The time was two in the early morning. The plane that Valeria and William were on finally landed at the airport of B City.
Bobby and Silas assisted to take their luggage. On the other hand, William held Valeria’s arm and exited the lounge via the VIP pathway.
Hayden brought along Braelynn, Marcus, and Andrew to pick them up at the arrival section.
Valeria grinned upon seeing so many of them waiting to meet the married couple. She said, “Wow! What is with the huge fuss?”
“They are all here to welcome your arrival. How special of you!” William replied with a smile.
“Hayden has come not because of me as he is eager to meet with the two little children in my belly instead! I am currently an important figure in the household because of our babies. Hayden’s attention will definitely change after I have given birth to these little troublemakers,” Valeria muttered.
“You need not feel so bitter about it. Your life would be smooth-sailing as I will adore you forever. Do head over to greet my dad right now! You shall take care of him while I will entertain the others.”
Valeria scoffed and smiled, “Hayden, hello there! How are you?”
“Great! I am doing well and fine! How about you? Are you feeling tired?” Hayden asked with a concerned look on his face.
“Not at all. I’ve been sleeping throughout the flight and I have just woken up.”
“Let’s hop into the car then. I’ve instructed the servant to prepare a table of mouth-watering dishes for you,” Hayden chuckled.
“Valeria, let me give you a hand!” Braelynn reached out to hold her. On the other hand, William was busy sending his regards to others. Valeria smiled and said, “Braelynn, I haven’t seen you for a while. I think you have become much more beautiful!”
“Are you sure about that? I don’t see myself having any difference at all.”
“Of course there is. I can see it from your increasingly radiant-looking eyes. By the way, Braelynn, I have become much tanned than before, haven’t I?”
“Not at all. You are still as fair as usual.”
“But William told me that I have become a few shades darker. You must be trying to take care of my feelings, right?”
“No, I can assure you that your skin tone did not change at all.”
“Okay then. I shall ask the same question to a few more people later. It’s better to ask Abbie about it as she would not lie to me.”
Braelynn helped her into Hayden’s car. Valeria exclaimed upon seeing Abbie being seated in the vehicle, “There is a surprise waiting for me here all along?”
“Welcome home!” Abbie stretched her hand out to hold Valeria’s arm.
“Hey, let me have a good look at you. What is with the long face? What happened?”
“It’s nothing as I have just sprained my ankle. I did not intentionally stay put in the car and missed the chance of welcoming you at the airport.”
“Is it serious?” Valeria glanced at her leg with a concerned look on her face. “Can I have a look at it?”
“It’s not serious and I will be fine real soon. Let me have a touch at my two precious little boys,” Abbie then reached out to caress Valeria’s stomach. Hayden noticed it upon getting on the car and immediately said, “Be gentle and do not disrupt my grandsons’ sleeping schedule.”
“Wow, you are such a petty old man,” Abbie did not dare to touch her belly anymore. Valeria took a seat beside her and said, “I have finally arrived at the country. I have countless cravings during this period of time! Hayden, what delicious food have you prepared? Let’s hurry back home and enjoy the feast.”
The driver soon ignited the car engine. Valeria soon realized that William was not in the vehicle after the vehicle had driven away for a distance, “Oh no, I have forgotten about my husband. What should we do?”
“You need not be concerned about your husband when you would be up for a feast real soon. Braelynn and I would be happy to accompany you instead of him.”
“You have a solid point. However, I would definitely receive an earful due to the behavior of me choosing food over my husband. Don’t you think that it is wise for me to put on an act?”
Hayden could not help but burst into laughter upon hearing her words. “William is in the car behind us and he is currently with Richard, Marcus, and Andrew. Rest assured that he is not being forgotten.”
The group of people had smelled the delicious scent coming from the dining area upon arriving at the Howard family’s old estate. Hayden had instructed the servants to prepare a table of mouth-watering dishes which were all Valeria’s favorite.
