This Time, I Will Get My Divorce, Mr

Grace saw the glimmer in Charles’ eyes, but when it dimmed, she couldn’t help but prod him in the head. “Why are you always so caught up with your own thoughts? You’re too cowardly, and that’s why you missed Sonia.”

“It’s not my fault,” Charles grumbled plaintively.

She rolled her eyes at him. “Oh, so whose fault is it then? If you had just been bold enough to pursue Sonia romantically, then the both of you might have ended up together from the get-go.”

“It’s not as simple as you think,” he countered, lowering his eyes as he let out a bitter chuckle. “Not every girl could take their guy best friend as a boyfriend, you know.”

“Okay, so how would you know she won’t be able to take it if you never asked in the first place?” Grace pursed her lips in displeasure.

Charles gulped, unsure if he had the answer to his mother’s question.

With an impatient and dismissive wave of her hand, Grace barked, “Very well. Get out of the kitchen. You’re only going to get in my way if you stay here.”

His eyes widened. “You were the one who asked me to come in here, remember?” he argued exasperatedly, only to be ignored and pushed out of the kitchen.

“That kid’s hopeless, and it doesn’t help that he’s afraid of everything. If only he could just man up a little!” She shook her head in frustration. “Looks like I’m going to have to take things into my own hands instead. It’s time to set my son up with the girl of his dreams!” Having thought of this, she pulled out her phone and called a number. “Hi, Alaric. Didn’t you say you have an equestrian facility?”

“That’s right. What about it?” A middle-aged man’s bright and cheery voice spoke up on the other line.

Grace beamed. “Do you think I could have it for the weekend? I only need it for two days, and it’s crucial because I’m trying to set my son up with my future daughter-in-law.”

She had plans to trick Sonia and Charles into going horseback riding together, and she would create little nerve-wracking moments for them along the way.

might blossom into fireworks by the time they were through with

“I’m afraid that’s not possible. The facility’s been booked

Disgruntled, she thought grimly, Which insolent fool has

replied, “Just two. It seems as if they’re planning for

isn’t a crowd at all.” Her eyes lit up with a brilliant idea. “Do you think you could squeeze two more in for the weekend? Maybe you could talk to your current guests and tell them that my

a little uneasy at

put a hand on her hip and said darkly, “Have you forgotten how I’ve helped

was only upon hearing this that Alaric broke into a breezy smile. Chuckling good-naturedly, he said, “Alright, you got me. I suppose

the right attitude to have.” Appeased, Grace hung up the phone and beckoned Charles and Sonia to join

the couch in a daze as she remarked, “Your

her eyes turned into crescents. “If you think my culinary skills are great, then you ought to drop by with Charles more often

nodding earnestly. “Your offer is

I love cooking, and Charles and Curtis are almost never at home. There isn’t a point cooking if there isn’t anyone around to

he heard this and paused in peeling the apple. “That’s unfair, Mom. You’re the one who always

punk. I’d hit you if I could,” Grace warned through

in his hand and leaped

he did so, he sang mischievously,

on the other hand, burst into laughter as she watched the slapstick comedy that was Charles

before the sky darkened. Sonia glanced at the time, and

the night, but

Grace urged as she shoved her son

that anyway,” Charles muttered. He grabbed the car

response, then waved

“Goodbye.” Grace waved back.

tailed after Charles as they walked out of the villa. Then, they got in the car and

Bayside Residence an hour later, Sonia unfastened her seatbelt and

“Okay,” Charles answered breezily.

the

knows all about it, and the room in the

when he read

window, and when he saw that Sonia was about to go into the

in her tracks and

deep breath and tried to school his features into his usual, nonchalant smile so that she couldn’t tell how

couldn’t quite hear what he had said, given how softly he had