Chapter twenty Four

Brielle finally made an appearance that shocked both the maids and even normally unflappable Stephen. She wore a white trailing dress, simple but trendy. Her raven hair cascaded to her shoulders and her eyes looked coy and bright, her cheeks blushed. her skin was fair and smooth, her footsteps light and enchanting. She was a fairy from heaven, and hot enough to captivate any man.

It was the first time that Stephen had seen her dressed like that. He never imagined that she looked like that under the boxy military attire. She was incredibly, unbelievably gorgeous. The perfect marriage of coldness and grace. Brielle saw them all staring at her, pulled her dress a bit, and looked at Stephen helplessly. She didn't know what she had done wrong.

"Mom, you are so pretty today." Ariel rushed over, but not into her arms. he didn't want to ruin Brielle's white dress with his greasy hands. "Something wrong?" Brielle asked. She was still a little unsure. This gown was the last resort. Every other dress was either too short or too revealing. After careful deliberation, she chose the long conservative gown she wore now.

"No no! You look stunning in that dress." Stephen extended his hand to hold Brielle's waist and escorted her to the table. The maid, as well as Ariel, were shocked seeing that. Brielle's face went even redder. She was embarrassed by this public display to embrace her in front of so many people, especially around Ariel?

"Mrs. Pei, bring my wife her breakfast and get the sober-up soup I just told you to make." Stephen was back in fine form, giving orders. he didn't see anything inappropriate in what he was doing. "Okay, master." Mrs. Pei nodded and left. She was nothing strange in Brielle's appearance here. Her relieved smile brightened up her kind face. She was happy that Ariel's mother was pure and innocent, far cuter than women Stephen brought home before.

"Mom, you don't need to go to the military base today?" Ariel looked at Brielle curiously. There really wasn't enough time to get there. it was quite a drive. "Oh no! I totally forgot about it. I have to get going." Brielle sprang up but was tripped by the long dress. She began failing forward. meanwhile, she closed her eyes ruefully and prepared to strike the floor in a very un-soldier-like fashion.

Stephen grabbed her and saved her from the fall. he said with an angry voice, "Why are you in such a hurry?" He gently let Brielle go, letting her settle into her chair. "Um... I need to go to the military base. I'm due back there." Brielle blushed. She seemed to be always making a fool of herself. her sickness was melting fast the heat of embarrassment.

'You don't need to go. Oliver said you had a week-long vacation." Stephen said slowly as he glanced at her. "What? Why wasn't I informed of this a game?" Brielle asked confusedly. "How should I know? Seems like you're not as well put together as you'd like people to think." Stephen looked at her mischievously. He just found out that Brielle could be a bit forgetful. The longer two people stayed together, the more flaws they would spot. But it didn't matter no matter how many shortcomings Brielle had. He loved her in spite of and because of them.

"Mrs. Chu, here's your breakfast." Mrs. Pei's affection for Brielle was growing quickly. "Okay. Thank you." The "Mrs. Chu" embarrassed her. She cast a glance at Stephen and found that he was too preoccupied with feeding Ariel and cleaning his mouth to notice how flustered she was. She breathed a sigh of relief.

That's not to say she wasn't dreaming of an idyllic scene like this for a long time. But now that it was right here in front of her, she hesitated. She didn't think she was charming enough to make Prince-like Stephen fall in love with her. So she felt this happy moment was enough for her. She couldn't ask for more.

"Looking at me makes you full?" Stephen said in jest, interrupting Brielle's fantasy. She frowned in regret and dove into breakfast to cover up her feelings. Stephen was taking care of Ariel during breakfast, but his eyes never left Brielle. he knew exactly what she was doing.

"Mom, Dad is right. You can't eat Dad. He'd probably taste bad. But you'd have a bite if you want to. Haha," Ariel used to be meek and cute in front of Brielle. She didn't know that he could be so "evil" as well.

Brielle spat out her food in surprise. She looked up at Ariel, face reddening. "That's good advice, son. Your mom can try it if she likes." Stephen laughed, but Brielle wasn't sure what he was up to. There was a calculating look in his eyes.

Brielle was at a loss for words. Since when had she become the butt of their jokes? "You don't need to go to work today, Dad?" Everyone was getting along, and Ariel was thrilled. Now to step up his efforts he needed to strike while the iron was hot.

"Why do you ask? What are you up to?" Stephen knew his sophisticated son far too well. Maybe Brielle didn't understand Ariel's calculating nature, but he did. he was Stephen Chu, after all. "No reason, Dad. You always think I'm up to something. I'm not that bad. Besides, when it comes to plotting, I can never beat you." Ariel tried to play innocent, but Stephen knew better.

