36.

AMBER'S POV. This was where Asleena was. Again with Benny-that guy really seemed to follow her everywhere. When they were just about to go home, Benny's car blocked Asleena's path. Actually, Asleena had refused Benny's invitation to get into his car as usual. But Asleena couldn't refuse because ... Benny again used the excuse of a family meeting. At first Asleena thought Benny was just joking. Or just a family meeting that wasn't too important and wanted to tease Asleena. It turned out that Benny had really gathered his family together with Asleena's family. It wasn't just Halmey who was in the living room of Joseph's mansion. But also Halmey's husband, and Joshua's sister-Aleena's father and her husband. All of them came as representatives of Asleena's family. "Asleena, we meet again," greeted Joseph, who widened his enthusiastic smile to Asleena. "I apologize for the suddenness of your family meeting. You must be tired after work." Asleena was actually still in an awkward position. She looked at everyone gathered on the living room sofa in a daze. Luckily Asleena still had the awareness to give a smile reaction despite the awkwardness. "Ah, it's okay, Joseph. I'm just... a little surprised," replied Asleena who deliberately chuckled at the end of her sentence. In front of Asleena, Halmey deliberately reached out and livened up her wrist to come closer. Halmey immediately signaled a nod for Asleena to quickly sit beside her. Asleena immediately sat next to Halmey because she didn't want to be the center of gaze. There was also Benny who was next to Asleena. Compared to Asleena, Benny looked calmer as if nothing had happened. "Did you plan this beforehand?" Asleena asked Benny, whispering, as much as possible not to arouse the suspicion of their family. Benny didn't look at Asleena. But he still gave a small, curt nod. "Yes, grandfather called me," he replied. "Then I was asked to invite you to come here." Asleena said no more. After realizing that Benny's family was looking at her seriously, Asleena became even more curious. "Actually, this family gathering is to discuss your marriage. I heard that you're going to the Handerson Group housing construction site, right? In collaboration with the Hudge Group," Joseph said, looking at Benny and Asleena in turn seriously. Benny and Asleena nodded their heads in agreement. Neither of them answered with words. "Would you like to have a wedding before leaving for the housing construction site?" Joseph offered, his eyebrows raised and his lips in a mischievous smile. Benny immediately turned his gaze to Asleena. The look on his face seemed to leave the decision to Asleena alone. So Asleena, who was actually still awkward being in the middle of a family gathering like this, gasped. "Yes?" Asleena looked at Benny confused. "Oh, wedding plans..." Asleena stopped talking because the direction of her gaze stopped at Kathrine. For some reason Kathrine looked so intense and sharp at her. Instantly her memory was drawn to their last conversation. "Wedding plans... I don't know the right date to have a wedding," Asleena replied. After realizing her mistake in speaking, Asleena finally hurriedly corrected. "I mean, the departure time hasn't been set yet. If we set a date and it turns out to be the departure time, won't the two schedules collide?" "Why don't you just cancel coming to the construction site?" Halmey replied. Her tone was calmer than usual. Her eyes were bright as if she was expecting something from Asleena and Benny. Hearing Halmey's words, Asleena immediately glared in surprise and panic. Asleena didn't expect that Halmey would say such a silly question in front of everyone. When Asleena glared frantically at Halmey, Kathrine could be heard chuckling. "Mrs. Halmey, they couldn't have canceled something so important. It's a matter of their respective jobs," she retorted. Asleena felt a little embarrassed after Kathrine reacted like that. She didn't expect Halmey to say something so embarrassing. "Auntie..." Asleena frowned at Halmey. "Why don't you ever pay attention to the language of your questions?" Halmey only acted indifferent after being reprimanded by Asleena. She made a face as if she didn't feel guilty. "Why did you tell them to cancel the work plan? If they cancel, their contracts could be jeopardized. Don't you understand things like that?" Kathrine said in a sarcastic tone. Halmey turned to Kathrine and frowned. There was a sense of offense on her face that did not accept being given such words. "Of course I understand. But, isn't marriage important too? If they were to do a site visit for the construction project, it would take longer," Halmey retorted. "So what?" Kathrine smiled as if she was about to laugh at Halmey. "If you can't wait patiently, it's not like the two of them can't wait longer either. It's just a small gap." In Kathrine's presence, Halmey was provoked to speak up. Halmey straightened her seat and turned to Asleena. "Asleena, now that auntie has asked you, you can't wait any longer, can you?" Halmey asked. Asleena was really annoyed with Halmey who did not understand the situation at all. If it wasn't for the fact that Halmey was her mother's younger sister, Asleena would have thrown a lot of annoyance at her. Asleena understood that the look on Halmey's face now signaled her to agree to the question. But Asleena did not want to do something that did not suit her feelings. Especially when it came to work. "I don't mind if the wedding plans are made after the construction site visit," replied Asleena who deliberately did not want to obey Halmey's will. Halmey glared in surprise at Asleena's answer. On the other hand, Halmey refrained from pressing her lips together. "It's true what I said!" Kathrine cheered happily. She looked satisfied. Asleena continued, "But I didn't insist that the wedding should take place after the site visit. So in my opinion, both times can be efficient if they are well organized." Benny watched Asleena who was still able to try to remain calm. Although Benny knew that Asleena was panicking because of Halmey's uncontrollable answer. Benny also understood that Asleena was stuttering in this sudden conversation. "Alright. For the matter of the project land visit, Asleena and I will arrange it tomorrow. How about we give her the information that we're having another meeting tomorrow?" Benny turned his gaze to Asleena, asking for approval. Beside Benny, Asleena was a little relieved to have the help of an answer. Asleena nodded her head although there was still confusion on her face. "If you want to give the meeting information again tomorrow, that's fine," Asleena replied with a chuckle at the end of the sentence. "Would you prefer it to be before the visit?" "I think land visits for construction projects take a long time. And we'll be unsettled if the wedding plans aren't finalized, and then we have to take care of work matters as well," Benny explained at length. Asleena was stunned after hearing Benny's words. Asleena didn't expect Benny to think of an answer like that. 'Why does he look... more charismatic than before?' Asleena thought later. In the midst of Asleena being amazed at Benny's figure, Benny frowned. For a few seconds Benny watched Asleena who was just dumbfounded as if thinking about something. Benny waved his hand in front of Asleena's face while tilting his head slightly. "Hello, Miss Asleena? Didn't you hear what I said?" asked Benny, confused and worried that something had happened to Asleena. It was only at the umpteenth snap of Benny's fingers that Asleena gasped as she rolled her eyes repeatedly. Asleena shook her head to further awaken herself. She realized that all eyes, including Kathrine's, were looking at her strangely. Asleena looked back at Benny, then nodded her head. "Yes, I agree. It's better to use your suggestion just now." Benny was astonished. "Why did you suddenly agree to the wedding plan before the project site visit?" "What?" Confused and blank at the same time, Asleena regained her senses. "Why would I disagree with your suggestion? I mean, I'm very neutral. The wedding plan before or after the project land visit plan, I have no problem." Actually, Benny was secretly holding himself back from chuckling at Asleena's nervous look. Benny simply nodded in agreement before turning his gaze to the rest of the family. "Asleena has already agreed. I'm more concerned with Asleena's opinion here. Because it's me and Asleena who are getting married," Benny replied in his stern manner. His sharp eyes looked at the family members one by one, including Joseph. In the far right chair facing the whole family, Joseph just smiled proudly. Joseph looked at Benny for a few seconds. "You're already good at deciding things," Joseph replied, then took a deep breath and exhaled shortly. "I can't say anything if you've already decided so."