Without thinking any longer, Mia wrapped her lover's waist with the available towel. “Now, put this on and face them. I can hide behind the door,” the girl suggested with a nod.
"But—"
“Hurry up! Don't make their anger get bigger," Mia urged while pushing her lover's body.
Swallowing hard, Julian drew closer to the door. With trembling hands and a pounding heart, he turned the key. A second later, the door was immediately pushed from the outside. However, after a while, no one stepped inside.
"What are you waiting for? Get out quickly!”
Hearing an unexpected voice, Julian spontaneously met Mia's eyes. Their worries turned out to be overblown.
"Get out or I'll be in!"
"All right, all right," Julian grunted before snorting and walking away from his lover who still had to take cover behind the door.
"What are you doing inside?" Max inquired while crossing his arms over the chest. The look on his face seemed like a father s
After descending the stairs, Gabriella smiled brightly. Their youngest servant seemed very diligent in cleaning the shelves with a rag. "Good morning, Lena," the woman said lightly as she continued walking towards the kitchen. However, after a few steps, no answer was heard. Gabriella was forced to freeze her legs to sharpen the hearing. "Good morning, Lena," she repeated in a louder voice. Instead of answering, the girl in the uniform touched her ear. In an instant, the mistress' mouth rounded. "Oh, she must be listening to music through earphones," Gabriella muttered with a small nod. A second later, she continued her steps towards the kitchen. Just before the woman arrived in the doorway, Minnie's voice broke. “Does anyone of you see Mia?” Again, the lady's feet stopped moving. With round eyes and a stiff blink, she listened to the chatter of the servants. "No, Auntie," two people answered, almost at the same time.
After a while, Max finally managed to seize the weapon. After installing the safety lever and pocketing the gun, he helped Mia hold the hand that tried to rebel.“Let go! You are a coward!" the vicious woman snapped. Although she was already helpless, the look in her eyes seemed ready to tear anyone who stood in her way.“Gaby, quickly call the police and an ambulance!” Max exclaimed, snapping his wife out of the shock.After blinking, Gabriella reached for the cellphone lying on the table. With trembling hands, she dialed the emergency number.While the woman was doing her job, Sharp Knife rushed in with his men. After sighing heavily, he swung his index finger. Without needing any clear command, two people rushed to take Mia and Max's place.“Look! How cowardly you are! Fighting one person in a gang," the woman yelled although she was starting to turn pale and sweaty.Instead of being provoked by emotion, Sharp Knif
“I'm sorry, Mia,” Julian sighed to the girl in the red dress walking beside him.Instead of smiling, the secretary snorted lightly. “Stop apologizing, Julian. You didn't do anything wrong," the girl replied, rubbing the hand that never let her go."I feel bad to have left you alone with that criminal," the man muttered, still not untangling his brows.“You weren't awake when the hitman attacked. So, stop blaming yourself. Besides, if you were with me, I'm sure you would protect me," the girl said while raising the corners of her lips.Seeing such a sweet smile, Julian's heart became a little more spacious. "Do you know that I'm very proud of you?""Yes. I've heard that phrase a dozen times today," Mia replied, raising an eyebrow. “Now, let's hurry! People must have questioned our existence," the girl urged while dragging her lover's steps faster.“There's no need to rush, Mia. Tonight, you are the queen. N
“Are you sad for being ignored by the Little Prince?” Julian teased before placing his palm behind Mia's back, signaling the girl to follow him."A little. He prefers cake to me,” Mia joked before stopping in front of the man who had just gotten up from the couch.“Would you guys still throw a party even though I haven't arrived?” Sebastian asked with his trademark lopsided smile.Snorting a laugh, Julian reached out a hand. "Let's think this is also a welcoming party for you," he replied, shaking the hand that gripped him tightly."Oh, this party is multifunctional, apparently," the cousin replied while turning his gaze to the crowd around the cake. His nephew was still the center of attention there."Yes," Julian answered before turning the excitement off and replacing it with seriousness. "So how's your wound? Has it gotten better?”Glancing at his left arm, Sebastian pushed his lower lip. "In the heali
While the fortune teller smoked the crystal ball, Mia glanced at the man sitting beside her. As soon as their gazes met, she and Julian furrowed brows together. They seemed to be talking telepathically.After a moment of silence, the man finally grabbed the girl's fingers. While stroking the back of that cold hand, he nodded."It's all right," Julian said only with the mouth motion without a sound.After making the same move, Mia looked back at the black-clothed table in front of her. Candles that were lit in every corner, added to the mystical impression in the room."The crystal ball is ready, Miss," the fortune teller whispered, causing Mia to gasp. With eyebrows raised to the max, the girl held her breath. "Now, rub your hands then place them on the right and left sides of this ball."With a stiff motion, the secretary obeyed the directions. Without asking, she placed her hands flat on the table."Not like that, Miss, but like this," the
