“What do you know?” Grandma May had her reasons. It then hit Callum. He asked with a smile, “Nana, are you putting one over Zachary?” Giving him a side glance, Grandma York murmured, “One more question, and you’re next.” That shut Callum up. Although Callum felt sorry for Zachary, it was best he stayed out of it for his own safety. Better Zachary than him. Grandma May was a child trapped in an adult’s body. Having found her inner child, Grandma May was on the prowl for setting her grandchildren up. Meanwhile, Serenity closed the shop and took the helmet from her best friend to put on. She also took the keys and said, “I’ll do it.” Sitting at the back, Jasmine wrapped her arms around Serenity’s waist. “If only you’re a man, Serenity. I’ll marry you right now, and that would get my mom off my back.” “Hold still! Keep your hands to yourself or I’ll throw you off the bike.” Serenity warned her best friend before starting the engine. Although Serenity often passed by B
“Ms. Sox, don’t leave so soon.” Not done flexing his superiority, Mr. Bill was reluctant to let Jasmine go. “I’m sorry, Mr. Bill. I don’t think we’re a good match. See you never.” Jasmine came clean about her thoughts before dragging Serenity away. They strutted on until Serenity came to a sudden stop. “What’s wrong, Seren?” “My husband.” “What?” Before Jasmine understood the meaning behind Serenity’s words, Zachary had drawn close. His profound eyes were fixated on Serenity as his lips curled into a smirk. Serenity could feel his sarcasm without him saying a word. What was he being sarcastic about? Serenity got her answer when she turned around and caught sight of Mr. Bill on their tail. Serenity explained, “I’m only tagging along my friend, Jasmine’s, date.” She was not in a rush to find the next sugar daddy. Zachary remained without a word. Jasmine got a look at her best friend’s husband at last! The man was a dreamboat! Afraid Zachary might take it the w
Serenity had no idea about the interaction between Zachary and Grandma May. It was a surprise running into Zachary at Beans and Cream, but putting two and two together, Serenity figured out why Zachary ended up there. What was the reason behind Nana’s actions? Was it so Zachary would get the wrong idea about her? It was not as if Serenity was on a blind date. It was Jasmine’s date. Even if Zachary saw her… Harking back to the scene at the coffee house, Serenity noticed the tension in Zachary’s face more than ever. Although Serenity tended to be slow at picking up cues, she could tell that Zachary took things the wrong way. Most importantly, Jasmine was at the loo, leaving Serenity with Mr. Bill by herself. It was a good thing Jasmine emerged from the loo right after. Her timely clarification loosened the tension on his clenched jaw. Serenity was clueless as to why Nana would do such a thing. She saved Nana’s life, but she expected nothing in return. It was Nana who remained
The video sent by Nana suddenly came to Zachary’s mind. Serenity was breathtaking when she was focused on making her crafts. Still denying that fact, Zachary watched the video multiple times nonetheless. He had to admit that he was captivated by the charm exuded by a confident woman at work. It was indeed eye-catching. It was said that women with confidence were the prettiest. All he saw was confidence in Serenity. She was a strong and independent woman. “I’ve never known and will never know what jealousy is… “Oh, you’re up?” Zachary was caught off guard by Serenity’s sudden presence in the living room as she emerged from the balcony. While still on the line, Callum replied, “I’m going to bed soon, but I thought of giving you a call before I turn in for the night.” Zachary terminated the call. Callum was speechless. “I dozed off on the swing. Your talking woke me up.” Wincing his face, Zachary told her off, “The night breeze can be freezing. Careful not to catch a
Serenity finished her breakfast and cleaned up in the kitchen before telling Zachary, “I’m going out. Don’t forget to lock the door on your way out.” Zachary glanced at her before turning his attention back to his toast. “That reminds me. Can I take some of the fruits to my sister’s?” She bought too much fruit the other day for the family event and they would be left to rot in the fridge since she and Zachary could not finish everything in time. Zachary answered, “Your sister is family. You can take whatever you want without asking me. You’re free to make decisions over household affairs unless it’s a matter that requires a discussion between us.” “We’re not that close, and I’m living in your house. I think it’s respectful to you as a husband to ask.“I’m not the type to hog all the good stuff for my own family. I bought a little too much fruit the other day and I think they’ll go to waste since we can’t eat that much. At least now my sister can have some before they turn ba
Zachary threatened the lady coldly. The apple of the Stones’ eye, Elisa was the princess of Stone Group’s chairman and the twin sister of the CEO, Clive Stone. Elisa was the most eligible bachelorette. “Hang on, Zachary.” Struck by a thought, Elisa turned around and ran back to the sports car to grab a huge bouquet of roses. She returned with the bouquet and shoved it through Zachary’s open window while saying, “These are for you, Zachary. I know you and my brother don’t get along, but I love you. I feel the need to confess my love to you, so you know I’m your one true love.” Stone Group and York Corporation might not be sworn enemies, but they were certainly business rivals due to clashing trades. Both groups were not on the best of terms, to say the least. Yet, it was love at first sight for Clive’s sister, Elisa, when she first laid her eyes on Zachary at an event many years ago. Due to the conflict of interest between both giants, Clive and her parents disapproved of El