"Just tell me. what do you really want?" Stephen glanced at Ariel, cleaned his mouth, and leaned against the chair gracefully. "Dad, can we go to the beach again?" Ariel said eagerly. Well, I have too much work to do today. So we can't go to the beach." it was burning hot outside. They would be grilled under the hot sun. he didn't want to squeeze into the overcrowded beach on a day like this. They could go another time.

Brielle shot Stephen a confused look. Why did he suddenly need to leave? "Just stay here. make yourself at home. I'll take you out for dinner tonight." Stephen whispered in her ear. His warm breath made her stiffen.

"But I want to take Ariel back to the base. I don't want to impose." Brielle lowered her head and said in a low voice. Stephen was a bit taken back. His demeanor turned cold and mysterious.

"You want to leave me that much? After all, I have done for you?" His lips were sexy, but his words were evil. Brielle trembled in fear. "That's what you want, isn't it? You have your life and I have mine. Isn't that what you told me?" Brielle said angrily. That was not what she thought or meant. But she couldn't let him know what he meant to her. She didn't want to see his disdainful look.

"But you are here now. You're in my life. Now what? Do you want to back down? Or are you just playing hard-to-get?" Stephen roared. He was too full of rage to understand how cruel he was being.

His hurtful remarks turned Brielle's face pale. She nit her lips tightly. She never thought that Stephen still regarded her as a calculating bitch. She fumbled for words, but in the end, she said nothing. What could she say anyway? he really believed what he was saying. It was partially what he was saying. It was partially her fault anyway, for creating that cold identity. There was no explaining it away.

When he saw Brielle's ashen face, Stephen realized how cruel his words were. but he was too proud to take back his words. Full of regret, he combed his hair and went upstairs.

Ariel worried. He didn't know why the sweet scene suddenly turned hateful and violent. Brielle took a few deep breaths and claimed down. She forced a smile and turned to look at Ariel.

"Ariel, have you finished your breakfast? If you are done, then pack your stuff, we're heading to the base." Only the military base was her home, wasn't it? She was just a visitor here.

"Mom, do we really need to go?" Ariel was upset, but he respected Brielle's decision. He knew that mom was the only one he could rely on. "Okay. You don't want to go back?" Brielle was at a loss. What did she have if Ariel didn't come back with her?

"No, mom. I will always go with you. I will never leave you alone." He didn't know what Brielle and Stephen were arguing about, but he would always protect his mother.

Stephen smashed his fist against the wall in a rage. he blamed himself for making the situation so bad. But did he love Brielle? He didn't really know himself. But when she said she would leave, it tore his heart to bits. The feeling confused him. He wanted to know the reason behind it. So the cruel words just tumbled from his lips as he tried to sort out his emotions.

Brielle held Ariel's hand and walked slowly towards his room. Stephen grabbed her before she could get there. The aroma of jasmine instantly filled his nostrils. he hugged her tightly and murmured in her ear, "Don't leave. I'm not sure if I love you, but you are really special to me. Since we are together special to me. Since we are together now, can we just give it a try?" Stephen's voice was quivering. He just wanted her to stay.

Ariel stood at the door watching. he looked at his empty hand and shook his head. He walked away, sighing. The grown-up world was too complicated for a child like him. "So we give it a try and it falls apart. What then? Or maybe I'm just a passing fad?" She just stared at his eyes. She tried to see through him, into his soul.

"But if we don't try, we won't know. Or are you afraid that you'll fall for me?" Stephen said pressingly, giving her no chance to respond. Afraid of falling in love with him? That was ridiculous. She had loved him for 12 long years. She had made him an indispensable part of her life. He just didn't know yet. Of course, she was not afraid of loving him, because she was already in love.

Brielle shut her eyes sadly, then opened them with determination. "Are you serious? Okay, okay! You can't sleep with anyone else, though. You can only be my man. You still up for it?" Brielle asked solemnly. Since he insisted, she had loved him for too long. He didn't love her, and she knew that. But at least she had some good memories with him. Besides, she was his nominal wife.

"Done. But you must promise me as well no sleeping around. You're mine. You can't say no when I want it, either." Stephen stared at her. he looked forward to being with her so much. "I promise and I will meet a wife's responsibility. I will help you with all your social engagements but on one condition all of this can't hinder my work. I hope you understand that."

Brielle was no sentimental woman. They were a couple in the first place. yes, they didn't sleep together, but they were legally married. That was a fact. Stephen smiled happily. he'd thought he'd need to try harder, but this was easier than he thought.

"Okay, but you have to live here with me. You'll still have your career." Living together was a given. That way he'd be able to treat her as well as she deserved. They couldn't just talk the talk without walking the walk.