Chapter 219 BONUS CHAPTER 4 (TALIA)

Chapter 219 BONUS CHAPTER 4 (TALIA)
I opened the door for my mother-in-law simply because I wanted to be the first to greet her. Cielo and Bruce were still in the backyard, while Agnes was busy preparing the main course. She looked very sad and didn’t say much in the kitchen. But I didn’t regret giving her an ultimatum because she needed it, or she would really lose Bruce.
“Oh, Talia. I didn’t expect you to answer the door.”
“Agnes is preparing lunch. And I wanted to be the first to greet you.”
“Oh, you’re so sweet.”
“How are you, Mom?”
“Very good.”
We hugged. Daisy patted my back a few times before releasing me.
“I love your dress, Mom.”
My mother-in-law arrived wearing a short-sleeved floral dress that flared at the waist. Her hair was pulled back into a bun at the nape of her neck, and she wore a brown Vendána hat. She always looked stunning in her outfits, and she was so cool.
"Zaiden chose it for me. And I don't doubt his taste."
"Really?"
I looked down at my pouting son.
“Mommy, hug me.”
“Of course I’ll hug you, my boy.”
I didn’t just hug him, I carried him. He exclaimed happily before wrapping his arms around my neck tightly.
“Did you miss me?”
“I missed you, Daddy, and Celine.”
“Celine missed you too.”
I turned to my mother-in-law.
“Thank you for taking care of him while he stayed at your house. You always spoiled him whenever he was there.”
“Can’t help it,” Daisy chuckled. “I’ll do everything I can for my grandchildren while I still have time.”
“You have plenty of time to spoil your grandchildren.”
Daisy’s expression turned wistful. I knew she was happy to have Zaiden and Celine. You could even say it was beyond her expectations. But as a mother, she surely wanted to see Bruce living happily with his family, just as Cielo was living happily with me and his children.
“Do you think Bruce will marry Agnes after they’re engaged? I’m really worried about their relationship.”
“Don’t worry, they’ll be fine. They love each other.”
“I know. Bruce has never been in a serious relationship with a woman before. Even after being rejected repeatedly, he remains faithful to Agnes. I’m sure Bruce isn’t messing around this time.”
“He's dead serious,” I chuckled.
My palm instinctively rubbed Zaiden's back as he hugged me tighter. I could sense my son was getting sleepy.
"Oh, sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to let you know lunch is ready."
Agnes appeared, her face tense. She could barely lift her eyes to look at my mother-in-law.
"That's lovely. I heard you cooked all the dishes yourself?"
"Umm... Yes. I hope you like them."
I cleared my throat softly, and Agnes looked up. She caught the message in my expression.
"Oh, thank you for coming to my house... I mean Bruce's house."
Daisy smiled softly. Agnes hadn't expected Daisy to hug her and kiss her cheek.
"I'm sure my youngest son would be happy if you considered his house yours too. Thank you for taking care of him all this time."
Agnes's eyes welled with tears. It was clear she missed having a mother in her life. It made me truly grateful that I still had one, even though my father had passed away.
"Honestly, I've never done anything for Bruce."
"You make him happy. There's nothing more comforting for a mother than seeing her son happy. You and Talia are wonderful women. I owe you both a debt of gratitude for making my sons happy."
I smiled at Agnes. She wiped her eyes and nodded slowly at Daisy.
"I love him. Thank you for accepting me as Bruce's fiancée, even though I'm just—"
"You're a wonderful woman," Daisy quickly interrupted.
"My friends absolutely adore your pastries and cakes. And I'm proud to tell them that the owner of that bakery is my future daughter-in-law."
Daisy smiled broadly.
"You're going to be my daughter-in-law soon, aren't you? You and Talia are already close. It'll be fun if we hang out together sometime."
“Umm...”
Agnes' cheeks flushed red when Daisy mentioned marriage.
“You and Bruce should get married soon. I can’t wait to be an aunt,” I teased her.
Agnes’s cheeks grew even redder. She looked like she was going to run away from this conversation, but she couldn’t.
“That’s up to Bruce. We just got engaged. He probably wants to take a breather before taking things any further.”
“I remember Bruce mentioning that he wouldn’t mind skipping the engagement and marrying you straight away.”
She nearly choked on her saliva at my mischievous comment.
Bruce hadn’t actually said anything to me. I just wanted to ease the tension on her face.
“Talia’s right. My son wouldn’t think twice about marrying you right now.”
“Oh, I don’t think we’ll do it that quickly.”
We laughed at Agnes’s hilarious expression. She was blushing and speechless.
“It’s so crowded in here. Are you guys gossiping?”
“Bruce.”
“Mom.”
Bruce kissed his mother’s cheek and put his arm around her shoulder.
“What are you guys talking about? Cielo and I are starving.”
"We were talking about you."
"Me? I didn't expect myself to be such a hot topic today."
"You're always hot, right, Agnes?" I teased her.
Bruce's gaze shifted to his fiancée. I could see the deep love in his eyes for Agnes. I was so happy for them. Not only had Cielo found true love, but so had Bruce.
"I won't starve Cielo any longer. I'll see him now."
"He's always been your favorite, huh?"
"You two are my favorites."
Daisy ruffled her son's hair.
"Stop being so childish. You're almost a husband."
Daisy walked away, ignoring Bruce's frown. She knew her son still had a lot to accomplish before he could truly be a husband. His job was just one of the many things bothering him. Bruce wouldn't put Agnes in danger because of his job if they were to marry one day.
"Where are you going, Talia? Lunch is over there," Bruce pointed to the double doors on the right.
"I'll put Zaiden in the guest room. Start without me if I take too long."
"We won't," I faintly heard Bruce's voice shout behind me.
"We won't start lunch without you," Agness added.
I left those two fools to sort out their problems. They both had egos that were hard to bend. But even though they were both stubborn, I was sure they would change because they truly loved each other.