Zack consoled his wife, “Don’t read too much into it. I believe things will only get better for your sister.”
After much thought, Serena uttered, “That’s true. I don’t see sparks going on between my sister and Mr. Lewis. I guess whatever happens, happens. As you said, Mr. Lewis is his own. person. He takes control of his own life’ I trust he’ll make my sister happy if he sees her that way.”
“Yeah, whatever happens, happens. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”
Zack grabbed her a fresh set of clothes. “Go and take a bath.”
Serena took the clothes and kissed him on the face before going into the bathroom.
Half an hour later, the couple lay in bed, chatting about their day.
“Honey, when are you coming with me to social events?” Zack asked.
“When do you need a plus-one for social engagements?”
Serena believed the trial runs with her aunt at social parties had built up her confidence. Well, she also had Zack to thank as he had given her a lot of support too.
It would not be much of a problem to accompany him to business dinners now.
At least, she would not freeze up during the social interaction. She could walk like a lady in heels.
With Aunt Audrey taking Serena under her wing, Serena learned everything she needed to know. Aunt Audrey was forthcoming with her knowledge.
Elisa could not be bothered with the whole nine yards in social etiquette, but so long as she was willing to learn, Aunt Audrey was more than ready to pass down decades of experience to her.
Mrs. Stone hoped her nieces could become strong and independent women.
Elisa was born into privilege where her father and brothers had her back all the way. It did not matter if she became strong or independent because no one would step on her toes. Nevertheless, Mrs. Stone’s nieces were a different story. These girls had to secure their footing in society to earn respect from others.
“I have deals to close every day. We’re occupied with our own things during the day, so I won’t take up your time then. I’ll take you to evening social engagements that I find right for you.”
Some venues where men talked business were not proper for women.
Zack did not want to take his wife to these places.
“Alright. Tell me when you need me. It’s time I carry out my duties as Mrs. York.”
With a smile, Zack lowered his head and kissed her lips before dotingly saying, “I’m sure my wife will pass with flying colors. Have a rest, honey.”
Pulling Serena into his arms, Zack gave her a tight squeeze and let go of her. He tenderly uttered, “I won’t touch you tonight. You can enjoy a nice sleep. No need to tense up.”
Zack practiced self-restraint when it came to the couple’s intimacy. He would not go too far.
Last night was the only time he got carried away.
He must have scared her.
Heaving a sigh of relief in secret, Serena sweetly mewed, “Goodnight, babe.”.
Zack brushed his lips against her forehead. “Goodnight, honey. Sweet dreams.”
Serena smiled.
Since the day the couple kissed and made up, Serena’s reality was as sweet as her dreams.
The following day, Duncan went downstairs to find his best friend wearing an apron and making breakfast in the kitchen. That was a real eye-opener for Duncan.
He teased Zack, “Zack, you always boast to Josh and me about having a wife, saying that married men are different because your wife cooks for you every day. You come home to a warm home after a hard day of work.
“Well, it can also be quite the opposite.”
Zack turned around and gave Duncan a look before going back to searing his steak.
“Married men are different. You cook for yourself, but I’m cooking for me and my wife. It’s sheer happiness to watch my wife eat my food. It’s the type of happiness you single people will not understand.
“Even a nice lobster won’t taste as good as when you’re having a meal alone. The simplest food tastes delicious when I eat with my wife. It’s just not comparable.”
Duncan replied, “That’s a new way of looking at men who cook. You’re talking as if those who never cooked a day in their lives will never find happiness. I can’t cook like you, but I can find a wife who does. The results are still the same.”
Zack said, “Are you looking for a wife or a cook?”
Stumped, Duncan changed the topic. “Make me one too.”
“Do it yourself. You should practice and gain experience. I can guarantee your future wife will be happy if you cook her a steak. It’s romancing her.”
Duncan pursed her lips. “Zack, I’m a guest in your home.”
“An uninvited guest who won’t leave is not a guest. You can ask the chefs if you don’t want to do it yourself. They can start on your breakfast once I’m done.”
While Zack was hogging the kitchen, the chefs were chatting away with the gardeners in the yard.
“Fine, fine. I’ll do it myself. Do you think I can’t cook? I’ve learned a lot being out there in the world, you know.”
Duncan started from the bottom back when he was on the other side of the law. It was common for the henchman to be on kitchen duty to serve the boss.
After making his wife a sumptuous and nutritious breakfast, Zack went into the garden to cut a bunch of blooming roses. He trimmed the edges and wrapped the red roses into a bouquet.
He put the bouquet on Serena’s seat before going upstairs to wake her.
Watching everything Zack did for Serena, Duncan secretly snapped a photo and sent it to their mutual best friend, Josh. Duncan even attached a message: [Take notes, boy.]
Josh was quick to reply: [Shouldn’t you watch and learn? I’m a natural when it comes to romance. Zack is taking notes from me. I’m his love guru.]
Duncan grinned. “Oh, right. Josh has the highest EQ.”
Josh and Jasmine’s love life had been smooth sailing without any turbulence.
“Duncan, why are you at Zack’s place?” Josh sent a voice note.
“I’m here to take cover.”
Josh sent a LOL emoji.
Needless to say, the pressure from Duncan’s mother for him to get married forced him to seek refuge at Zack’s home.
Duncan was speechless.
Slipping the phone back into his pocket, Duncan began eating his steak.
Hmm… It tasted fine.
Duncan had no problem eating alone.
He could not experience the happiness Zack was talking about. Nevertheless, Zack and his wife soon opened Duncan’s eyes to the joy of married life.
With Zack and Serena flaunting their love during breakfast, Duncan lost his appetite.
He wanted to get a taste of Zack’s steak as Serena ate with great gusto.
From then on, Duncan decided never to have breakfast with the couple. They enjoyed a great feast, but he did not-oh wait, all he had was an unwelcome visual feast.
The couple went out hand-in-hand for a stroll after breakfast.
Zack used to get to the office first thing in the morning.
Now, he was no longer in a rush to leave.
Holding a mug of coffee, Duncan stood at the door and watched as the young couple held hands and shared laughter and talk, roaming a distance away. For once, loneliness was getting to Duncan.
Should he consider entering the next big phase of his life?
Duncan was passing by All You Can Eat at eight o’clock when he stopped the car.
He paused for a moment before getting out of the car. Halfway out, Duncan was struck by a thought and retraced his steps. He unlocked the car and retrieved one of many boxes from the backseat.
It was a box of Legos.
He was fond of Sonny, so he bought a lot of toys and stashed them in his car. That way, he would have something for Sonny every time he dropped by the diner. It went without saying that his trips to the diner were for the boy and not Liberty.
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.