The two families continue their light-hearted conversation over dinner.
Although Ember had already informed them that she is not going to eat until Alessio arrives, the two sets of married couples forced her to change her mind. They chided her, unwilling, as they didn't want to eat and have a great time while the poor beauty only watches them.
Half an hour had already passed, but her fiancé is still nowhere in sight. Fortunate for Ember, she changed her mind; or else she would have suffered in hunger.
'Why did I even think of waiting for that guy anyway?'
Ember feels so irritated as she stabs a piece of steak on her plate with her fork. It has already been in her habit to wait for the late Alessio whenever the rare opportunity of having dinner comes up. Well, she guessed that she has to change that habit soon.
*Tap Tap Tap*
The sound of footsteps is heard tapping the glass-like floor. The koi fishes underneath immediately swim away from its steps. The 6'1" man isn't fazed by the strange floor since he is already accustomed to it.
Wearing his usual business attire, a formal black suit, he seriously makes his way to the dining area. His perfectly sculpted face looks even more ethereal due to the lighting of the hall. His mesmerizing green eyes hold a tiny hint of warmth as he reveals himself to them.
Carrying a bouquet of Juliet roses that seem to cost a fortune, he also has a large bowl of water in his other hand. Gently swimming inside is an unbothered Koi fish. So white in shade with a distinctive orange mark in his head, the fish is beautiful.
Serenity Wang stands up first before everyone follows; her grey eyes are bright with excitement upon seeing a new addition to her fortune fishes. The gentleman walks towards them, greeting the two mothers with a slight hug.
He, of course, doesn't forget to give his mother-in-law her dear present. Serenity happily takes it from his hands. Almost like a child, she observes the fish inside the bowl afterward with an amused smile on her face. To the fathers, Alessio gives them a nod of greeting before he later proceeds his cheek to cheek greeting with Ember.
"For you."
Alessio monotonously says as he offers the beautiful woman her bouquet of blushing pink roses. Ember gives the flowers a one-second glance before handing it to the butler that is standing by the sidelines for safekeeping. Returning her attention to her 'dear loyal' fiancé, Ember nods at him and 'sweetly' mutters her thanks with a fake smile.
"Thank you, 'Zio-ge.'"
The man doesn't say anything, only nodding, at the tone of her voice. Their parents, however, don't notice it, perceiving their interaction as sweet as always.
They all soon continue their dinner.
Alessio takes a seat beside his fiancée as he has always done. Ember places several foods on his plate as she has always done. The way they act towards each other is almost no different from the years before; there is definitely no way for the two families to discover that something has happened between the engaged couple earlier.
While Alessio is about to take a bite of his food. He is suddenly stopped by his father.
"Why did you even decide to come if you were going to be so tardy?!"
Axel's sharp tone of voice is filled with masked anger. His icy blue eyes glower at his son. He suppresses the urge to yell, not wanting to completely ruin the dinner over his foolish son's actions.
Alessio drops his fork. He's too tired to argue with his father anyway, so he apologizes with his head respectfully lowered, "Forgive me for my tardiness, Father. I was occupied with work and unfortunately couldn't arrive here on time. I'll compensate for it next time. I will make sure this won't happen again."
Axel sneers, "You should! A man of Xu doesn't leave his woman unattended just because of work. That is no excuse for you to do that even when your woman allows you to. Family first over business affairs; isn't this what I taught you?"
"Yes, Father. I apologize. This won't happen again."
Alessio quietly nods in understanding, murmuring his apologies while he tightly grips the fork in his hand.
Ember notices the subtle action and internally rolls her eyes. That is clearly something Alessio will not be able to do, father-in-law. He's not occupied with his work; he is occupied with his other woman. But of course, they are the only ones who are aware of the truth.
'Maybe his tardiness is even intentional. This guy must be avoiding the possibility of having to be with me for a long period of time; that's why he decided to come late. But it's not like I want to be with him either after that stunt he pulled.'
Ember masks her scoff by lifting the wine glass to her lips. She takes a graceful sip, pushing the thought of her fiancé to the back of her mind as if he is some air that she cannot bother to deal with.
"I'll take your apologies for now," his father coldly mutters before looking back to Austin Wang to continue their discussion on another joint project of their companies that they are planning to do by the end of the year.
Axel Xu is still the CEO of Xu Corporation while his son Alessio still remains seated as the president. He won't be the CEO for too long since it is already planned from Alessio's childhood that he will hand the position over to his eldest son right after Alessio and Ember are already happily married.
Axel only wanted his son to be the chief executive officer once he is already safely set up for the future. Trained for the business industry; there are only a few years before he marries the girl they have chosen for him. Despite chosen, Axel believes that his son loves Ember as he has been observing their interactions since young.
'It's not like that he'll fall for someone else anyway; that child is as lovesick as I am with his mother!'
The possibility of his son falling for someone else is never within their line of sight. Axel cherishes both of his sons immensely, regardless of his habit to look so emotionless most of the time. He cherishes them so much that the thought of his son doing wrong has never crossed his mind.
But of course, he is still a Xu.
Axel is a well-respected and an upright person. Kielle and Alessio might be his sons; but if they ever do any harm to Ember Wang whom he already sees as his daughter, he will make sure to correct them and give them their self-deserved punishments.
