Part 113

113

"Eh, Miss," called a middle-aged woman as she saw Alesya cooking in the kitchen. She hurriedly took over the spatula from Alesya's hand.

"Let me handle it, Miss. I'm sorry, I got stuck in traffic on the way here."

"It's okay, you can go on with your work, and I'll finish this... Or you can have breakfast with me and Nicholas."

"But, Miss..."

"No buts. Oh, by the way, what did you say earlier? You were late because of traffic?" Alesya examined the hands of the housemaid. "Where are you from, anyway? Why did you get stuck in traffic? Were you coming from the market?"

"No, Miss. I was coming from home. As long as the master and madam aren't home, we're not allowed to stay here."

"I see... I thought you were coming from the market, but where are your groceries?" Alesya rubbed her neck. "Well, never mind. You can go ahead with your work, and I'll handle this."

"But, Miss..."

"Or how about this? You can cook something fresh for Bryan and his wife."

"Bryan and his wife? Isn't it Miss...?"

The middle-aged woman paused when she realized for whom Alesya was cooking. Nicholas, not Bryan. Furthermore, the black shirt Alesya was wearing belonged to Nicholas, not Bryan.

So...?

"I'll serve this first, and Nicholas is already done," Alesya said as her eyes caught Nicholas at the kitchen's entrance.

"Wait there, okay? I'll be done in a moment." Alesya pointed to the dining table in front of the kitchen.

Nicholas nodded, tousled Alesya's hair, and then left. Once Nicholas was comfortably seated at the dining table, Alesya quickly finished her work.

Her smile widened as she saw the seafood fried rice arranged on the plate. A glass of chamomile tea was also ready, still hot and steaming, emitting its distinctive aroma.

With confidence, Alesya walked to the dining table and placed the dish in front of Nicholas.

"Sha, please make me coffee," Bryan ordered as he arrived at the dining table with Shabila, who clung to him affectionately.

Shabila seemed possessive of Bryan, especially when she saw Alesya standing beside Nicholas. Alesya was only wearing Nicholas's shirt, which barely covered her thighs. Shabila was convinced that Alesya wasn't wearing anything else on top because Alesya's underwear was in Bryan's room.

As Bryan sat down in the chair in front of Nicholas, Shabila tried to block Bryan's view of Alesya with her own body. Shabila refused. She wouldn't allow Bryan to see Alesya's curves.

"Sha," Bryan called out.

Instead of making coffee as Bryan had requested, Shabila remained motionless, blocking his view.

"Shabila!"

"What? I don't want to, I can't make coffee. Stop bossing me around. We have a maid here, don't we?" Shabila pouted. Her eyes rolled, unhappy about being ordered around, especially in front of Alesya and Nicholas.

She wouldn't even bring water to her mouth if she could get someone else to do it for her.

"Where's the housemaid? I told you the domestic helper comes in the morning and leaves in the evening."

"It's already morning, which means they've arrived. Just tell them to do it, or..." Shabila turned to Alesya. "You, Al, make coffee for Bryan."

"Me?" Alesya pointed to herself.

"Yes, you're Bryan's wife, right?"

"I..."

"No." Nicholas embraced Alesya around her waist, pulling her onto his lap. "She's mine. Not Bryan's, did you forget?"

Shabila grimaced. "No, she's still Bryan's lawful wife. So it's her obligation to serve Bryan. Stop talking so much and go to the kitchen and make coffee!"

"That's absurd. You didn't provide for her, and now you're demanding her obligations? You both are insane!" Nicholas retorted fiercely, holding Alesya to prevent her from moving.

Nicholas couldn't stand the thought of Alesya being treated like a servant. He couldn't stand the idea that she wasn't getting the place she deserved in this marriage, but instead was ordered around as earlier. No, Nicholas couldn't allow that to happen.

"Nicholas is right. She isn't obligated to serve me in any way. We got married just for the status. Now go to the kitchen and make coffee for me."

"No, I refuse!" Shabila slammed her hand on the table with force. She immediately got up from her seat and gave Bryan a sharp look. "I'm leaving. You're not worthy of being called a husband. Instead of respecting me, you embarrass me, Yan!" She stormed off without looking back.

Shabila was really upset right now.

"I'll make the coffee in a moment," Shabila said as she got up from Nicholas's lap.

"Wait." Nicholas suddenly grabbed Alesya's hand, pulling her back to sit. He quickly reached for Alesya's neck and gave her a brief kiss on the lips. "Warm water for me," he said softly.

This gesture sent Alesya flying to the highest sky, making her cheeks blush from Nicholas's sweet act. It was much sweeter than a kilogram of sugar.

Bryan cleared his throat. He pretended not to notice what Nicholas and Alesya were doing. It was sweet, indeed, but it pricked at Bryan's heart a little as Alesya's husband.

While Alesya was in the kitchen, Nicholas and Bryan remained silent. Bryan pretended to play with his phone, occasionally glancing at Nicholas who was enjoying Alesya's cooking. Bryan seemed to have forgotten to follow Shabila to the bedroom, even though his wife was clearly angry.

Sitting in his chair, Bryan swallowed hard. The tempting aroma of the fried rice and the rhythmic sounds of Nicholas's chewing made him want to taste the food. He wanted to know what made Nicholas want to have breakfast at home.

"Here's your coffee." Alesya placed the coffee in front of Bryan, effectively breaking Nicholas's gaze away.

"Thank you." Bryan accepted the coffee from Alesya. Despite his dislike for their marriage, Bryan still didn't refuse Alesya's offer. He even eagerly tasted the coffee.

In a matter of seconds, Bryan was stunned. His taste buds were pampered by Alesya's coffee. The blend of sweetness and bitterness was so perfect that it appealed to Bryan's taste, and it made sense that Nicholas, who was a picky eater, enjoyed Alesya's cooking so much.

"Al, if a courier comes by, ask the housemaid to take it. Don't go out like this; I don't like it."

Alesya curled the corners of her lips, nodding in agreement with Nicholas's request.

"Oh, yes, I'll be coming home a bit late. If you want to join me at the restaurant, just give me a call, and I'll pick you up. My number is already in your phone. But from now on, I'm heading to Devin's wedding venue. I want to check where the catering will be placed."

"I'll stay at home," Alesya sighed. "If I get bored, I'll just video call you."

"Arrange it however you like." Nicholas kissed Alesya's forehead. "Do whatever makes you happy. This is also my home, the result of my hard work."

"Okay, Nik," Alesya replied briefly. It felt difficult to let Nicholas go to work. Alesya preferred to be wherever Nicholas was, just like yesterday.