Chapter 1325
Seeing Cornelia in high spirits, Grandpa Augustineâs anxiety from the previous night finally eased, âNelly, I was worried you might not sleep well last night, but looks like you had a good one.â
Cornelia said, âIndeed, I slept soundly.â
Grandpa Augustine said, âLetâs have breakfast first. Iâll drive you home later.â
âSure.â Cornelia nodded, couldnât help but look around, âWho usually maintains this place, grandpa?â
âAlfredo arranges it.â Grandpa Augustine said, âTheyâve been working for the Duran family for many years, we totally trust their work.â
Cornelia asked, âHowâs the security here, grandpa?â
Grandpa Augustine was confused, âNelly, did something scare you last night?â
Cornelia assured him, âWhat are you talking about?â
Grandpa Augustine asked, âWhy this question then all of a sudden?â
Cornelia said, âIâm just admiring the place, itâs beautiful and cool in summer. Iâm thinking of bringing the baby here to escape the heat next summer, so I wanted to know about the security, like if outsiders can get in by any means.â
Grandpa Augustine said, âIf you want to bring the baby here in summer, you can rest assured. The security is topânotch. Ehen the system is on, not even a mosquito can get in.â
Cornelia said, âI see.â She couldnât help but laugh inwardly, what was she thinking? What was she hoping for?
Grandpa Augustine continued, âNelly, I heard from Jarvis that youâre starting work after Christmas. And with your due date coming up, itâs going to be tough Do you think you could quit and stay home to prepare for the birth?â
Cornelia asked, âHow does Jarvis know Iâm starting work?â
Grandpa Augustine said, âHeâs more concerned about you than I am, how could he not know what youâre planning?â
Cornelia said, âGrandpa, could you talk to him? Get him to find a girl and focus on a relationship instead of putting all his energy on me.â
Grandpa Augustine said, âNelly, you should know how many girls out there want to marry him, but he doesnât give them a second glance. Jarvis is a good boy, and heâs truly excellent. I still hope you two can be together.â
Cornelia said, âGrandpa, I know Jarvis is great, and heâs good to me. But you canât force feelings. Thereâs no chance for us.â
Grandpa Augustine said, âOf course, itâs just my personal wish, and I respect your decision.â
Cornelia said, âThank you for understanding. Letâs go have breakfast.
Grandpa Augustine chuckled and gently ruffled her hair, âAlright.â
Christmas was just around the corner.
The Duran family took holidays very seriously, especially Christmas. No matter where they were, everyone in the Duran family had to be home before Christmas and spend Christmas Eve together. So, recently, members of the family from all over had been returning home.
Some Cornelia had met before, while others were meeting her for the first time. Since many were older than Cornelia or her elders, they were all very concerned about the baby in her belly and her marital status.
Before they met Cornelia, Grandpa Augustine had already briefed them to avoid asking about these matters as much as possible. However, curiosity always got the better of people, and everyone was keen to know about Corneliaâs child and the childâs father.
Chapter 1325
Luckily, Cornelia was all geared up for this. No matter who popped the question, she had her answers ready. âThe Duran family is huge, both in terms of members and business. With so many of you guys backing me up, do you really think Iâd worry about not being able to look after my
kid?â
Having been with the Duran family for quite some time, Cornelia had gotten the hang of them. They were big on repulation, so she did her best to make them feel valued.
Hearing her say this, everyone was pleased as punch and slowly. People stopped bombarding her with questions. This gave her time to help Grandpa Augustine sort out his Christmas presents, of which he got a ton every year.
Even Grandpa Augustine himself had no clue where most of these presents were from, with a bunch of them just piling up in the storeroom, some even never opened.
This year, Cornelia scored some presents too. She didnât have many friends, but the ones she had were tightâknit.
Zack and Abigail, as always, were heading back home for Christmas. Their presents to Cornelia were all local specialties, particularly food heaps of ham and smoked meat, which were a mustâhave in every household. Upon receiving the food, Cornelia had it cooked up straight away
for a feast
Meanwhile, the gifts from Hannah and Rosie were on the pricier side â there were beauty products, highâend skincare items, baby stuff, and even clothes that the baby wouldnât fit into until they were five.
Looking at these presents, Cornelia didnât forget to video call her friends in their group chat, âYou guys have sent clothes for ages one through five. Are you planning on my baby never wearing anything new?â
Hannah laughed, âNelly, you probably donât know this, but Rosie canât resist childrenâs clothes. Iâve tried to tell her to cut back a little, but she wouldnât listen. She almost cleaned out the entire store.â
Rosie chimed in, âIâd never been to a childrenâs clothing store before. I didnât know the clothes there were so adorable, and I was totally drawn in that day. Since youâre the only one among us with a child, we sent you all the childrenâs clothes.â
Cornelia joked, âYou should have a baby with your husband soon.â
Rosie replied, âIâd love to have a baby, but my husband doesnât want to.â
Hannah guessed, âMaybe he thinks you guys are still young and wants to enjoy a few more years of just the two of you, so heâs not in a rush to have a baby.â
Rosie responded, âThatâs not it.â
Hannah asked, âThen what do you think it is?â
Rosie revealed, âOnce, lâaccidentally found him watching videos about children online. He clearly loves kids, but he doesnât want to have one with me. There must be some hidden reason behind this.â
Cornelia usually kept mum about other peopleâs relationship issues, but she knew a thing or two about Rosie and Lucas, âDonât overthink it. Everyone knows how much Lucas loves and spoils you. Donât let your imagination run wild.â
Rosie said, âLet me give you an example and you guys tell me if Iâm overthinking.â
Cornelia and Hannah nodded simultaneously, âGo ahead.â
Rosie said, âA few days ago, I was so excited after buying clothes for Nellyâs baby and really wanted a child of my own. That night, I had sex with Lucas. He was really into it and took the lead. But when I told him I hoped to get pregnant this time, he just upped and left halfway through.â
Hannah said, âHe bailed halfway through? Thatâs pretty hardcore, Lucas.â
Cornelia said, âHeâs definitely hardcore!â
Talking about this seemed to dampen Rosieâs spirits, âHe always says Iâm still a child that I need someone to look after me. He just treats me like
a child.â