After a pause, Zachary added. “I’ll drive you to work tomorrow morning.” Since Zachary was being thoughtful, Serenity left her e-bike at the shop and took a ride in Zachary’s car. Jasmine watched the couple as they left while mumbling to herself, “They’re acting more like a couple now.” Although Zachary was aloof and antisocial, his care for Serenity was in the details. “I’d be happy to marry immediately if a man like Mr. York comes into my life.” It was a pity that her blind dates had nothing on Zachary. The supposed fine men were only placed above the rest because of their high income. However, they were far from being labeled fine men. The man Jasmine went on a blind date with at Beans and Cream had taken a fancy to Serenity. The man even made a private call to the matchmaker to ask about Serenity, only to find out that Serenity was taken. The man must be living in Lalaland. Jasmine called the man to give him a piece of her mind, threatening to ruin him if he were to
Everybody in the neighborhood knew how close the sisters were. Liberty kept the matter from her sister to save her the worry. “Thank you, Mrs. Zaks.” Serenity thanked Mrs. Zaks before continuing her quick walk toward her sister’s residential building while dragging Zachary along. “My brother-in-law was angry that my sister hadn’t cooked lunch for him when I dropped her off the other day. Hank looked like he wanted to hit my sister, but he wiped that look off his face when he saw me,” Serenity babbled to Zachary. “Why didn’t my sister let me know?” Serenity felt bad for her sister. Women gained a second chance in life when they got married. Her sister’s second chance in life did not seem smooth sailing. Hank’s attitude toward Liberty changed for the worse less than three years into the marriage. Zachary replied firmly, “Your sister doesn’t want you to worry. Mrs. Zaks said that your sister chased your brother-in-law down a few streets with a knife. It means your sister had
Serenity’s sister was her rock. Now that Serenity was all grown up and had the means, it was her turn to protect her sister. “Seren.” Liberty held onto her sister and said, “Don’t go. The injury is only superficial. Plus, I didn’t let him get away with it. I chased him down a few streets with a knife and scared him out of his wits. I trust he won’t be violent to me anymore.” “If he has done it once, he will do it again, Liberty. He won’t know fear if you don’t fight back when he lays his hands on you. He’ll only assault you again.” There should be zero tolerance toward domestic violence! “I know. That’s why I didn’t give in and beat him up too. I even went after him with a knife. You should’ve seen the scared look on his face. His legs were shaking. I heard that you must win the first fight between couples, and I won! He should think twice before laying his hands on me next time.” Liberty pulled her sister back firmly, keeping Serenity from getting even with Hank. “He’s bac
As the sisters only had each other for many years, Liberty understood Serenity well enough to know that her sister would stick up for her. In a deliberate effort to get her sister to stick around, Liberty took out a bottle of wine and enjoyed a glass with Serenity until midnight before letting the couple leave. Serenity was a lightweight, and Liberty took out a stiff drink. After a glass of wine, Serenity found herself tipsy. She was feeling dizzy and staggering in her footsteps by the time she left her sister’s place. Liberty saw the young couple off at the door. She used to attend social engagements with her boss when she was working back then. Having learned to hold her liquor, Liberty could handle a glass of wine just fine. “Zachary, Seren’s drunk. Please take good care of her,” Liberty urged her brother-in-law. She got her sister drunk, so Serenity would not go after Hank for payback. Liberty was afraid the Browns would gang up on Serenity if she went to the Browns’ r
With Zachary waking her up, Serenity sat up and rubbed her eyes innocently before staring straight at Zachary without blinking. Suddenly, she extended her arms and said with a sparkle in her beautiful eyes, “Carry me out of the car, Handsome.” Wincing his face, Zachary reached his hand out to knock her head. His tone turned chilly. “I warned you. Don’t act drunk and take advantage of me. You might be intoxicated, but you’re not wasted. You’re aware of your actions.” Serenity was indeed aware. However, the alcohol made her rather impulsive. Despite his multiple warnings, Serenity could not keep her hands to herself. No way a big man like him was scared of a young lady’s harassment. He would be made a laughingstock if word were to get out. “Zachary…” Serenity giggled and asked, “Do you have some sort of problem like the heir of the Yorks?” He was more innocent than her in the affairs between men and women. With alcohol getting to her head, Serenity could not help bu
On the contrary, Zachary was not the least bit angry. He just did not want Serenity to catch him smiling. It was only when he walked into the residential building that he realized his wife did not keep up with him. Stopping in his tracks, he turned around and asked solemnly, “Are you planning to spend the night standing there?” Snapping out of her thoughts, Serenity ran over compliantly. “No hard feelings, Mr. York?” Zachary gave her a chilly look. Well, his face tended to give out that vibe, to begin with. Poking her forehead, he remarked, “It better not happen again!” Acting like a disciplined child, Serenity raised her hand and promised, “I promise it won’t happen again.” Without another word, Zachary turned around and walked on. Serenity quickly followed behind him. Staring at his muscular back, Serenity felt the alcohol wearing off. She muttered to herself, ‘Nana told me to pounce on him, but I don’t have the confidence to warm the heart of an ice prince.’ However,
A few minutes later, Serenity mumbled to herself, “Do you think I want to go into your room? If one day you were to beg me, I wouldn’t set foot inside at all.” Having realized that she also had the habit of locking her bedroom door, Serenity stopped rambling. Ultimately, this was the aftereffect of marrying at first sight. After guzzling down the hangover cure Zachary made for her, Serenity returned to her room and turned in for the night. It was a quiet night throughout. The following day, Serenity woke up to the sun shining on her face. She felt around the nightstand for her phone and looked at the time. It was past seven o’clock. Even as an early riser, Serenity barely got up at this hour today. She was usually awake by six in the morning. This was the result of having one glass of wine last night. It was a good thing she did not wake up with a headache. She was hungry though. Serenity felt bad for her sister last night and that resulted in her not much eating at h
“I’m not saying that you can’t stand up for your sister, but there’s no turning back once your sister and your brother-in-law have a falling out. I definitely am on your side with you sorting it out with your brother-in-law.” Serenity grimly ate her mushroom and replied, “You have a point. I will control my temper and refrain from hitting anyone, but I’ll still leave him a warning. I don’t want the Browns to think they can pick on my sister just because she doesn’t have a family.” Seeing that she took his advice, Zachary left the conversation at that. After filling their bellies, they sat for a little while before heading out together. Knowing that Serenity was worried about her sister, Zachary took a detour to Liberty’s place so Serenity could check on her sister before dropping her off at the shop.Serenity was touched by his thoughtfulness. She had cautioned herself against hitting on Zachary last night, but his kindness led her to throw that decision out the window. J