Olivia and Halma stopped at a rather big restaurant nearby. Since the pair didn’t make a reservation, there weren’t any empty private rooms available. They could only sit in the hall with other guests. Fortunately, Olivia wasn’t a picky person, and she was fine with sitting anywhere.
Therefore, the pair took a seat near the window. They ordered the signature dishes for lunch. There were many diners at the moment, but the restaurant provided them with quick service.
Soon, they were served the four items they ordered. Halma began, “Let’s dig in and see if they taste like home.”
Olivia cut up a small bite of the cod. The fish almost melted in her mouth. It was served with an aromatic and thick sauce. The amazing combination indeed lived up to its name as the signature dish.
“This one is good.” Halma grabbed a bite too after Olivia and immediately showered the food with praise. She asked with a smile, “Have you ever missed your hometown dishes when you were staying abroad?”
“Of course,” Olivia answered. “That place just doesn’t serve food as original as here. Fortunately, Eugene’s mom takes charge of the cooking, so I won’t complain.”
Halma sighed. “I envy you.”
Olivia could tell Halma was feeling upset again, so she comforted her, “Don’t worry. Nathan has talked to his family. His mother won’t cause you trouble anymore.”
However, the words didn’t convince Halma. “That’s impossible. If it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t have left his mother alone at home after she divorced his father. She must hate my guts.”
Olivia then continued, “It’s the son’s fault if his mother and his wife can’t stand each other. Usually, the mother-in-law won’t pick on the bride if the son defends the wife. If the son stands up for his wife when his mother and his wife are fighting, the mother will have no choice but to comply with him. Nathan must feel bad for his mother, but he still chose you. That’s his way of being supportive of you. His mother might not be fond of you, but she can’t turn against her son. They say that blood is thicker than water, but if one doesn’t take care of his wife, she’ll run away.”
Even though Halma was upset earlier, Olivia’s speech convinced her. “Where did you hear that from?”
“I’m speaking from experience,” Olivia explained. “My mother-in-law might be gentle, but Eugene still stands up for me from time to time. You know what? Everyone reacts differently to different people. If your partner doesn’t treat you right in the first place, there’s no way his mother, who hated you from the beginning, would respect you.”
Halma laughed. “Fine. You convinced me. Somehow I find my Nathan pleasing to the eye.”
Olivia continued to dig in her food as she said, “That’s right. Even though he let his parents take him off guard, the way he resolves the problem is rather good.”
A group of women were sitting not far from the pair. The group kept looking at them.
“Lexie, which of them do you think is Nathan’s girlfriend?”
Lexie was glaring at Olivia and Halma with a frown on her face. I embarrassed myself today. Not only did I have to apologize in public, I had to apologize to that damn Nathan! He’s nothing. He just has a capable uncle to depend on.
Having been forced to make a public apology upset her.
It only fueled her anger when she found a smile on Halma’s face. My family is wealthy enough to buy out the petty magazine publisher of hers. Besides, I’m more gentle, pretty, and knowledgeable than her. Nathan must be out of his mind to fall for her instead of me!
Lexie’s frustration materialized into the daggers she glared at the pair. She impatiently told her friends, “It’s the one in white.”
Her lackeys were no match for her. Therefore, the group was used to flattering her. The group noticed that she wasn’t in a good mood with their quick wit, so they quickly comforted her, “Oh, that one. She looks so plain. I thought it was the other girl.”
Another girl chimed in, “Don’t worry, Lexie. The other girl is no match for you too.”
“She’s right, Lexie. There’s no need to get upset over them. Well, it’s Nathan’s loss to date that kind of girl. You don’t even need to compromise for such a guy if it wasn’t for your dad. Cheer up!”
