Chapter 176 100

Chapter 176 100
“Mom. Dad. Maverick. Valencia, you are here.”
As soon as the two arrived at the airport lobby, they were greeted by the Austergaard, Vandenberg, and Cirillo families, including Aneira and her cute quadruplets—in masks—holding up a welcome sign to attract their attention.
The two’s hearts softened and melted with joy, and they hurriedly approached them in long, quick strides. “Mom. Dad.”
Valencia and Maverick greeted the parents and got down on one knee to engulf the quadruplets in a warm family hug.
Valencia’s eyes narrowed in astonishment. It had just been a few days of separation—why did it feel as if her quadruplets had grown chubby compared to when she last saw them? She couldn't resist the urge to pinch their smooth cheeks, so she did.
Valencia hugged the quadruplets again, feeling as if she had returned home. “Mom and Dad missed babies a lot. Did you miss Mom and Dad? Mom and Dad brought you many things, too.” She placed kisses on their cheeks and ruffled their hair endearingly.
“Very! We missed Mom and Dad a lot.” The quadruplets eagerly confessed and threw their arms around Valencia’s neck.
Maverick bent down and engulfed the boys in a hug, then shook their hands in a manly manner just as they loved. “Little men, have you been responsible?”
Of course, what the boys loved most was being called adults. They puffed out their shoulders and patted their chests in a bragging manner. “Yes, Dad. We didn’t cause any trouble at all. We have been responsible. Dad, we…”
As soon as Maverick finished talking to the boys, he turned to Iris, who had just been released by Valencia, and engulfed her in a hug.
“Daddy, I missed you so much.” Iris pouted her lips and clung to Maverick's neck tightly as if she wouldn’t let go.
Maverick patted her back carefully. “It’s Daddy’s fault, okay? Daddy will make it up to you, princess.”
“Let’s bring this home.” Upon seeing that the paparazzi were getting more frenzied, Hazel suggested.
The quadruplets’ faces had to be protected—they couldn’t give the paparazzi or netizens any chance to take shots of the babies’ faces.
Although the matter could be handled by taking it into their own hands or calling the company the paparazzi were working for, they still wanted to ensure nothing went wrong.
Immediately, the couple was led to a limousine that would bring them home.
“Yo, bro, congratulations. Sister-in-law, congratulations.” Amell and Burke indifferently waved to Maverick while lounging next to the pool.
Valencia’s lips twitched—she hadn’t expected that the whole family was…
A gust of wind suddenly passed Valencia. Farell carefully held Aneira as if, if he didn’t, she would fall. “Be careful, baby. One step at a time,” he coaxed while she alighted from the car.
Aneira rolled her eyes and pinched Farell's waist. “Stop being dramatic.” Who knew that when she shared the news of her pregnancy with Farell, he would fly out of the country to find her? Since then he had been fussing and hovering over her—
Even discussing with the Austergaard family to make sure that everything was covered in cotton and every part of the mansion was being protected since the house would be having two pregnant women now.
Such a cheesy man!
A feast was already prepared to celebrate and welcome the couple, and amidst the cheering, they all ate.
“Mom, will you carry me?” Immediately after the meal, Hudson began to pester Valencia, following her about and demanding to be carried.
Valencia immediately realized that she had been overthinking. Her kids were still as clingy as always—it’s just that they had learned to shift their attention when she was absent thanks to their grandparents.
Valencia placed a kiss on Hudson’s cheek and coaxed, “Be good, go to Dad. Mom has something to do first.”
Upon hearing this, Hudson nodded his head and whizzed past Valencia to find Maverick. He paused in front of his dad and stretched out his hands. “Dad, Mom said you should carry me…”
Valencia’s face widened in a smile, and she shook her head in amusement, yet she continued on her steps and made her way toward Aviva’s room.
For the first time, Valencia found Aviva quiet and unlike herself.
Aviva hadn’t even eaten properly at the feast, and her mood was low. It was clear that something was wrong.
“Aviva.” Valencia pushed open the door and made her way inside.
Aviva hurriedly wiped her eyes and turned to Valencia with a smile. “You’re not resting after such a stressful flight?” she asked, trying to fake a cheerful voice. Unfortunately, Valencia could notice her feigning.
Valencia sat next to Aviva and held her hand. It was all thanks to Aviva that Valencia had been able to deal with her troubles—if she could bear to sleep after noticing something was wrong with Aviva, then she wasn’t a good friend.