“Don’t let the missus know about today.” Zachary told the people around him. The bodyguards heeded his instruction. Mr. Zachary was married. Yet, Ms. Stone openly professed her love to him. The missus should never find out about it. Elisa’s brazen stunt did not go unnoticed among those in York Corporation. The employees stole a few glances at their boss as Zachary walked into the building. Bearing a straight face with his lips pursed as always, Zachary took strides while being surrounded by his bodyguards. There was just a regal air about him. Such a man was a heartthrob to most young women. Many young female employees in the company would be swept off their feet after catching a glimpse of the young CEO. However, nobody had the guts to come clean about their feelings toward Zachary, let alone chase after him. The way ordinary people saw it was that the Yorks were far beyond reach. Even if the boys of the York family were known for their commitment to their partners, the
“Zachary isn’t someone she can handle. Try and get her to move on. You don’t see other young women hanging around Zachary other than his family. He’s a heartless man. Why can’t Elisa listen to reason?” Clive threw in the towel on his sister. “I’m too busy to deal with her now. Honey, I’ll leave Elisa in your hands.”“Carry on with your work. I’ll pick Elisa up now and take her to go shopping with Mom. Mom’s been feeling down lately.” Clive’s wife, Alice, had a great relationship with her mother-in-law. Seeing that her mother-in-law was feeling blue, Alice persuaded her to go out and get some sunshine. A bit of retail therapy might do her good. Clive fell silent. He knew the reason behind his mother’s melancholy. There had not been any news about his aunt. It was the one thing Mom could never stop talking about. Clive’s mother, Audrey, grew up in an orphanage. Her parents passed away when Audrey was young, survived by Audrey and her sister who was four years younger. The s
“Callum and Camryn came with Trenton, so they’re all having a barbecue together.”Serenity hummed in response. She closed the door to Sonny's room and said to Dylan, “Is it something you don’t want Zachary to know? If so, let’s go to his study to talk." “It’s not that. It’s fine if he knows, but I’ve talked to him, and he couldn’t be bothered. Then I asked Julian, but he said he was busy. He’s taking Ms. Crawford to register their marriage tomorrow. I just wanted a little help from him; I didn’t need him to do it personally.” Dylan grumbled a little about Julian being unhelpful.If Julian could hear this, he would retort, “Why should I help you? Even Zachary isn’t that demanding.”If it were not for the fact that Zachary and his cousin, Josh, were best buddies, Julian would not be so obliging either. Among the Yorks, Grandma May was the person the Buchams most respected. Of course, if it were something important, the Bucham family would definitely help, but Dylan’s request se
“I haven’t felt like snacking lately.”“Is the stuff made at home not to your taste anymore?” Whenever Serenity said she did not want to eat something she usually loved, Zachary would wonder if it was because the chef’s skills had declined, causing his beloved wife to lose her appetite. “It’s not that, I just don’t feel like eating them. I think maybe the baby is like you and doesn’t like sweets.”Zachary smiled. “If our son is like me, that’s fine. He’ll be steady, and in the future, the two of us will protect you.” If they had a daughter, he hoped she would be like Serenity. If she had his personality… Well, it would not be the most charming. Zachary wanted his daughter to be very likable. “I don’t need you guys to protect me, I can protect myself.”“Honey, don’t say that. I’m your husband, your man. You have to give me a chance to show off, or else people will say you married a useless husband. That would be so unfair to me.”Serenity chuckled.“Do you want to go watch So
“I can be just as considerate and attentive to you.”Quinn looked at him and could not help but laugh. “I don't mean anything else by that, you don’t need to be so defensive.”“You envy Serenity,” Julian said. “I don't want you to envy anyone. I want you to be someone others envy.”Uh, this sounded exactly like something Zachary would say. It looked like, occasionally, he really had learned a thing or two from Zachary.Quinn instantly felt smitten. She looped her arm through Julian's and whispered, “I already am someone others envy. I’m not envious of Serenity—I was just making an observation. They say Mr. Zachary dotes on his wife, and Serenity is very lucky. Now that I’ve witnessed it with my own eyes, I believe it. So, I genuinely sighed with admiration. I know I’m very lucky as well. You treat me so well, and I am content. I really don’t envy anyone.”The young couple’s conversation went unnoticed by Zachary. He waited for his wife to settle before answering a call from Dylan.
