A woman approached the table where Vino, his wife, and his father were having a serious conversation. Mr. Broto—Vino's father, who was about 67 years old—gave a warm smile as he welcomed the woman, who appeared mature but still looked beautiful and elegant in a dress that hugged her slim body, with a half-thigh slit.
"Dear," he called softly, taking the woman's waist. "Let me introduce you. This is Cyntia, my new wife. She is now your mother, Vino."
Vira glanced at her husband's face. He looked indifferent, offering no smile or even a small greeting.
"Yes, congratulations on your marriage, sir. You couldn't even attend my wedding because you were getting married in Hong Kong," Vino's voice sounded a bit pointed.
"Sorry, my dear Vino. You decided to marry in a hurry after we had already planned our wedding. You should have discussed your plans with us before making such a decision," Cyntia said in a soft voice as she stood next to Mr. Broto, smiling shyly.
"Ah, you must be Vino's wife. You look so young and beautiful, and you have such an elegant yet comfortable sense of style. It's a pleasure to meet you, my dear," Cyntia said, extending her hand gracefully toward Vira.
Vira smiled slightly.
"How about the gift I sent you? Did you like it?" Cyntia asked with a caring expression.
Vira suddenly remembered the lingerie Vino had given her at the hotel. She glanced at her husband's face.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked exasperatedly, also recalling the sexy clothes from that night.
Did she just say lingerie? Where has Vira hidden that thing?
Cyntia saw the red faces of the couple and chuckled, clearly thinking they had had a "wonderful" evening thanks to her gift.
"Ah, why are you still standing? Let's sit down," Mr. Broto invited.
Vino and Vira had different expressions. Her husband looked unwilling, while Vira tried to keep up a friendly chat with her in-laws.
"My name is Cyntia, but you can call me Mommy," she said shyly.
"Ah, yes... Mommy," Vira replied, following Cyntia's lead. Vino's expression instantly changed.
No need to look for a face! Vino grumbled inwardly. He glanced at his wife sarcastically.
What's wrong with you? It's like I'm always wrong in your eyes. Vira thought as she shot him a killer glance.
I told you a while ago, just say yes or no. Why are you responding to all this unnecessary stuff? Vino continued, still exasperated.
Vira turned her face away, not wanting to argue with her grumpy husband.
"Soon the food will arrive," Mr. Broto said.
They pulled their chairs together as instructed.
"Ah, I almost forgot, where's the other son?" Mr. Broto asked his wife.
Vino took a deep breath. He had heard there was another son at Broto's wedding, and that's why he decided to marry quickly. He didn't want to let Broto's second son become his competitor.
"Ah, he's in the bathroom for a bit, as usual," Mrs. Cyntia said, signaling that her son was improving his appearance.
Vino and Vira frowned in surprise. It was rare for a man to care so much about his appearance that he had to check and make sure he looked perfect before leaving the bathroom.
"Vino, I'm sorry I couldn't attend your wedding," Mr. Broto said.
"Oh, it's a small thing, don't worry about it, Daddy. What matters is that you'll sign your part," Vino said, excited.
"Haha, you are so understanding. Of course, I didn't forget my duties," Mr. Broto said, handing over a document that made Vino smile broadly.
Vino eagerly opened the document. This was the moment he'd been waiting for.
"Daddy, is there anything wrong with this document?" Vino knew exactly which part of the document mattered most to him. He immediately turned to the crucial section.
"What's wrong?" Both his father and Cyntia looked confused.
"Why is there only twenty percent here? Where's the rest, Dad?" Vino's voice rose in frustration.
"Aahhh..." Mr. Broto smiled a little. "Of course, it will be yours, but there are conditions."
Before he could elaborate, the waiter arrived with their food, pausing the conversation for a moment.
After the waiter left, Broto's face turned serious, and he stared at his impatient son.
"Dad will hand over all the assets, but only if you fulfill certain conditions," he said.
Vino furrowed his brows. "You told me I just needed to get married and you'd give me all the assets, but now you're adding all these conditions?" he asked irritably.
"Everything requires a process. Besides, you're still too young to handle everything," Broto replied calmly, which only made Vino's patience wear thin.
"Ah! You lied to me!" Vino shouted, raising his hand. In the process, he accidentally knocked over the glass in front of his wife.
The drink spilled on Vira's dress.
"Ah, my goodness!" Cyntia exclaimed in surprise at the mishap.
The middle-aged woman quickly took a handkerchief and helped Vira stand up.
Vino massaged his forehead, clearly frustrated with himself for being careless and wetting his wife's dress.
"I'm sorry. Are you okay?" Vino asked, taking the handkerchief from Cyntia and gently wiping the wet spot on Vira's thigh.
Vira smiled a little. "It's okay. You didn't do it on purpose. But..." She whispered something into Vino's ear, her face turning embarrassed.
Vino understood, his face turning red as well. He leaned closer to listen to her whisper.
"I need to go to the bathroom; it looks like my underwear is wet."
Boom! Vino and Vira's faces turned scarlet. They both looked clumsy and awkward.
---