Valencia gently stroked Aviva’s hand. If it were the normal Aviva, she would have been pestering Valencia about the details of her date and what she did with Maverick. Yet none of that happened. Not to mention that Aviva's eyes were currently red. “Aviva, what’s going on?” she whispered softly, as if not to scare her.
It was as if the dam in Aviva’s eyes broke, and she burst into tears. She sobbed silently, her hands clinging to Valencia’s dress.
Valencia could only pat her back, run her fingers through Aviva’s hair, and gently console her until she calmed down.
“It’s Warrick. I…” After a few minutes, Aviva whispered in a hoarse voice. “I haven’t heard from him in a long time. Unlike everyone else, he didn’t come either, nor did he call or text. It was never like this. He had always been present in my life one way or another. But now it feels as if he’s disappeared.”
Valencia suddenly realized something. While the two were playing their game of cat and mouse, despite Aviva’s act of indifference, she had fallen for Warrick.
Valencia wiped the tears from Aviva’s eyes and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Have you let Warrick know what you’re feeling for him?” She gently whispered.
Aviva shook her head and muttered hoarsely, “No.”
Warrick had always been the one chasing, while Aviva tried to evade him. The only thing she had ever done was silently give him consent.
“Warrick has been chasing after you and trying to give both of you a chance for a long time, but you never gave him attention. You were always running off to find another man with any free time you had. Perhaps he thought you weren’t interested.” Valencia spoke in a gentle manner that held no blame. It was clear she was trying to make Aviva see Warrick's POV.
Valencia suddenly pressed her lips together and knitted her brow as if things had become troublesome. “If another woman met Warrick when he was down and showed her care for him, she’d definitely steal him away. I’m afraid…”
Aviva suddenly sprang up, her fists clenched in agitation. She bellowed possessively, “No. Warrick is mine. I can’t let any woman have him.”
Valencia smiled patiently and coaxed Aviva, “Then call him and let him know how you feel.”
Aviva nodded and quickly picked up her phone, dialing Warrick’s number. Fortunately, he picked up on the first ring. “Hello, how have you been? Warrick, I… I miss you. I think… No. I’m in love with—”
A beep was the next thing Aviva heard. The phone in her hand slipped and crashed onto the floor, and she collapsed on the bed.
A tear slipped past her eyes, and she whispered in a fragile voice, “He… he cut off the call. Warrick didn’t even say anything to me. Valencia, I think I’m too late.” Aviva burst into loud tears. Her heart ached. It was as if it had been picked up and shattered. It hurt. It hurt.
Valencia felt her heart ache as if it had been stabbed deeply. She knew what pain Aviva was going through and how much it must hurt. She wrapped her arms around Aviva to comfort her while coaxing, tears in her eyes. “I'm so sorry, Aviva. I'm so sorry.”
Valencia had spoken to Aviva like that in order to help her make up her mind. She hadn’t expected that…
Knock. Knock.
The sudden, frantic knocking on the door made Valencia frown. Unable to take it, she separated from Aviva and strode toward the door to open it.
Valencia's words stuck in her throat upon seeing Warrick. She could only open the door wide to let him in before making her way out of the room, leaving the couple to themselves.
Warrick's shirt and hair were slightly messy, as if he had rushed all the way over. “Aviva,” he gently called while staring at her as if she were a treasure. His heart ached upon seeing her state. If he had known, he wouldn’t have cut off the call just like that.
Aviva froze, yet she stood up, taking one step after another like a robot, her teary eyes fixated on him as if, if she blinked, he would disappear.
Warrick embraced her and gave her a deep French kiss. “I have been waiting for this day my whole life. I love you too. I couldn’t bear to hear your first confession over the phone, so I had to hurry over first,” he explained. He had also arrived in the country and was staying at a hotel next to the mansion. Since his and Aviva’s relationship wasn’t clear, he had no reason to be there until now.
Aviva anxiously grabbed Warrick's shirt, her tears soaking it. “Warrick. I'm so sorry. I love you. I love you so much. Don’t leave me. Don’t fall in love with anyone who shows care for you. I’ll do it all. I’ll do it all, okay?” She cried while clutching at his shirt. It was clear she was afraid of Valencia’s warning.
Warrick gently led her toward the bed while patting her back. “It’s okay, baby. I won’t fall in love with any woman. You are the only woman I want to be with.”
Aviva’s eyes lit up, and she stared at him in disbelief. “Are you sure?”
“100.”
Aviva exhaled in relief, and she held him tight.