Chapter 66 Chapter 67
As the sun descended on the horizon, Marlie and Chad finally arrived home. Overloaded with work at the company, they had hardly found time for themselves. Marlie was lucky to have even squeezed in a quick shopping trip. But at least they walked hand in hand on their way back home.
It wasn't surprising that everyone was taken aback to see Chad and Marlie's intimate display. After all, it was the first time they had been this close. But Vien, why was she so shocked? She knew that Marlie and Chad were growing closer. It was true, but Vien thought it was too soon.
The older woman was in disbelief as she watched the couple holding hands as they entered the house. She stood there frozen, fixated on their intertwined fingers, until someone cleared their throat.
"Huh? Uhm! Oh! You're back... Welcome home. Hurry and freshen up before coming down for dinner," Vien said, snapping out of her trance. She gave a suspicious look to Marlie before letting the couple pass by.
Marlie and Chad nodded, making their way to their room while Vien and the other maids followed them with incredulous looks.
"Did I see that, right? Were they really holding hands? What's going on? Can someone tell me if the sun rose from the west?" Vien asked herself, unable to find answers, and the maids were just as clueless.
As they entered their bedroom, Marlie carelessly threw the shopping bag onto the couch before collapsing on the oversized bed out of exhaustion. She didn't bother removing her shoes and simply lay there, feeling utterly worn out. It almost felt as if she were carrying a heavy burden!
Amused, Chad shook his head before approaching the bed and kneeling down. He gently grasped Marlie's leg, removing her shoes and softly massaging her feet.
"Oh! Mmnn! That feels amazing," Marlie blissfully moaned, thoroughly enjoying Chad's gentle foot massage. "This rascal! I wish Spark were here. He would have muttered, 'Disgusting!'"
Chad chuckled at Marlie's adorable response but abruptly stopped. The moment Marlie sensed his hands withdrawing, she turned towards him and whined, "Come on, you can't just stop like that. Come here and continue, please!" she pleaded pitifully.
Grinning mischievously, Chad moved closer to her once again. However, instead of resuming the foot massage, he pulled her up, causing her body to collide with his chest.
"Chad..." Marlie called out, feeling slightly wronged.
"Hey, hey! Have you already forgotten what Nanny said? We have to go downstairs for dinner. Trust me, the massage can wait, I'm extremely hungry, " Chad reassured her with a playful tone, affectionately planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Are you hungry?" Marlie queried, gazing at him intently. Chad appeared startled by Marlie's question. Even before Vien instructed them to head downstairs for dinner, Marlie herself had been desperately yearning to return home, claiming she was famished. Why was she now behaving this way?
"Yes, my dear wife, I am indeed hungry!" Chad replied, playing along with her. Marlie leaned in closer, whispering softly into Chad's ear,
"Then why don't you devour me instead? I'm certain I'm much more tasty than the food prepared by the maids!"
Marlie exclaimed, grinning at Chad's stunned expression. Numerous questions swirled in Chad's mind as he froze upon hearing Marlie's words.
To make matters worse, Marlie deliberately slid her hand into Chad's chest, feeling his exposed skin. Chad held Marlie's hand against his bare chest, his eyes brimming with desire.
He desperately yearned to accept her proposition. Of course, he could possibly forget about the meal awaiting them downstairs if he could devour Marlie. She would indeed taste far superior to the cuisine they were served.
However, before he could agree to her proposal, the mischievous vixen kissed his cheek and hastily scurried off to the bathroom, giggling mischievously. She was toying with him. Really?
It was only when Chad heard the bathroom door firmly shut that he regained his senses. He couldn't help but shake his head. "Was she truly playing a prank on me this time?"
He pondered to himself before retrieving his attire and proceeding to Marlie's room for his bath.
It would be wiser to do so since, no matter how strongly he desired to join the kitten in the bathroom, he needed to exercise self-control.
Furthermore, she had already locked the bathroom door. Even if he were to discard all semblances of self-control, there was no conceivable way for him to enter the bathroom.
