Chapter 80
Zabelle’s checks immediately turned pink, and she shifted back subtly, due to how embarrassed she felt
Just the previous day, she had been shocked to find him in her arms and now, the tables had turned. The fact that he had already woken up just made her even more embarrassed
“Good morning,” she murmured, her voice still sheepish, which showed that she was still sleepy.
Antonio arched a brow as he looked at the woman, who thought she was clever by slowly moving away.
“Good morning. Did you sleep well?” he asked even though the answer was evident.
Zabelle hesitated, her gaze dropping as she nodded. “Better than I thought I would,” she admitted softly.
“That’s good to hear,” Antonio said simply, watching her closely
He could tell she was embarrassed, and so he decided not to speak on the matter. Instead, he sat up slowly, giving her the space she needed.
As Zabelle pulled the blanket tighter around herself, she glanced at him and asked, “Did you… stay awake all night?” “No, I fell asleep at some point,” he replied and even as he didn’t, the word felt foreign to him.
Sleep, he still couldn’t believe that he was getting it
Zabelle’s lips parted as she wanted to say something, but then she closed them again. Instead, she gave him a small, almost shy smile. “Thank you, Antonio,” she said to him. Even though he had told her it wasn’t necessary, she still felt the need to say it.
Antonio shrugged casually, “I told you, the thank you isn’t necessary,” he told her.
“I know, but I still have to say it,” she muttered.
The room then fell quiet for a moment, the sound of birds chirping outside filling the silence.
“What time is it?” Zabelle broke the silence as she wanted to move on from the intensity of the night.
“Still early,” Antonio replied, glancing at the clock on the nightstand. “You can rest a little longer if you want.”
She shook her head, sitting up fully. “No, I’m fine. I think… I think I’d like to start the day.”
Antonio didn’t argue. She had all the time of the room to continue her sleep if she wanted to.
“Alright,” he said, standing and stretching “I’ll make us some coffee.”
This was another rule he was breaking. Where did making coffee for her come from? He asked himself, but it felt so right.
Okay, it was time he sat down to have a conversation with himself over what was happening to him and why he was different towards Zabelle.
“You want to make coffee for me?” Why did it feel like they had progressed a lot within such a short time? It was as though they were a normal married couple, and it felt nice.
don’t have another wife to make coffee for, now, do I?” Antonio raised an eyebrow and Zabelle had to look away due to the fact that she felt the heat rush up to her cheeks.
“Sugar or no sugar?” Antonio asked.
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Chapter 80
“Sugar,” Zabelle answered and Antonio left the room, giving her a moment to collect herself.
@55%
As he walked to the kitchen, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. Zabelle had opened up, even if just a little, and it was enough to make him believe that they could face whatever came next together.
And by that he meant Gabriel.
When he got close to the kitchen, he heard someone in it, and he immediately assumed it was Martha. However, upon getting inside, he froze when he saw who it was and a frown appeared on his face.
It was William, his father, who stood by the counter, casually pouring himself a cup of coffee like he owned the place.
“What are you doing here?” Antonio snapped, his voice cold.
William didn’t flinch when he spoke, and he simply turned to face his son with that usual calm, unreadable expression.
God, he hated the fact that he was a mirror image of his dad, both when it came to looks and both personality. It would have been better if he had taken after his mother.
“Good morning to you, too,” William spoke as he took a sip of his coffee.
Antonio crossed his arms, as he felt his blood rising. Just the mere presence of his father was enough to ride him up. “I didn’t ask for pleasantries. Why are you here?”
William set his cup down and sighed, his gaze steady. “How long are you going to keep this up, son?”
Firstly, don’t call me son, you lost that right two years ago and keep what up?” Antonio’s jaw tightened.
“This bitterness,” William said, his voice quieter but firm. “You’ve been carrying it around for two years. Don’t you think it’s time to let it go?”
Antonio let out a harsh laugh, shaking his head. “You don’t get to wale de
this care and wisdom when I needed it?” He jabbed.
and play the concerned father. Where was all
“Besides, I’m simply applying the no- forgiveness rule you taught me,” he pointed out.
