27. An Apartemen From His Father

"Arleena Katniss Claire and Hugo Karlen Mushlin, I will give you a suite-type apartment as your residence after marriage." The words of Bernard, Hugo's father, made Arleena and Hugo surprised at the same time. For a split second Arleena and Hugo looked at each other in disbelief, thinking that maybe Bernard was just being nosy to them. But after looking at Bernard's face - intending to find out whether it was a joke or not, it turned out that there was no joking look at all. Realizing Bernard was not joking made Arleena and Hugo even more speechless. There was an awkwardness that could be seen on their faces. Also, both Arleena and Hugo were worried that their words would offend Bernard. "How is it? Why are you two silent?" asked Bernard, looking at Arleena and Hugo in turn. "A-ah... why... why are we silent?" Arleena couldn't hide her nervousness. Ever since Bernard mentioned the words 'suite-type', Arleena couldn't imagine how luxurious the apartment was. "We were just surprised. Wait, Mr. Bernard-" "Just call me papa," Bernard cut in quickly. "Okay, papa. Are you serious about giving me a suite apartment?" Arleena asked later. Upon hearing Arleena's question, Bernard laughed. Bernard was amused to see how Arleena reacted. "Why are you reacting like that?" asked Bernard as he shook his head. Arleena couldn't control her awkwardness at all. Even though she already knew Bernard and was quite close during her friendship with Hugo, Arleena still felt that a suite-type apartment unit was an excessive gift. Moreover, Arleena and Hugo were not actually taking the marriage seriously. Arleena didn't want to imagine how she and Hugo would live in the same apartment. "Why?" Bernard noticed that Arleena and Hugo looked uncomfortable. Like they were thinking about something. "Don't you want me to give you one apartment?" "Not unwilling, Father, but how can we accept such a large gift?" Hugo replied. Arleena nodded in agreement with Hugo's words. The frown on her forehead showed that she had some pent-up anxiety. Arleena thought about something, and Hugo estimated how much a suite-type apartment would cost. "You have to accept. Father already bought it, so who should I give it to?" Bernard looked at Hugo and Arleena as if he didn't want his gift to be rejected. Despite his grimace, Hugo told Arleena to agree to Bernard's gift of the apartment through his eyes. Actually, it wasn't that easy for Hugo to accept such a large amount, especially since Bernard had given him many expensive things. On the other hand, Hugo also had to convince his parents that his marriage to Arleena was real. No member of his family should know that Hugo and Arleena's marriage is not real. "Okay, Dad. If you're going to give me that, when are we both moving there?" Bernard gave a meaningful and proud smile. There was relief in his face and smile at that moment. "Of course tonight. Why delay the move any longer?" Suddenly Arleena and Hugo glared in unison. "TONIGHT?!" *** "Do you believe this?" Amidst the silence of the suite apartment's living room, Arleena's voice rang out. Arleena couldn't help but be shocked when she saw the spacious living room of the suite apartment that Bernard had given her. It was probably twice as big as the apartment Arleena had lived in for ten years. Arleena had to blink her eyes repeatedly to make sure that she really got this luxurious apartment. Although she was also from a wealthy family, Arleena had never experienced such a luxurious apartment. "About what, about us getting married, or about the luxurious apartment we'll be living in?" From behind, Hugo replied as he put down the last cardboard box. It contained items that were easier to move. "Yes, both, I really don't believe it," Arleena replied without looking at Hugo. Her gaze was still mesmerized by the details of this room. Hugo sighed heavily while patting his palms together. As long as she was silent, Hugo watched Arleena who was in awe. "Hey, you and I are not in the same room. Take it easy," Hugo replied. Hearing Hugo's words instantly made Arleena no longer marvel at the luxurious room of this apartment. Arleena immediately turned her eyes to Hugo and threw an expression full of annoyance. Arleena let out a small groan. "Who wants to sleep with you?" "We did that when we were kids. Did-" "Aish, let's not talk about that!" cut Arleena off with a strong emphasis. She waved her hand as she hissed in annoyance at Hugo. "Why are you bringing up something embarrassing?" Hugo couldn't help but laugh at Arleena's scowling expression. During his time running the company abroad, Hugo had never seen that scowl. Somehow there was a glimpse of longing. "Hey! You want that too. Why call it embarrassing now?" Hugo replied between mocking laughs. Arleena ignored Hugo and walked away towards the other boxes. Two hours ago they had brought several boxes of personal belongings. Arleena and Hugo were completely exhausted from organizing the move to this apartment. How could Bernars think of letting Arleena and Hugo carry their belongings for the move using only two small moving trucks? Arleena even helped the driver and one of the men to carry the boxes. All that exhaustion paid off when she saw how luxurious Bernard's suite-type apartment was. "You should thank me," Hugo said. He smiled sweetly and took something out of his backpack. Arleena's steps stopped when she heard the sound of the backpack zipper opening. When it opened, Arleena just watched Hugo silently. "Don't you see this?" Hugo asked while looking at the wooden picture frame. He did not show Arleena the photo in the frame. Arleena's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What is it?" she asked. Since Hugo didn't give any answer, Arleena finally stepped closer. Arleena's curiosity was already piqued to find out what picture frame Hugo was keeping. "I wonder what kind of photo you're hiding-" Arleena's speech stopped immediately after seeing the printed photo in the glass frame. For a split second Arleena was silent, between confusion, disbelief, and surprise. Arleena needed to digest whether what she was seeing now was real or a hallucination. "Hugo," Arleena called, her voice low. "Why do you still have that picture of the two of us on a swimming vacation together-and little me holding you so tightly in a bikini suit?" Hugo did not care about Arleena's annoyance and surprise. With an ignorant smile on his face, Hugo hid the picture frame behind his back. "You just can't figure anything out," Hugo said for who knows how many times he had mocked Arleena. Before Arleena could reply to Hugo's words, Hugo's feet suddenly ran away. While Arleena looked angrily at Hugo's back. "See you tomorrow, Hugooo!!!" Arleena's emphatic shout rang out.