(AN: double chapter because we reached one million views!)
"Finally home" - Robert sighed heavily as soon as
he opened the door.
"Robert, welcome back!" - Mia exclaimed, standing in the living room. She was surprised to see him but immediately rushed over and enveloped him in a warm hug.
"I'm back" - he whispered affectionately.
The joy on her face was unmistakable, and Robert held her close, savoring this long-awaited moment. Without wasting time, Robert leaned in to give her a warm kiss.
However, as he moved to kiss her, Mia tried to gently push him away with a nervous smile.
"Wait, I'm not alone" - she whispered, nodding towards the kitchen.
"Huh?"
Almost immediately, Anna emerged from the kitchen with her usual enthusiasm.
"Robert!" - she exclaimed, rushing into his arms and giving him a tight hug. Just as Mia had stepped aside, the dark-haired girl crashed into her boyfriend.
Anna's vibrant energy resonated throughout the apartment, and Robert laughed as he returned her hug.
"We missed you so much!" - Anna said, still clinging to him. However, she seemed to remember something and quickly pulled away, apologizing to Mia with a glance - "I-I'm sorry, Mia, I didn't mean to..."
"Don't worry, Anna, I know you missed this silly guy too" - Mia responded calmly, understanding Anna's feelings for her boyfriend.
"Wow, I like this kind of welcome. You girls outdid yourselves"
Robert murmured to avoid escalating the situation, but being the scoundrel he was, he held Anna with one arm and Mia with the other. Stepping back a bit to look at the two girls, he noticed they were both wearing aprons.
"Wow, were you cooking for me?" - he asked, admiring them - "You look adorable in those aprons. Now you look like diligent wives welcoming their husband"
"Yeah, we wanted to surprise you" - Mia blushed at his words, secretly pleased by his comment.
"You goof! It's fine if you say that to Mia, but it's not appropriate..." - Anna smiled and pouted playfully, lowering her voice. However, she quickly changed tack and focused on the backpack Robert had left by the door - "Anyway, what gifts did you bring?"
"That'll be after dinner, no need to rush" - Robert smiled and playfully pinched the girl's nose.
"Mou! You're mean" - Anna pouted.
At that moment, Sophie emerged from the kitchen, her cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment. Though she tried to maintain her composure, there was a slight shyness in her gaze.
"H-Hello, Robert" - she said softly, approaching him.
Robert, who had already noticed her presence, had moved away a bit from the other two girls and didn't hesitate to envelop Sophie in a warm hug.
"Sophie, you look lovely too in that apron" - he said, noting the sparkle in her eyes.
"I-I didn't put this apron on for you! We're just preparing dinner as a welcome" - the blonde girl's ears were almost bursting with how red they were, but she didn't shy away from the warm embrace.
Still, Sophie smiled, feeling the warmth of Robert's hug dissolve any awkwardness - "Thank you" - she murmured, feeling more at ease.
"Well, looks like I'm surrounded by the best chefs" - Robert joked, looking at the three girls - "So, what have you prepared for me?"
Mia, Anna, and Sophie exchanged glances, sharing a knowing smile - "It's a surprise" - Mia said, taking Robert's hand and leading him toward the living room - "Just wait and see."
As the three girls returned to the kitchen, Robert let out a sigh of relief and contentment. This was one of his favorite moments, so he sat down on the couch to wait.
Meanwhile, he thought about these three beautiful girls.
His relationship with Mia was something he deeply valued. Since they first met in a somewhat comical situation, she had shown an understanding and acceptance that few could match.
Mia knew him on a deeper level and understood his secrets and his connection to the military, yet she had chosen to stay by his side. Her loyalty and unconditional love truly moved him.
Robert recalled how, from the beginning, Mia had embraced the unconventional nature of their relationship. Her willingness to share her love and allow other special people into their lives spoke volumes about her maturity and capacity to love without restrictions.
Every moment with Mia was a reaffirmation of how special their bond was, and now, seeing her smile with that apron on, he felt a mix of emotions enveloping him. Then there were Anna and Sophie.
With Anna, there was always a spark of joy and vitality that made him feel alive. Her enthusiasm and genuine affection reminded him how important it was to cherish the small moments.
