Chapter 16 How About A Kiss
"What's this? Not happy to see me?" Richard's eyes widened. "I raised you, didn't I? And you go and get married without even telling me? Doesn't that bother you at all?"
Frederick chuckled softly, "Well, you found your way here, didn't you?"
Richard fell silent. What else could he do but come?
"You're back!" Xandra emerged from the kitchen, sensing the tension. She turned to Frederick, "Be nice. Grandpa's old and can't handle too much stress. Don't upset him."
Richard felt a little more at ease hearing this. "Did you hear that?"
Frederick raised an eyebrow, teasing, "Oh, did I find you a good granddaughter-in-law or what?"
Richard was momentarily speechless.
Frederick smirked silently. "You all know each other now, right? No need for introductions?"
"Yes, Grandpa, please sit for a bit longer. Dinner will be ready soon," Xandra said gently.
"Alright." Richard's impression of Xandra improved even more.
"I'm going out for a smoke. Want one?" Frederick offered.
It was clear he wanted to talk privately. Richard understood and followed him to the balcony.
Frederick tapped a cigarette out of the pack and handed it to Richard.
"I don't smoke those fancy ones," Richard said gruffly.
Frederick laughed lightly, "Why are you mad? Didn't I do what you asked? You wanted me to get married, so I did."
At this, Richard's temper flared. "I wanted you to get married, but not to a single mom!"
Frederick tapped the cigarette against his hand, his tone casual. "Buy one, get three free. What a deal."
Richard was at a loss for words. "You..."
"Not happy? Should I divorce Xandra tomorrow and go back to being single?"
Richard's eyes widened, and he pointed angrily, "Ungrateful! You're just trying to upset me!"
Frederick chuckled, "Grandpa, it's done. You should accept it."
Richard looked at the three adorable kids in the living room and had to admit he was coming to terms with it. Who could resist such cute kids?
But he still had to vent a bit to his grandson. "Who are the kids' biological father?"
"No idea, didn't ask," Frederick replied.
Richard squinted, comparing the kids to Frederick. "Don't you think that boy looks a lot like you? Could he be yours?"
Frederick shot him a look, "Do you think I'm that careless?"
"Maybe if you were a bit more careless, I wouldn't have to worry so much about your love life."
If he didn't know his grandson's character, Richard might have thought they got married because of a pregnancy.
"Am I wrong to be decent? Should I be like my dad, leaving kids all over the place?"
Frederick's tone was mocking.
Richard sighed at his grandson's nonchalant attitude. "Is this because of your dad that you don't want to get married?"
Frederick sniffed the cigarette, indifferent. "What's the point of marriage?"
Richard frowned, "So you married Xandra without revealing your identity just for kicks? Planning to ditch her once the novelty wears off?"
Frederick shrugged, noncommittal. "I just want a simple life. No drama, no conflicts, just an ordinary life."
Richard glanced around the small house. "Like this?"
"Yeah, isn't it good?"
Richard hesitated. Frederick wanted an ordinary life, but he wasn't ordinary. Could he really stay in this small place forever?
"Grandpa, dinner's ready!" Xandra knocked on the balcony door, signaling it was time to eat.
Frederick glanced at her and put the cigarette back in the pack. "Alright, let's eat."
Watching Frederick's tall and straight back, Richard sighed again. He understood that Frederick's reluctance to marry stemmed from his parents' divorce.
Now that he married Xandra, maybe it wasn't such a bad thing. The kids brought warmth to the family, which might soften Frederick's cold heart.
They sat down to dinner, and with the kids around, the meal was lively and cheerful.
After dinner, the things Frederick had Aiden buy arrived. The kids were thrilled, but Xandra frowned.
She pulled Frederick to the balcony. "Next time, consult me before buying things. Don't waste money. How much did this cost? I'll pay you back."
She realized her new husband was quite the spender. Anyone would think he was a trust fund baby.
"I bought these for the kids. You don't need to pay me back," Frederick said.
Xandra straightened up, "How much do you make a month?"
Frederick raised an eyebrow, "Why? Is four thousand dollars a month not enough? Do you want my entire paycheck?"
"No," Xandra quickly replied. "I just want you to budget. We should save some money each month for emergencies."
Frederick, who had never lacked money, usually dealt in billions. He hadn't considered this. Ordinary life required careful budgeting.
He nodded, "Alright, honey. I'll listen to you."
Xandra was taken aback by the term. She wasn't used to it yet.
Seeing her dazed, Frederick smirked. "What's wrong? Can't take your eyes off your dashing husband?"
Xandra was silent. Why did this sound familiar? She had complimented him similarly to tease Lucius earlier.
Meeting Frederick's teasing gaze, Xandra coughed lightly. "Don't be so full of yourself. Others were just being polite. Don't let it go to your head."
"Polite? Don't you think I'm great and handsome?" Frederick teased.
"Yeah, yeah, you're great. Happy now?" Xandra, with her delicate features and slightly upturned eyes, looked charmingly annoyed.
Frederick's eyes sparkled as he decided to tease her. "Since I'm so great, shouldn't you reward me?"
Xandra blinked, "What reward do you want?"
Frederick had initially meant to tease her, but Xandra's enticing lips made his heart itch. He gently lifted her chin with his long fingers, his voice low and alluring.
"How about a kiss?"