hapter 0019
“No, how could I? That’s your c
“Yes, but I’m offering it to you.”
“No, I can’t accept!”
“Come on! If you don’t eat, then I won’t either!”
“You know that’s blackmail, right?”
“No, it’s just a show of affection!”
“What a way to show affection!”
“Come on! It won’t hurt!”
Seeing how insistent she was, he accepted the spoonful of cake and tried it, surprised by its taste. He had definitely misjudged the place.
“It’s delicious!”
“Really?”
“Yes, you should try it!”
“Okay!” she said enthusiastically, with that perpetual smile on her round, chubby–cheeked face.
“How is it? Good?”
“Delicious! I love it!”
In the end, they both finished the slice of cake together. Maximus had to admit that the place had surprised him. The sun was beginning to set, and they decided it was time to head back home. So, they walked to the car and started their journey back to the Palmer Mansion.
“Thank you, Maximus! This has been one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had,” Mary said, looking out the window.
“Mary, there’s no need to thank me. Honestly, I had a wonderful time today,” he replied, keeping his eyes.
on the road.
“Really?”
“Yes, it’s been a long time since I took a day off, and I have to admit it was refreshing.”
“That’s great! I’m glad to hear it. Don’t you think I’m boring?”
“No, not at all! But what you told me today about your life did surprise me.”
“Why?” she asked, curious..
“Because no matter how much I try to imagine you… Well…
“Locked up?”
“Can you tell me more about your life?”
Chapter Dois
“There’s not much to tell. I was raised by my grandparents from birth. They took care of me until my grandmother passed away when I was eight. Then my father thought I was too much for my grandfather, who was running the family business at the time, so he sent me to a boarding school”
“You’re very close to your grandparents, I see.”
“Yes, they’re practically my parents. My father never accepted me, and rather than see me as his daughter, he always viewed me as a burden. As for my aunt, I think she was sometimes jealous that my grandmother took care of me.”
“Why?”
“Well, my grandmother was sometimes overly protective of me. My aunt resented me for it. I admired her, she’s a very beautiful woman, but she didn’t look at me kindly.”
“So, if you didn’t get along with your father and your aunt, who did you spend time with?
“I spent my time in boarding schools after my grandmother died. My grandfather insisted on taking care
of me, but my father used the company as an excuse. So one day, out of nowhere, my grandfather handed over the reins to him, and that’s when I stopped being in boarding schools.”
“You went back to your grandfather?”
“Not entirely. I lived in my father’s house, but I could see my grandfather more often. My father controlled my grandfather well through me. I could see that. I didn’t want to be a burden to him, so many times, I tried to run away, but I could never do it.”
“I see.”
“Hey, can we change the subject? Today is a good day, and I don’t like remembering the past. Besides, I had a wonderful time today, thanks to you!”
“Of course! Believe me, it wasn’t my intention to bring up the past.”
“Don’t worry. I just don’t want to remember that.”
“It won’t happen again.”
“Look, we’re home!” she said, trying not to make Maximus feel guilty.
“Mary, maybe we can do this again another day. It’s good for me to go out and take a breather,” Maximus suggested, trying to go along with her mood.
“Sure! I’d love that. I had fun today.”
“But all we did was walk around and have coffee/
“The most important thing was the company. And look I was able to talk more; I’ve improved.”
“You’re absolutely right,” he said, ruffling her hair like she was a little girl.
