Chapter 77

Chapter 77Chapter 77 Being Understanding
Unlike the oppressive atmosphere from the day before, breakfast was very pleasant.
After breakfast, Michaela even prepared fruit.
Usually, Nick disliked eating fruits more than anything else. No matter how much Mavis coerced him, he
would take two bites with the utmost reluctance just to get it over with.
As Michaela was there to cook for them at the crack of dawn, prepare fruit, and even thoughtfully stick
toothpicks into each piece, Nick could not find it in him to deny her of her wish of caring for him.
Furthermore, the girl was so persuasive that he could not even refuse.
“The doctor said that high blood pressure is no cause of alarm, Old Mr. Xander. The most important thing
is to have a balanced diet. Look at how you frightened Old Mrs. Xander yesterday. Be good and have
your fruits and vegetables! We’ll go for a walk later in the afternoon. You’ll be in great shape in no time!”
After the baptism of heavy rain throughout the night before, the sky that day was bright and clear.
If it were anybody else who spoke to him that way, Nick would have already told them off. However, the
old man was so mollified by the girl’s words that he could not stop smiling. In between bites of his apple,
he nodded vigorously in agreement.
Even Mavis looked relieved at her husband’s compliance and could not refrain from expressing her
admiration. “Well done, Mich! He’s usually much more stubborn than this and would not give anybody the
time of day. You can’t be unreasonable anymore with Mich around, Nick!”
Mavis glared at her husband as she spoke before turning to take Michaela’s hand with a motherly
expression. “You’d promised me to come often whenever you have the time to. You’re not getting awaynow that you have Nick under your spell!”
When she said that, Mavis’s gaze slid subtly over Jonathan. She was prepared to work hard for her
youngest son’s happiness.
I’m doing my best. If the kid doesn’t take the opportunity, it won’t be on me anymore!
“The pleasure is all mine,” Michaela responded earnestly. “I just hope that you won’t find me annoying!”
“What a cheeky girl! Of course we wouldn’t!”
Demure and witty, Michaela’s voice was a delight to the old couple’s ears. When she spoke, mischief
flashed in her eyes like a naughty fox and made Mavis laugh. Even Jonathan, who was always busy, put
aside his work to join them.
In an instant, the Xander residence was full of laughter.
Taking advantage of their upbeat mood, Michaela recalled what she had spent all night rehearsing and
cleared her throat tentatively. “Actually, I have something to ask you both.”
The old couple exchanged a glance at the solemnity and determination in her tone, consciously aware
that it may have something to do with the events of the day before. Nick was the first to break the
silence. “Speak your mind, Mich. I’ll do what I can.”
Michaela smiled with relief. “Thank you, Old Mr. Xander! I do not wish for both of you to worry about me.
I know you love me and do not wish to see me upset, but seeing you fall sick over me hurts, Old Mr.
Xander. I’m really sorry. Though I can’t understand and forgive Zack’s mistake, it remains our problem to
deal with, not yours. I care more about your health than my stupid engagement. I do not wish to hurt you
both again. Can we consider the matter resolved and never speak of it again?”
No matter how sweet Michaela is, she’s still a young and inexperienced girl.Furthermore, Mavis had thought that Michaela must have meant Zack and Lucille given their appearance
the day before.
To her surprise, the girl had been most understanding about the whole thing.
The admiration in Mavis’ eyes deepened at Michaela’s words. She became even more certain that
Michaela was destined to be her future daughter-in-law.
Even Nick lapsed into astonished silence for a while before grunting in agreement.
With the immense weight finally off Michaela’s shoulders, the rest of the morning flew by amid carefree
chatter with the Xanders.
The sun was warm by ten in the morning. Michaela walked with the old couple in the small garden.
Jonathan commenced work on his laptop, sitting on the rattan chair beside them.
His eyes fell on Michaela from time to time, and felt more smitten the longer he watched her.
Occasionally, the two of them would catch each other’s eye. Under his scorching gaze, Michaela’s
heartbeat would speed up for no apparent reason.
Mavis enjoyed tending to her garden in her spare time, which was a striking symphony of color and
scent.
Although Michaela did not know about flowers enough even to tell them apart, she was attracted by the
cacophony of colors in full bloom before her eyes.
Mavis was delighted to have found a confidante when at the sight of Michaela’s interest. “This is the
osmanthus, Mich,” she explained patiently. “One of the top ten traditional flowers of our country. It
symbolizes wealth and glory. And that is the chrysanthemum, another one of the top ten. It has a wide
variety of subspecies and remains the most abundant plant in my garden!”“And over there,” she continued with feverish excitement, “is the golden camellia, which is known as the
magic tea of the east in other countries. It is known as the ‘Giant Panda of the Plant World’ and the ‘the
Queen of Teas’. Pretty, isn’t it?”
“You are amazing, Old Mrs. Xander!” Michaela trilled. “It looks as though you have moved nature into
your yard. Everything looks beautiful!”
Jonathan pouted at the sight of his girl nodding enthusiastically with a look of admiration on her face.
Shouldn’t the gardener be the one who deserves the praise?
Despite their ordinary appearance, the flowers were rare specimens. They were also challenging to
maintain. If the gardener did not show up every week, the beautiful scenery before them would have
already turned into mulch.
Jonathan felt a little uncomfortable. Although it was embarrassing for him to compete for his mother’s
affection, he felt entitled to that look of admiration reserved only for him.
At that moment, a car’s engine turned off coming from outside the door. Before he could see who it was,
Albert jogged into the garden. “Mdm. Yvonne is back, Madam!”
That was quick!
Having just sent Zack back the day before, Yvonne’s arrival on the very next day could not make her
intention any more explicit.
At the sound of the rapid and purposeful stride of high-heels outside, Jonathan narrowed his eyes and
turned to Michaela. “Help my parents indoors, Mich.”
“All right.”Cognizant of what was at stake, Michaela nodded in response. As she lifted Nick’s arm, Yvonne’s voice
preceded her appearance. “Uncle Nick, Aunt Mavis, where are you going?”
Yvonne had arrived at the garden.
Admittedly, she was considered a successful woman compared to her peers. With a successful career, a
happy family, and graceful gestures, she carried herself like an aristocrat, strong and fearful of majesty.
The only thing that looked out of place was the suppressed fierceness that gave her a permanent scowl.
Yvonne’s eyes glinted when she saw Michaela standing beside the old couple. “You’re here too, Mich!”
“Hello, Mrs. Xander.”
Though Michaela greeted her politely, Yvonne ignored the girl in her anger and turned her attention to
the old couple. “I heard that Zack said some hurtful things to you yesterday, and I’m here to apologize on
his behalf.”
Despite the claim, her blunt tone sounded more like an interrogation.
Noticing Michaela’s embarrassment and his parents’ cold expression, Jonathan’s eyes grew darker than
ever.
Sounds like a confrontation to me.
Jonathan shut his laptop with a soft snap and was about to get to his feet when he heard Nick’s low
rumble. “We’ll talk about it inside!”