Bring Your Wife Home

Elric led Rebecca toward the ParKhuus and pulled a chair for her when they arrived at the table in the middle of the restaurant. In the open kitchen, three chefs were busy with their assigned dishes.

Meanwhile, Aleckin and his friends were stopped at the ParKhuus entrance when they followed in.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ferrero. Breakfast will only be served in the Lobby Lounge," said the valet.

"Eh, why is that? We're distinguished guests, too, I tell you!" It was Zoren who complained, surprise written on his face. He was starving, and he wanted to munch as soon as possible. This hold-up only irritates him. "Is ParKhuus entirely booked by Elric Hudson?"

"That's correct, Young Master Zoren. The Young Master from the Hudson family has reserved the restaurant for his guests," the valet confirmed.

"Is she some big shot? Perhaps a daughter of a king?" Zoren could not believe that Elric could pull it off when Aleckin's family was superior to the Hudsons. He glanced at Aleckin and said, "Hey, bro, did you hear that? It was as if Elric wanted to slap you in the face that his family was more powerful than yours. I can't believe we were stopped like this!"

Zoren wanted to taunt Aleckin, and after saying that, he burst out laughing, which annoyed the latter.

He snapped, "And why would he try to do that? Did I steal something from him?"

Although Aleckin grew suspicious, he could not think of anything he had done to Elric. He simply sold cars and worked his as* hard to bring Ferrero Motors and Ferrero Group to glory and surpass his Grandpa's achievements. 

Hence, he could not remember being associated with Elric except with the occasional gatherings they attended.

"Well, who knows if Elric loathes you?" Zoren remarked meaningfully.

Aleckin snorted upon hearing that. He glanced at the couple inside the ParKhuus before turning around and heading to the Lobby buffet corner. But Zoren stopped him.

"Hey, Aleck! Look at that chef! Isn't he…"

Aleckin followed Zoren's line of sight. His eyes darkened when he recognized the chef approaching Elric and the mysterious woman.

"It seems that woman is truly a very important figure."

Aleckin heard Harriet's comment. He reminds them, "Whoever she is, it has nothing to do with us. Let's go."

••••

Meanwhile, inside the Parkhuus, Elric grinned like a dog as he poured coffee into Rebecca's cup. The latter rolled her eyes and mouthed, "Stopped grinning in front of me. It sent shivers down my spine."

Elric's face fell; he felt wronged by what she said. "Hey! Can't I display my glee upon seeing you? It's been a year since I last hung out with you!"

"Too dramatic," Rebecca mumbled, overlooking Elric's whines. She reached for the milk pitcher and carefully poured on her coffee. Her movement is compared to those of elegant ladies in the upper class. Even how she picked up her cup and sipped on it was graceful.

"Hey!" Elric felt dejected when Rebecca ignored him. Before he could keep complaining, a chef came over and set two plates before Rebecca.

"Your order, milady." 

Rebecca's attention was instantly drawn to the chef's voice. As she recognized the voice, a delicate smile appeared on her face.

"Anton!" Rebecca burst out merrily.

Recognizing the man who disguised himself, Elric wasn't happy that he who prepared all this for Rebecca was not bestowed with a simple smile from her. Displeased by Anton's presence, he shot the guy a glare. "Hey, you! What are you doing here?"

Anton raised a brow. He took off his apron and sat down next to Rebecca. "Why are you asking me a stupid question? Normally, I am here because this is my restaurant."

"—YOUR family restaurant—" Elric let out a sneer, correcting Anton.

Anton lifted his chin smugly. "Yeah, and it happens that I'm an only child, so no one can contest my position as the heir."

Elric hissed. He had no counterattack to Anton's statement. All he could do was glare at him. "Aren't you in Italy for a Gourmet competition?" he asked afterward.

"Yup! And guess what, Becca, I got the first place award!" He replied to Elric's query, and then his attention shifted to Rebecca. He had all smiles, telling how great he was during the competition, and the world's legendary chefs praised him endlessly.

"Congratulations, Anton. I am so honored to be served by a skilled chef," said Rebecca happily.

"It's my pleasure, Milady. In fact, I would only cook for you..." Anton stood up and bowed like a knight. Rebecca chuckled at his curtsy.

Elric complained. "Becca, why does only Anton you smile at? I deserve to get a smile from you, too!"

Rebecca looks at him sideways. She uttered with a smile. "Like this?"

Elric instantly covered his nose. "I'm having a nosebleed," he said jokingly, and he has been all smiles since then.

Anton shook his head and threw the apron at him. "Here, wipe your ugly grin across your face."

Elric was livid at his insult, so the two continued bantering. Rebecca ignored them and started digging up the sumptuous dishes Anton had brought over. 

The girls outside the restaurant who recognized Anton and Elric sighed dreamily, jealous.

"Oh, my! Anton is so handsome! I wonder who that woman is. Why does Anton cook for her?"

