Chapter 240 - Gifts

Renzel didn't want to spend the time cleaning up Rebecca's mess from last night. He focused more on the work that's on his hands. After some restless job, Renzel drove to the closing flower shop and bought a bouquet for someone special plus chocolates. He drove directly to his penthouse building and unlocked the door. 

Just as he expected, he already smelled a famishing food. He went to the kitchen and found her in her apron and his t-shirt cooking something delicious. He put the flowers and chocolates over the table and he approached her, hugged her from behind that startled her. 

"Hello, beautiful." He whispered and kissed her cheeks. 

"Hey," She giggled. "I didn't expect you to arrive so early." 

"I was excited to come home and have your delicious cooking." 

Her smile was so beautiful, like a bud of a flower that slowly opened. He drowned instantly. 

"What did you bring?" 

"Flowers and chocolates." He kissed her neck. 

"For me?" 

"Of course," 

They kissed passionately and she gently pushed him. 

"I'm going to fry the pasta with the sauce. You have to wait, okay?" 

"I will." He kissed her lips lightly and then her neck. 

He went to his room, filled the bathtub with hot water, and set up the essential oils. Everything is in the right place and he noticed her laptop and few papers arranged on the table. 

He checked the documents and noticed that most of it is from her father's business that she's fixing. There is also a document that she sent her father to rehabilitation. She's a good daughter, that's what Renzel thought. 

He removed his office clothes and wore his boxer shorts only as he walked around the house. He teased her many times while she's preparing the table. She reached the flowers and smelled them. 

"You like it?" He asked as he took the wine glasses and the bottle of cold wine. 

"I do. Thank you." She admired the flowers once more and carefully put them on the round table. 

Renzel pulled a chair for her and she removed her apron, hung it on the hook and she walked toward him, and sat on the chair that he offered. She received a kiss on her cheeks. He enjoyed the basil pasta that she made. He realized that if his girlfriend was like her, there's no way that he would let her go. 

After their dinner, he helped her with the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. He realized that women who do all of the house chores and prepare food for their lovers, also need to be pampered by getting help from them on simple chores. 

While he's doing the dishes, she puts the flowers on a vase and fills it with water. She arranged it beautifully. This lady was raised to be a perfect housewife but she isn't just good with the housework but also in business. She's independent and she can live without any man supporting her. 

"Do you like chocolates?" He asked after he dried her hands. 

"Let me take a bite on it." She said. She took the chocolate and opened it. She took one bite, then approached him and fed the half to him. "It tastes good." He held her hand and sucked her thumb and forefingers. 

"Hmm." He nodded his head. 

"Are you trying to seduce me again?" She giggled at him. 

"Mila," he kissed her palm. "Let's date formally." 

"What?" She was surprised by his proposal. 

"Don't worry, I don't want to force you or something." He said. He knew that he took her by surprise but he didn't mean to use her as other means did. 

"I~I need to think about it." She said and looked away. 

"Sure," He rubbed her arm. "Let's have a bath together. I'll give you a nice massage after." 

"You would do that?" She chuckled. "Hmm, it seemed nice. It's also been a while since I last had a massage." 

<><><><> 

Two Days Later

Victoria listened to her cousin attentively and she nodded her head and agreed with the sweet things that he did to his woman. But she didn't know the woman that he was seeing. Currently, after he ignored the news about Rebecca, his ex-girlfriend, some rumors came that Rebecca and her husband filed a restraining order toward Renzel. She knew well how wrecked her cousin was but if Renzel spoke up, it would be the end of Rebecca's career. Might be the end. 

"As long as you are happy," Victoria said. "But it seems both of you are in the same trauma, I am sure that you and her will find a way to keep moving forward and to heal." 

"I was thinking of other ways to give her a gift," Renzel said. "She's independent and a businesswoman. She can buy anything she wants." 

Victoria beams. 

"Hey, I know a gem! I will send it to you." 

