Irene only shoved at him briefly before responding in kind.They were soon stuck together like glue and pulling away briefly only seemed to send their passion blaring!It was yet another beautiful, stormy night, and Irene was eventually left nestling in his arms, her eyes half-closed like a languid kitten.She felt soft and limp, just as she asked, "How did you send Zachary back to Zidonia?"Isaac caressed her cheek just then, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Work. He's been here for a while anyway, so it's time he returned."Still, Isaac had a feeling that Zachary knew about Lulu but never told him directly. He was only too happy to go back to Zidonia when Isaac told him to—he would have asked something if he did not know or leave so quickly.Irene closed her eyes drowsily then. "I'm going to sleep now."Isaac gently patted her back.-Irene brought several books for Lulu when she visited the next day, since she was afraid Lulu might get bored.The location of Lulu's lod
Erin waited for another two classes, but Lulu still did not show up.After classes were over and she headed to the castle, she found Lulu and Irene having tea in the garden just as she expected. The weather was good, and it was just right for them to stay beneath the tree shade.She smiled and made her way over. "Hey, Irene."Irene quickly beckoned when she was here. "Come, sit."Lulu was surprised that Irene and Erin knew each other, especially since she was not familiar with the latter.Irene introduced her. "She's Isaac's sister."Lulu smiled. "What a coincidence."Erin smiled politely in return. "Yes, though I realized yesterday."While Lulu appeared surprised, Erin explained, "James was the one who arranged for your lodging."Irene added, "James is her husband."As Lulu realized with a start, Irene had a servant bring Erin a glass of juice. "We're having tea, but you should have juice," she told Erin—tea was not good for pregnancy.Erin was only too happy to accept th
There was a twinkle in Stan's eyes, but he did not agree to it right away. "I'll call her and speak to her about it… Or should I give you her number and let you ask?""Sure," Zachary replied. "I can get in touch to see if she's suitable.""Okay," Stan whipped out his phone and sent him the number, and Zachary's phone vibrated on the dashboard. -Zachary took Stan to dinner later to celebrate his return—it was just the two of them, and they drank a lot."Now that I'm back, it feels like you're acting weird…" Stan said seemingly nonchalantly, twirling his glass."Really?" Zachary chuckled coolly but did not press the issue and raised his glass. "Perhaps!""Congratulations. You get to come back even though you're always busy!" Stan raised his glass in turn.However, Zachary suddenly mentioned Lulu while they clinked glasses. "How's your cousin related to you?""What cousin?" Stan was confused, though he realized with a start before Zachary spoke."You mean the one with me at th
Lulu hesitated for a while before picking up her phone hesitantly.She unlocked it with her fingerprint, but she did not answer when she saw the familiar number and put it away instead.They must not rush things—she had to let things run their course to make it look natural, as well as remember that she was no longer Lulu Adams but a child care worker who worked abroad!-Meanwhile, Zachary reached home at 10 PM and heard Jean's cries as soon as he stepped inside.Frowning, he entered the room to find Erma, the housemaid, trying her best to coax the baby. "Why is she still crying?"Erma was a temporary hire and not a professional child care worker—she appeared fatigued and was on the verge of tears when she saw Zachary. "You're finally home, sir. I've not seen another child as fussy! She actually cried the entire afternoon!"However, she quickly lowered her head when she saw Zachary's icy reaction and continued, "We agreed that I'd only be cleaning the house and not take care
If she did, Isaac would really get upset with her this time!"Be safe!" Irene sighed exasperatedly but said nothing else.After hanging up, she stared at her door for a long while—she had no idea when it started, but Lulu and Zachary's lives had become two parallel lines, having no chance of intersecting.She sighed again.-On the other end, Lulu received a friend request from Zachary—he probably added her because he could not reach her the first time.[Hello, I'm Stan's friend and I heard you're a child care worker. Are you still in the profession at the moment?][Yes.] Lulu replied almost immediately. [May I see your certification?]Zachary was prudent—but anyone else would be if their child were involved!Lulu's heart skipped a beat, but it was fortunate that she already used a new photo for her certificate. She might be in trouble if she did not![Okay. Please wait a moment—I will take a photo right now!]After a brief wait, Lulu sent him the photo, and Zachary was
Lulu frowned after she tapped on the address—she was quite familiar with the place since she used to meet Zachary there!Still, she took a moment to calm down and replied: [Okay!]-Over in Franconia, Irene was still more or less concerned after her call with Lulu. After all, Lulu had gone through multiple surgeries without proper recovery, so Irene was worried her body could not take it!Isaac had arrived home just then and was left frowning when he found Irene distracted. "What is it?""You're early," Irene replied, coming to her senses."I'm done with work," Isaac replied, his gaze flickering just then—he could not tell her that he would like to spend more time with her now that she was back, could he?Pierre came up to them, asking, "Dinner is ready, sir. Shall we start serving?""Yeah," Isaac said and put an arm around Irene's shoulders as they headed to the dining hall."Did you come back early because of me?" Irene suddenly asked.Isaac was tsundere as ever. "I just fi
