The blonde woman snorted. “She’s not even sure about staying with him. Are you so desperate to marry you picked up a random woman, Wolfram?”
“…” Wolfram continued to stay quiet. His gaze was not even stuck on anyone in particular.
“Why do you always try to get my husband’s attention?” Delta turned to the woman. “Are you hoping to find someone more miserable than you? Leave him alone. You want him to come early, but this is all he hears. Perhaps he has good reasons to skip seeing you.”
The woman lifted her brow. “And you behave like you’ll be here the next time we gather. Look here, pretty face. You’re not going to be Wolfram’s wife for so long. Women like you are like single-use table napkins—just good for one use and then thrown away.”
Delta then smiled strangely again. “Perhaps. But you don’t have to boast about your very passionate marriage with your husband.”
“Ew, the mental image is so gross.” Xander shuddered, and Janelle slapped his shoulder. He didn’t even care if the blonde woman glared at him like her eyes would fall out soon.
“Wolfram, are you really going to let your wife run her mouth all night?” Zenon glared at Wolfram, who even tried not to choke when Delta spoke earlier.
Wolfram only sneered. “As much as I know, Wolfram is my name, not yours.”
Zenon and his wife frowned at the strange answer, but the collective derisive reaction of Xander, Janelle, and Yuri told them it was supposed to be an insult. That was the only time Zenon wanted to slam at the table. However, their father was already there. It would be bad to make the old man grumpier than he was tonight, especially when his wife was partly at fault.
He only turned to his wife. “Trisha, calm down. Just let them humiliate themselves.”
“I never expected you to defend me.” Trisha huffed and looked away from the faces of the prettier women joining them at the table.
It was good Mariska was not around, or else Trisha would feel more defeated. That classy woman kept to herself a lot, but she was viler. After all, the most venomous of snakes struck the quietest.
Soon enough, the main course was served minutes after David arrived. It seemed like they were asked to wait for his arrival before proceeding with the dinner. However, no one knew how much of the food’s taste changed because of their rough start.
David looked around to see how they were finding the food. Yuri was like a classy gentleman, while the second son was like a brutish CEO. Xander ate naturally, while Wolfram… David frowned at his third son a lot for some reason.
Did Wolfram not know how to help feed a child? Eine and Foxley were pretty much eating on their own. It’s just that David didn’t like how Wolfram was only watching Foxley deal with his own food. Even Delta was just letting Eine eat her pasta alone, not even cutting the long strands for them.
The sight even made the princess hesitant in asking for help.
“…M-Mommy…” the young girl looked at her upset mommy. “I can’t break the lobster’s leg on my own. It’s too hard.”
“You should have thought of that when you ordered for it to be separated from your cheesy macaroni.” Trisha sighed sharply. “You’re always like this, Regina.”
Regina, the princess, only watched her mother break three legs. However, she had a whole lobster in front of her. She then heard her mother say: “You just eat three of them, anyway. Hurry up and eat. Don’t blame me if the meat got too cold.”
The princess only nodded and ate with a grumble. She then caught Foxley looking in her direction. Regina huffed. “What? The first time you’ve seen a lobster?”
Foxley nodded, uncaring of the sneer coming from Regina’s mother. “Is it good?”
“…it’s okay.” Regina didn’t care too much. She wanted to eat as long as it was warm, especially her macaroni. She just ended up finishing the three legs. Without wrestling the lobster like how she would do it at home, she wouldn’t be able to eat most of it.
“Reggie…” Foxley suddenly showed up next to Regina, calling her by a boyish nickname. However, she just turned and saw the boy sitting on the chair between her and Janelle. The boy then smiled at her. “Can I have some? It looks delicious when you eat it.”
Regina pouted before looking at her lobster. “If you can take some. I can’t open it without looking like a savage. Are you willing to look like one for me?”
Foxley brought down his plate and nodded. However, instead of Foxley climbing the table to get to it, Wolfram got up and circled to get to them. He helped Foxley bring the lobster closer to the edge and taught him how to break the tail to get the most meat.
“Wow, there’s so much!” Foxley scooped the whole thing and placed it on his plate with Wolfram’s help. However, he didn’t forget to cut the meat into three parts.
He then placed the chunkiest part on Regina’s plate with a beaming smile. “Thank you for sharing the lobster, Reggie. If you want anything from our side of the table, I will get it for you.”
“…it’s nothing. Just go and eat.” Regina pouted, but she lowered her head and blushed a little. She even swung her head before diving into her macaroni.
It was so strange, but they all knew how simple the world of children was.
Soon enough, butlers and usherettes came to fetch the children. It seemed David was hoping to speak to the adults alone. Before, it was just Regina, who could plug her ears with her music. Since Eine and Foxley didn’t seem to be that type of child, David told them to take their dessert somewhere else.
