's face turn bright red with anger.

"Dad, please explain to Mom that we didn't do anything." Chelsea ran toward Carlos and hugged his arm. "I'm scared," she whispered softly, but it was loud enough for both Carlos and Margareth to hear.

"Y-you..."

"Stop, Margareth! Don't accuse Chelsea of things she didn't do because everything she's saying is the truth. You're the one who's being overly suspicious of both of us," Carlos interjected, placing his hand on Chelsea's shoulder. He guided her inside the house so she could rest.

Ignored? Margareth grumbled in frustration, clenching her hands tightly and venting her anger.

Unlike usual, dinner tonight was incredibly tense after the argument between Margareth and Chelsea.

In the afternoon, there was a misunderstanding between Vano and Chelsea. Towards the evening, there was a dispute between Carlos and Margareth. Needless to say, things weren't going smoothly, but Chelsea remained friendly to everyone, especially towards Carlos.

In fact, she was even more assertive than usual. Chelsea openly took Margareth's seat at the dinner table, acting as if Carlos were her boyfriend, and Margareth was just a guest who wasn't allowed to act arbitrarily.

Even with Carlos's food, Chelsea was the one who ordered and picked from the main menu. Similarly, with Vano, he appeared uncomfortable right now because Chelsea was angry at him for his statement at the office earlier. He wanted to explain, but there hadn't been a suitable moment.

Whenever Chelsea was around, Carlos was there too. Trying to avoid his son, Carlos interacted more with Chelsea, especially since he was currently not on good terms with Margareth.

After finishing dinner, accompanied only by the sound of cutlery and plates clinking, Vano finally had a chance to speak with Chelsea.

He followed her to her room. "If you keep coming in without knocking, I'll make sure my hand lands on your face," he immediately threatened Vano before the man could express his grievances.

Chelsea disliked people entering her room, especially since it was her personal space. No one was allowed to enter casually.

"Please, don't misunderstand. Listen, what I said earlier this afternoon... I had no intention of canceling the agreement between us," Vano explained without being prompted by Chelsea.

"Whatever, you can follow the rules or not. What's clear now is that my position is much better than yours. If you try anything, everything will be exposed. I also told Dad that you're not interested in me at all and that you prioritize that lecturer," Chelsea remarked.

"That lecturer?" Vano repeated, as far as he remembered, he had never told her who the girl he was seeing was.

"Don't ask where I got that information. Like I said earlier, I'm closer to your dad than you are. So he told me everything about you, including the identity of your girlfriend. Turns out she's our lecturer at the university, right? And coincidentally, she's also my thesis advisor. So naturally, I have a..." 

"Enough, Chelsea, don't complicate my life any further. If you already know who my lover is, it means you also know the reason why I haven't received approval to marry Celine."

"I do know, but your father has a point too. That accident couldn't have happened by chance, especially since Celine's father wasn't injured at all."

"But he received compensation."

"Two years isn't much of a punishment. Besides, you didn't witness whether the man was actually detained or not. But, yes, after all that, Celine has nothing to do with that tragedy. But when you think about it, your father did something good by not wanting his son to end up like his wife. But again, my purpose for coming here is to work together with you, not to get involved in all the affairs you're dealing with.

So, let's handle our own matters without deviating from the agreement. This is also a warning from me to you: don't betray me again if you don't want everything to fail."

Vano nodded his head.

"So, have you forgiven me?"

"It depends on your behavior from now on, whether you'll continue being a traitor or follow the rules."

"Fine, I'll go along with what you want. The main thing is that Celine and I can get married. If possible, I'll propose to her within two months."

"Why two months? Wasn't it..."

"This afternoon, Celine contacted me and asked to meet. She said her father is arranging a marriage for her with the son of a business colleague because she's of a suitable age to get married. So, Celine accepted the arranged marriage. I don't want to lose her. So, she gave me about two months.

Her cousin is getting married soon, followed by her younger sister."

"So, that's the issue." Now Chelsea understood why Vano was getting more agitated. Who could bear to lose a lover they had cherished for five years?

"So, what do you think?"

"Just leave everything to me. Two months might be a bit fast, but I believe our plan will work out well. I'll start, and you support from behind. Including..." Chelsea whispered something to Vano, not wanting anyone else to hear, as she knew the walls had ears to convey all their secrets.

"Okay, if that's what you want." Vano agreed; he would support whatever it was.

"But remember, don't mimic your father. How can you fulfill one of your wishes if both of you are the same?" Chelsea waved her hand. "Alright, go now. I want to rest; I have another plan to execute tomorrow."

"Alright, don't forget." Vano reluctantly left, even though he wanted to talk to Chelsea about many things. Talking to the girl for a long time had lightened the burden that was weighing on him.

Having a stepsister like Chelsea wasn't so bad, but unfortunately, soon the girl would become a stepmother, not a stepsister.

"Hey, Van, not sleeping yet?" Margareth greeted when she tried to open Chelsea's door, but Vano, who wanted to leave the room, preceded her.