"Oh, it's fine!" Zachary smiled and picked up his cup of coffee for a sip.He looked up again after lowering the glass and said, "Stan told me that you had experience with many children abroad. What can you tell me about it? My child has been crying a lot since I've been busy lately, so I have to get a child care worker… Moreover, I'm a single man and not exactly the delicate type, so caring for children can get inconvenient."He certainly was not careless with her child, and he was left sighing upon remembering how Jean kept crying into the middle of the night!Lulu felt warmth in her heart seeing Zachary's attitude—any man who realized that he lacked the delicate touch was certainly giving his best!"I have cared for the children of several families abroad. You may read some of the feedback!" Lulu said, and handed him some of the materials she prepared. "I asked Stan to bring me back since staying abroad permanently isn't doing me any favors either.""Wendy Jones…?" Zachary co
"That's more than what I was paid abroad. Don't worry, I'll take good care of your child!" Zachary asked for a pen from the waiter, and after they both signed it, Zachary offered a handshake. "I look forward to working with you!"Lulu did not hesitate to shake it—she was just a step away from seeing her baby again!On the other hand, Zachary's heart skipped a beat as their hands touched, but he said nothing."Oh, by the way…"Zachary suddenly remembered something as he packed up. "I named my child earlier, but I'm not satisfied with it. Could I ask for a suggestion since you'd be more knowledgeable?"Lulu did a double take.She and Martin had come up with the name 'Jean' for the baby, but Martin was dead and herself disfigured. Likewise, she could not say anything against Zachary renaming the baby—it was fortunate that she was young, and her ties to the past would be severed after that.Still, Lulu pretended to hesitate and shook her head. "I'm just going to take care of your
Soon after the wedding, Mr. Fowler proposed for Stan to work at his company to get used to the work over there.He was worried as he did not have much time left, and it would not do if he was gone before the proper arrangements were made.Still, Stan returned to Franconia with Isaac and his family, sorting out things at work and finishing every task he had on hand.While Isaac used to have a lot of free time with Stan around, he was just slightly busier after Stan left. After all, no company should operate in a way that losing a single person would stall all their operations.And after a week, Stan sorted out all the remaining tasks he had in Franconia and returned to Zidonia to start work at the Fowlers' family business.While Stan had property in Zidonia too, he moved into the Fowlers' mansion, but not as a live-in son-in-law. He was simply aware of Mr. Fowler's illness, and Rea wanted to spend more time with her parents.And as the son-in-law, he was obliged to do that much.
Despite feeling wistful, Mr. Fowler eventually passed Rea's hand to Stan. "I hope you will both cherish each other from now on."Rea told him, "We will."Thereafter, it was the usual proceedings of a wedding, with exchange of rings and vows, the wedding speech, and the luncheon!Though everything went smoothly, Mrs. Fowler could not help shedding tears.She was pleased that her daughter was finally getting married, especially since she was looking forward to this.But now that Rea really did marry, she was worried that her life might get difficult and unhappy.Such was the worrisome nature of mothers.-Later, Stan led Rea to Isaac's table.They were all acquainted, but Stan introduced everyone once again to reacquaint them with Rea.After all, she was no longer Zachary's friend's cousin now, but Stan's wife.Erin was grinning from ear to ear. "Congratulations.""Thank you." Rea smiled in return."Congrats," Baby said, imitating the adults.Rea reached out to stroke his c
Zachary said, "I heard you sealed the deal with Rea Fowler, and her family is preparing for your wedding."Stan smiled. "I'm the look of success—getting a girl couldn't be simpler. See? I'm getting married already.""Well, I guess we're all taken now," Erin said.Tommy poked his head up just then. "Congratulations, Uncle Stan.""Thank you." Stan chuckled, patting his head."Also, I heard that you're marrying into the Fowler family?" Zachary asked.Everyone turned to stare at Stan in shock, but it was understandable.Stan was not that modest that he would have to go that far—he had money and was successful enough to afford a wife.Still, Zachary—who knew the Fowlers—suggested, "To be fair, they do need someone to take care of the family business…"-Either way, it meant that Irene's family would be delaying their return trip to Franconia.After all, none of them had expected to attend Stan's wedding so soon after Zachary's.Stan himself did not expect that either, as he had
