Eliana woke up to an empty bed and wondered if Zach had gone to work only to see him sitting on the couch and making a call with his laptop.
Zach looked up to see Eliana looking at him, and his gaze went back to his laptop as he said, "Make the changes as we have discussed and I will handle the rest."
"Yes sir." The person replied.
Zach ended the video call and put his laptop aside as he asked, "Do you need water, or are you feeling hungry? You didn't eat last night."
"Is a morning kiss also on the menu?" Eliana asked with a smile.
Zach raised his brow amusedly and chuckled; he walked towards the bed and leaned in to kiss her. "Does that work as a morning kiss?"
Eliana nodded absentmindedly, she didn't expect him to actually kiss her.
"Good. Go take a shower. I have already asked Ethan to get you a new dress, and my Mom wants us downstairs for breakfast."
"Your mom doesn't like me, does she?" Eliana asked sadly.
Zach laughed and replied, "My mom doesn't like anyone."
"So she is like those bitter old women," Eliana asked with a smile.
"Charlotte Sanders is more than that. She is friendly to those who are useful to her, and after they have outlived their usefulness, she finds a way to discard them. As a person, she is terrible but as a mother, she is cool and protective."
"She sounds like a difficult person."
"Don't try to understand her because you never will, and don't try to impress her; that is, in fact, the fastest way for her to hate you. Be who you are and stand your ground with her."
Eliana nodded and wondered why she felt it was an easier-said-than-done task. Her phone ringing tone disturbed the silence in the room, and Zach's expression darkened when he saw the name of the person calling.
Eliana was about to collect her phone from the nightstand when Zach snatched it and ended the call.
"What was that for?"
"You need to get ready for breakfast, I will hold on to your phone until then," Zach replied and left the room.
"Huh? What just happened?" Eliana asked herself in confusion.
.....
Eliana felt refreshed after taking a bath and saw a pink shirt and white trousers waiting for her on the bed.
She wore the clothes and went downstairs, freezing for a moment when she saw Zach, Ryan, and Charlotte already seated. It was obvious they were waiting for her, she slowly walked towards the dining table and sat beside Zachary.
"You look like you slept well," Ryan said.
"I did, thank you." Eliana replied with a smile.
"Jules, tell Diana to serve the food," Charlotte said to her butler, who immediately went to fulfill his task.
A few minutes later, Diana came out with a tray containing four plates.
While Charlotte, Zach, and Ryan were served Pasta and Turkey with a glass of wine, Eliana, on the other hand, was served porridge with a glass of juice. She looked at Diana, questioning with her eyes if there had been a mistake, but Diana only smiled and said.
"Since you are in your first trimester, you should eat food with a lot of nutrients and this chicken porridge I have made for you is good for both you and the baby growing inside you. Enjoy."
Eliana forced a smile and replied, "Thank you." She took a bite and was surprised by how delicious it tasted, and the best part was that she was no longer feeling the urge to vomit.
"I heard you are a model. Can a girl who took her sister's fiance be hired by any brand or even modeling agency?" Charlotte asked.
"Mom, don't start," Zach warned as he looked at his mother coldly.
"There is nothing wrong in me telling my future daughter-in-law of the consequences of her actions, right?" Charlotte replied.
"I am a model under the Young Modeling Agency, and they wouldn't dismiss me for such a reason."
"Says who? Or are you still thinking that after last night, your parents would perhaps still have your back? Who would choose their adopted child over their legitimate one?"
"My career may be in jeopardy, but who cares? Even though they hate me and want me to go, they would never express it. People are very scared of offending those who are higher than them."
"And are you higher than them? You are just a girl who got lucky. Firstly, by being adopted by the Moore family and secondly by being pregnant for my son." Charlotte replied with a scoff.
"Was it by luck that you got married to Zach's father?" Eliana asked.
"What?"
"If you say I am where I am by luck, then can I also say the same about you? You are a very successful woman so I'm surprised to see that you believe in such things."
Charlotte scoffed and said, "So are you saying you planned your steps, including seducing my son?"
"Yes."
Ryan, who was drinking his wine, nearly choked on it when he heard Eliana reply. He looked at Zach, who had a slight smile on his face, unfazed by the fact that the girl beside him just admitted that she planned seducing him.
Charlotte gazed at Eliana with a frown and suddenly stood up from her chair, saying, "If she turns out to be pregnant, then the both of you will wed in a week. My first grandchild will not be called a bastard. I have lost my appetite."
Eliana let out a sigh and said "She hates me now."
"Nah! I think you did well. I also have to go, I have something urgent to take care of." Ryan said and was about to leave when Zach firmly said
"Sit down and eat your food."
Ryan looked at barely-touched food and then at his brother before sitting back down to finish his food.
Eliana was surprised by how obedient Ryan was towards Zach, at least she now knows who will be the strict parent.