Faux Vows, True Desires

As soon as Cecilia left, Stefan turned to Lucinda and and addressed his concern, "You've been so busy; are you tired?"

"Well, I wasn't really busy all morning. Only after I finished the updates, then I went to do some grocery shopping and then cooking."

Seeing that her hair was a bit messy, Stefan smoothed it out for her and tucked it behind her ear, "I did offer to help you know, but you wouldn't let me. Look at you, even your hair's all over the place." Lucinda caught his hand and chuckled, "Nah, I'm not tired. Having you take care of me like this, even if I'm exhausted, it's all worth it."

"Everyone's here. We've got two more dishes to make. Let's each do one."

"You only have one pot, right?"

Lucinda laughed, "I have two pots. I'll go get the other one."

"No need. Those two dishes won't take too long to prepare. You go and chat with them. I'll whip them up in no time."

"Okay then, I'll head out. Holler if you need me for anything without any hesitation."

Stefan gave his face a little slap indicating something to Lucinda.

Lucinda glanced at the kitchen door, quickly pecked him on the cheek, and before he could react, she hurriedly left the kitchen. Once outside, she casually walked towards her partners as if nothing had happened.

"Is the shop locked?" Lucinda casually asked as she sat next to Cecilia.

"Cecilia asked Mr. Martinez to watch it for now. We'll take over after lunch,"

A staff member answered.

Lucinda glanced at her friend teasingly, making Cecilia want to pinch her.

agreed to watch the shop for

like it's charity. An hour for twenty bucks, where else can you find such a

fortune is hard to come by for many

might feel

"Where's Mr. Coleman?"

bit awkward being the only guy

kitchen. Let me tell you, Stefan's cooking skills are amazing. Their family education is holistic. Everyone is self-reliant. Even without the family's protection, they can fend for themselves." Lucinda had been married to Stefan for a while at that point and their relationship had

heard Lucinda praising

look at the difference between Mr. Coleman and Mr. Malicious, and you'll know whose family

handful of

Trenton. They said Harry Martinez was also a decent young man, but Trenton favored Owen more, hence the CEO position fell on Owen. Cecilia believed Trenton's attitude towards his two grandsons indicated a deeper love

tended to lean towards the descendants of his

while before Stefan announced from the kitchen, "Food's

the chairs, and then went to the kitchen to help bring

else was seafood, even the soup. It was

you want some

the mini fridge door and asked

so I'll pass. Besides, I can't hold my liquor. A

you'd better not. We're counting on you to make

had a

he naturally wouldn't

do you have a thermal lunch box? Can

go get one

and added a bit of each dish into it, stuffing the three-tiered lunchbox full. "Do you