Serena knew a thing or two about issues between mothers–in–law and daughters-in- law from her sister’s failed marriage. She was worried she would face the same problem.
“It’s fine. Go and open the gate for your mother–in–law.”
“Will your mom blame me for not relieving you of household tasks? Will she make you do nothing at home while I should do all the work?”
Zack answered, “I don’t think so. We’ve only been married for three months. You only met my mom once or twice. There shouldn’t be any issue between you two.”
His parents, uncles, and aunts only had sons. Nana taught all the boys to be kind to all the women at home.
Growing up, Dad would often tell him that Mom is the only woman in the family, so they should love, care for, and protect Mom together.
By right, Mom should not have a problem with him being in the kitchen.
This was because Dad often cooked for Mom.
“You’re not even sure about that. You should open the gate.”
Serena went up to pull the apron off Zack.
“Seren.”
Zack grabbed her hand and tenderly uttered, “You don’t have to care what my mom thinks of you. We’re the ones in this marriage. We decide how we run the household. I’ll talk to my mom if she says anything to you.”
There was no reason his mother could enjoy his father’s undivided attention and care if Serena could not.
As the husband, Zack was glad to make his wife dinner.
It was nobody’s business to change that.
“Now get out there. Don’t keep my mom waiting.”
Zack lowered his head to kiss her cheek. “Don’t worry. I’m here for you.”
Zack’s loving statement gave Serena assurance. She uttered with a smile, “I’ll open the gate for your mom now. Don’t come at me if I fight your mom for accusing me of skipping on house chores.”
Serena was a firm believer that all household tasks should not fall on the married women’s shoulders.
She would argue with her mother–in–law if the latter started criticizing her as Mrs. Brown did to her sister.
Zack smiled. “Alright. I won’t come at you, but I trust my mom won’t say that to you.”
Even if Mom had a problem with Serena, she would only mention it to Zack. Mom would only tell it to Serena’s face when she felt Serena had crossed the line.
Serena went to unlock the gate for her mother–in–law.
Tania was getting impatient from waiting, but she did not show it on her face.
While opening the gate, Serena apologetically said, “Sorry to keep you waiting, Mom.”
Tania tenderly asked, “Have you and Zack eaten?”
“Not yet. Zack’s cooking in the kitchen.”
With the gate opened, Serena asked as Tania walked into the villa, “Mom, don’t you want to drive your car into the driveway?”
Stopping in her tracks, Tania contemplated before answering, “I just dropped by to see you. I’m leaving in a minute. I’ll just leave the car there.”
Since finding out that her son got the nasty flu during a business trip, Tania had been keeping in touch with her son every two days. She knew that her daughter–in–law took great care of her son and kept him on a tight leash, making him take his daily shots.
Tania had mixed feelings about it.
She was not fond of Serena as her daughter–in–law. Her son had no choice but to marry Serena to repay her kindness for saving Grandma May.
Tania thought Zack would never fall in love with Serena.
To her surprise, it took less than three months for Zack to develop feelings.
Although Serena had an aunt like Mrs. Stone as family support, the Stones‘ wealth had nothing to do with Serena.
Tania would not think highly of Serena just because of her connection with Mrs. Stone.
Cultured as she was, Tania would not say or do anything to Serena.
Zack was spending the rest of his life with Serena, not her.
Her son knew what he was doing. He could decide whether Serena made a good wife or if the marriage was working.
It was so long as Zack did not mind Serena’s upbringing and being the laughingstock of the community.
“Zack’s cooking?”
Tania appeared surprised. “It’s been a while since he cooked anything.”
Serena closed the gate and went into the house with her mother–in–law. While walking, Serena happily chatted, “He bragged about his cooking. I wasn’t convinced, so I told him to show me. Mom, you should try Zack’s cooking later and be the judge of who is the better cook.”
Tania’s impeccable face from religious skincare only the wealthy could afford beamed. She said, “Zack isn’t the best cook among his brothers and cousins. The one with the talent is Austin. Austin always hides away in the kitchen to create new flavors since he was a little boy. After going at it for over a decade, he’s now the best cook in the house.”
Austin was Tania’s youngest son. He did not take up a position at York Corporation. Instead, he started his own business in the food and beverage scene. Austin had made quite a name for himself.
“The simple dishes you make are delicious. I prefer your cooking to Zack’s.
“It’s been a while since I tasted Zack’s cooking. I can’t remember the taste.”
Serena grinned. “You came at the right time. You can savor Zack’s cooking later.”
“Sure.” Tanía nodded.
Since Zack took over the management of York Corporation, he had not caught a break and had no time to go into the kitchen. Plus, he lived on his own and rarely came back to the old residence. As his mom, Tania had not tasted her son’s cooking for a long time.
The mother–in-law and daughter–in–law had a pleasant talk while walking with
Serena keeping the conversation alive.
Zack was worried at first that his mother would give Serena an attitude. He quickly whipped up the last dish and hurried out of the kitchen. He was about to head out the door when his mom and wife waltzed in, sharing a talk and laugh.
He stopped as his handsome face wrinkled in smiles.
Zack knew he had nothing to worry about.
Serena had the knack of setting the tone that his mother would have nothing to pick at.
“Mom.”
Zack tenderly called his mom.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.