Robert had noticed how Anna had grown closer to him over time, and although initially, it wasn't in his plans to get involved with this cheerful girl, he now saw clearly that she was an integral part of his current life.
The strong hug she gave him upon arrival was a reminder of how much she meant to him and how her presence always managed to brighten his day.
Sophie, on the other hand, presented a different challenge.
Her strong character and reserved attitude made her harder to read, but that only heightened his interest in her.
He knew Sophie harbored concerns and emotions she didn't always share, and that depth made her even more intriguing.
Robert felt a special connection with Sophie, a mix of respect and attraction that was slowly growing.
The fact that she felt comfortable enough to come out wearing an apron and accept his embrace indicated they were moving towards something more significant.
As he watched the three girls, Robert couldn't help but feel fortunate. Each of them brought something unique to his life, and he deeply appreciated them.
He knew his relationship with Mia was solid, but he also saw how something special was developing with Anna and Sophie. The idea of having a similar relationship with them truly excited him.
For, hypocritical and selfish as it may sound, he knew there would be more girls in the future with whom he would share this feeling, and that filled him with great expectations. This was not common or easy to handle, but he felt he was on the right path.
"Ready! The table is all set" - Mia, Anna, and Sophie returned from the kitchen with the dishes of food, interrupting his thoughts.
They decided to prepare some homemade dishes to surprise Robert. After thinking about what she would like and what they could show her affection and dedication to, each one chose to prepare a different dish.
Anna had taken the lead in preparing Bibimbap, mixing white rice with a variety of seasoned vegetables, marinated meat, and a fried egg on top.
Each ingredient was perfectly arranged, creating a colorful and appetizing presentation. Anna made sure to prepare a special gochujang sauce, which added a spicy and sweet touch to the ensemble.
Mia cooked up a delicious Japchae, a dish of stir-fried sweet potato noodles with a mix of vegetables, marinated beef, and a lightly sweetened soy sauce. The translucent noodles shimmered on the plate, and the combination of textures and flavors made it irresistible. Mia paid special attention to every detail, ensuring each bite was a burst of flavor.
Sophie took charge of preparing Kimchi Jjigae, a steaming stew of kimchi, one of Robert's favorites. She used fermented kimchi, tofu, pork, and a savory broth slow-cooked to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld seamlessly. The result was a comforting and spicy dish, perfect for welcoming Robert back from his supposed journey.
"I know they won't be up to the level you usually cook, but I hope you can enjoy them" - Mia spoke on behalf of the three, who had an expectant look in their eyes.
As Robert sat down at the table and saw the dishes laid out before him, his eyes lit up with surprise and gratitude. He was glad to be a lucky bastard.
"Ladies, this looks amazing" - he said, looking at Mia, Anna, and Sophie with a genuine smile - "You have no idea how much I appreciate this effort"
The three girls settled around him, and they began serving the dinner they had prepared with such care.
..............
The dinner proceeded in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. Laughter and lively conversations filled the air as Robert and the girls enjoyed the delicious dishes they had prepared for him.
Anna, in particular, with her usual enthusiasm, recounted funny school anecdotes.
"And then? The teacher nearly fell off his chair when he saw the drawing I had done on the board!" she said, laughing infectiously. "I didn't think he'd be so upset about a panda drawing"
"That wasn't a panda, it looked more like a raccoon" - Sophie chimed in.
"Eh?! Sophie, you're mean" - Anna pouted, eliciting smiles from everyone.
Mia and Sophie also shared stories, discussing new school projects and extracurricular activities they had been involved in.
"I'm sorry I missed all of that" - Robert smiled, listening attentively - "Sounds like it was a fun and busy week"
Mia looked at him tenderly. "We were looking forward to your return. School isn't the same without you"
The conversation flowed effortlessly, touching on light topics and enjoying their time together. Finally, after everyone had finished their plates and the table was filled with satisfied smiles, Anna couldn't contain her curiosity any longer.
"So, Robert, tell us, how was it in Russia? Everything okay with your family?"
Finally, the moment Robert knew would inevitably come arrived: questions about his 'trip' to Russia. Anna, with her typical curiosity, was the first to ask.
Mia didn't ask first because she knew this supposed trip to Russia was just a cover-up for his involvement in the Korean military headquarters, so she was curious to see what Robert would say.
