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.

fireworks by

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

heard this. Disgruntled, she thought grimly, Which insolent fool has beaten me to it? “How many of them are there?”

It seems

idea. “Do you think you could squeeze two more in for the weekend? Maybe you could talk to your

little uneasy at the

his reluctance, she put a hand on her hip and said darkly, “Have you forgotten how

Chuckling good-naturedly, he said, “Alright, you got me. I suppose I’ll just have to be thick-skinned and put on my persuasive charm. I’ll

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

under her shirt. She sprawled on the couch in a daze as she remarked, “Your culinary

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

nodding earnestly. “Your offer is too good to

Curtis are almost never at home. There isn’t a point cooking if there isn’t anyone

the apple. “That’s unfair, Mom. You’re the one who always goes out shopping and traveling.

could,” Grace warned through gritted teeth, clenching her

in his hand and

he sang mischievously, “You can’t hit

into laughter as she watched the slapstick comedy that was Charles and Grace. At

sky darkened. Sonia glanced at the time, and

stay the night, but she turned

home,” Grace urged as she shoved her son

Charles muttered. He grabbed the car keys from the coffee table and

nodded as she hummed in response, then

“Goodbye.” Grace waved back.

of the villa.

later, Sonia unfastened her seatbelt and opened the car door. “I’ll

“Okay,” Charles answered breezily.

closed the door and rounded the car, thereafter heading straight for the

all about it, and the room in the villa has been set aside for

when

date, however… There was a glimmer in his eyes as he rolled down the car window, and when he saw that Sonia was about to go into the lobby, he tightened his fists and summoned all the courage he had, then called

stopped in her tracks and turned around.

tried to school his features into his usual, nonchalant smile so that she couldn’t tell how nervous he was. “My mom just texted and

quite hear what he had said, given how softly