“Ahem, I actually called for this dinner to ask about Wolfram’s wife.” David cleared his throat. However, his voice was still so hoarse. “I have not heard anything about you from Wolfram. Would you like to tell us how you two met?”
“I actually called for this dinner to ask about Wolfram’s wife.” David, the father, cleared his throat. However, his voice was still so hoarse. “I have not heard anything about you from Wolfram. Would you like to tell us how you two met?”
“Life had been quite hard for me when the father of my children kept on leaving us for his work.” Delta prepared a story for everyone to hear. “It came to a point where I started incurring debts. However, I ran into Wolfram, and something instantly clicked between the two of us. Since there were no troubles, we decided to get married.”
“Life had been quite hard for me when the father of my children kept on leaving us for his work.” Delta prepared a story for everyone to hear. “It came to a point where I started incurring debts. However, I ran into Wolfram, and something instantly clicked between the two of us. Since there were no troubles, we decided to get married.”Delta looked up at the father, hoping he wouldn’t make things difficult for her. “It wasn’t long before the new building was inaugurated and opened.”Trisha decided to interfere again. “No troubles? So, you have children with a man that was not married to you in any way? Kept on leaving you for work? Maybe you’re just stalking him in hopes to get his attention and make him responsible for your kids.”She then turned to
“You want to gamble with my seat on the board, Yuri?” Zenon hissed at his older brother. “Who gave you the right to award my spot to just some random woman Wolfram found on the streets?”Yuri didn’t drop his smile as he shook his head. “Zenon, you have been part of the board since you received the Rhea Faction. Your scores are beyond impressive in the first few years, but you’re clearly lagging. On the tenth-year mark of your acquisition, I only want to see Rhea hit 90%, just as any other member of the factions.“Since you continue to fail to improve, I merely gave you a nudge.” Yuri’s smile grew tamer. “Your household expenses kept on rising because of your daughter and your wife. You might as well contribute bigger. At least, take solace in the fact that I didn’t go through firing you as the President of Rhea.”“You’re really discussing things like this in front of strangers?” Janelle whispered as she glanced at Delta. At least, that other woman decided to be Wolfram’s wife.When sh
Delta’s eyes flickered. Wolfram drew an unbearable picture of Regina—the supposed bitch-princess daughter of his second-eldest brother. However, she clearly looked like a rather unfavored child. Could this child be the way she was because tantrums and screams attract the attention of her parents more?Came with this thought was a look she gave Wolfram. However, the man gave a head shake. Don’t be fooled, he implied. Delta then looked at the girl sitting on the twin’s bed, joining them in looking at the two adults. Everyone was waiting for Zenon to pick up his phone.The woman then turned to Wolfram. “Maybe he blocked you already? How come he’s not answering? If they had to fly somewhere, the operator would say something else.”“He just didn’t want to answer my call. Why would he after what happened earlier?” Wolfram finally stopped trying. The light in the eyes of the children grew duller by the second. He just dialed Yuri’s number, hoping to just pass the message.[“Did you run into
“Safer?” Delta echoed softly, but she figured it was a talk for later. She just turned to find Foxley and got him to stop plastering his face against the glass wall.Wolfram squatted down to see how it looked from Foxley’s eye level. He couldn’t even see the price as if it was not something a child should see. He then turned to Foxley, whose cheeks were being wiped clean by his mother. After all, he pressed his face against something other children must have pressed their faces as well.Foxley then hugged Wolfram’s leg. “Wolfie, will you buy it for me? Let’s play on it together. I already know a lot of games we can play together!”“Sure, but you have to be extra well-behaved to your mom. If you misbehave, she will take it away.” Wolfram laughed, patting the head of the obedient child. He then got to his feet. “Let’s go inside. Maybe you can find more games for it.”“Okay!” Foxley went to hold Wolfram’s hand instead. “Help me read instructions, too. I can’t read all words yet. Mommy sa
Delta knew that this would happen sooner or later. After all, the news about her supposed marriage to Wolfram Colton had already spread far and wide. There was no way this man had not heard of it. He just had to see it for himself.“Die here? Is this how much you look down on me now, Delta?” Brandon chuckled in his deep voice. He then turned to face her, even standing before her. With a rather intimidating aura, he reached over to crush his cigar against the sink close to Delta’s arm. “Just because they intercepted Carolus, it doesn’t mean they are formidable enough to stand against me.”“Brandon, leave me alone. Eine and Foxley remain with me, and—” Delta would say something more, but her face was grabbed by the man.Brandon pulled on his lips to smile. “Delta, Delta… I should have said things clearer. I only want you back. Do you really think I care so much about your children? You’re a woman; I’ll just let you make as much as them if you like. As for those two outside, they’re bett
