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

Grace’s bubble burst when Alaric explained apologetically, “I’m afraid

Disgruntled, she thought grimly, Which insolent fool has

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

squeeze two more in for the weekend? Maybe you could talk to your current guests and tell them

a little uneasy

hip and said darkly,

a breezy smile. Chuckling good-naturedly, he said, “Alright, you got me. I suppose I’ll just have to be

hung up the phone and beckoned Charles and

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

her eyes turned into crescents. “If you think my culinary skills are great, then you ought

“Your offer is

you to resist it at all! I love cooking, and Charles and Curtis are almost

You’re the one who always goes out shopping and traveling. You can’t seriously blame Dad and me when you barely have time to cook for

warned through gritted teeth, clenching her fist and making as though she would

the apple in his hand and leaped

he did so, he

burst into laughter as she watched the slapstick comedy that was Charles and Grace. At that moment, the living room was warm with happy

before the sky darkened. Sonia glanced at the time, and when she saw that it was nearly 8.00PM, she

stay the night, but she turned it down

home,” Grace urged

anyway,” Charles muttered. He grabbed the car keys from the coffee table and said, “Come on, darling,

in response, then waved at Grace jovially.

“Goodbye.” Grace waved back.

of the villa. Then, they got in the

they pulled up outside Bayside Residence an hour later, Sonia unfastened her seatbelt and opened the car

“Okay,” Charles answered breezily.

closed the door and rounded the car, thereafter heading

from Grace, which read, ‘Charles, I’ve set up a date for you and Sonia at Alaric’s equestrian facility. Alaric knows all about it, and the room in the villa has been set aside for the both of you, too.

twitched when he read

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 out,

in her tracks and turned around.

to school his features into his usual, nonchalant smile so that she couldn’t tell

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