Andreas had just left Noelle’s house as the sun dipped below the western horizon. The twilight sky accompanied his departure with a broad smile from Noelle. There was no denying that Noelle was overjoyed by his visit.
Always, then and now. Noelle knew that Andreas’ presence would always bring her happiness, just like that day. And Andreas felt the same.
Spending time with Noelle was always a delightful experience for Andreas. Not only because Noelle cherished him-typical of a grandmother’s love for her first grandchild-but also because he considered Noelle’s home to be his true home.
The warmth, peace, and laughter that Andreas had never experienced in his own home could be found at Noelle’s. Everything was available and abundant just for him.
If Andreas hadn’t remembered that he had promised to pick up Vlora that evening, he would have stayed longer. But that wasn’t a problem. Meeting Vlora was his own happiness.
He was so happy that it made Andreas impatient. It had only been a few hours since their last meeting, but it felt as if he was already longing to talk to Vlora.
The ringing of his phone interrupted Andreas’ daydream about Vlora. His smile faded, but quickly returned when he saw who was calling.
Andreas didn’t waste any time. He immediately answered the call in a cheerful voice.
“Hello, Jonas. I’ve been waiting for your call, but why are you calling me so late?”
The answer Andreas received was not a friendly greeting, but a warning.
“I don’t know what you’re up to, but I’ll remind you, don’t you dare touch my mother. Even if you lay a finger on her, you’ll regret it.”
Andreas chuckled. “Relax. I have no intention of touching your mother. Let my dad do that. How about that?”
“Andreas, you…”
“Don’t focus too much on me, Jonas,” Andreas interrupted, steering the car. The car drove through the Greatech security gate, and from a distance he could see Vlora waiting for his arrival. “I’m afraid you’ll regret this later.”
The car came to a stop, and Andreas was about to unbuckle his seatbelt. However, Vlora had already entered the car before him.
Vlora noticed the wireless earpiece in Andreas’ ear, so she remained silent and let Andreas continue the conversation.
“Besides, you don’t have to worry about me, Jonas.”
Oh, Jonas.
Vlora blinked. She looked at Andreas and found him smiling as he gently stroked his cheek.
That was Andreas. If he couldn’t greet Vlora with sweet words, he would make sure that his touch did it for him.
“I have no plans regarding your family. So I’ll be expecting you at my house next Saturday night. My beautiful wife and I will welcome you.”
Andreas ended the call, and the trip home began. They left the Greatech area, and Vlora asked, “Do you want to share something funny from today?”
Andreas turned to her, speechless for a moment. Then he burst out laughing.
“Damn! Vlora, you and your brilliant mind know me too well.”
“So, who were your targets today?”
Andreas continued to chuckle. His eyes were watering and it took him a moment to compose himself.
“Don’t call them targets, sweetie. There are no goals at all. Your husband was merely extending an invitation, not holding a gun to their heads.”
Vlora sat comfortably, leaning back with a narrowed gaze on Andreas.
“The invitations were just a front. So what exactly did you do when you met them?”
Andreas remained silent and Vlora pondered with a furrowed brow.
“Of course, you provoked them.”
Vlora had been in a similar situation before. She would never forget Andreas’ ability to trap his interlocutors between two equally challenging options. She had been a victim herself, whether it was their rendezvous or Andreas’ constant teasing.
“I’m not hoping, but…” Vlora continued, drawing an interesting conclusion from the other possibilities Andreas could have pursued. “… you’re not planning to get grandma, dad, mom and Jonas’ family around the same table, are you?”
Vlora had overheard Andreas and Jonas’s conversation earlier, so this terrible possibility came to her mind.
“What do you think?”
Andreas didn’t answer. Instead, he turned the question around with an expression that left Vlora gaping.
“Oh, my goodness. You’re such a scoundrel, Reas.”
Andreas laughed again. “I take that as a compliment. Oh, my goodness! Of course, it’s a compliment. Thank you, sweetie.”
Vlora could only shake her head. She had never expected Andreas to go that far. Now she was curious what the dinner would be like.
“Have they accepted your invitations?”
Andreas sighed lightly. “I doubt Mom will come. I’m not sure she wants to share a table with daddy’s mistress. But I’m sure Jonas and his mother will be there.”
“Why are you so sure?”