The man was speaking to another person, but he quickly ignored the other person when he caught sight of the disheveled Delta. He even walked toward her. “Delta! Are you all right?”“Mommy, they’re so scary!” Eine cried, and Delta got down to the floor to hug her. This daughter sobbed like this when her mother finally found her that time. Delta also pulled Foxley close for a hug. She thought the twins were shaken, but it seemed Foxley was not even affected.“Wolfie, you were so cool!” The boy was watching from the table. His sister was hugging him by then, but he didn’t cower in fear with her. “You were like a secret agent!”Wolfram also kneeled when Delta fell. He was ready to console the three, only to be taken aback by that boy. The ninja wasn’t even scared to watch such a very violent scene.He reached out to pat Foxley’s head. “We’re called ‘secret’ agents for a reason. Erm, don’t be like this. Console your sister and your mother, Foxley. Are you not terrified of the guns?”“I am,
In the House of Ra Secret Server…Akhenaten: This is to call everyone who may or may not be shot at in that accident…[Akhenaten sent a link.]Cleopatra: Gosh, I was even getting my brows done when that went done.Sobek: I heard the entire mall lost power. Are your brows safe?Cleopatra: Obviously. Else, I will be crying like a baby.Sekhmet: I guess everyone is actually safe. That’s good.Imhotep: That was a complete disaster. Police are all over the mall.Akhenaten: And a major loss. All the losses that day are very painful.
Delta’s eyes flickered. The past few days were quite lonely and tiring. How could she not miss these people who brightened up her three years on the run? It was just that there were innocent people in this chatroom. She needed to protect them all from Brandon… and possibly Wolfram if things took a turn for the worse.…[PM: @Akhenaten That’s very kind. Thank you so much. I’ll pay that money back when I can.][PM: @Imhotep He gossiped about your money. You should reflow it again.][PM: @Sobek Thank you for helping me, but please stop hacking accounts to give me money.][PM: Akhenaten: No need. Just give your testimony if I end up suing that man for taking too much.]
Feet shuffled as someone ran up to the main lobby. There were giggles in her mouth as she ran around like a small child let loose in their new house. It was just that… it was not their new house. Delta just incredibly missed the majestic visage of the Blue Moon Estate.Instead of having the honeymoon right after the wedding, Delta asked to have it moved to another month—or even at the end of the year. After all, Wolfram was still undergoing physical therapy for his body. She also needed to catch up with work to snatch Zenon’s seat on the board.Nah, Trisha knew how to be kind even if she was like an old witch. Delta long forgot to zero in on Zenon’s seat. Yuri should just pick someone else’s.“Delta, aren’t you a little too giddy?” Wolfram laughed a little as he called out from the door. He was also caught perusing the door of his real house. Ever since they received that threat toward Eine and Foxley, they had relocated to the Willow House. It was nothing but a safe house prepared f
Even though the newlyweds escaped the church, Trisha was sure that they would return for the reception. She was making rounds to see the food served to the guests, but she only heard everyone discussing a few things about the wedding. They talked about the venue, the other guests, Delta’s angelic entrance… the children, the wedding vows, and the willful escape.Some matrons and maidens gossiped about the children a lot. It was evident in their vows that Delta’s little angels were not Wolfram’s children. However, the two kids would say ‘Daddy Wolfie’ every time.“Trisha, when are they returning?” Janelle stealthily went to her side and offered her a drink as an excuse. “We still have to tell Delta about the thing.”“Psh, do you think I’m not ready? Delta already knows about the plan.” Trisha huffed and still took the drink Janelle gave her. She sipped on it and waved her hand to make Janelle scarce. They shouldn’t be caught talking, or else people might get the wrong idea.Just as Jane
Chatters returned with squeals and cooing as the flower girls and the ringbearers came. Eine and Regina were like little fairies scattering the flower petals. Even if guests could not bring their children, the bride and groom’s family still had theirs. After all, these three had a role to play.Foxley walked next to Gulper, the dog carrying a pillow on its back. Gulper even had a suit that matched its owner’s clothes. The rings were on the pillow, encased in a glass box for people on the aisle to see. It was a pair of white rings with diamonds and gold linings.The music soon died down before the bridal theme started playing. However, instead of the normal song, what played was an old song only a few could recall. Wolfram figured it was that one song Delta liked listening to while she was waiting for Carolus to come home when they were still children.“Here she comes…” “Oh, my God… her gown is so gorgeous…”The people stood for the coming of the bride. When the doors opened again, the
