Today was the day Umberto and Albina were getting engaged.
The whole Santangel Family started to get ready since morning.
Sergio was all dressed up, with his hair neatly combed and a big smile on his face as he went over the various party preparations with Daniel first thing in the morning.
After all the bad things that happened to the Seco Family yesterday, they both took today’s banquet very seriously and could not let some people with bad intentions cause trouble. If something like what happened to the Seco Family yesterday happened, the Santangel Family would not be able to hold their heads up for long.
Olivia had put on her dress early and sat down with Albina to have her hair and makeup done.
The makeup process was boring, she was about to chat with Albina to pass the time, when she caught a glimpse of Albina’s fingers clenched tightly and her face tense.
Olivia smiled, looked at her as if she were her own daughter and took her hand.
-Albina, don’t be afraid, it’s just a compromise. Today is your territory, whether you do well or not, as long as we are here, no one will dare to make fun of you.
Maybe it was because her voice was so soft that Albina felt relaxed.
She looked down at Olivia’s white fingers, and her soft voice reached her ears.
Fearing that she was still nervous, Olivia laughed and told her how nervous Daniel had been the night before, using playful and vivid language that made Albina laugh several times.
Albina was thrilled, Olivia would always remind her of her own mother.
Her mother was also very gentle and spoke softly to her, then became hysterical when she became irritated by what was happening to her father. For fear of hurting Olivia, Albina forced herself to look away and hold her thoughts.
When her mother died, her eyes were not yet healed and she did not see her mother for the last time.
Albina also took Olivia’s hand, her eyes a little red.
Before the tears could fall, Olivia gently dried them with a handkerchief.
Albina raised her head in surprise and her teary eyes met Olivia’s soft eyes.
Olivia wiped away the tears that were about to well up again lovingly and smiled.
-Albina, you can’t cry today. You have to smile.
Albina froze for a long time. Being looked at tenderly by her, the sadness in her heart slowly dispersed, and she finally revealed a beautiful smile.
Her watery eyes were beautiful and seductive, but at the same time heartbreakingly fragile.
Olivia gave her a gentle hug and a few pats on her slender back.
-Good girl. Even though the engagement party hasn’t started yet, you can call me Mom, I don’t mind at all.
Although Olivia wasn’t particularly astute and had a straightforward personality, she had been in the Santangel Family for many years and had been influenced by Sergio and Umberto, so at this point, how could she not know why Albina was crying?
She was not good at comforting others, she could only do her best to make Albina happy.
The silliest, but also the most sincere method was used.
Albina became emotional, leaned on his shoulder, closed her eyes and spoke in a hoarse voice.
-Mom.
-Yes! -Olivia answered cheerfully, stroking Albina’s head, and the atmosphere in the dressing room became very cozy.
Several make-up artists and stylists did not dare to speak freely, standing to the side and waiting in silence. But they were also full of emotions in their hearts.
Each of these makeup artists and stylists had a great reputation and were appointed by many wealthy people, so they had seen many of these scenes.
But today’s scene was completely different from the ones they had seen. They were so friendly, as if they were really mother and daughter.
Umberto’s model was simple and finished quickly. He wore his suit with a straight posture and a powerful aura, he was very handsome.
After getting ready, he went to Albina’s dressing room to take a look around.
Once he entered, he saw Olivia hugging Albina.
Umberto was stunned for a moment, then saw Olivia wink at him, telling him to go away.
He looked at Albina’s back with some concern, but left without saying anything.
Just by looking at her back, Umberto knew Albina was not in a good mood. She should have been crying, had something happened?
As he came down the stairs with a heart full of worry, he saw Sergio and Daniel standing together from afar, watching the banquet set-up.
Umberto hurried over and supported Sergio. Seeing that he was cheerful, he was slightly relieved and thanked.
-Grandfather, thank you for helping me with all this.
-I’m your grandfather, isn’t it right for me to take care of your engagement party?
Sergio scolded him with a smile and slapped Umberto’s forehead with a proud expression.
-I’m not Alfredo, naturally I have to personally take care of the events in my grandson’s life.
Umberto looked at Sergio with a soft smile and said:
-Yes, you are the best grandfather in the world. Better than anyone else’s.
Sergio was stunned for a while. Before he still seemed full of pride, but after hearing him say this, he felt a little guilty and sighed.
-Umberto, in fact, I’m not that nice.
Umberto had been disciplined by Sergio since he was a child. As the only descendant of the Santangel Family, Sergio had been very strict with him and forced him to learn many things.
It was also because his parents were not involved in Umberto’s childhood and were too strict with him, that Umberto had such an indifferent personality.
During those three years that Umberto was married to Albina, Sergio had been recuperating in the mountain villa because he missed his wife, and never worried about his marriage.
Without his restraint and with Daniel being very lenient with Olivia, it was what caused Olivia to keep pushing Umberto, causing so much damage to Albina, forcing them to divorce and making Umberto that way.
Fortunately, Albina’s reappearance and her impending remarriage had changed Umberto’s character quite a bit.
In short, Sergio was not doing a very good job as a grandfather.
But Umberto never resented it and treated him with great respect, bearing all the pain and hardship by himself.
Umberto looked at Sergio’s gaze and shook his head with a smile.
-No, grandfather. You are very good.
It was true that Sergio was strict with him, but this also allowed him to grow up quickly and carry the responsibility of the Santangel Group, giving him the ability to give the people he loved a bright future.
Without his education, Umberto had no way to protect Albina and would become a useless boy in a rich family.
Sergio looked at the sincerity in Umberto’s eyes and patted the back of his hand with a loving smile on his face.
Eventually, the party was ready and the guests arrived one by one.
The Santangel Family, which had originally been a bit deserted, was now filled with guests gathered at the entrance.
Daniel and Olivia greeted the guests at the door while Umberto made his way to the dressing room to see Albina.
As he entered, he bumped into the makeup artists who had just left, who greeted him with a look of expectation.
In disbelief, Umberto entered the dressing room. As he entered, he saw a tall, slender woman with her back to him.
She stood by the window and the rays of light shone on her. She looked beautiful in her white dress.
Her shoulders were bare, her waist was very slender and both legs were hidden under the wide hem of the skirt.
Umberto was a little nervous and said in a hoarse voice:
-Albina.
Albina turned around slowly.
The sun was shining brightly, Umberto looked at her face and suddenly he couldn’t say anything, he could only feel warmth in her eyes.