Chapter 3 Has He Changed

Suddenly Aleta and Aunt Nani looked at the middle-aged woman who was Aleta's mother-in-law. Aleta immediately moved and approached her mother-in-law.

"You came here, why didn't you tell me first. I can prepare something for you," Aleta said.

Amanda shook her head slowly. She took Aleta's injured hand. "What's wrong, dear? Why is your hand bandaged like this?" Amanda asked with a very worried look.

"That, madame...."

"My hand accidentally got hit by the broken glass. I accidentally dropped it because my hands were slippery. But it's fine now. Aunt Nani has treated it. Don't worry, mommy," Aleta explained.

Aunt Nani could only sigh softly as Aleta hid the truth. She wanted to tell her mistress the truth. But if Aleta didn't seem to want to tell the truth, she should just go along with it.

"Ouch, dear. Why aren't you careful? Let's take it to the doctor. I'm afraid there will be an infection," said Amanda, who still had a worried look on her face.

Aleta shook her head quickly. "No, Mommy! I'm really fine. Aunt Nani has treated it well. Let's go to the living room now. Let's talk together," Aleta refused, trying to prevent her mother-in-law from taking her to the doctor. Isn't that too much?

Amanda sighed softly. "If it's okay, that's fine. But if you're still sick, you have to tell me. I don't want my favorite daughter-in-law to get sick. Auntie, please clean up the shards. Don't let there be even the slightest shard, Aleta will step on it," Amanda explained.

"Yes madame!"

Amanda quickly took Aleta's hand to walk away. Aleta glanced behind her at Aunt Nani. She muttered the word 'sorry' to the middle-aged woman. Aunt Nani shook her head indicating that she was okay.

Aleta and her mother-in-law sat facing each other. To be honest, at first Aleta was a little afraid that she would get bad in-laws. Just like the books she had read. In fact, it was not what she expected. She was grateful to have in-laws like Mama Amanda. She loved her so much. She felt the warmth of a mother-in-law.

"Are you okay here? Did Ansel cause you any trouble? Or hurt you?" Amanda asked.

Aleta was silent for a while. Should she tell Mama Amanda the truth about Ansel's behavior towards her while here?

Seeing Aleta's silence raised questions in her mind. She took her daughter-in-law's hand.

"Aleta, what's wrong?" asked Amanda.

Aleta snapped out of her reverie. "Sorry, Mommy. I was daydreaming. You can rest easy. Ansel didn't hurt me. It's true that he's a bit indifferent to me. But he doesn't give me any trouble at all," said Aleta, who chose to hide the truth.

Amanda was silent. She looked seriously at Aleta.

"Dear, if he really hurt you, just tell me. I'd be very happy if you could be honest with me. Even if Ansel threatens you not to say it, don't ignore him. Just tell me whatever happens," Amanda said with a big smile.

She really felt warm in her heart because of the attention from her in-laws. Something she never got from her mother-in-law. Because she would always differentiate her affection between herself and her sister. She did not want to prejudice her own parents.

Aleta nodded her head strongly. "Yeah, Mommy. I will always be honest with you. Thank you, Mommy. You really care about me," Aleta replied with a big smile.

Amanda hugged Aleta tightly. "Always count on me if you need something or someone hurts you. I'll always be there for you," Amanda said as she gently stroked Aleta's dark brown mane.

She was so happy to be cared for like this. Attention she had never gotten. Even to her own family. So since childhood, Aleta could only love herself.

The hug slipped away. "By the way, would you like to have lunch outside with me?" Amanda asked.

Aleta nodded her head. "It's okay Mommy. I'd love to," Aleta replied.

"Great, let's go now. Before we have lunch, we'd better take a walk at the mall," Amanda said.

Aleta, who wanted to refuse, couldn't because her mother-in-law immediately pulled her hand out of the house.

Aunt Nani smiled at that.

"It's good that Madame is there for Aleta if she's in trouble," Aunt Nani murmured.

***

The car carrying Aleta and her mother-in-laws had stopped in front of a mall. As originally planned, Amanda would take her daughter-in-law for a tour of the mall before having lunch together. Aleta happily followed. However, she was quite overwhelmed because her mother-in-law was forcing her to shop. Starting from clothes, accessories to buying her jewelry. Even though Aleta didn't need all that. She just wanted to walk with her mother-in-law.

But then again she couldn't resist if her mother-in-law was going to push her so hard. She was also afraid that Mama Amanda would be upset with her for refusing to continue.

Fortunately, the bodyguard quickly brought all their shopping.

"Mommy, let's rest first," Aleta said.

It wasn't just that she was tired, she was just trying to find an excuse so that her mother-in-law wouldn't have to take her around again to buy more things.