"Sure, thank you." 

"How's grandma?" She continued with putting light makeup on. 

"Grandma is doing well. Didn't you call her?" 

"I forgot to call her yesterday. We were busy with planning. I think you already heard about the construction of shelters?" 

"Yes, I can't believe that someone would do that to the government." 

"It's some kind of terrorists, probably one of tactics to civil revolution." Victoria put down the lipstick. "Is there a way for our family to contribute?" 

"Sure!" Renzel said enthusiastically. "I am sure that grandmother would love to contribute and so I am also going to contribute." 

"Great. I can't wait." Victoria stood. "Alright, I will send this gift to your lover and I think you don't need to get through television much. I will take care of Rebecca." 

"No, sis. Don't do anything. I am completely ignoring it and my PR team had a lot of things in their hands." 

"Okay," Victoria shrugged. She's currently going to the conference with the ladies and needs to speak about the funds for this upcoming New Year and Christmas. Each year, the family of nobles and royals always sent gifts to their people. She hung up and stood. She took her purse and turned to her husband who was wearing very formal clothes with badges on. "You look handsome enough to seduce me." She teased him. "Since we are in our separate ways. Don't charm any women on your way." 

He laughed so loud and reached his coat. 

"Darling, I would never." He winked at her. He put his coat on and extended his hand toward her. She reached it and kissed her hand. "Hey, put your gloves on first." 

"I almost forgot." 

She went to her dresser and took warm autumn gloves on and then her scarf and coat. They walked out of their room to the exit of the castle where their car was waiting. He makes sure that she's wrapped up and she has heating pads with her handmaiden. They hopped in the car and Kenzo dropped her off at the meeting hall for the ladies while he went to a different location.

Victoria approached Kaisley and curtsied. 

"You are quite late." Kaisley noticed and Stacey was sitting and also wrapped up. 

"Sorry, I spoke to my cousin a while ago." Victoria smiled. "He's going to help us with the shelter." 

"That's good." Kaisley looked at Stacey who yawned. 

"Your outfit is cute, Stace." Victoria complimented. 

"Thanks, Vi. Mave picked this, especially for this day. I can't wait for it to start and I am sleepy." 

Kaisley looked at the time. 

"Let's start then." Kaisley decided and Victoria helped Stacey get up and intertwined her arm to hers. "We can't keep our pregnant lady waiting for long." Kaisley held Stacey's other arm as they entered the hall. The ladies stood and curtsied gracefully. There are still empty seats and so, Kaisley, Victoria, and Stacey sat down on their respective seats. Shortly, Harriet came with five maids and five butlers. She curtsied to show respect and sat down. 

Victoria was the one who set up the conference and so, she stood and started the meeting. She spoke formally and presented the thing that they made last night. She's the one who operated it with the pen to change the slides. Then, shortly Lady Andres and others who were late interrupted but Victoria didn't stop and she continued to discuss it since she's very much aware of Stacey's condition. She was sleepy and she might have fallen asleep during the long discussion. 

Then, shortly Kaisley introduced them to any project that they could do. Some ladies have already decided about it and they will give feedback in three days. Kaisley only mentioned to them that it was voluntary and since they are nobles they wanted to show off by giving as much as they wanted. It's one way that Kaisley wanted to do. But their main goal was to make funds by bidding and other means. 

"So, thank you for coming today. We will prepare souvenirs." Kaisley said as Harriet told them to send it out.

The ladies were full of compliments and the souvenirs that they prepared in just a few hours. That's why Harriet and others were restless. Stacey also helped them that's why she's tired on this day. 

Shortly, one of Stacey's bodyguards approached them and bent down as he mumbled. 

"Duke Maverick is here to pick you up, your grace." 

Victoria smiled at Stacey. 

"Early? Is he supposed to be in the meeting?" 

"Yes, he left early to pick you up, your grace." 

"Wow, that's sweet." Victoria teased her.