“Because Jonas doesn’t like to be underestimated. He always tries to prove that he’s not afraid of anything, including this time. He doesn’t want me to be happy by intimidating them.”
“What about your father?”
“If he knows his lover is coming, he’ll be there, of course.”
Andreas’ answer was followed by a short yawn. The rhythm of his breathing disturbed Vlora’s hearing.
“What are you thinking?”
“To be honest, I’m curious about what will happen later. What will it be like when the husband, the legal wife and the mistress are sitting at the same table with the grandmother in the middle?”
That was exactly what Vlora was thinking.
“Wouldn’t it be funny?”
Not tense, but funny.
“You’re like a predator who likes to play with his prey, Reas.”
Andreas’ brow furrowed. Again, not offended, but Vlora’s words made him think.
“Why use a sharp knife when you can kill with a dull one?”
Vlora stared at Andreas unblinking. “Of course.”
*
Unusual, but Vlora really observed Andreas’ performance that night. She circled around Andreas and observed every detail.
Vlora had never done that before. She had never bothered to scrutinize someone else. But this was an exception.
Andreas smiled as Vlora’s hands moved over his chest. Vlora gave him a final touch before making sure his appearance was perfect.
“No need to flatter me,” Vlora said as she took a step back. She created some space to look at Andreas again. “You’re not the only man whose wife treats him like this.”
Andreas lowered his head. Now it was his turn to observe Vlora’s appearance, and he was impressed.
Vlora wore a simple dress with no ornaments, just a brooch on her left breast. However, she looked very elegant. Her appearance was not overdone, which gave her a noble beauty.
“To be honest, when you accepted my proposal, I never imagined that you would do such a thing. You seemed to be a really cold woman.”
“Cold doesn’t mean unfeeling.”
Vlora lifted her face and straightened Andreas’ slightly rumpled shirt collar. Then she smiled contentedly.
“Besides, what kind of woman doesn’t pay attention to her husband’s appearance? Besides, you should know that I always take care of everything that belongs to me. I take care of everything.”
“Belongs to you?”
Now Andreas couldn’t stay still like he had thirty minutes ago when Vlora had helped him get ready. An invisible force forced him. He moved forward, closing the distance Vlora had created.
“Is that how you see me?” Andreas asked as he put both hands on Vlora’s waist. “Do I belong to you?”
Coming closer, Andreas pulled Vlora. He didn’t care if Vlora would later close her eyes and make a fuss about a slight crease in his clothes.
Vlora took a deep breath and the masculine scent with a hint of fresh forest filled her lungs. It was a soothing yet intoxicating scent.
“We are married, Reas. Just as I’ve become yours, you’ve become mine.”
Andreas grinned but remained silent. He decided to wait for Vlora to continue.
“So it would hurt my pride if the man who was once a handsome bachelor…”
Vlora’s hand traveled up Andreas’ chest and landed on his shoulder. Her gaze fell directly on Andreas’ eyes.
“… a pitiful husband when he’s with me.”
Andreas chuckled. “Oh. So you think I’m handsome?”
“I’d be blind if I said you weren’t,” Vlora replied without hesitation. Now her hand rose higher and traced Andreas’ jaw line. She looked directly into his eyes. “You’re a scoundrel, but unfortunately you’re handsome.”
The compliment lifted Andreas. It didn’t matter if he was called a scoundrel. At least in Vlora’s eyes, he was a handsome scoundrel.
“I’ll make sure this dinner runs as efficiently as possible, darling.”
“What do you mean?”
Andreas sighed as he stroked Vlora’s cheek. “Not too long, because right now I’m just thinking about enjoying our time together.”
Andreas’ intention was too clear. So Vlora decided to immediately lead Andreas out of the room.
Just in time, Desmon arrived. The head butler informed them that the guests had arrived.
Perfect timing.
Andreas held Vlora’s hand and together they greeted their families. Without exception, it turned out that everyone had accepted Andreas’ invitation.
“Good evening.”
They all gathered around the dining table. Andreas sat in his position as host, flanked by Noelle and Vlora.
Next to Noelle, Bryan, Amanda and Vian sat in order. Meanwhile, Lydia and Jonas took the seats next to Vlora.
Andreas smiled as he looked at his family one by one. Their faces seemed tense as the delicious dishes filled the dining table.
Finally, the expected moment arrived.
Andreas raised a hand, his expression beaming, and said, “Please, enjoy.”
*