A few minutes later, the couple finished showering and joined the dining table with Silvia already sitting. Chad was the first to arrive, followed by Marlie as they descended the stairs.
And where was the mischievous witch? Ah, speaking of the devil, Audrey stormed into the dining room with an enraged expression. Still furious with Marlie? \[sigh\]
She pointed her index finger at Marlie vehemently, as if she wanted to say something but was unable to form words due to anger.
"Welcome home, sister-in-law!" Marlie took the initiative to greet her, well aware that her actions were akin to rubbing salt into Audrey's wounds. A troublemaker plus a troublemaker equals...
"You despicable bitch! How dare you--!"
"Audrey Baristanas, watch your tongue!" Chad's icy words dripped from his mouth the instant his sister began hurling insults at Marlie. Bad timing, Audrey.
Silently, Marlie allowed herself a smug smile. This was precisely what she had been aiming for - to make Chad protective of her against Audrey. She reveled in the success of her plan, even managing to shoot Audrey a provocative smile.
Frustration overwhelmed Audrey as she witnessed the smirking expression on Marlie's face. She longed to wipe that triumphant smile off her face, but then again, Chad!
"Charlie! Oh, Charlie! Don't think you've won just because my brother has your back. Just you wait!" Audrey spat before rushing out of the dining room.
Silvia, whose mouth seemed to have been glued shut, also set down her cutlery and rose from her seat, claiming to be full despite her untouched food. Ah, so she can speak?
Chad felt frustrated. He yearned for all these household troubles to vanish and for peace to reign. If there were peace, perhaps Marlie would cease her vengeful acts, and they could all live happily. He wanted Marlie to get along with his mother and sister, but it appeared to be his wishful thinking.
Massaging his temple in frustration, he sighed.
Marlie suddenly felt a pang of guilt for involving him in her fight with Audrey when she observed Chad's exasperated expression.
But she couldn't help it. However, Marlie still hoped that Chad wouldn't be affected by her conflict with his family, even though it seemed impossible!
"Chad..." She whispered, taking his left hand gently.
Chad smiled at her and shook his head, signaling that everything was alright. However, his face betrayed a different emotion. As they began to eat, the atmosphere grew uncomfortably silent, much to Marlie's dismay.
Marlie longed to converse with Chad, but she could see that he was in a sour mood. She stole glances at him and even picked food for him without uttering a word.
Her actions prompted Chad to flash her soft smiles, but he remained silent throughout the dinner until he finished eating. He turned to Marlie and spoke, "I'm finished. I'll go back to our room first. Take your time and eat."
After uttering those words, Chad rose from the table, kissing Marlie's hair before making his exit. Marlie stretched her hand to grab onto his shirt, attempting to halt his departure, but she couldn't reach him as Chad swiftly left the dining room.
Marlie sat there, all alone, at the expansive dining table. Her eyes welled up with tears, but she fought them off and continued eating her meal as if she had been famished.
The sudden voraciousness with which Marlie consumed her food left Vien and the attending servants astounded.
Was their ma'am Charlie that hungry? But she has never eaten like this before. Or maybe she was angry.
However, only Marlie knew how much she was trying to hide her hurt and tears with the food.
Couldn't Chad just look at her and be satisfied?
Couldn't she be the person who wipes away his troubles with her presence?
All of a sudden, Marlie shot up from her seat, nearly toppling over the plates and glasses on the table. "I have an idea!" she exclaimed, her expression transforming from sorrow to jubilation.
Her gaze fixed on the bedroom door upstairs, a mischievous grin replaced the previously innocent smile that had adorned her face.
She refused to allow Chad to dismiss her in such a manner. She would not permit him to wallow in his sorrow any longer. With determination, Marlie declared,
"I believe it's time for you to witness a different side of me, Chad. A side that will etch this night into your memory forever. I will make you never forget this night!"
What could Marlie be alluding to? What was this side of her that would leave a lasting impression on Chad?