Chapter 28
Kane's words no longer scared me like before. Instead, I could hear a hint of affection in them.
I nodded, holding the phone in my palm, feeling a faint sweetness rippling through my heart.
Kane entered his phone number into my phone, then patted my head and turned to leave.
Shortly after he left, Athena knocked on my door.
"Ms. Merlin is here to visit."
Hearing that I could see Merlin, my mood lifted instantly. I grabbed my phone, put the secondary card in my bag, and hummed a tune as I headed out.
As I turned the corner in the hallway, I heard Merlin's elegant and calm voice.
"Dear Sonya, we meet again. You seem very happy."
I opened my arms and greeted Merlin with a kiss on each cheek.
My tone carried happiness I couldn't suppress.
"Yes, Mr. Moretti just gave me a gift, and I'm also happy to hear you were coming."
Merlin looked at my expression, her slender eyebrows slightly raised, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.
"It seems you've accepted what I said about Kane - that he's actually a good person."
A bit of embarrassment showed on my face, but I still nodded seriously.
"Yes, that's right. Mr. Moretti is indeed a good and suitable marriage partner for me."
After hearing this, Merlin didn't say more. She just reached out her hand to me.
I obediently placed my hand in hers and followed her to the garden, where the sunlight was lovely.
Two people in suit uniforms stood there.
Their clothes had Chinese embroidery on them, looking very elegant.
"These are my assistants, Robert and Lina."
After introducing them, Merlin said to Robert, "First, take her full measurements."
Robert was a very steady-looking middle-aged man.
He gave me a friendly smile, then unfolded the measuring tape in his hands.
Following his instructions, I kept turning, spreading my arms, and lifting my legs.
Soon, he had recorded all my measurements.
He nodded to Merlin. "We've collected Miss Sonya's measurements. We'll go design the new clothes now."
Merlin nodded calmly. After they had walked away, she reached out and gently touched my hair.
"Kane really is different with you. I can feel it."
Merlin took my hand, and we sat at the garden afternoon tea table nearby.
Athena brought over delicate tea and snacks.
I slowly sipped New Zealand black tea and ate macaron pastries while listening to Merlin talk endlessly about Kane's past that I didn't know about.
It turned out Kane's rise to his current position wasn't easy at all.
Back then, the Moretti Family was betrayed by their allies, his father mysteriously disappeared, and at a young age, he had to shoulder the family's burden.
But he was still a teenager then. People from several other families joined forces against him, trying to drive him out of the mafia.
Kane was strong enough, and during one chase where he almost got killed, he received help from a kind woman.
After that narrow escape, Kane returned to the mafia with the intelligence he'd obtained.
He swiftly eliminated those families that had betrayed the Morettis and firmly grasped control of the mafia.
I turned my head, still chewing macaron crumbs, my tone carrying confusion and concern.
"What about that woman who helped Mr. Moretti?"
Those mafia families knew about this. They probably wouldn't let that woman go, would they?
Merlin's eyes became complicated.
She looked at me deeply, her eyes carrying emotions I couldn't read.
Merlin sighed, her eyes showing regret.
"They say good people don't live long. That woman, unfortunately passed away before her daughter grew up."
Anyone would feel sorry hearing such a story. I sighed too.
"My mother also passed away when I was very young. I was too poor then, and my stepfather treated her badly, which led to her death."
My tone carried deep sadness and regret.
But Merlin suddenly grabbed my hand. My eyes met her captivating Eastern eyes.
"Dear Sonya, this isn't your fault. Your mother would be happy to have brought you into this world and would feel blessed that you're her daughter. As for her death, you were just a child - powerless to do anything. If anyone's to blame, it should be your negligent stepfather."
Merlin's tone was gentle and soothing, very much like my mother.
Hearing Merlin's comfort, I felt much better. I blinked at her and nodded.
"Thank you for the comfort."
We chatted about many things, though most of the time it was Merlin talking to me.
After all, I'd only been to a few places my whole life.
I really didn't have much to say.
But Merlin was extremely knowledgeable. She told me many interesting stories I'd never heard before.
Her occasional humor made me laugh out loud.
Time passed unknowingly, and it was soon noon, just in time to have lunch with Nina.
I warmly invited Merlin to join us for lunch, and she gladly accepted.
"So I heard Kane hired a cruise ship chef for you. We can try his cooking."
Speaking of this, I became more talkative.
"This chef's cooking is really very good."
As I spoke, I walked with Merlin to the dining table and saw Nina waiting there.
Nina turned to greet me but caught sight of the distinguished-looking Merlin beside me.
She stood up somewhat awkwardly and blinked. "Sonya, who is this? She looks so beautiful."
Merlin introduced herself graciously. "You can call me Merlin. I'll be in charge of Miss Sonya's wardrobe and styling recently."
Nina's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Oh my God! You're that Eastern designer, Ms. Merlin that all the major brands use."
I had no idea Merlin was so accomplished.
But Nina occasionally followed fashion news, so she knew more about this than I did.
I looked at Merlin with added admiration.
No wonder she had such presence - she was this amazing.
But Merlin just smiled casually, as if it wasn't a big deal.
"For now, I'm exclusively for Sonya."
Her humorous words eased the tension Nina and I felt. Soon Nina was also captivated by Merlin's charm.
"Wow, Sonya, you get to wear a wedding dress designed by Merlin. I'm so jealous. I wonder if I'll be able to attend your wedding."
Nina rested her chin on one hand, her tone carrying some regret.
We had once promised to attend each other's weddings.
Thinking of this, I made up my mind.
I had to ask Kane to allow Nina to be at our wedding.
At least when we were at the church, Nina could stand nearby.