Axel Xu would hate doing it, but Kielle can inherit the company if Alessio ever does anything stupid.
The dinner continues.
Ember continues to place several bits of her lobster on his plate like she always does so. Habit or not, the woman is dedicated to showing to their parents that their relationship is fine. Alessio quietly observes her actions but does not comment on it. It's better than Ember causing a ruckus regarding earlier's revelation.
The atmosphere in the dining area turns warm again as the people inside engage themselves in a light-hearted conversation. As they finally conclude their dinner, everyone stands up to gather in the living room.
When they reach there, the women take their seats on the comfortable sofa. Celina Xu, at that moment, happens to notice the diamond necklace on Ember's neck. Her green eyes sparkle in appreciation of its simple beauty; her slender finger stroke the glistening gem.
"Ember, my dear. That necklace looks so fantastically divine! It really suits you well. Which designer is it so that I may be able to request one for myself?" she asks. Her eyes show clear excitement while she waits for her dear daughter-in-law's reply.
The precious jewel is truly expensive and beautiful but the way it is crafted into a necklace makes it more pleasing to the eyes. Ember cannot help but softly smile at her Aunt Celine, feeling pleased by her aunt's exclamatory compliment.
"Aunt Celina, thank you. I'm actually the designer of this jewelry. I had a bit of free time a few weeks after finalizing my shifting of careers and designed it. It isn't the best but I'll design an even better one and give it to you soon," she sweetly says to her aunt; her golden eyes glimmer with passion and pride for her work.
That doesn't escape the eyes of her fiancé.
While Ember and Aunt Celina talk, Alessio has been standing by the side and observing them. His green eyes express something before that wavers in a second. He quickly looks away and begins to converse with the two men regarding business affairs.
The warm and lively atmosphere continues until the death of the night.
Standing up, Ember is finally about to take her leave. She kisses the cheeks of the two mothers and hugs the two fathers before excusing herself to depart. They don't want her to leave, wanting her to stay for the night; but it's too impossible because she still has important matters to attend tomorrow, and so they reluctantly allow her.
She bids her farewell with sadness in her eyes, but it won't be long before she sees them anyways.
The woman proceeds to move, but she is suddenly stopped by her fiancé. Standing before her, Alessio's tall figure towers over her. In his hands are her bouquet of pink roses. His handsome face looks so cold and serious; it almost feels like he's a living ice block
"Your flowers," he says, almost too blank in its tone; it feels like he doesn't want to talk to her. She mentally raises her brow, almost having the urge to roll her eyes. Ah, yes. Of course. The flowers. She puts on a fake smile and takes it from him.
"I almost forgot. Thank you, 'Zio-ge.'"
_________________
Walking out of the residence, Ember feels irritated as she looks over her shoulder. Her fiancé is walking slightly behind her. He remains expressionless while he follows her like a walking ice block,
'What is he even doing here?'
Oh, right.
Their families forced him to escort her out of the residence despite the property being already a hundred percent safe. She's not even sure if her parents are seriously protective of her, or they just want Alessio and her to have quality time with each other.
Actually, by having Alessio tagging along with her, she doesn't feel safe. Her heart doesn't feel safe.
Her golden eyes fall at the flowers. Truly beautiful and expensive, but does this mean anything? Nothing. She doesn't mean anything to him. She squeezes the flowers in her hand.
She sighs, and Alessio immediately hears it. His green eyes rest on the back of her figure; he doesn't like this silence at all.
"Don't you have anything to ask me?" His cold voice disrupts the stillness of the night.
She doesn't look back as she gets more irritated by his presence, especially with his insensitive remarks. After just a day of finding out his affairs, why would she even want to talk to him?! She quickens her pace as she huffs out in frustration. Alessio matches with her pacing as he trails behind her figure.
"Since I didn't waste my time talking to you, then wouldn't that mean I have nothing to ask you?" she indifferently retorts back as she keeps her eyes in front.
She doesn't dare to turn back, not wanting to perceive that thick face of his.
He really has the guts to ask her that?! He's so stupid, so heartlessly stupid! She scoffs. Finally, she reaches her car. Having no difficulty in retrieving her car keys from her bag, she presses a button to open the car. She's about to enter inside when he grabs her arm.
Ember's golden eyes widen, and her body stiffens from the unexpected touch. She quickly composes herself, drawing out a smirk from her lips. Her golden eyes glimmer with cold mischief; she tilts her neck to him.
His green eyes slightly widen when she suddenly drops the Juliet roses. It must have cost him a fortune, but it's not like he can't afford it anyway.
"Now please. Let go of me, my dear Alessio."
The way she says his first name without the usual affectionate tone but only resentment must have stunned him for a second; he drops her hold. And he's still surprised?! It's his fault why she's treating him like this.
The fool!
She coldly smirks at his reaction.
Turning her attention back to her red Hercedes Pens car, she finally enters inside. She shuts the door. Never even bothering to say her farewell to her fiancé, she doesn't waste her time anymore. She starts her engine, speeding off the property and to her house.
So concentrated on the road, she doesn't notice Alessio from the distance still standing in the position he was left at while his dark green eyes are intently staring at the fallen bouquet of Juliet flowers.