Love And Time

"Regie, dear, you can take whatever you want here, and so can you, Sonya," Lucia said sweetly. "I always appreciate people who are generous and kind to my niece. I've treated her like my own daughter, so I want Regina to have everything she wants."

Regina hugged Lucia again. "I'm sorry for worrying you, Aunt Lucy. But I promise I won't do the same stupid thing again."

Lucia gently pinched Regina's cheek, then kissed her forehead. "I believe you. You're the heir, dear, so be nice. Have mercy on my brother; he's getting old, and I want him to have time to spend his honeymoon with his wife soon."

Regina laughed, followed by Sonya, though she didn't quite understand. Meanwhile, Magie and Olivia watched the entire scene and conversation unfold, their faces pale and their hands trembling.

There was no way they were treating everything happening and hearing before their eyes as a drama or something staged.

First Trevor Maverick, now Lucia Rose Whitmore?

How much money did Regina have that she could afford to pay those two famous people to act for her?

Their suspicion that Regina might have paid Trevor with her body, while absurd, was still believable. But Lucia?

"Milla, take Regina and Sonya to pick out some clothes," Lucia said to Milla. Then she turned to Magie and Olivia. "Does anything catch your eye in our F section collection, Mrs. Jeremy?"

Magie's face turned bright red. "Uh, we're just browsing for now, Madam Lucy. I'll be back with our daughter-in-law later. She's sure to love all your new collections."

"Please," Lucia said kindly. "Even though you only buy clothes from the F section, you're a customer, and I'll give you a discount if you buy from other sections. I don't discriminate against my customers, even if they're the ones who have treated my family bad."

Magie and Olivia hurried out of the boutique, accompanied by a friendly wave and a sweet smile from Lucia.

"I'm never going back to that boutique, even with Leika," Magie said, after they left the boutique and found a place in the mall food court for a drink.

"Mom, does that mean Regina wasn't lying?" Olivia asked worriedly. "She's really a member of the Maverick family? That rich and prestigious aristocratic family? How is that possible?"

"Maybe she disappeared as a child and only found out later?" Magie muttered. She swirled her lemon tea in her glass.

"Ugh, that sounds even more absurd," Olivia said. "Or is she deliberately hiding her true identity to test us?"

Magie let out a long sigh. "If that's true, oh my! We're going to be finished by her, Olivia!"

Olivia fell silent. She was remembering how she'd treated Regina while she was her brother's wife, and the more stressed she felt.

She'd never been friendly to Regina. Regina's beauty and shape made her jealous. She'd always been rude and spoke to Regina in a harsh, curt tone.

"Don't worry, Mom," Olivia said after a moment of thought. "Leika comes from an influential family, too. Regina wouldn't dare take revenge on us, especially Asher, because Leika would definitely protect him."

Magie sighed. "I guess you're right, Oliv. Besides, I've heard the Mavericks and the Waldens have always been at odds. If Regina dares to mess with Asher and Leika, it will bring ruin to her family's name."

"Damn it!" Olivia said angrily. "If I'd known Regina was that rich, I would have made her fulfill my every wish and take even more from her!"

"You're right, Oliv. We should have used her more than we have," Magie retorted angrily. "At least Asher wouldn't have to work so hard for us. Poor thing, my son was tricked by that damn woman."

Meanwhile, Regina and Sonya said goodbye to Lucia and Milla after finishing their wardrobe selection.

Lucia insisted that Regina take all of her latest collection, and after several futile refusals, Regina finally let Lucia pack everything to be sent to the mansion.

"Your aunt is very kind," Sonya said. "And I'm amazed that she's even more beautiful than in the photos. Her skin is so beautiful."

Regina laughed. "Yes, she's very kind and beautiful. She's the youngest sister and the only girl in my father's generation, so she was spoiled by her older siblings, especially my father. That's why she was the only one who immediately defended me when I fell in love with Asher. She went through the same thing I did when she was young, the only difference being that she met the right person, and they're still together."

Sonya patted Regina's hand. "You'll meet the right man soon, too," Sonya said softly. "Soon."

Regina returned to the mansion and met Tristan at the gate, who had also just arrived.

"Hi, little munchkin," Tristan greeted, putting his arm around Regina's shoulder and leading her inside. "Enjoy shopping?"

"Uh, you know, I've lost my ability to pick out nice things, after five years of refraining from buying anything nice for myself," Regina said. "Thankfully, Aunt Lucia is here, and she made me choose about... Three dozen outfits from her boutique."

"You deserve it, sis," Tristan said. "Especially since you're about to be crowned."

"Tristan, about that, are you really unable to help me?" Regina asked. "I'm a little unsure about my capabilities."

"Hey, your internship over the past five years has honed you well, Regie," Tristan said seriously. "You can do it."

Regina sighed. "I'm afraid I'll disappoint Mom and Dad. They built the company this big, what if I mess it up?"

"No," Tristan said seriously. "Since you were a teenager, you've been the only one who's shown a serious interest in real estate, and our parents even offered you medicine like me or law like Uncle Denzel, but you turned it down and chose business. You'll make Maverick Real Estate even bigger, trust me."

"Okay," Regina said with a sigh. "I guess I have no reason to protest anymore. I've used up all my five years of rebelliousness and should be grateful that Mom and Dad haven't erased my name from the Maverick family tree."

Tristan laughed. The mansion was quiet this afternoon. Regina's parents had just left for the Philippines this morning to inspect the land they'd purchased there to build an apartment complex.

Trevor had been in Bali for two days shooting a movie. Regina felt a little lonely, but luckily, her cousins always came over to chat, even if only briefly, and Tristan had been coming home early lately.

"Regie, you have to come with me to the hospital tomorrow morning," Tristan said. "We have to get you checked out and take off your birth control."

"Uh, you're right," Regina said. "I barely remember using it. Asher and I rarely have sex, and when we do, he never lasts long and then he goes to sleep like a log."

Tristan stared at Regina, then burst out laughing. "I think we should be suspicious of Leika's baby now."

Regina laughed. "I told Asher that once, and he was furious. He held his wedding at my hotel because he wanted to get back at me about it."

"That childish jerk," Tristan said sarcastically. "I guess I'll introduce you to someone at the hospital tomorrow, too. So, get ready, little pumpkin."

"Someone?" Regina asked, confused. "Who?"

Tristan laughed. "Just wait until tomorrow. Who knows, he might be your soulmate."

"Uh, that's too soon, Tristan," Regina muttered. "I just got divorced."

"Don't worry, matters of the heart have nothing to do with timing. I only want the best for you, always have, but ultimately, you'll decide for yourself. So, no pressure," Tristan said.

Regina nodded. "Okay."

Just then, Regina's phone on the dining table vibrated. Regina saw the name on the screen and frowned.

"Who?" Tristan asked.

"Asher," Regina replied.

"Just accept it. I want to know what that guy wants," Tristan said.

Regina looked at Tristan hesitantly, but then accepted the call after he nodded reassuringly.

"Hello?"

"Regina, we need to meet," Asher said matter-of-factly as soon as Regina answered the call. "Now. I have something important to tell you."