48.

VINCENT'S POV. "Good morning, Vincent." Asleena immediately greeted me when my eyes began to open slowly. The smile on Amber face curved even wider after I saw her while squirming. "Ah, it's morning already?" I asked in a hoarse voice typical of people who had just woken up. Amber straightened her bent body position looking at Benny's lying body. She actually felt sorry that I had been sleeping on the sofa for days since they got married. Unfortunately, it was me who wanted that because he didn't want to touch Asleena. Benny was worried that he would cross the line and make them renege on the contract agreement. "Of course you have. Why would I wake you up and greet you if it's not morning yet?" She asked me back without any annoyance. I immediately got up from his lying position as he stretched his muscles. I squinted as the sunlight shone right through the window. "Oh my. I didn't expect the day to go so fast," I said with an annoyed groan. Amber watched me who sat with a flat expression. I was still gathering her life because she had just woken up, even her body repeatedly swayed left and right. "We have to get ready to go to our respective offices. Come on, mom has prepared breakfast for both of us," I replied while patting my shoulder. After patting Benny's shoulder, Asleena shook her head and walked away from Benny. Asleena stopped in the middle of her steps to clap her hands loudly, warning Benny to get up. "Hey Benny, I don't want to know, you have to get up!" Asleena then exclaimed with great enthusiasm. Benny groaned in annoyance once again before finally getting up from his sitting position. Benny stepped towards the bathroom in this room. While Asleena walked out of the room to go to the dining room. Asleena found Katherine giving directions to some of the mansion maids to put down the plates of food. Asleena couldn't help but smile after seeing Katherine looking at her. "Good morning, Mrs. Katherine," Asleena said as she walked down the stairs. Katherine returned Asleena's smile, and the curve was even wider. Katherine then waved briefly before turning her gaze back to the maid mansion. "Oh my. You prepared such a delicious meal just for breakfast," said Asleena who complimented the food upon arrival at the dining table. Katherine on the other hand smiled embarrassedly when she heard Asleena's praise. Katherine couldn't help showing her pride. "I made half of this breakfast food, Asleena. You should try what I made because I'm rarely like this," replied Katherine who then pulled Asleena's hand impatiently. Asleena just chuckled and let her hand be pulled by Katherine. Asleena pulled one of the chairs at the dining table and sat there. The look in her eyes showed that she was very enthusiastic and wanted all this food to be devoured. "I don't know which one to try first, it all looks so good," Asleena expressed her feelings as she looked at the food one by one. Katherine sat next to Asleena and picked up one of the dishes. The plate was given to Asleena with a very enthusiastic look on her face. As if she couldn't wait to see how Asleena would react. "You have to try this one, Asleena. Otherwise, you won't be able to taste the most delicious food of your life," Katherine said, her tone sounding urgent. Asleena couldn't help but laugh when she heard Katherine's way of persuading her. She accepted what Katherine offered and tried the food on the plate. "There's no need to doubt my wife's cooking! You're very talented at making any kind of food," said Joshua who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Asleena and Katherine's gaze immediately shifted to Joshua. Asleena, still chewing her food, looked at Joshua with an amused smile. While Katherine seemed to be acting shy because she heard Joshua's praise. "Hey, don't praise me like that. Do you want to make me show an embarrassing expression in front of Asleena?" asked Katherine reprimanding Joshua. Joshua laughed but his facial expression did not feel guilty. He pulled one of the chairs at the far left side of the dining table. More precisely next to Katherine. Joshua looked at the food that was served before his eyes. With a look that highlighted admiration, Joshua immediately took one of the food menus that caught his attention. Joshua took it with an enthusiastic smile as if he couldn't wait to finish the food. "You also make food that I like," Joshua said as he transferred one of the dishes to a plate. Joshua's words made Katherine even more unable to hold back her smile that curved wide. But Katherine still tried to cover up her misbehaving reaction with an exasperated snort. "Oh my. You didn't hear what I said earlier. I told you not to say compliments until I had to cover up my reaction. I'm ashamed of Asleena," said Katherine. Beside Katherine, Asleena immediately glared in surprise but only briefly. Asleena shook her head. "You don't have to feel ashamed of me. It's okay, Mrs. Katherine, just show me how you feel," Asleena replied trying to persuade Katherine. At that moment Katherine chuckled while waving her hand at Asleena. Katherine shook her head briefly. "I can't do that. I don't want you to see my inelegant side," Katherine replied while gently wiping her own jaw. Asleena chuckled at Katherine's joking expression and gesture. Not long after, Asleena saw the arrival of Benny who was already neatly dressed in office clothes. Asleena faded her smile when she realized Benny was so handsome when he looked like that. "Hey, Benny," greeted Katherine who was getting excited to see her son. "You're so slow to wake up. You should have gotten up earlier than Asleena. You embarrass me so much." At that moment Asleena didn't feel offended at all, and neither did Benny. She just watched as Benny stepped closer to the dining table. Benny then pulled up one of the chairs next to Joshua. Benny raised both eyebrows with a nosy smile at Asleena. "Good morning, Mrs. Katherine and Mrs. Asleena," Benny greeted as he sat down in the chair. Katherine and Asleena frowned before looking at each other in confusion. Neither of them understood why Benny was acting like that. "Hey, are you really making fun of me?" Asleena asked. "Your tone sounds teasing even though you meant to greet me." Benny furrowed his brow without fading into an ignorant smile. He kept picking up his food as he replied, "I'm not teasing you at all. Why would I?" "Because you're annoying, of course." Asleena replied in a rather depressing tone. Benny's little laugh rang out. Benny shook his head. "No, I didn't. I just wanted to say hi to you and mom," Benny replied. "It's early in the morning anyway. Why would I upset you?" "Ah, so you're going to provoke my annoyance when it's not morning?" Asleena immediately asked in an exasperated tone of voice. Benny let out a small, short laugh after hearing Asleena's question. "Asleena, you shouldn't take Benny seriously. You'll be very upset," said Katherine whose expression showed her annoyance towards Benny. Asleena sighed heavily as she shook her head. She then picked up one of the dishes on the table and put on an annoyed expression. "I'd rather enjoy this meal than care about you, Benny," Asleena said. At that moment the atmosphere of the dining table became very relaxed with their conversations and laughter. There was no tension at all. They were no longer in trouble like they had been in the past.