“Julian, is there something you really want to do with me?” Mia asked when her lover escorted her to the room."Me ...?" the man replied while glancing with a questioning look. “I want to do everything with you, Mia. Every moment in my life is only enjoyable when it's spent with you."Receiving an unexpected answer, the girl snorted a smile. "That's not about it, Julian. I mean, the thing you want to do the most. The thing at the top of all the list.”From under the furrowed brows, Julian watched his footwork. “Right now, what I want the most is seeing you walking towards me in a wedding dress. We will take the real oath, then put a ring on each other's finger. Yes, that's what I want right now."Instead of feeling satisfied, Mia shook her head again. “There must be something other than that. What about after marriage? What do you want the most from me?”"A cute baby," Julian answered without a second thoug
“What is this, Mia?” Julian asked while picking up a piece of paper with the photo of the girl and his nephew. “Is this really a gift for me? Not for Cayden? This looks like a collection of your memories. What exactly are you planning?”Hearing her lover's voice starting to get carried away by emotion, Mia spontaneously gulped. Clenching her fingers, she tried to defend the lie.“It is really a gift for you. Aren't Cayden and I the people you love the most?”“Are you secretly preparing for farewell?” Julian inquired with a pointed look. His teary eyes were starting to be covered with red streaks.Knowing the man's anger, Mia's lips began to tremble. She wanted to deny it, but couldn't tell a further lie. Her tongue was too stiff to break the tension.“Answer honestly, Mia! Why do you give them such a farewell gift?”Before the girl could tell the truth, a heavy sigh escaped from Jul
"Have you seen Julian?" Max asked as he had just returned from his brother's room. After pulling out a chair and sitting down at the dining table, he added a caption. "He's not in his room."Without a word, the servants, who were busy arranging plates and glasses, shook their heads in unison."Julian doesn't usually get up early on the weekends," the woman who was draping an apron around her son's neck, murmured."I don't know .... He really isn't in his room," Max said, shrugging his shoulders briefly.“Perhaps, Mister Julian is asleep in Miss Mia's room. They've been working all night," the youngest servant who was next door to the secretary chimed in.The girl's confession successfully widened everyone's eyes and even, stopped the butler's footsteps. After a faint exhalation, the old woman came to Lena's back and touched her."What did you say? Mister Julian is sleeping in Mia's room?”In an instant, the atmosphere turn
"Whoa!" Cayden sighed as his father placed him on the back of a pony. With round eyes, he surveyed his height from the ground. Even though it was not much, the toddler in the cowboy hat still showed a happy smile. “How is it, Little Evans? Are you happy?” the woman who held the horse's rein asked. Not daring to move much, Cayden nodded at a limited angle. "Yes, Greta. I am happy. It's thrilling!” he answered enthusiastically. “Thrilling?” Gabriella muttered, furrowing an eyebrow. While continuing to rock her niece, the woman expressed astonishment. “Where did you learn that word, Little Prince?” "Daddy often mentions it," the toddler replied, successfully making his father wince. "Daddy said that the nights spent with Mom were always thrilling." As Gabriella glared at her husband, Greta burst out laughing. "Gosh, Max. I think you should be more careful now. Your genius son can absorb all the words you speak.” "Right. I'll be more caref
"If you kept avoiding me, I would really quit the company," Julian said, successfully freezing Mr. Hunt's steps. The old man was then blinking, digesting the words he thought he heard wrong. “Actually, my position as a CEO is being threatened for some reasons. I tried to keep it a secret from all of you. I didn't even let Mia know. But as it turned out, it wasn't easy at all. My mind became adrift. And because the burden was too heavy, my emotions finally exploded. I'm so sorry it had to happen in front of you." Hearing the tone that seemed honest, Mr. Hunt slowly turned his focus. Two seconds later, he saw the tears slide from the grandson's eyes. "I've tried to be strong and tough, Grandpa. I thought I could solve all problems. But it turns out, I haven’t found any solution yet. That's why I was angry when I failed to find Grace and you at the cemetery. It got me think that I am a useless man," Julian explained with the gloomy eyes landed on the grass.