Taking a sip of his drink, Robert smiled and nodded - "Yeah, it was all very peaceful. My father had some properties that had never been claimed, but due to some bureaucratic issues with the Russian government, they had to be transferred to my name as part of my inheritance"
"Oh... and what did you inherit?" - Sophie asked curiously.
"Nothing special. Turns out I inherited a multi-billion dollar company"
Clang
A metallic sound echoed throughout the apartment, followed by complete silence.
"Huh?" - Robert had said this on purpose to gauge the girls' reactions, and their shocked faces made him smile.
The shock on the faces of the three girls was immediate and evident.
Mia dropped her fork, Anna covered her mouth with her hands, and Sophie simply widened her eyes, unable to process the information immediately.
"A multi-billion dollar company?" - Mia repeated, still trying to wrap her head around what she had heard - "Is this some kind of joke?"
"Of course, it's a joke" - Robert smiled as he stood up from the table and gestured towards the living room - "Come on, let's do gifts"
The girls rolled their eyes at Robert's jokes but complied, following him and settling into the comfortable armchairs in the living room.
Robert went over to his backpack, which he had left by the door, and began pulling out several carefully wrapped items.
"Alright" - Robert began with a mischievous smile - "I brought some gifts for you all, hope you like them"
First, he pulled out three beautiful traditional Russian dresses called 'sarafans'. The dresses were vibrant in color, adorned with intricate embroidery and floral details.
"These are for you" - he said, handing one dress to each of them - "I thought you'd like something traditional and beautiful"
The girls exclaimed with surprise and admiration as they examined the dresses.
"They're gorgeous!" - Anna exclaimed, holding hers up against her body - "Can I try it on?"
"Of course, go ahead" - Robert replied.
"Yay!" - Without waiting any longer, Anna jumped up and hurried off to one of the empty rooms in the apartment, drawing everyone's attention.
Next, Robert pulled out several boxes of Russian sweets and chocolates, wrapped in colorful papers.
"I couldn't pass up the chance to bring some sweets. These are some of the best chocolates and candies I could find"
"I want some!" - As soon as Anna returned, she eagerly clapped her hands - "I love sweets! Thank you, Robert"
"Anna, wait until Robert finishes handing out the gifts, and then you can try on the dress, so stop running around" - Sophie scolded her friend, making the dark-haired girl stick out her tongue in protest.
After some laughter, Robert pulled out three sets of traditional Russian jewelry, each with a necklace and matching earrings, adorned with stones and designs typical of the region.
"I thought these accessories would be perfect to complement the dresses"
"I don't think this is something -"
Sophie began to murmur, realizing that these jewels weren't simple imitations but seemed to be very expensive jewelry. However, she couldn't finish speaking.
"Shhh, don't say anything and just accept it" - Robert placed a finger on her lips, causing the girl to blush and nod in agreement without saying anything more.
"And I couldn't forget the classic matryoshka dolls. These are for you to have as a souvenir of this trip"
Finally, Robert pulled out typical Russian souvenirs: hand-painted matryoshka dolls. Each doll was unique and detailed with traditional colors and patterns.
Mia, Anna, and Sophie received the dolls with a mix of astonishment and gratitude - "They're so detailed and beautiful" - Mia said, admiring her doll.
Of the three girls, Mia was the most curious at the moment.
Yes, she found the dresses beautiful and intriguing, and the jewelry was something that had amazed her, as she, like Sophie, realized they didn't look cheap at all.
However, the trip to Russia was supposed to be a trick, but here was Robert giving them typical Russian gifts.
Did he go to that country?
Robert sat back down with them, satisfied with the girls' reaction. "I'm glad you like them. I thought of each of you when choosing these gifts."
The girls surrounded him, thanking him with hugs and smiles.
Inside, Robert was mentally thanking one of the members of ARES who had helped him get all the gifts.
"Alright, now that the gifts are given, it's time for you to tell us about what you did in Russia" - Anna's words broke the atmosphere.
"Haha, can't you wait, huh?" - Robert smiled as he gently pinched Anna's nose - "Let's see, where do I start? Hmm, well, the first thing I did was..."
And so Robert began telling what he supposedly did in Russia.
He knew he was lying to Anna and Sophie, but these lies would soon stop. For now, he would let things develop with these girls, and then he would tell them the truth.