Valeria eagerly headed towards the dining area with a gaze of excitement. “Wow, there is so much delicious food awaiting me. This is awesome!”
William came in behind her and chimed in, “Darling, it is true that the dishes look marvelous. However, others may misunderstand that I have starved you for days upon seeing how eager you are to dive right in. There may be a negative impact upon my image as your husband.”
“Isn’t that the truth anyway? I am so sick of having bread and butter every day during my stay abroad. I need to make up for the lost opportunity by satisfying all my cravings with mouth-watering dishes.”
“You are such a mean person. You did not even mention me bringing you to barbecue during our overseas trip.”
William and Valeria continued to bicker with each other. Hayden brushed his beard and chuckled before saying, “Let us all have a seat as Valeria is now hungry. Let us enjoy the feast then!”
Everyone sat down in their respective seats. Hayden raised his glass and said, “Let us give a toast to Valeria in welcoming her back home!”
“Dad, I am here as well. Why are you leaving me out?” William asked in a sulky tone.
Hayden grinned and rephrased his words, “Let us give a toast to both Valeria and William in welcoming them back home!”
Everyone raised their glasses to celebrate the married couple’s arrival in the country. Valeria took a sip of freshly squeezed fruit juice and glanced at Abbie who was sitting next to her. There was a subtle disappointment in Abbie’s gaze despite her smiling during dinner.
Richard was also one of the people that had welcomed the married couple at the airport. Valeria sensed that something was off as Michael was the only one who was not present.
It was currently not the perfect timing in talking to Abbie about it during dinner time with a group of people. Valeria suppressed her curiosity and decided to squeeze out her time later to ask Abbie about her wellbeing.
Hayden took out a few good wines that he had kept for decades as he was in a good mood. The mouth-watering dishes were compatible with the fine alcohols. Everyone else had quite a drink apart from Valeria, who was pregnant, and Abbie, who had injured her leg.
Valeria stood up from her seat as she was done with her dinner. “I am already full. Do enjoy yourselves!”
“Sweetheart, do head upstairs and rest well. Let me accompany you!” William also stood up from his seat.
“No thanks, it will be fine to head upstairs alongside Abbie.” Valeria then stretched out her hand to hold Abbie and the both of them soon left the dining area.
Abbie limped while walking as her leg was injured. They closed the door upon entering a bedroom that was located upstairs. Valeria glanced at her and asked, “What happened to your leg?”
“Valeria! Well… My brother has come to know about Michael and me.” Tears swiftly started to flow from Abbie’s eyes.
“Aww. Don’t cry!” Valeria reached out to wipe her tears away and asked further, “Was Richard the one who had injured your leg?”
“He accidentally pushed me as he was fuming with anger. I then fell down and sprained my ankle. I have never seen my brother so pissed off before. He hit and kicked Michael without mercy. He took my mobile phone away and he even arranged bodyguards to keep a close eye on me. What should I do now?”
“Secrets can never be kept forever and one would eventually be forced to deal with the consequence. Abbie, you are very fond of Michael, aren’t you?”
“Of course! I adore him so much! I want to be with him!”
“There is always a way out as long as Michael is also attracted towards you. Abbie, do not worry as we will soon come up with a solution.”
“Neither my brother nor my parents would agree to our relationship. The Davis family will also oppose this idea of us dating each other. Michael and I are out of plans to resolve this issue.”
“This is not the time to feel demotivated. Let us put our minds to it then. Abbie, do have a think about what happened between me and William in the past. We were also in your shoes at that time but we have strived through hardships together.”
“We are different from the both of you. William is free from being controlled and he is capable of protecting you. Michael, on the other hand, is not as competent as William. He can’t even talk things through with his mother.”
“Who said so? Michael is a skillful lawyer. He must have some plans in his mind to safeguard you as he is smart and talented!”
Abbie felt reassured upon hearing her words and said, “I can’t get in touch with Michael as my brother has taken away my mobile phone. Valeria, please assist me in giving him a call to ask how is he currently doing.”