Michael’s proposal was successful without any obstructions. So he took advantage of the opportunity and suggested to Abbie for them to get married there in the States.
“Abbie, besides proposing to you, I came here this time to discuss with you another important matter. That is about our marriage.”
“Marriage? My parents won’t allow it, and it’s the same for your parents. Are you thinking of doing the same thing as William? Do we need any documents to get married? All my documents are in my house’s safe, and I don’t know the password to it.”
“I don’t think we do. This is what I think. Since our parents are forbidding us to get married, let’s elope. After becoming a legally married couple in the States, they won’t be able to stop us anymore. We will hold our wedding after we return. What do you think about this idea, Abbie?”
Abbie had always wanted to marry Michael. So she naturally wouldn’t refuse Michael’s request to elope. “Alright! Let’s get married then!”
“Abbie, this is not a joke. I’m serious about this. Do you understand that you can’t regret this?”
“I do. I’m not a child. When will we go and get our marriage license?”
“Then let’s go tomorrow. We’ll go at nine in the morning.”
“Alright! No problem! Come and pick me up at nine!”
As Abbie agreed without hesitation, Michael was in a good mood instantly. He carried Abbie in his arms and spun around in the house. “This is great! Abbie! Do you know? I’ve waited for this day for too long. Thank God! I’m so happy!”
“Alright. Stop spinning. I’m becoming dizzy. Put me down!”
The two of them fooled around for a while before Michael put Abbie down. “Are you hungry?”
Abbie was hungry when Michael asked this. “I am! Where are the snacks you brought for me? Hurry and take them out.”
“Babe, eat some snacks to satisfy your hunger for a while. But remember not to overeat. I have other food prepared for you later.”
“What kind of food?” Abbie asked with curiosity.
Michael put on his apron. “I’m going to prepare a big meal for you. Weren’t you envious of William cooking for Valeria? I’ll cook for you often in the future too.”
“William’s cooking is really delicious. Are you sure yours is?” Abbie was skeptical.
“Don’t worry. You used to like my cooking the most. I learned cooking to feed you.”
“Used to? Why don’t I remember eating your cooking before? Are you bragging, Michael?”
“I’m not bragging… Anyway, you’ll know in a while.” Since Abbie had lost her memory and could not remember the details of their love, Michael couldn’t explain it. “I’m going to the kitchen.”
“Do you need my help?”
“No, you can stay here and eat snacks.”
Abbie couldn’t wait. So she ate a few crackers and went to the kitchen. Michael was the chef while Abbie helped him slice onions, rinse the vegetables, and other various things.
Michael made steak, grilled salmon, and roasted duck. He also made soup. After the dishes were made and served, the two started the meal. Abbie couldn’t wait to taste it and found the food pretty delicious.
“Wow, you’re pretty good at this.” Abbie was astonished.
“Eat more if you like it!”
“Then I won’t hold back!” Abbie ate her fill and her belly was full. “Oh, I’ve eaten too much. I’m so full!”
Michael was amused by her. “Are you pretending so you don’t need to wash the dishes? Don’t worry. I won’t get you to wash the dishes!”
“I’m not pretending. I’ve really eaten too much. If your cooking is this delicious, I think I’ll grow fatter in the future.”
“Then get fat. I will love you no matter how fat you are.”
“You’re such a suck-up! Men only know how to sweet talk. If I become fat, I don’t believe you will still love me.” Abbie chuckled.
“I will use my actions to prove it to you! Abbie, do you need me to buy you some digestive pills?”
“It’s alright. Let me lie down while you clean up. Then we’ll go to the garden for a walk. I’ll go home after I digest the food.”
Michael smiled and went to the dining room to clean up. After he was done, he brought Abbie to the garden, and the both of them walked around for about an hour. The sky was turning dark.
Abbie looked at her watch and said, “I have to go back, or my mother will be anxious.”
“I’ll send you back.” Michael didn’t keep Abbie and sent her home.
The car stopped not far from the Clark family’s mansion. Abbie kissed Michael goodbye and said, “I’ll leave now. Drive slow when you go home.”
“Alright. Don’t forget tomorrow!” Michael reminded.
“Don’t worry, I won’t forget.” Abbie removed the diamond ring from her finger and placed it into her pocket.
“I’ll take this off first and wear it later. If my mum finds out there will be a lot of trouble.”
“Got it! Have you thought about how to explain to your mother?”
“I could say that I went to meet a classmate and came back after eating dinner. Since I have so many classmates, I could tell her any name. I don’t think she would check on it.”
“Okay, then go in. See you tomorrow!”
“See you tomorrow!” Abbie waved as she went into the mansion. As she walked through the courtyard, a figure was coming towards her. Abbie felt familiar and was racking her brains for the name when the figure spoke up. “Abbie, you’re back!”
“It’s you? Why are you here?” Azalea’s good mood vanished straight away when she saw it was Azalea, and her tone was not pleasant at all.
Azalea smiled and said, “I heard that Aunt Helen hurt her leg, so I came to visit her. Oh right, Abbie, where have you been? Aunt Helen has been looking for you. She has been anxious as she can’t even reach you on your phone!”
“It’s none of your business where I went. Are you done visiting my mum? If so, get lost! I don’t want to see you in my house!”
Abbie never hid her disgust. Azalea also took down her fake smile. “Abbie, I came to visit Aunt Helen on purpose, and she has asked me to stay here. Since we will be staying under the same roof for some time, you will see me even if you don’t want to.”
“You’re staying here? How fucking shameless are you? Since young, you have been freeloading on my family’s resources and money and even claimed yourself to be a daughter of the Clark family. You still haven’t changed until now. Can’t you have more dignity?”
“I also want to keep my dignity, but what good will that do for me? Can I have a better life if I keep my dignity? Someone like you who has lived a life free of worries would never understand what it’s like to be poor. I’ve been through it, so I would do anything to achieve my goals! Abbie, I’m not the same as before. I’m not weak and easily bullied anymore. I will make sure you know the consequences of offending me!”
Abbie looked at Azalea contemptuously. “Are you threatening me?”
“You could say so! I know what you’ve been up to. Didn’t you go and meet Michael? Did he propose to you and give you a big diamond ring? That ring must be still in your pocket, right? What if I tell Aunt Helen about the diamond ring in your pocket? What would she do to you?”