“Well, Rowan can play for a couple of days, but he has to start working on his homework soon. The college entrance exam is around the corner, and we can't let him relax too much.”“Rowan's grades are very stable and good. It won’t be hard for him to get into college, so don't put too much pressure on him. It's not necessary for him to get into the same university you and the others went to.”Serenity still remembered the pressure she had felt in high school, though it was not as much as Rowan felt, and her sister's expectations for her were more relaxed; she was only expected to do her best. No matter what the results were, Liberty would accept it. Of course, if she could get into an Ivy League university, that would be great. Otherwise, getting into an Ivy Plus university would also be fine. If that did not work out, she could go to a public university or even take a gap year. Liberty would have been okay with any of it. Her sister always told her that as long as she was physica
Zachary would not do such a thing. Julian laughed. “It’s my first time getting married. I’m asking around because I’m inexperienced. That way, I can make a plan.”Zachary turned to look at him. He said, “How many more times do you intend to get married? I didn’t have any experience either back then. It was my first time going to City Hall. Besides, Seren and I got married in a rush and did not even know each other well. After getting our marriage license, I completely forgot that I was a married man.“You’re in a better situation than I was. At least you and Quinn have feelings for each other and a stable relationship.”Julian chuckled. He caught up to Zachary and placed his arm on his shoulder. He said, “We all know what we should avoid after you’ve set an example.”Zachary was speechless. “You and Serenity are an enviable couple now.“I want to learn from you and make people jealous of Quinn as well.”Zachary brushed Julian’s hand off. “I think you’ll do a better job than m
Zachary and Julian exited the house with two housekeepers behind them, holding a tray each with snacks and drinks. The two men had excellent eyesight and quickly spotted the love of their lives sitting at a bench some distance away. Zachary knew that it was because Serenity got tired from walking. In the past, some pregnant female employees would return to work despite being pretty far along in their pregnancies. Their workload was only slightly lighter. Since Zachary had seen those employees insisting on working even though they were pregnant, he used to think being pregnant and giving birth were not that difficult. He had never put himself in the shoes of the female employees. They insisted on working because they feared being replaced if they took an extended maternity leave. When they returned, they could be discriminated against and had to start all over again. While there were opportunities to be promoted in a megacorporation, one had to climb the corporate ladder ste
Quinn burst out laughing. “You’re right. There’s a higher chance of success with more people. However, having a daughter of your own is more satisfying.“Everyone will be fighting to dote on your daughter. That’s better than you cooing over someone else’s daughter.”Serenity looked at Quinn for a while before smiling. “You have a point there.“But I don’t know if Zachary and I are fated to have a daughter.”“Technology is advanced now. It’s definitely possible with IVF,” suggested Quinn. However, upon recalling what Grandma May mentioned earlier, she quickly added, “Never mind. I guess it’s better not to go for artificial methods in your family. If something were to happen… it’ll be devastating.”The Yorks could be destined to have sons only. Even if a daughter were to be born into the family, it would be painful if she could not survive till adulthood. Regret lingered in the absence of what the heart desired; yet to hold it briefly, only to lose it, birthed deeper despair.
“Does this mean you and Julian are getting your marriage license before the year ends?”Quinn nodded. “We’ll head to the City Hall at nine tomorrow morning.”Serenity immediately congratulated her. “Congratulations, Quinn. You’ll find happiness with Julian. You don’t have to worry about him having a change of heart because you’re the only woman for him.”Quinn blushed. “This may sound funny, but I’m glad that he can only get aroused when he’s with me. As you said, he won’t ever have a change of heart because his body won’t react to other women.”She was aware of Julian’s condition and found it acceptable. Besides, they had gotten along well ever since they met each other. She was satisfied with every aspect of him. He was the ideal husband candidate for her. Not only that, her family members had observed Julian. Her father even flew to Wiltspoon to ask around about the Bucham family. He agreed to her dating Julian because he had a positive impression of the Buchams’ personali
Before Rowan took Sonny away, he did not forget to inform Serenity about it. He even told Quinn, “Sonny and I are going to play, Quinn.”Serenity nodded with a smile. She told Quinn, “Let’s go over too.”Although she could not enjoy the facilities at the playground, she could watch them play. Quinn was more than happy to accompany her. She loved having fun. “When are you and Mr. Julian getting married?” Serenity asked Quinn. Quinn blushed. She said, “Julian wants it to be as soon as possible. I’m not in a rush because I think I’m still young.”After a short pause, she added, “I’ll go with his decision. My family likes him.”Serenity laughed. “I heard all about it. Mr. Julian has done a great job with your family. Mr. and Mrs. Bucham are nice people. They’ve been looking forward to having a daughter-in-law for the longest time.”Walter and Stacy were indeed friendly toward the people they knew. With the Buchams and the Yorks’ relationship, the Bucham couple treated Sereni