"What's the problem? We've already slept together," Rea said as she put her clothes on.She frowned as Stan was still on the bed and not moving. "What, are you going to stay in my bed forever?""What am I supposed to wear?" Stan shrugged. "You haven't brought my clothes here.""I'll get it for you."Rea remembered his suitcase then and hurried downstairs to bring it up."Wear whatever you like. I'll be waiting downstairs," she said and hurried away.Stan got out of bed and put on a suit—it was only right to dress formally when it came to discussing marriage.After cleaning up and heading downstairs, he found Rea sandwiched by her parents.Stan had no idea if she had already mentioned it, but both Mr. and Mrs. Fowler were both staring at him, leaving him further tense.Clearing his throat, Stan began, "Excuse me, but—""Yes, we agree to you marrying our daughter.""You mean marrying into our family," Rea corrected them.Everyone else was staring at her before asking all at o
If Rea asked her parents now, they would only get sad, and life would become difficult for everyoneWhat should she do to make them happy?Right, she could get married! Her parents would definitely be pleased. As for the choice of bridegroom, did she not have one readily available here?If Stan could pretend to be her boyfriend, he could definitely be her husband too.They could fake their marriage if they had to!Putting the medical file back where she found it, she wobbled up to her feet and left the room.Stan had yet to step out of the bathroom when she returned, so she sat on the bed and waited.After a while, Stan stepped out with a towel around his waist and paused when he saw Rea sitting there. "Where are my clothes?" He asked, presuming that Rea had forgotten since there was nothing on the bed or the table. "My suitcase is still in your car trunk."Rea turned toward him. "Let's get married."Stan was left speechless for a moment and soon chuckled, "Did you forge
Mrs. Fowler smacked her daughter, but while Rea thought she was angry, she said instead, "Just do your best."Rea's mind was blown—were her parents bewitched? They were completely different from before! A long time ago, her parents had used to tell her that she did not have to marry as long as she was happy.But later on, they had persistently sent her on blind dates… and now, they were telling her to seduce a man?Touching her mother's forehead, Rea asked, "Are you sick?"Mrs. Fowler slapped her hand off. "Your dad and I are leaving now.""Yeah." Mr. Fowler nodded. "The chauffeur is waiting."Rea walked them to the door and watched as their car left before returning inside.She did not go upstairs since Stan was asleep, and she would be bored—she was the type who just could not sit still.However, it was inappropriate if she left since that would leave nobody home.In her boredom, she thought of pranking Stan. She headed upstairs to find him asleep, and soundly at that.Ca
Unable to argue against her parents, Rea said, "Fine, fine. Whatever you say."Mrs. Fowler smiled. "Then help Stan upstairs to get some rest.""Which room?" Rea asked.Mrs. Fowler realized with a start and quickly said, "Oh, there's no bedding in the guest room… So let him stay in your room."Rea was left staring at her in shock. "When did you get so open-minded? Letting a man stay in your daughter's room?"Mrs. Fowler shrugged. "What can he do when he's drunk?""Haven't you heard of drunken fumbles?" Rea asked.Both Mr. and Mrs. Fowler shook their heads at the same time. "Nope."Rea was left totally speechless—this was just outrageous!She would think that Stan was actually their son, if it was not for the fact that they were not acquainted before.They were not like this before either—even if they were urging her to get married, they were not throwing her at a man like this!Mr. Fowler then said, "If anything happens, we'll demand that he takes responsibility and marries y
"I get it," Stan replied quietly. "I wouldn't have been upset even if you didn't explain yourself. But since you did, I forgive you."Rea's brow creased as she pursed her lips. "See? I knew it. We really shouldn't be too nice to you."While Stan was speechless, Mrs. Fowler was enthusiastically putting food on Stan's plate. "This is our family's favorite dish. Try it."Stan nodded after a bite. "It's good."Mrs. Fowler smiled, while Mr. Fowler poured him a glass of wine. "Can you hold your liquor?"Stan smiled. "More or less.""You're being humble now." Mr. Fowler smiled at him. "You're definitely a good drinker.""A little."Rea had enough right then. "Dad, Stan has work to do, and he has to return to Franconia tomorrow. You're going to make things difficult for him."Mr. Fowler smiled awkwardly. "Right…" "You think?" Rea huffed, snatching his wine away. "Everyone only gets to have one glass."Mr. Fowler glared at Rea. "Party pooper."Rea shrugged. "I'm doing this for your
Rea turned her head aside. "Then what's your hobby?"Stan did a double take and remembered his life… which was work and more work.It had been years since he took leave, and he would not get to goof off the last few days if it had not been for Zachary's wedding.Hobby? He certainly did not have anything like that.Now that he thought about it, his life was boring and monotonous, and he did not have anyone very close.That was why he wanted a kind, understanding wife to care and offer him company while he took care of her needs.When he looked up at Rea, he clearly felt that she was not for him—he needed someone to take care of him, but with her, he would be busy taking care of her instead."You're looking at me weirdly," Rea suddenly said."How so?" Stan asked.Rea moved closer, looking him in the eyes and asking solemnly, "Don't tell me—you've fallen for me?""You don't just suffer from a flawed personality—you're narcissistic too."Stan pursed his lips and checked the tim