Chapter 1 Act unaffected
Chapter 18 Act unaffected
*RENEE
“Aren’t you usually more assertive?“Marcelo suddenly snorted,contemptuously.
His words left me perplexed.
“You seemed quite pitiful at the banquet when you were being slandered by you own family?” He reached out and gently held my chin as he spoke.
1 gulped and struggled to break free from his touch but eventually,I just allowed him study me.
Memories of Rocco and Grace’s actions brought a cold sensation to my heart, as if a void had opened, ushering in a chilling wind.
Though it wasn’t a major issue, it was still unpleasant.
“I wasn’t being assertive or pitiful.I just didn’t want to make any more scene.I’m quite known for my gentleness and decorum in our social circle.I would never let them get the best of me.”
He withdrew his hand and ordered.“Get in the car.”
Iwas pretty used to his unpredictable nature, so I didn’t question his request.I rubbed my chin and got into the car.
*MARCELO*
I glanced at Renee who was sitting beside me.
I was suddenly curious about her.
Very curious.
I wanted to know how her life had been.
With what the Hudsons displayed in public, it was evident that they had always treated Renee badly.
I wanted to know how bad.
But most importantly, I felt proud of her.
Proud of how she carries herself.
And when she played the banjo!
Fuck!
She had been glowing.
I suddenly caught myself smiling and I stopped.
This marriage idea of my mother might not be so bad afterall.
I returned to my study and face Jason a call.
I made a small request to him which made the punk chucked.
1/4
+25 BONUS
Chapter 18, Act unaffected
“Marcel, this is the first time you’re doing something for a woman.Do you perhaps have feelings for her already?”
“Stop being stupid. “I snapped.
“Fine, fine.I’ll get on it right away.‘
A knock came from the door and I was a bit startled.
“Come in.“I let out.
Renee walked in,carrying a tray.
On it was a ceramic bowl and she had a smile on her lips.
I can’t get over how beautiful her smile was.
I raised an eyebrow at her in silent inquiry.
Since our marriage, we had maintained our distance.This was the first time Renee had approached me on her own
account.
“I…I brought you a midnight snack.“Renee said.“As my way of thanking you for today.”
I grimaced as I watched her placed the tray carefully on the corner of my rosewood desk.
Her manners were flawless, poised yet not stiff, dignified yet approachable.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her.She was truly captivating.
Lifting the lid, I was greeted by the rich smell of seafood.
It was a bowl of abalone and seafood congee.
I set the lid aside, folded my arms and reclined in my chair as I observed her.
She looked nervous now.
“Don’t you like it?Chad told me that you love to have these at night.”
“This dish was prepared by our chef.“I pointed out and sat up.“So you’re thanking me with something that’s already mine?“I snorted.
I couldn’t understand it too but I wanted her to do something for me.
Something good.
And why the heck would she think that I was so easily content?
She bit her lower lip and I blinked, trying to ignore how adorable she looked.
“I can only cook noodles.But if you really want me to make something for you, I could make those.How do you like your noodles?”
I rolled my eyes.“You can only cook noodles?”
“Yes.Why are you surprised?”
“You look like someone who could cook.“I replied.
“Well, my nana wanted to teach me while growing up but Grace refused to let me be in her kitchen.”
2/4
Chapter 18 Act unaffected
“Your nana?“1 probed, curiously.
“She was the housekeeper at the Hudsons.The closest thing I have to family.”
1 nodded. “O…Okay.”
+25 BONUS
*RENEE*
Since when did he get so talkative with me?
“Translate this.“He said to me,sliding a document across to me.
I was taken aback.
I watched as he turned on the computer on his desk and started going through it.
I frowned.
Was he now treating me as if I were his employee?
I looked at the document.It was in a foreign language.
Spanish.
“I’m confident that you already know what’s written here.“I replied.
I mean, he was a businessman.A successful one both home and abroad so I was sure he knew a lot of languages.
He looked up at me.“I thought you wanted to show how grateful you are about today?”
Grasping the file firmly, I moved to a nearby table to begin translating.
All I had to do was translate a document to show my gratitude,right?
That was easy.
I flipped through the pages with my left hand and penned the translation onto an A4 sheet with my right.
I might not have been to other countries but I have always been curious about a lot of things.
Languages were one of them.It had always intrigued me about how a word could be said differently in different parts of the world.
I knew a bit of Chinese, Thai, more of Spanish, French and Italian.
This document was an investigative report, meticulously organized.
“The initial funding of Venus Bar came from a rich private foundation:Aside from a 10% stake held by Venus Bar executives, the foundation is the majority shareholder,but the actual beneficiary.The identities of the investors remain unknown…”
My pen halted, momentarily.
Was Marcelo probing into the ownership of Venus Bar.
Why?
I felt a flutter of anxiety and quickly scanned the rest of the document.
3/4
+25 BONUS
Chapter 18 Act unaffected.
“The designated beneficiary of Venus Bar is undisclosed.Current leads suggest the funds are in a bank overseas, pending further investigation.”
“>
Fortunately, there was nothing directly linking me to the Bar’s ownership. The private rich foundation was a facade too in any case anyone probed into the ownership of the Bar.
Why was he doing this though?
Does he want to become one of the shareholders?
In any case, I was relieved he found nothing on me.I didn’t know how he’d feel about me owning a bar.
I resumed my translation trying to act unaffected.
