James was certainly surprised that Stan would immediately leap to the conclusion that Zachary was cheating.And yet, upon closer inspection, things did look suspicious—not only was Zachary seated at a concealed spot, but he was alone with a woman he did not recognize.What was more, he just got married today, so it really did not make sense for him to show up here!Pretending to be shocked, James exclaimed, "Yeah… Yeah!!! He's supposed to be enjoying his wedding night, but he's here with another woman instead?! Definitely cheating."Stan said, "Let's call Lulu."James quickly stopped him since that was not how it should go. "Lulu's going to divorce him if she finds out, don't you think? He went through great lengths to get her back—we can't just sell out a brother like that.""You still consider him a brother?!" Stan huffed in righteous indignation, ready to charge at Zachary and throw a punch at him if James was not stopping him. "And he should be cherishing his marriage more
Stan was speechless, having never been scorned like that. "What's that look for?"Zachary quickly introduced James. "This is my other good friend, James Cross."Rea flashed a pretty smile at James in turn, "Hello.""Hello." James nodded."Come here, sit," Zachary said.James proved sharp as he took the seat beside Zachary, leaving just one spot so that Stan had to sit beside Rea.Seeing that, Rea snapped in disdain, "Don't sit beside me."Stan narrowed his eyes and huffed pettily. "Oh, but I'll sit here. I'll even snuggle closer to you the more you hate it. What are you gonna do about it?"Stan was still feeling moody after the other woman splashed his face with alcohol earlier, and he was not about to be a gentleman now that he met another sassy one.He could not help complaining either—what was wrong with women these days?He quickly poured himself a glass of drink to calm down, while Rea stared at him, speechless.Zachary and James simply looked on as Stan chugged the ent
Rea wheeled on Stan and snorted coolly. "What, are you going to chase after me?"Stan was stumped but scoffed, "I've met many thick-skinned ones, but you're something else. Also, chase after you? Unless all the other women in the world are gone.""Exactly." Rea shrugged. "Why else would you agree to a blind date? You look exactly like a forty-year old virgin to me."She might be a playful free-spirit, but she was not stupid—Zachary could meet Ken any time he wanted and really did not need her as their courier.And putting that into consideration, what was this meeting if not an excuse to lure her on a blind date?She knew that all too well and was merely refraining from exposing them.Zachary raised a brow, surprised that she was sharp despite her hedonistic appearance.On the other hand, Stan had sprang to his feet in sheer frustration.Zachary and James had always been teasing him for being single, but he was fine with that since they were good friends and just joking around.
It was a special day for Zachary, and he should be staying home.No one told him to stay, because anyone who did would be tactless.James clapped Stan on the shoulder just then."I guess my first attempt as a matchmaker fell through," he said, getting up. "Erin's alone in our hotel room, and I'm concerned, so I'm going back. You can head back whenever the hotel is closed anyway."Stan nodded. "Well, I'm picking up your slack before I go. It'd be a waste of alcohol otherwise.""Just don't drink too much," James reminded him.Stan nodded. "Yeah, now run along. Your missus is still pregnant."James strode out of the booth seating, not forgetting to endorse his good friend to Rea before he left. "My friend here is a good egg. Don't miss out now."Stan only felt embarrassment, especially with a stranger with them. "Another word, and I'm knocking on your hotel door in the dead of night so that you can't sleep.""Fine, fine, I'll stop." James chuckled and strode off.Rea glanced at
Stan smiled then said, "Yeah."Being single, Stan never turned down any advances.The pretty face placed her hands on his shoulders, her curvaceous hips shaking to the music as she leaned ever closer.Stan did not reject her advances, even grinning openly.She smiled and asked, "Do you have a girlfriend?"Stan asked in return, "Would I have the time to mess around here if I did?" The pretty face beamed. "I like your honesty."Meanwhile, Rea was still at the booth seat, holding her glass in one hand while allowing her other hand to dangle carelessly.Taking a sip of her drink, she watched Stan at the dance floor—he was tall and had broad shoulders, making him stand out from the crowd on the dance floor.The pretty face dancing with him was pressing herself eagerly on him, whispering into his ear, "There's a hotel on the opposite side of the road. Shall we go there together?"It seemed that she was not after money and was merely interested in a fling.Stan raised a brow and s
Erin was bathing comfortably in the bathtub while James gave her a massage. "Are you going to sleep later?"Erin closed her eyes. "Nope, but you're keeping me company."James chuckled, at once in love and exasperated. "I'm yours to abuse."Erin opened her eyes and turned toward him. "Then why don't you get pregnant, and I'll be a baby mommy instead?"James chuckled and pinched her cheek with a drenched hand. "How are you a mommy if I get pregnant? Why don't you be a baby daddy instead?"As Erin laughed, a phone rang outside."I'll get it," James said.Erin nodded, since a call at this hour might be about something urgent.Still, as James stepped outside, he frowned when he saw who it was but answered. "It's a dud. They can't see eye-to-eye.""How'd you know?" Ken asked."It was hate at first sight. They almost fought too."James nodded—it was just as he thought.An heiress like Rea Fowler would not change in a split second to get along with Stan, especially not when she had
Lulu moved her fingers, gently brushing them against Zachary's cheek.Zachary's eyes creased as he smiled, and Lulu asked, "What?"Zachary had no idea why he was smiling, but it seemed to be a reflex that came from his heart.Their eyes met in silence, but Zachary felt bliss just watching each other like this."Wahhh!!!"Star was suddenly crying, and Lulu quickly got up.Still, Zachary caught her, pressed her back in bed and tucked her in. "You sleep. I'll check on her.""I should be up too," Lulu said."You'd have nothing to do anyway. Just sleep in," Zachary said. "Be good."Lulu smiled, at once exasperated and happy.She never expected that she would be together with Zachary once more, living a stable, peaceful life just like a dream.She turned to watch as Zachary left the room and touched her own face as the door closed.Her mood darkened as she remembered past nightmares, but she soon composed herself.She would live well from now on, get a fresh start, and do her be
"Nah, I'm cool," Rea suddenly said. "I'm going now."Someone as proud as her was not about to let Ken find out that she was interested in a man.And with that, she left, though Ken was used to her whimsical attitude by now.He sighed, wondering what man could take her for the sake of the greater good, so that it was just one man suffering and not all of mankind.-Meanwhile, at the hotel, Tommy and Baby wanted to sleep with Irene, so Isaac was squeezed to the edge, far away from Irene with the two boys between.And Tommy still could not sleep.One moment, it was his leg on Isaac's body, and his head was on Isaac's chest the next, waking Isaac up repeatedly.As such, Isaac woke up early, and Irene opened her eyes to find him standing by the window in his pajamas.Walking over quietly to wrap her arms around him from behind, she asked, "What's on your mind?"When he turned, she looked up and beamed. "Didn't sleep well?"She was naturally aware that it was Tommy's fault, as he