Part 78

78

"Welcome, Aunt Chelsea and Uncle Carlos," Celine greeted. She had no idea when she had entered their living room, holding a large bouquet of flowers.

"You actually didn't need to come here to welcome Chelsea home because you and Vano no longer have any relationship. Frankly, it's quite surprising to find you here, and we're fortunate that Vano's wife didn't accompany Chelsea back home. If she had come along, I wouldn't know how to explain your presence here to Alexa."

"Uncle, please. Don't involve me and Vano in the grudge between Uncle and Dad. We love each other, and please don't create more drama in front of me. There's no way Vano is already married to Alexa when he loves me. The proof is that I've come here for the past few days to verify your words, but what have I seen? I haven't seen Alexa here. She still goes back to her apartment. If she were truly Vano's wife, she would come here, not to her apartment. So please," Celine pleaded.

"There are no people here, so it's natural for Alexa to go back to her apartment," Chelsea replied. She felt like losing her temper and kicking Celine out of their home once she realized who was behind the accident that took Vano's mother's life. If she weren't ill, Chelsea would have surely used all her strength to rid herself and Carlos of Celine.

"Are you spying on my son?" Carlos asked with a stern expression. He didn't like the intrusion of a stranger into their lives, especially since Celine was the daughter of the person who had taken his wife away from him.

"But, Uncle, it's only natural that I did this because suddenly my fiancé said he was already married to someone else. Of course, I felt this was unfair and wanted to verify it firsthand. Please, have pity on me, and don't separate me from Vano."

"Why should I not separate you two when Vano is already married, and you've met his wife in person? What else do you expect from me, asking for a chance for you to be together with Vano? I never approved of having two wives, understand?" Carlos emphasized every word he spoke.

"If you don't believe it, that's fine. Please come here again tonight when Vano picks up his wife from the hospital," Carlos said before hugging Chelsea and leading her to their room. After dealing with Celine's talk for too long, Carlos didn't want Chelsea's condition to worsen.

"Alright, I'll come back here tonight. I'll see if what Carlos said is true!" Celine exclaimed in frustration, hoping that everything Carlos said was untrue.

"How was your day?" Vano made small talk with Alexa as she got into his car.

"Very good and very tiring too, Van," Alexa replied wearily. She leaned back against the car seat and closed her eyes. She had had an exhausting day and had to work late to earn extra grades for her college.

"In that case, let's head home directly. I planned to take you out for dinner before going home, but it seems you're very tired. It's better to just head home," Vano suggested.

Alexa turned to Vano. "So, where are we going to eat? Coincidentally, I'm hungry," she said, rubbing her not-so-flat stomach. Alexa no longer felt ashamed about her situation with Vano. She had convinced herself that it was okay for a wife to confide in her husband, even if their marriage was just a drama. In the eyes of religion and the law, they were a legally married couple, and she also wanted to heed Chelsea's advice. There was nothing wrong with trying to make the marriage work. After all, she didn't have a boyfriend, did she? So, she thought it was only fitting to open herself up to it. Moreover, Vano was a good, caring, handsome, wealthy, and romantic man. Not all women could have a husband like him.

"It's up to my wife where she wants to go. I'll be your personal chauffeur," Vano replied with a smile.

"Um... how about the chicken noodle stall at the intersection over there? Would you mind if we eat at a roadside stall instead of an expensive restaurant, Van?" Alexa asked, her back straightening. She was quite excited because Vano was going to treat her to dinner.

"It doesn't matter if we eat at a roadside stall, on top of a mountain, by the seaside, or even in the forest. As long as you request it and want it," Vano said, chuckling. He made the atmosphere light and removed any awkwardness between them.

"I wonder what's going on in Vano's future wife's mind, wasting such a good man," Alexa muttered to herself.

"Alright then, let's have the chicken noodles there. It's been my favorite since my community service at the hospital!" Alexa invited, pointing to a street-side stall not far from the hospital.

Vano quickly parked the car where Alexa had indicated. He didn't need to ask many questions; instead, he got out of the car and opened the door for his wife. It was a small gesture, but it made Alexa's cheeks blush.

"What would you like to order, Van?"

"Just order the same as what my wife is having. I'm sure it's good for my health."

"Well, when you think about it, noodles like this aren't the healthiest, but it's okay to have them occasionally."

"Whatever the esteemed Mrs. Vano wants. I'll follow whatever Mrs. Vano orders."

"Alright, Mr. Vano," Alexa replied, going into the stall first and ordering three bowls of chicken noodles for them. Afterward, she gently pulled Vano's wrist and led him to a corner of the stall.

"Vano, why here? Aren't there plenty of empty seats up front?"

Alexa reached for a pack of fried crispy skin not far from her. "Eating up front doesn't seem enjoyable, Van. Because it will attract a lot of attention. It's better to eat here, we can be busy on our own, and we can have as much as we want."

"Have as much as you want? Are you sure?" Vano raised both eyebrows, gazing at Alexa from head to toe. She was smaller in stature compared to Chelsea. It didn't seem possible for her to eat more than her stepmother.

"Well, it's up to you. If you want to judge me, go ahead. But for me, one bowl of chicken noodles is still not enough."

"Not enough? Then where have you been putting all this food?"

"I don't know. Alexa shrugged. I'm confused myself about where it all goes. I feel like I've eaten a lot, but the fat just won't stay in place. So yeah, this is how my body is, Van."

"Unlike me, just one glance at chicken noodles and I feel like I've gained a couple of pounds." Alexa laughed hearing Vano's remark. In moments like this, she could stay forever young, always laughing whenever she was with her husband.

Vano couldn't help but smile. Seeing Alexa now, sleeping beside him after finishing two bowls of chicken noodles, he couldn't believe how much she could eat. He didn't want to wake her up, so he waited for her to wake up on her own. If she didn't wake up in half an hour, Vano would have to carry her to their room.