Chapter-30

His two secret lovers, Clarissa and Laura, were practically staring holes into the spoon in his hand. To ease the tension and make time to think of a way, Rex made a quick decision. He chose the safest option of them all. Turning to Aunt Mei, he smiled and extended the first bite toward her.

"Aunt Mei, as the one who worked so hard to make this cake, you deserve the first taste"

"You're always so sweet, Rex"

Madeleine smiled brightly as she moved her chestnut brown hair behind her ears with her hand before taking the bite.

With that, Rex turned back to the four pairs of eyes still locked on him. Excluding his two lovers, if he were to not give Sarah priority as well, he knew that she would sullen for a while and not allow him to see her.

Afterall she was a little tsundere who didn't want to show how much she cared for small acts like these. If he were to prioritize the three of them, he didn't want Alisia to be left out either.

'It seems that I will have to bring out the big guns'

"Wait here, I'll be right back"

The group exchanged puzzled looks as Rex disappeared into the kitchen. Madeleine tilted her head like a child who didn't know what was going on. Moments later, Rex returned with not one, but three additional spoons in hand. 

"Alright, I'm not playing favourites"

Rex said before scooping up four bites of cake simultaneously. 

"Everyone gets their turn, open wide!"

The celebration went on happily with everyone laughing and having fun chatting while eating the sliced cakes. 

"I also have presents for each of you"

He took out the presents one by one giving each person theirs including Clarissa. As for Clarissa's present, he had to go buy it from another place. He reached into his space ring and pulled out a neatly wrapped gift.

"Aunt Mei" he said warmly

"This is for you"

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she accepted the gift.

"You didn't have to, Rex"

"It's nothing, really"

He watched as Aunt Mei carefully unwrapped the package, revealing a soft, lavender silk scarf. As soon as she saw it, Aunt Mei gasped as her fingers ran over the smooth texture. This was not the same one which Rex and Isabella bought near the mall, it was just the design that was used.

Isabella never intended to to buy it and give it directly. Though the ones near the mall were good, she wanted it to be better so she used better materials to make the same one but better. The gifts for the others were not able to be instantly found either, only some of them were able to be bought before he went to the noodle shop with his mother. He could only turn and ask for help from his mother to find the other gifts.

"Rex, this is beautiful"

"I've been looking for something just like this"

"It's the perfect colour for me"

She looked up at him with a grateful smile.

"You always know exactly what I need, don't you?"

Winter was coming very soon and such a scarf was quite good for such time. Rex laughed softly,

"I got a bit of help from mom as well"

"I will have to thank Isabella on my next call with her"

With a swift motion, Aunt Mei draped the scarf around her neck, letting it fall perfectly.

"I'll wear it, Rex"

"Thank you"

Rex smiled, feeling a warm sense of fulfilment. He was happy to make her smile with everything she had suffered similar to his mother. Both of these women's fate were quite unlucky. Rex sighed in his heart as he thought of it. If he could do these to brighten their days more, he would be glad to do so.

He turned to Laura as he pulled out another wrapped present.

"I had to do a little digging, but I think I've got something you'll love."

He handed her a neatly wrapped package that was quite big. She opened the package and saw that it was a stack of books.

"This is Volume09..."

"Oh this one, this is a hidden Volume, I have heard about it"

She started to turn page after page getting excited over it. It was quite a sight to see the always clam and relaxed Laura react like this. When she felt the gazes of everyone looking at her, a small blush covered her face before saying.

"Thank you Rex"

"I like this present"

Next, Rex turned to Clarissa. He pulled out a small present box which seemed smaller than others but the light in Clarissa's eyes never dimmed. Whatever Rex gave her whether it be small or big, expensive or cheap, she didn't mind it. 

"This is for you"

She opened the box and gasped. The other girls who heard it were intrigued, wanting to know what was inside the present. 

"Rex," she whispered

"This must have been expensive."

Clarissa took out the pearl necklace from the box. 

"I can't accept it"

"It's a present, just accept it"

"If you don't accept it, I will just have to throw it away"

Rex said but seeing her still hesitating, Laura persuaded her and she finally accepted it with love in her eyes directed at Rex. Clarissa placed the necklace around her neck which fit her beautifully.

"Thank you, Rex" 

"Okay, next one"

"Alisia"

'Huh, didn't you skip someone'

'Isn't this based on age'

Those were the thoughts Sarah had in her mind but she didn't want to ruin this festive atmosphere. Everyone else also thought of it but didn't question it. Alisia who went out to accept her present pretended that she didn't notice the burning gaze of Sarah.

"Yes, big brother"

"This is for you"

Opening the present, Alisia saw tons of art supplies from Art Books which were guidance from beginner to advanced, watercolour kit as well as sketchbooks with colour pencils. Her eyes widened with joy. She has been intending on trying art but never really had the chance to take the first step. This would help her and force herself to take the first step.

"Thank you, big brother"

Though she didn't realize it herself, Rex knew that Alisia was good at art and she would find out her interest in it as she painted. Alisia painted when she was younger and was interested in at the time but it was just scribbles on a book but due to not drawing or painting for a long time, she forgot about how she felt at that time about art. Rex's intention was that this would hopefully help her remember her interest as well as develop her art skills. 

"Okay that should be all"