“They might be captivated by the city bustle after coming here once. They could end up asking us to contribute to their rental and house purchase here.”
Sure, Hank had a soft spot for Jessica and would spoil her. He was willing to give her his everything, but he had not lost his head.
Mr. and Mrs. Yates wanted to give Jessica’s brothers the best life through Jessica.
“My family wasn’t well–off. My brothers joined the workforce at a young age to pay for my college tuition fees. They had it hard and have done so much for me. I should at least repay them.
“We’re on a high income. We can afford it without lowering our standard of living even if we have to pay for their rental here.”
Hank remarked, “Don’t you think our boss finds us eyesores lately? I don’t think we’ll be working there for long.”
They might not enjoy the salary they had right now when they leave Waltham Electronics.
“I’ll go home and have a good talk with my mom so that she stops going to Liberty’s and talking about us. Mom is making a fool out of us. You should discuss with your parents to lower the asking bride price. I can do about a hundred thousand bucks. It’ll give us enough money to cover our renovations. I think it’s a win–win situation.”
Hank carried on saying, “The house is also yours since your name will be added to the title deed. We can enjoy a nicely renovated house instead of paying for your brothers‘ home renovation for your sisters–in–law to enjoy.”
Although Jessica was in on Hank’s idea, she said, “Are you expecting my parents to come down from their request of 777,777 dollars and settle with over a hundred thousand dollars? Hank, are you trying to haggle on a gift? You said you would give me the world and only want me to enjoy the best of life.
“You said you’ll give me a grand wedding, but all you’re going to offer is over a hundred thousand dollars? Is this the grand wedding you’re talking about?”
Hank refuted, “The going rate for bride price in Wiltspoon is tens of thousands. Most people would settle for a few thousand dollars. It’s not about the money here in Wiltspoon. Families here only want their daughters to have a good and lasting marriage.”
Liberty also came from a small town. The Hunts demanded a lump sum of three hundred thousand dollars in family support when Liberty married Hank. However, Liberty stopped him from giving away the money, saying that these people did not deserve to ask for the gift.
Yet, the Yateses demanded over double the amount. They were trying to sell their daughter.
“Someone in our town got hundreds of thousands in cash from the groom without asking. The family even got a house and a luxury sedan worth over a million dollars.” Perhaps that family’s daughter got the wedding of her dreams, so Jessica’s parents believed the Browns were doing well and wanted more since Hank earned a lot, had a house in the city, and his parents were supported by the state pension.
Jessica’s family would be the talk of the town if Jessica married well.
Hank said, “That girl must have married a rich heir. I’m not a rich heir. You can find yourself a boy with daddy’s money if you’re jealous.”
Prying Jessica’s grip over his arm, Hank pushed the shopping cart and walked ahead. “Hank! Hank Brown!”
Jessica was left standing there, shouting his name.
Turning a deaf ear, Hank continued pushing the cart. He stopped looking around and
went to check out.
“Take one more step and it’s over between us, Hank!”
Without a care that they were in public, Jessica shouted and threatened Hank.
Many heard her screams.
Even Liberty and Serena who were picking out snacks at the snack aisle picked up on the commotion.
Serena said to her sister, “It’s a trait common to men. They seek after and cherish unattainable women, but once they get the women, they no longer hold the women dear. Jessica and Hank are getting along now, but once they tie the knot, I can guarantee it’s going to be a rocky marriage.
“But I hope they can get married. The Browns need a daughter–in–law like Jessica to give them a taste of their own medicine.”
Liberty picked a few snacks for her son before giving her two cents. “Not all men are like that. Seren, don’t be put off by my failed marriage. Well, don’t let
affect your marriage with Zack. Zack’s a lot better than Hank. I can’t be more pleased with him.”
Serena uttered with a smile, “Alright, alright. I won’t tar him with the same brush. Your brother–in–law is a good man. Oh, wait. He’s the perfect man. Happy now?”
She moaned in her mind that her sister had not seen how petty Zack could get.
Serena would have forgotten that Zack had been away on business for three days if he was not mentioned. He did not call or text her at all, probably because he was too busy. In fact, she did not give him a call either. While her man was away, Serena had been having a blast like a free bird and forgot all about Zack.
She should send a text message to ask the petty guy when he was coming back when she got home later. Why was he still traveling for work when Christmas and New Year were around the corner?
Serena ranted about the CEO of York Corporation in her mind, labeling the man as insensitive. The company was about to close for Christmas and New Year, but Zack still had to go away on business. What if Zack was unable to finish the job before the festive holidays? Did that mean he could not take a vacation?
Liberty said with a smile, “Zack is a good man. Don’t lump him together with men like Hank.”
Looking into the shopping cart, Liberty remarked, “It’s full. Are you getting more? Why don’t we stop here and take these things home? We can check what else is * needed and go from there.
It would be hard carrying all the shopping bags up the stairs if they bought too much.
Mrs. Lane was not around because Serena gave her time off to spend time with her family during the holidays.
Serena gave Mrs. Lane a Christmas bonus and some gifts since Mrs. Lane had
been a huge help to Serena and her sister. Liberty also gave Mrs. Lane a Christmas bonus.
Plus, Mrs. Lane received another Christmas bonus and gifts from Zack. She could spend the festive holidays with her family without worrying about finances.
She could not go wrong working for Mr. Zack.
The missus and Liberty were the kindest people.
Apart from Mrs. Lane, Jim, who had served and remained by Zack’s side all this while, received a double Christmas bonus, a performance bonus, and Christmas gifts. He was Mr. Zack’s most–trusted bodyguard.
Jim did the right thing by cozying up to the missus.
“Alright then.”
Serena put some snacks into the shopping cart and followed her sister to the queue to check out.
Unfortunately, the sister ran into the jerk couple while in the queue. Serena and her sister were at the front while Hank was at the back.
Hank still had feelings for Jessica. After the threat from Jessica, he went back to cheer her up and fill the shopping cart with presents for Hank’s family and Jessica’s parents and brothers.
Jessica simmered down and quit making a scene. All was rosy for the pair once more.
Hank watched as Serena and her sister pulled out the items from the cart to the
cash register. The total kept going up. Although Liberty was not paying, Hank was of the opinion that his former sister–in–law was reckless with money.
She bought a lot of stuff.
Serena took over most of the household tasks to help her sister when she was still living under Hank’s roof. All she contributed was three thousand dollars in living expenses. The money was nothing.
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.