Chapter 148 Wedding Night
Before Zoey could even say thank you, Amelia chimed in, "Juliana's always so thoughtful—no wonder she's so popular at the company. Unlike some people who can't do anything right. Juliana and I had to greet the guests ourselves."
The jab was clearly aimed at Matilda.
Zoey immediately jumped to Matilda's defense. "Matilda's never planned a wedding before. Of course she wouldn't know."
"Well, your sister Juliana hasn't planned a wedding either. How does she know?"
"That's different," Zoey scrambled for an excuse. "Juliana works in corporate—she does her makeup every single day. Matilda's a doctor who wears a mask all the time. How would she know you need a straw for soup?"
Matilda smiled gently. "Actually, I did know. Juliana was just quicker to react, that's all."
"Matilda, you're the best!" Zoey said gratefully.
See how that works? When someone likes you, you get praised for doing nothing. When someone doesn't like you, everything you do gets criticized.
Matilda placed a meatball on Zoey's plate. "Eat this to tide you over."
Amelia huffed. "A meatball that big? How's she supposed to bite into it?"
Zoey said quickly, "I can manage."
She picked up the meatball, opened her mouth ridiculously wide, stuffed it in, and her cheeks puffed out like a little hamster. Charles couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
She tried to talk with her mouth full, her words coming out muffled. "See? Works perfectly fine."
Amelia was torn between exasperation and amusement. "You're the bride today. Could you please eat a bit more gracefully? People are watching."
"Okay, Mom." Still muffled.
...
After the wedding concluded and the guests had departed, Charles and Zoey headed home together.
The groomsmen and bridesmaids all went their separate ways too, leaving the newlyweds to their wedding night.
Once the house fell quiet, Zoey stole a glance at Charles.
Charles seemed perfectly at ease. He turned to Zoey. "You should get out of that dress."
Zoey's face flushed instantly.
Charles noticed her reaction and clarified belatedly, "I just meant all those accessories on your dress and in your hair must be exhausting."
Zoey felt a flash of awkwardness. She couldn't tell if he was being genuine or not.
Truth was, if he actually wanted to, she'd absolutely be willing.
With Mrs. Chubby's help, Zoey finally removed all the hair accessories, then washed her hair and soaked in a bath.
When she emerged from the bathroom, she found Charles had also showered and changed into loungewear.
By now, night had fallen. The soft, amber lighting inside cast everything in an intimate glow.
Zoey walked over and sat down beside Charles.
Charles glanced at her. Fresh from her bath, wearing a white nightgown, she looked delicate and sweet. He swallowed hard.
Zoey's hands twisted together in her lap. She was too nervous to look at him.
After a long moment, she took the initiative. "Charles, do you want to... rest for a bit?"
Charles nodded.
The girl's meaning couldn't have been clearer. To delay the wedding night any further would just be pretentious.
Time to make his move.
...
That night, Zoey was thoroughly ravished.
The benefit of marrying an older man was his experience—he knew how to guide her patiently, how to control his strength, and he cared deeply about her pleasure.
And she'd tried her best to match his rhythm, to enjoy it.
Turned out this kind of thing was absolutely mind-blowing. Dangerously addictive.
In the early morning, Charles held the woman in his arms, his fingers tracing along her delicate skin. He couldn't help pulling her tighter, then pressing a kiss to her hair.
Even though they used the same body wash, he thought she smelled incredible—a hint of something sweet and milky mixed in.
Zoey rolled over to face Charles.
Finding him already watching her, she buried her face in his chest.
She'd been bold and forward when chasing him, sure, but in moments like this, a girl still gets shy.
'Charles, I'm yours now,' she thought to herself.
Charles held her close, his hand rubbing gentle circles on her back.
His ex had always loved when he did this, so it had become instinctive. He just assumed all women liked it.
Maybe it was last night's overindulgence, or maybe his body was just worn out, but he felt a strange hollowness now.
He wanted a cigarette, but with the little woman beside him, he resisted the urge.
He resolved to be a good husband going forward. He'd never do anything to betray his wife.
Though he wasn't sure if he loved her, he definitely liked her. Otherwise he wouldn't have married her.
...
Wentworth had to return to base.
Before leaving, he paid the deposit for the villa renovation and told Matilda to use her card for the final payment when the time came.
The couple was reluctant to part. Matilda even took two days off so they could spend every moment together, eating and sleeping side by side.
Once Wentworth left, Matilda's life returned to its usual rhythm—work during the week, checking on the renovation progress at the villa on weekends.
She remembered a viral question online: If your husband isn't home but gives you tens of thousands in spending money every month, would you be okay with it?
Having lived it herself, she was absolutely okay with it.
...
After Zoey got married, since the wedding had been so low-key, her classmates still didn't know she'd become the wife of a corporate CEO.
It was their final semester anyway, and most students were doing internships. A few were discussing in the group chat how to land jobs at the Gonzaga Group, saying the requirements were insanely high and you'd need connections to get in.
One classmate had a relative working as a low-level employee at the Gonzaga Group. That classmate specifically asked their relative about it, and the relative said you had to submit your resume yourself or wait for recruitment events—pulling strings wouldn't work.
Some female classmates even sighed wistfully that it would be amazing to marry the CEO of the Gonzaga Group.
Zoey didn't think much about any of it. She didn't need money and had no grand ambitions. She livestreamed herself singing every day and spent her free time learning to cook for Charles.
At first, she couldn't even slice a tomato properly. Now, under Mrs. Chubby's guidance, she could slowly bake simple pastries.
Charles really was a good husband. After work, if he didn't have meetings or business dinners, he'd come home right on time.
If he did have meetings or dinners, he'd text Zoey in advance.
He'd graciously eat the little treats she made too.
Sometimes when the mood struck, he'd pull her into his arms for some intimacy. Other times, when he wasn't in the mood, he'd work in his study for a while.
Zoey had no complaints. When he wanted her, she gladly gave herself. When he went to his study, she'd bring him desserts.
The flavors were honestly mediocre, but Charles would politely finish them anyway because Zoey said that while they might not taste great, the ingredients were healthy and nutritious—good for his body.
Sometimes Zoey felt like they'd already settled into being an old married couple.