32. Do You Want To Make A Child?

The aroma of steak wafted into Arleena's senses after her order arrived. Arleena looked lustfully at the tray of special steak plates brought by a waiter. One by one, the plates were placed on the table with warm smoke in the air. Arleena's eyes were glued to the smoke from the food that was still cooked and warm in front of her. "Oh my, that looks really good," Arleena commented. Hearing Arleena's remark, Hugo immediately snorted with an amused smile. "You already ate steak during your office lunch hour. Now you're still tempted after seeing the steak again?" As if ignoring Hugo's words, Arleena immediately nodded her head. Arleena moved swiftly to pick up her fork and knife to get ready to eat the food she ordered. Hugo only noticed Arleena who was very bright looking at the food in front of them. Arleena's reaction at that moment reminded Hugo of the memory when they both ate at their favorite restaurant together a few years ago. Over the years, Hugo felt that Arleena had not changed much. The curve of Arleena's smile, the faint dimples that appeared every time she sparkled with pleasure, the small dancing gesture of Arleena's body when she was faced with her favorite food, and other childish attitudes. Everything was still clearly remembered in Hugo's brain. Even Hugo did not expect that he himself still kept all those memories-very vivid, especially the memories about Arleena. "Hugo, do you remember when you treated me after you got your first paycheck?" Arleena asked suddenly, snapping Hugo out of his reverie. Hugo was taken aback because he was almost daydreaming. He quickly averted his intense gaze from Arleena before she noticed. While cutting the steak, then trying to pick up the side dish, Hugo pretended not to remember. Hugo deliberately seemed to think for a few seconds. "I don't know, I don't remember. What, you still remember?" Hugo asked before shoving the piece of meat into his mouth. Arleena immediately turned annoyed for a moment, then returned to smiling widely while nodding her head. "Of course!" she replied enthusiastically. "Back then, you worked for the first time after years of only asking your father for money. It was exactly seven years ago. Ugh, when I remember how you were back then, I always get annoyed." Hugo frowned, smiling briefly amused. "Why, you were always annoyed with me, Arleena, and all the reasons for your annoyance with me made no sense." With her mouth full of meat, Arleena glared in disapproval. Arleena pointed at Hugo using the chopsticks in her hand and waited a moment to chew the piece of meat in her mouth. "Unreasonable, you say? Hey, you're so lazy to work! You even had to be coerced and cajoled for years to finally apply for a job." Arleena immediately hurled a torrent of annoyance at Hugo. Hugo couldn't help but let his smile grow wider. His little laugh came out. It was a moment that was very memorable in his head. Hugo first got a paycheck after trying to work as a supermarket clerk. Then, the first thing he remembered in his head was bragging about his first paycheck to Arleena. Therefore, Hugo treated Arleena to a restaurant as proof. Hugo also remembers that time because Arleena expressed her pride to him. Before he was desperate to apply for a job as a supermarket clerk because his luxurious facilities were withdrawn by his father, Arleena often teased Hugo. "Why are you bringing up things that are long gone?" Hugo asked. Although her tone sounded annoyed, Hugo actually didn't take it too seriously. Seeing Hugo who remained relaxed made Arleena understand. Hugo would indeed not be easily provoked just by using memories in the past of the two of them. "Because you have to get warned several times. So that you don't repeat being that kind of person," Arleena said with a teasing smile. Hugo's eyes briefly moved to Arleena, then chuckled as he blew on the hot piece of meat. "Hey, you've seen how I look now, right?" said Hugo, deliberately puffing out his chest as if to show himself. "I can even run a company. It's my father's company, but... at least I'm useful." Arleena chuckled as she nodded her head repeatedly. "Yes, your father really didn't like it when you relied on his company. Now, you're finally being told to take charge of the company." Hugo pointed at Arleena using chopsticks while nodding. "That's right. I guess it's because he deliberately wanted to train me to get used to working." "It's lucky that your father has that kind of character. Who did you get your personality from?" While chewing, Hugo tried to think for a moment. But finally he shook his head while shrugging both shoulders. "I don't know. My parents love to work. Why am I lazy?" Hugo asked himself. Arleena couldn't help but laugh after hearing Hugo's innocent question. "Gosh... I'm not sure you've completely changed," Arleena commented. However, Arleena was secretly grateful for realizing that Hugo hadn't changed much. Arleena had seen enough of Justin, her ex-boyfriend, whose attitude was always changing. Now, even though Arleena hated Hugo, at least she had someone by her side. *** "How's the apartment I gave you two?" Bernard asked during dinner. On the seat next to Hugo, opposite Quinn and Albrack-Hugo's brother, Arleena looked awkward. She remembered that two days ago Bernard had given them a luxurious apartment as a wedding gift. As she remembered the apartment, Arleena automatically remembered that her marriage to Hugo was a sham. Arleena and Hugo looked at each other. At that moment, their thoughts were the same. They could understand each other just by looking at the frown that showed anxiety. "We've only been in the apartment for one day, Papa. But during that time, there have been no problems," Arleena replied casually to Bernard. Bernard was a little hesitant to say anything. But after chewing for a moment, Bernard then prepared to speak his mind. "Are you saying that you slept well together there?" Bernard asked. "The room and the bed felt soft, didn't it?" The question made Hugo and Arleena cough in unison. Almost choked. Their reaction caused Bernard, Quinn, and Albrack to panic. Luckily, Arleena and Hugo were quick to relieve their respective coughs. Bernard let out a long sigh as he relaxed his shoulders. "What's with your simultaneous reactions?" Between coughs, Hugo looked at Bernard in annoyance. "Papa... what was that question about? We haven't even thought of something you want." "What?" Bernard pretended not to understand and looked at Quinn, as well as Albrack. "Do you understand what papa wants? Don't jump to conclusions. I mean, I know you were tired at the wedding." Hugo was instantly awkward because he had guessed wrong. While Arleena gently hit his left hand. "Didn't... papa mean to say... that he wanted us to have children soon?" asked Hugo between his dumbfounded expressions. Bernard couldn't help but giggle after Hugo's question. "Hey, you've only been married for a day. Papa can't possibly force you to..." "But papa's been talking about grandchildren since before they got married," Albrack interrupted, not understanding Bernard's point who was already masking his nervousness. "That's why you couldn't wait to buy an apartment for them to live together, right?" Bernard immediately hardened his jaw in exasperation at Albrack. The look on his face was now exactly like someone caught in the act.