Honestly, from what I've observed, despite all his talk, he doesn't seem romantic at all. Antony, on the other hand, seems more romantic, even though he can be as cold as an ice block." Her mother's words made Altezza shoot her a sharp look. "But Antony already has Claire. And I really like Claire too. So, Antony is out of the question for you." She continued with a sad expression, but changed to cheerful in the next moment. "But Gian, even though he seems carefree, when he's serious about work, he's the romantic type. And I know he's also the type who appreciates younger women.
"And about age, Gian is right, he suits you better since you're still young." Mrs. Quirino continued in a flat tone, ignoring Altezza, who had tensed up in his position.
"Don't worry about my son; he can find another woman. He says finding a girl is easy, just hold a contest or randomly pick a woman off the street; it's easy for him. He says many women want to be with him.
"So, how about it? Do you want Gian?" She asked again, making Adaline uncomfortable. "After all, Gian is quite handsome too. Even though he's on a lower level than Antony and Altezza."
"Mamma! Enough!" Altezza grumbled beside her. He truly ignored Yuriko sitting next to him and Duncan, who seemed to be holding back laughter. "Don't try to matchmake Adaline with that troublesome guy again."
"Why not? Gian is single, and Adaline can also be considered single since you haven't tied the knot yet. I'd prefer Adaline to live with a man who can worship her like a queen, rather than living with a man who prioritizes work and prefers to stroke his tablet than his wife.
"Isn't that right, Duncan? Miss Yuriko?" His mother looked at her son's secretary and business associate alternately. "According to Miss Yuriko, which is better? A workaholic or a man who prioritizes his wife?" Mrs. Quirino 's attention was now fully focused on her son's guest.
"Of course, to a man who prioritizes his wife," Yuriko replied briefly.
"See, even Miss Yuriko prefers a man who prioritizes his wife. Especially me. I don't want my daughter to be treated as second best." Mrs. Quirino returned to her point. Because she saw Altezza still looking in her direction, the lady turned her gaze back to her son. "Why are you looking at your mother like that? Continue your work. I already said I don't want to disturb you."
"But Mamma's presence is disturbing," Altezza replied irritably.
"Oh, oh, oh. This is a public place, dear. Outside the door, it only says 'Open,' and the doormat says 'welcome.' There's no sign that says 'Altezza's mother not allowed to enter'! You're such a confused child." Mrs. Quirino continued to feed herself.
Altezza took a deep breath and seemed to calm himself. His annoyed expression was clearly visible.
"Come on, dear, eat more. If necessary, order more." Mrs. Quirino said when she noticed Adaline was just staring with a fork in her hand.
Adaline was quite surprised by the interaction between the mother and son. But what could she say; she could only play her role as a spectator.
"So, how about it? Do you want Gian?" Once again, the question came out of Mrs. Quirino 's mouth.
"Yuriko, I think that's enough. If there are corrections needed, we can discuss them at the office later," Adaline heard her fiancé speak quietly beside her.
"But..." Yuriko seemed to want to reject that suggestion.
"Sorry, I have urgent matters to attend to," replied Altezza calmly. "Or you can talk to Duncan. He also knows about this project." The man turned off his MacBook and placed it in the expensive leather bag next to him. After that, Altezza shifted positions and sat beside Adaline. The girl involuntarily widened her eyes, while Mrs. Quirino smirked in her direction.
Flashback:
"Darling, where are you going? You already look so beautiful this morning." Benjamin gazed at his wife, who was applying vibrant red lipstick to her lips.
"I'm going out for lunch, dear," replied his wife as she put the lipstick into her small handbag. Benjamin glanced at his watch.
"Having lunch at this hour, dear? It's only ten o'clock. Breakfast is still in the middle of your stomach, not yet down below," teased Benjamin. His wife sighed and turned towards her husband, who, despite being sixty-two, still looked so athletic and handsome. Unlike herself, who had become plump and irregular, although her face still appeared youthful and beautiful.
"I'm going to meet our potential daughter-in-law," she answered.
"Adaline?"
"How many children do you think you have?" she replied sarcastically. Her husband only responded with a smile.
"What do you want from Adaline? It seems like you don't even know Altezza's character. He doesn't like household matters brought to the office."
"Yes, but I'm a bit annoyed with our son. And his relationship with Adaline seems suspicious. If you allow me to use your subordinates to investigate their relationship, I don't need to bother getting involved."
This meant that Mrs. Delila Quirino wanted her husband to hire a private detective to investigate Adaline and her family. However, Mr. Benjamin Quirino did not agree with it. Although secretly he had already fulfilled his wife's wish and obtained results. But he didn't want his wife to know and feel more disappointed about the facts that their son was involved in.
"Darling, Altezza is an adult now. Let him make his choices," replied Benjamin wisely. However, his wife shook her head in response.
"Darling, I have never forbidden Altezza from anyone. But this time, I feel something is wrong," she said coldly. "No, dear!" Mrs. Delila's chubby finger pressed against her husband's lips, silencing him. "You won't be able to change my mind. This time, I don't want our son to be hurt and mistreated by a woman again." Mrs. Delila responded fervently. "Even until now, I still can't forgive that woman. Just imagine, their relationship has been going on for five years, and she still hasn't fulfilled our son's wishes. What does she think Altezza is?
"Does she seek something outside?
"Career?
"Our child is not a petty person who will hinder the dreams of the woman he loves, but that woman is shameless and never fulfills our son's dreams. While our son always fulfills her wishes.
"Money?
"Do we not have enough wealth? I'm sure Altezza would give her all his inheritance if she asked for it.
"But what is the response? Once again, she leaves our child. I'm heartbroken. I don't want our child to be hurt again."
"So, what do you want now?" Mr. Benjamin asked softly.
"I know there's something between Altezza and Adaline. My heart tells me so. And you know that my intuition is strong, right?"
"Yes, and then?"
"I'm sure their relationship is fake." The middle-aged woman said with narrowed eyes. "I will make that fake relationship real. I believe Altezza can fall in love again, and I'm also sure that Adaline can be enchanted by Altezza. I just need to intervene."
"Darling..." Benjamin interjected once again, but his wife's strong determination could not be easily shaken. "Alright, do as you wish." Benjamin conceded.
He actually wanted to tell his wife about their son's plan, but he didn't want World War IV in their home. So Benjamin decided to stay silent and let his wife carry out whatever strange plan was in her head.
Flashback Off