Chapter 232 Agree to Date
The next afternoon, Stefan showed up as promised.
He didn't drive that flashy limited edition car, but switched to a very low-key black one instead.
The car parked downstairs in the old residential complex without attracting much attention.
When Cecilia went downstairs to meet him, she saw him pulling out bags and packages from the trunk and nearly lost her balance.
"Didn't I tell you not to buy so much stuff?" She looked at those beautifully wrapped gift boxes, her temples throbbing.
High-end coffee maker, premium tea, health food gift sets... Each item looked like it had "extremely expensive" written all over it.
"It's not much." Stefan stuffed some things into her hands while carrying most of the gift boxes himself, saying without changing his expression, "This is my first formal visit to them. I need to be properly respectful."
Cecilia looked at his gray cashmere sweater that appeared plain but she knew cost at least six figures, then at his spotless handmade leather shoes, and let out a deep sigh.
She'd asked him to dress "casually," and his version of casual was switching to an even more expensive "casual outfit."
Whatever. This would have to do.
The two of them headed upstairs, one after the other.
Robert and Mabel were busy in the kitchen preparing dinner. Hearing the door open, Mabel poked her head out from the kitchen, still wearing her apron.
"Amelia, you're back..."
When Mabel saw Stefan following behind Cecilia, along with all the gifts he was carrying, she froze completely, nearly dropping the spatula in her hand.
"This... isn't this Mr. Hensley?" Mabel was somewhat flustered, frantically wiping her hands on her apron. "You... why are you here? Please come in, please come in!"
Robert, hearing the commotion in the kitchen, also came out. Seeing Stefan, his reaction was similar to Mabel's—surprised and uncomfortable.
"Mr. Martinez, Mrs. Martinez, sorry for the unexpected visit. I hope I'm not intruding."
Stefan's attitude was extremely humble, his face wearing a warm and polite smile, completely lacking his usual air of superiority.
He set down what he was carrying in the entryway, then bowed slightly, his posture so modest that Robert and Mabel didn't know how to respond.
"Not at all, not at all!" Mabel quickly waved her hands, then hurried to pour water. "Mr. Hensley, please sit, please sit!"
"Mom, stop calling him Mr. Hensley." Cecilia walked over, took the glass from Mabel's hand, then pulled Stefan to sit on the sofa.
Cecilia took a deep breath, looking at the obviously nervous Robert and Mabel, and said word by word: "Dad, Mom, he's not my boss. He's the one I mentioned to you before, my... boyfriend, Stefan."
"We've decided to get married."
This statement had tremendous impact, instantly creating dead silence in the small living room.
The expressions on Robert and Mabel's faces froze immediately.
They looked at Cecilia, then at Stefan sitting upright on the sofa looking even more nervous than they were, their minds going blank.
Boss? Boyfriend? Marriage?
The living room fell into an eerie silence.
Stefan was the first to break. He stood up from the sofa, walked in front of Robert and Mabel, and then, under their shocked gazes, bowed solemnly.
"Mr. Martinez, Mrs. Martinez, I know this may seem sudden to you. But I truly care for Amelia. I want to marry her and take care of her for the rest of my life."
Stefan's voice was low and sincere, each word spoken with particular clarity.
"I know I may not be your ideal choice for Amelia's husband. My family background is complicated, and being with me, Amelia might face some pressure and criticism she shouldn't have to bear."
At this point, Stefan raised his head, looking directly at Robert and Mabel, his eyes showing unprecedented determination.
"But I promise you this. As long as I'm around, I will never let her suffer even the slightest grievance. I will use everything I have to protect her and cherish her. Please, trust her to me with confidence."
Robert and Mabel were completely stunned by his words and this display.
They were honest, ordinary people who had lived simple lives. They'd never encountered anything like this.
The legendary CEO of a multi-billion dollar corporation was standing before them, using an almost pleading tone, saying he wanted to marry their daughter?
It felt like a dream!
Mabel was the first to react. She tugged at Robert's sleeve, her lips moving, but not knowing what to say.
It was Robert who, after a long silence, finally spoke.
"Have you... really thought this through?" Robert's tone was very cautious. "Amelia is just a child from an ordinary family. You two... aren't from the same world."
"In my heart, she's more precious than anyone else in this world." Stefan answered without hesitation.
Robert fell silent again.
He took a drag from his cigarette, his expression unclear through the swirling smoke.
After a long while, he stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray and sighed.
"Sit down."
These simple words made Stefan, who had been on edge the whole time, quietly breathe a sigh of relief.
Stefan knew that Robert was willing to talk with him more.
Mabel also came to her senses. She looked at Cecilia, then at Stefan, and her eyes suddenly reddened.
Mabel walked to Cecilia's side, took her hand, her voice carrying a hint of worry and choking emotion: "Amelia, have you... have you really thought this through? If you marry into that kind of family, life won't be easy. I'm afraid you'll be bullied."
At these words, Stefan's heart clenched painfully.
He thought again of the Hensley family banquet, of Dione and Anna's ugly behavior, of their humiliation and abuse toward Cecilia.
Mabel's worry wasn't unfounded.
It was something that had already happened.
Stefan's throat tightened, and for a moment he didn't know how to defend himself. All his promises seemed so pale and powerless in the face of harsh reality.
"Mom."
Cecilia squeezed Mabel's hand back, giving her a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry. I'm not someone who lets herself be bullied. And besides, I trust him."
Cecilia turned to look at Stefan, her gaze gentle yet firm.
"Before, I might have worried, but not anymore. Because I know that no matter what happens, he'll stand by my side."
Stefan looked at her, a huge wave of warmth surging through his heart.
He knew Cecilia was being considerate of him, and also comforting Robert and Mabel.
He took a deep breath and looked at Robert and Mabel again, his tone even more solemn than before: "Mr. Martinez, Mrs. Martinez, please believe me. The unpleasant things that happened in the past, I guarantee will never happen again. The Hensley family will only have one hostess from now on, and that's Amelia."
Looking at the determined expressions of Stefan and Cecilia before them, Robert and Mabel exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of acceptance in each other's eyes.
Since Cecilia had made up her mind about Stefan, what more could they say?
"Alright, alright, everyone stop standing around." Mabel wiped the corners of her eyes, sniffled, and her face broke into a smile again. "Sit down, dinner will be ready soon. We need to add two more dishes today!"
With that, she happily turned and went into the kitchen.
Robert looked at Stefan. Though he still had a stern face, his eyes were noticeably softer.
"Do you play chess?" he asked.
Stefan paused, then immediately nodded: "A little."
"Then play a couple games with me." Robert pulled out a chess set from under the TV cabinet.
The tense atmosphere settled down just like that, amid the aroma of cooking and the sound of chess pieces clicking.
Cecilia watched Stefan sitting properly in the living room playing chess, while Robert kept a straight face and occasionally took back a move, and couldn't help but laugh.
Cecilia took the opportunity to bring up the yacht appreciation event, mentioning Vincent's invitation.
Robert and Mabel's eyes lit up when they heard.
"A yacht? One of those really big ones?" Mabel looked fascinated. "We've never been on one in our whole lives!"
"Then we should go!" Robert was also interested. "It'd be good for us to see something like that!"
Mabel was even more excited. She slapped her thigh: "Perfect! I need to prepare and make plenty of our family's signature ramen. Let Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Hensley try our cooking!"