“Tsk, why does Grandpa run away like this? It just makes me feel even guiltier,” Julian grumbled between gasping breaths. Holding on to Mr. Hunt's message, he walked down the tree-lined path. “What should I do if Grandpa isn't there? Where should I look for him?” the man thought as he couldn't erase the wrinkles from his face. The burden in his heart was too heavy to ignore. After a few moments of struggling with the noise in his brain, Julian finally shook his head and blinked strongly. "No, no. Grandpa must be there. I'll take him home and things will automatically return to the way they were before," the man nodded, fostering hope. Ignoring the anxiety that kept swirling in his mind, he went faster. Unfortunately, as soon as Julian passed the cemetery gates, his steps were frozen. His jaw was dropping while his eyelids were lifted to the maximum. What he had hoped for quickly turned into disappointment. "No way! This is impossible!” he curs
"Dad," Cayden called quietly. A second later, the toddler handed Max a piece of bread that had been cleaned of jam. "I'm already full," he continued with a meaningful smile.Understanding the son's intentions, Max spontaneously raised an eyebrow. "Do you want me to finish your bread again?"While showing two rows of tiny teeth, Cayden nodded. After a faint exhalation, the father began to vibrate the air with laughter."Gaby, look at what Little Prince did! I can get fat if he keeps handing me food,” the man said while showing the second bread he received from his son.“Just eat it, Max. You need more energy to help the Little Prince take care of Hasty,” the woman who was cleaning the dishes with a sponge replied.Hearing his mother's response, Cayden's eyes immediately widened. His energy had just risen to the peak. “I've finished breakfast, Mom. Can I go to the stable now?”"Yes, but you have to wash your face
Suddenly, Julian dropped his face into his hands. After exhaling heavily, he lifted his head again and put on an indescribable expression."I didn't mean to scare anyone, Mia. I just don't want Grandpa’s mistake to happen again," the man said with frown on his face."Yes, I know," Mia replied with the same thin voice. “But you can do it without hurting Grandpa's feelings, Julian. This matter can be discussed amicably.”While gritting his teeth, Julian shook his head. Confusion had returned to cover his eyes. “What should I do now? I already made Grandpa sad.""Apologize?" Mia answered with a grimace."Is that enough?" the man asked doubtfully. He began to realize that his anger had indeed crossed the line.Pondering, the woman nodded. “As long as it's sincere, Grandpa will definitely forgive you. And I think, you should also explain to Cayden that what you did was wrong. Don't let your nephew imitate something t
“Greta, have you prepared delicious toast for us?” Cayden asked as the hostess opened the door wider to welcome him. Seeing her father was still able to walk, the woman with high arch of the brows spontaneously sighed in relief. After shaking her head for a moment, she turned her gaze to the toddler who was still holding Mr. Hunt's hand and waiting for her response. "Of course I have. There is also strawberry jam for you. Are you hungry?” Greta asked while faking a smile. “Not me, but Grandpa. I heard the sound of his breathing all the way. Grandpa is very tired! He should eat a lot of bread," Cayden said with his trademark expression—round eyes and pursed lips. While stroking her son's head, Gabriella bent her knees. After leveling their eyes, the woman tilted her head. "You know where Greta put the plate of bread, don't you?" No more than two seconds, the toddler nodded. "Yes. On the dining table," he answered with a big smile. "That
"Sorry, Julian. I took Grace to see your grandmother for a while. Now, I intend to take her home. We're not wandering around or straying like you said," Mister Hunt explained with an indescribable expression. Even so, his hoarse voice was able to touch the hearts of the listeners, apart from his grandson. "But the way home is over there, Grandpa!" Julian snapped, still with eyebrows raised to the max. The young man didn't feel sorry at all for the hunched back that was getting weighed down by guilt. "I really can’t understand what’s on your mind. Don't you realize that your recklessness can lead to trouble? Didn't we agree to go together? Why did you secretly take Grace away?” he continued, thickening the wrinkles on his grandfather's forehead. Sensing her father's anger, Little Princess began to furrow her brows. The baby had never heard such a loud voice. When her eyes fell on Mr. Hunt's gloomy face, she spontaneously pouted. A second later, her heavy cry b
Arriving at the cemetery, Julian was taken aback. What he saw was completely beyond expectation. There were no old man and baby among the tombstones. The grandfather and Grace left absolutely no trace. "This is impossible," Julian muttered as he quickened his pace. Neglecting his initial attempt to remain calm, the man sped toward the direction Greta had given. After searching for a while, he finally found the grandmother's name on one of the stones. “Right, this is the place. They should be here," Julian sighed, sounding desperate. With deep furrows, he circled around, trying to find any trace of either his daughter or Grandpa Hunt. Unfortunately, as far as the eye could see, the two remained off the radar. Confusion instantly grew bigger in Julian’s mind. "Tsk, how could it be like this?" he grumbled while clutching his head. Knowing that irritation, Mia gently touched her husband's arm. She knew that the man had failed to control hi
Carefully, Mr. Hunt wiped his great-granddaughter's cheek. Grace's red eyes no longer shed sadness. However, the old man still felt guilty for making the baby cry. "I'm sorry, Grace. I should have walked more calmly so you wouldn't wake up," he whispered in between his ragged breaths. After her face had been dry, Grace rested her head on Mister Hunt's shoulder. Blinking slowly, she pursed her lips. The furrow of her tiny brows indicated that she still wanted to roll up in the blanket on the crib. The baby wondered why she was with her great-grandfather, sitting on a long bench at the edge of a path. “When I was young, I only need fifteen minutes to arrive at your great-grandmother's grave. But now, why does it feel so long and tiring?” Mr. Hunt grumbled as he wiped his forehead with one hand. After one quick breath, the old man stood up again and held Grace in his languid arms. Although the baby was a bit heavy, his lips still curled up warmly.