"Right! I want to know why Elric treated her like she was a queen! What is her relationship with them, by the way?"

Aleckin and others had already had a plate from the breakfast buffet and started munching on a nearby table. Thus, they could hear the other women's lament. 

"Wow. I think that lady is a princess. She seemed too close to big families." Zoren muttered while putting a raspberry macaron in his mouth. He didn't stop talking, even with his mouth full of food.

Seeing this, Aleckin pursed his lips with disgust. "You know what? It isn't surprising why the Rosetta Academy didn't accept your admittance."

Zoren is confused by Aleckin's statement. He asks, "And what is the connection with that woman?" 

"Not related to her, but to your behavior… You don't have proper table etiquette at all," explained Aleckin.

"In other words, don't talk when your mouth is full," Harriet explains this even more simplier.

"Hah! I don't care about your noble status etiquette! I'll eat to my heart's content!" Zoren is a free-spirited individual. He follows no rules but his mother's words only. Since his mother wasn't here, he'll do whatever he likes.

"Forget it." Aleckin doesn't want to make it a big deal, though. He drooped his head and focused on his plate. The food here is excellent. It lives up to its name.

"Aleckin, that woman is very mysterious. She seems to be perfect as your nominal wife." Halfway through their meal, Harriet brought up Rebecca again.

Aleckin raises a brow upon pondering Harriet's point. "And why would you say that?" He wanted the guy to enlighten him.

"Aren't you looking for a perfect woman to introduce to your grandfather as your girlfriend after your divorce? Look around us. There are countless beautiful ladies from prominent families here!" Zoren answered his question.

However, Aleckin does not need to look around anymore; he isn't interested. "I'll head out first." 

He wiped his mouth with the tablecloth and threw it next to his coffee. Then he stood from his chair and never looked back. He walked straight to the door.

"Hey, bro, don't be a killjoy!" Harriet and Zoren hurried to follow him. They were only teasing Aleckin, but knowing his attitude, they knew he would get upset. Even so, they rarely care about his feelings. They just know his life was too boring because the Patriarch Ferrero controlled him.

"What if she is someone with your status? Then she is the woman you are looking for!" Zoren did not stop nagging, patting him on the shoulder.

Aleckin did not answer. He shrugged Zoren's arm and slid into his car, violently slamming the door and creating a loud thud. Then he sped away.

"Bro, I think you have to prepare yourself. Aleckin' will surely make you eat dust on the racetrack." 

The latter gulped. He admitted, "I think I have teased him too much today. But we are only trying to help advise him! What's wrong with it?"

Harriet shook his head. "Coming from you? Hah."

"Hey! What is supposed to mean by that?"

Meanwhile, Aleckin slowed down when his phone rang. He answered the call, only to be met by a loud voice.

"Where the hell are you? You are supposed to bring home your wife! Did you know that Jacob Davies invited us to his daughter's wedding? This is your chance to introduce yourself to the most influential families in the world!"

"Grandpa, I can attend the wedding. But I won't need to bring a plus one." He immediately turned down his grandfather.

Listening to his answer, Aleksandr was furious. He bellowed,

"Jacob knew you were married to Yelena Herbert! Your late father-in-law is Jacob's close friend! And so he wants to meet his god-daughter! I'm telling you, Aleckin Ferrero. This is your perfect chance to win a spot inside the Dream City! Do you know Jacob will invest ten billion euros in every company that can present the best business presentation? So, instead of fooling around! You better get your ass here and work on your proposal! I heard that Jacob is giving the CEO's seat to his son-in-law. Hence, you should make a better impression on Vincent Shen!"

Aleckin pursed his lips. How could he bring his wife to Australia when he divorced her yesterday?

•••

Happening at the same time….

Rebecca was full and enjoying orange juice when Anton returned and brought herb soup.

"What do you think of this soup, Becca?"

"Hm, your new recipe?"

Anton nodded, "I'm trying a new recipe. Miss Hailee Davies was pregnant, so they prefer nutritious dishes served at her wedding."

Rebecca paused halfway and looked at Anton with surprise. "Princess Hailee Davies? Are you invited to cook at her wedding?"

"Yup! And guess what? I will bring you with me, but not as my assistant chef." Anton smiled proudly, glanced at Elric, and winked smugly at the guy, teasing him.

"Hey, what are you saying, Anton Park?" Elric didn't like Rebecca being alone with Anton.

"Shut up, Elric. You have no say in my decision. I'm taking Rebecca with me to open an opportunity for her to submit a business proposal to Hailee Davies. Do you know that Davies Group would invest ten billion euros in every best business proposal to establish a subsidiary company in Dream City? Aren't I amazing? You should reward me with a few stock shares in Hudson Corp."

"Hah! Dream on, dude!" May Elric said this, but he was crying internally out of jealousy. Sadly, he wasn't invited to the wedding!