The wares vendor hid behind her stand, but Delta still came to hand one to her. She didn’t do much for Delta’s mental well-being, but she was the first one who would lend Delta money when she needed to loan some to make ends meet.Delta still smiled at her, so the third vendor only chuckled nervously. “I’m really sorry. I just thought you grew so ungrateful and left without a word…”“A wedding? I guess you’re doing well. That’s good.” The man was eating the strawberries he bought while listening to them. He even offered some to Delta. “I’m also happy for you… even if you don’t know me at all.”“Don’t know? But I remember all my repeat customers. Thank you for buying a crate every time.” Delta also smiled at the man. However, she didn’t have any invitation for him. It was not like he expected one as well. She just indulged him by asking for one strawberry.…Days after…Delta kept on twirling in her room as she waited for the ceremony to start. She was already suited in her wedding gow
The solemn greeting of the maids echoed to the stairwell where Delta was. Instead of heading back to the home office, she changed direction and went to greet her husband. She descended the stairs and found him walking home after another day of physical therapy.Unlike what Delta thought, even his blades burned against his skin that time. Not only the obvious spot had third-degree burns. For Wolfram to regain his ambidexterity and attack speed, he needed to do a lot of physical therapy. Of course, it came with frustration and exhaustion.Wolfram walked with his eyes closed, so it was fairly easy for Delta to catch him with her own body. When he bumped into her, he only gasped softly and whined upon seeing the bright smile on her lips.“Delta, have you finished with the guest list?” Wolfram wrapped his arms around her shoulders as she did the same on his waist. “You also look mischievous. Are you doing something strange?”“No, nothing strange.” She giggled as she then moved to show him
The sound of papers shifting conquered the room as two men were looking through them. Some were letters of congratulations as if hoping they would be invited to the wedding. Yuri had devised this thing when he married Mariska. Only those who could give the nicest wedding gifts were allowed to come to his wedding. Since Zenon did the same, everyone assumed Wolfram would not break tradition.Delta was working on customizing the letters to respond to the rest, while Finlay and Gendry were on the soft carpet. The two were going through the offers; one was grading their realism, while the other was running checks on whoever sent them. Delta could ask Angeline to go through them, but she needed that secretary to handle more things required by the company.She then chuckled as she took a break from typing. Delta gazed at the two working hard on drawing out a list of candidates. The woman would have to run it through Colton Industries afterward. After all, she needed to see which were blackli
Carolus glared at him before shaking his head in helplessness. These old people should just have their fun from time to time if they like. Shezmu just laughed at the poor person before looking at the tombstones. “So, this is where you always go to when you vanish. Sheesh, if not for Red Core, we won’t even find you.”Carolus turned to his other side and watched Khepri slowly sit down because of his awful injuries. Babi was also there, as well as three more older members of the House of Ra. He all remembered them as active operatives even before he became one—aside from Babi. They were also well-acquainted with Kathy as if they all grew up under her care.Babi hugged her knees and placed her chin on them. “What kind of lady is Ms. Kathy? Since you’re not going back here anymore, I think today’s the only day worth talking about her. Also, we still have a lot of time before the sun sets.”“Yeah, it’s better than you speaking to a tombstone… unless we’re actually imposing on you.” Khepri
Yuri was the first one to react and laugh while the rest of the men’s brows furrowed deeper. Trisha’s eyes bulged out on Delta, while Mariska went straight to pinching the woman’s face. Janelle only covered her mouth with a hand as if she knew what was happening.“It’s nice to find that Delta is indeed mentally sound as well.” Yuri only giggled as he saw what the women did to the spoiled little sister. “We’ll just leave when your friends start coming. For now, let’s discuss a few things.”“Foxley, Eine, Regina, let’s find pretty flowers for these two. Look at how sad their room is.” Trisha gathered the kids, who were also concerned about the lack of flowers. They left the room in an instant as if on a mission. The second Mrs. Colton just whispered a few things to her husband before she walked out of the door entirely.Yuri eyed the door close before assuming a seat on the visitor stool no one was using. “Congratulations on completing one of your most difficult tasks, Delta. Now that y
Delta moved her weak hands to hold the phone on her own. She wanted to get into a more comfortable position than straining her neck. “Wolfie, how are you? Does anywhere hurt more than your heart? You didn’t ask the children to visit you, right?”[“No, Sobek made the call to the Willow House earlier. I spoke to them like this.”] Wolfram made a helpless sigh. [“Delta, you come back here walking and well, okay? Five weeks might not be enough for us to recover fully. If anything, I want to get married without any IV drips anywhere.”]“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll make sure to hide those under your clothes.” Delta laughed and made Wolfram pout bigger. She then moved her hand in front of the screen as if caressing his face without touching the screen. “I can’t wait to come back to you…”Wolfram dropped his sour face and smiled at his wife. [“If I recover faster than you, can I visit you there? It should be safe enough, yes?”]Delta shook her head. “I don’t want to get stuck here for days. Maybe we