William’s expression flickered, but he didn’t back down. “I made mistakes. I won’t deny that. But I’ve been trying to reach you and..
“Trying?” Antonio interrupted, his voice rising. “You call this trying? Showing up unannounced, acting like nothing happened? You think that erases the years of neglect?”
rit
“And you think clinging to this anger is helping? You’ve built a wall so high even you can’t climb over it,” William’s voice hardened.
“I have indeed tried, but you refuse to even try to see things from my point of view.”
“That wall exists because of you,” Antonio shot back, his fists clenching at his sides.
The tension in the room was thick, neither willing to back down, But then, Antonio Gaught movement out of the his eye which made him turn and found Zabelle standing in the doorway.
corner of
Her wide eyes darted between the two men, and Antonio felt his anger cool instantly, replaced by a wave of discomfort. How long had she been standing there? He wondered.
Zabelle,” he said softly, his tone shifting completely.
She scratched the back of her neck nervously, her gaze resting on him before moving to William. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt… I just–She paused as though she was looking for the right words to say. “I wanted to help out with the coffee,”
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Chapter 80
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Antonio exhaled slowly running a hand through his hair. “It’s fide,” he said quickly, though till very much
present in the
He turned back to his father, his jaw tight. “We’re done here.”
William held his son’s gaze for a long moment before nodding, picking up his coffee. “For now.”
tension was
He could read people and judging from the expression on Zabelle’s face, it was obvious she didn’t know the genesis of their rift which was why he didn’t push the matter any further.
“Good morning.” Zabelle greeted him, and he smiled at her.
“Good morning, Zabelle,” he replied and when he turned to face Antonio, he had a displeased look on his face.
He walked past Zabelle, offering her a polite nod before disappearing into the hallway.
The silence that followed was deafening. Antonio turned back to Zabelle, his shoulders slumping slightly. “I’m sorry you to see that,” he apologized.
She stepped closer, her voice soft. “You don’t have to apologize. I get it. Family can be complicated. I of all people know.
that
“Yeah,” Antonio agreed and Zabelle offered a small, understanding smile.
“Come on, are you still going to make that coffee for me?” She inquired.
She wasn’t one to judge the shaky relationship between the father and son as hers was worse.
Antonio didn’t look like it was something he was ready to talk about and so, she didn’t ask as she didn’t want to make the air even more awkward and two, she was afraid he would flare up on her, and she didn’t want that to happen.
Antonio hesitated but nodded, grateful for the distraction. The conversation with his father could wait. Right now, Zabelle was all that mattered,
Without wasting time, he quickly made her coffee, and he handed it over to her.
“You didn’t add any sugar to your coffee,” Zabelle pointed out as he took a sip out of her.
“I like mine black,” Antonio stated.
“By that, you mean bitter?” Zabelle asserted and Antonio chuckle. However, he nodded in affirmation
He then placed it aside and turned to face the kitchen once more
“What are you looking for?” Zabelle inquired when she noticed his actions.
“Ingredients I can use to make a decent breakfast for us,” Antonio replied and Zabelle’s mouth dropped wide open.
had
Zabelle stared at the plate in front of her, and she couldn’t believe it as she turned to look at Antonio
“Okay, so I have to ask,” she started. “Where did you learn how to cook?”
It was Antonio’s s turn to stile as he looked down at what he had prepared.
“When you live alone, you
either figure it out or starve. Plus, I used to help my mom out whenever she cooked.”
Zabelle nodded distantly as her eyes were focused on the plate of food before her. Without wasting any more time, she
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Chapter 80
grabbed her spoon and lived right in.
Antonio stared at her as he waited to see her reaction to what he had prepared.
When he had cooked the first, she didn’t taste it due to the fact that they left the mansion back where his island was located, but this was another chance for her to try out something he made.
“This is good,” Zabelle’s eyes went wide with shock as she didn’t expect Antonio’s dish to be this good.
“Just good?” Antonio raised an eyebrow. “I feel like that’s a backhanded compliment.”
“Not at all,” she teased. “If it eas bad, trust me, I wouldn’t continue to eat it,” she quickly defended herself.
