Zack walked over and took the bag of live shrimp from Serena. He opened the bag for a look.
“They’re huge,” Serena commented.
“Yeah.” Zack then brought the bag of seafood into the kitchen, leaving Serena to keep his mother company.
Serena noticed her mother-in-law sitting on the sofa without a glass of water on the coffee table.
She poured a glass of water for her mother-in-law and turned on the TV before saying, “Have a seat, Mom. I’ll help out in the kitchen.”
Tania nodded her head. “Go on. I’m not an outsider. You don’t have to tend to me.”
Turning on her heel, Serena entered the kitchen.
At least, Serena was aware that she should help instead of sitting around and waiting for dinner to be served. Tania’s disapproval toward Serena was not as strong as before.
Ten minutes later, Tania found herself sitting at the dinner table despite already having her dinner. She could not refuse her son and daughter-in-law’s invitation.
“Mom, try some of Zack’s cooking.”
With a smile, Serena served her mother-in-law the dishes and urged her to taste the food.
Tania watched as her son put on disposal gloves to peel the shrimp. Needless to say, the shelled shrimp would not find its way to her plate. Tania did not know how to feel about this.
She would be happy when her husband showered her with attention like that.
It did not sit well with Tania that her son was so thoughtful toward her daughter–in- law.
It was a good thing her daughter-in–law showed more consideration than her son.
“Let me try.”
Tania took a bite out of the food Serena served her.
After getting a taste, Tania wanted to say that her son was a better cook than Serena, but it was not something she could say in good conscience. Tania debated in her mind for a while before deciding to go for the truth. “Zack can’t beat Serena. You should spend some time in the kitchen and cook for Serena more often.”
It could help the couple to bond too.
Tania trailed on, “But you usually are busy at work…”
“Don’t worry, Mom. I won’t let Zack into the kitchen during workdays.”
Mrs. Lane was part of the family now.
Tania was pleased with Serena’s stance.
“Do you want the shrimp, Mom?” Zack asked his mother.
“I had dinner, but Serena asked me to be the judge of who is the better cook between you two. That’s why I tried. Carry on with your dinner. I’ll go and watch TV.”
Tania finished the food on her plate and put down her cutleries before getting up to leave the dining room.
Once his mother was gone, Zack put the plate of shelled shrimp in front of Serena and uttered tenderly, “Eat up, honey. Have some broth with it. It’s comforting and healthy.”
He made eyes at Serena.
The face Zack pulled nearly made Serena barf.
It was hard to believe his stoic face would carry other animated expressions.
Clearing her throat, Serena took a quick glance into the living room and found her mother–in–law taking a seat gracefully on the sofa. She gasped in awe at her mother- in–law’s cultured mannerisms. Tania was more of a lady than a lady in the TV series, displaying grace in the mere act of sitting down.
Zack drew close and whispered in Serena’s ear. “Fear not. Mom won’t peek at us.”
It would be a different story if Nana was here. Nana had the tendency to pry.
Mom was brought up in a way that she would not be furtive to look and hear.
“Do you still feel sore, Seren?”
A flush swept across Serena’s face as she gently pushed Zack away and whispered, “We’re having dinner. Behave.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
With the scorching sensation of his lips and tongue brushing against her cheeks, he said in a gruff voice, “It won’t hurt like that anymore.”
Serena stuffed his mouth with shrimp.
“The food on the table isn’t enough to shut your mouth. Hurry up and eat. You might not be hungry, but I am.”
Zack chuckled. Straightening his back, he picked up his cutleries and watched her eat while picking on his food…
“Is the food not to your liking?”
“You’re to my liking”
Serena was lost for words.
The guy was becoming more of a smooth talker by the minute.
“You’re a feast for the eyes. I get a good appetite just watching you. I can have several helpings of the main course.”
Serena served him some food.
“You worked all night to prepare dinner. Have some. I don’t want your mom to think I’m starving you.”
Zack laughed.
Such life may be mundane, but he found happiness in its simplicity.
He hoped they would continue to be sweet and happy just like his parents.
His parents‘ relationship was still going strong after all these years.
After dinner, Zack cleared the table while Serena wiped and tidied the place. She then ventured out of the dining room to take a seat opposite her mother–in–law.
Serena looked at the time and said, “Mom, why don’t you drive the car into the driveway and stay the night?”
“It’s okay. I’ll head back in a bit. Your father–in–law doesn’t feel comfortable if I’m not at home with him.”
After her son took over the company, her husband retired and had not left Tania’s side since. Her husband could not get used to Tania staying away from home.
Serena was envious of her parents–in–law’s relationship.
They had been together for decades and were still faithful to each other into their golden years.
“Mom, I didn’t know Zack bought this villa. He never told me. I only heard about it now. The place is bigger than the apartment in Brynfield. It feels empty that it’s just the two of us here. How about you move in with Dad?”
Tania was taken aback. “You want to live with your in–laws?”
Many young daughters–in–law were against living with their parents-in–law.
Well, it was not just daughters–in–law. Tania’s three sons moved out to live on their own when they were of age. They preferred not to share the same living space with their parents.
Youngsters were living in a different world than the oldies.
“I don’t mind.”
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.