Amanda looked at her watch. "Yes, let's go. It's about to be lunchtime anyway. Why don't we go to that restaurant?" Amanda suggested, pointing to one of the nearby restaurants.

"That's fine Mommy. Over there," replied Aleta, who preferred wherever they ate, as long as her mother-in-law was distracted from buying more things for her. Even though Amanda was her mother-in-law. There was still a bad feeling if she had to receive so many things. Moreover, she had to beat her chest when she saw the fantastic prices. The world of the rich is very different.

They entered a restaurant in the mall. After ordering the food, Aleta and Mama Amanda talked lightly.

"You shouldn't have bought me so many things. Especially when the prices are so expensive," Aleta quipped.

"Ouch, don't be so uncomfortable, dear. I'm doing this for my own children, you know. There's nothing wrong with that. Besides, I'm very happy to hang out with you," said Amanda.

Aleta was quite stunned when she said that she was considered like her own child. Aleta's gaze stopped at a man and woman who had just entered the restaurant. She was quite surprised to see a man who turned out to be her own husband, Ansel, who was currently walking alone with a woman who was holding her hand.

Anyone who saw would definitely think that the two were in a relationship. Is this why Ansel doesn't accept her? Because he already has another woman. She could see that the woman was very beautiful. No wonder Ansel would like that woman. Unlike her, who is just an ordinary woman and more precisely just a surrogate wife.

Amanda looked confused at Aleta who was just silent. "Aleta, what's wrong, why are you so quiet? What did you see?" Amanda asked.

When Amanda wanted to turn her head back, Aleta quickly stopped her.

"Eh?! Mommy, do you think the earrings I'm wearing are pretty?" asked Aleta.

Instead of looking back, Amanda looked at the earrings Aleta was wearing. She nodded her head.

"That's very good for you. Whatever you wear will be good. Because my daughter is very beautiful," Amanda replied while gently pinching Aleta's cheek.

Aleta chuckled softly in her heart, relieved that she had not looked back. As she glanced back, she was grateful that Ansel and the woman were gone. Although in her heart she felt pain because she was betrayed by her own husband.

You don't have to be sad, Aleta. This is the path you have taken. It's up to you what you want to do. I don't care~ Aleta smiled sadly.

***

A black sedan stopped in front of a large house. Shortly after, Aleta stepped out of the car.

"Thanks, Mommy! You be careful on the road," Aleta said, waving her hand at Mama Amanda.

"You also have to be careful. If anything happens, please call me right away," replied Amanda, who also waved her hand.

"Yes, Mommy. I will definitely do that," Aleta said with a faint smile on her face.

The car carrying her mother-in-law had already left the house. For that reason, Aleta just walked into her house. Aleta's steps stopped when she saw a sight that really surprised her.

She saw Ansel making out with the woman he had seen earlier at the restaurant.

But she didn't want to stay there too long. Aleta walked away, leaving the two of them behind. Ansel saw how Aleta just left without reprimanding him. Somehow that made him quite upset. He immediately pushed the woman in front of him away.

"You go away!" Ansel snarled.

"What? How can you leave? We haven't played yet, dear," she said while teasing Ansel again by stroking his chest.

Ansel grasped the woman's hand firmly and looked at her coldly. "I told you to leave, Cherry. Didn't you hear that?" said Ansel.

Cherry Jovanka Calum, was rather frightened when she saw Ansel's cold stare. She immediately got off Ansel's lap.

"Okay, okay, but why? You're not usually like this? What's wrong, are you embarrassed to be seen by your sister?" asked Cherry.

"She's not my sister. She's my wife," Ansel replied

Suddenly Cherry widened her eyes at what Ansel said. She shook her head vigorously. "You're joking, right? You're trying to lie to me aren't you?" asked Cherry who seemed to not believe what Ansel said.

Ansel sighed harshly. "I already told you once and I won't repeat it again. Besides, what if I'm already married? It has nothing to do with you, right?" replied Ansel in a casual tone.

"Ansel! Don't you see what I'm doing to you? I love you, you know. Can't you look at me?" protested Cherry.

Ansel laughed sarcastically. "Do you think I care about your feelings? You approached me yourself. I never thought of you as a normal woman. You should realize what I think of you. Then again, aren't we a win-win? You helped me and I helped you get recognized in the modeling world. Don't forget what I've done for you and don't expect more than what I did for you," said Ansel.

Cherry looked stunned by what the man in front of her said. "You're evil, Ansel. You're bad!" screamed Cherry as she walked away from Ansel.

Meanwhile, Ansel was just silent without any desire to pursue. It was because Cherry was just there for fun.

Ansel walked up the stairs and into a room. No, not his room. Rather, it was the room of the woman who had just passed by him without saying a word.

He opened the door and saw Aleta nursing her injured hand. For some reason he felt a bit guilty.

Tsk! What am I feeling guilty for? She deserves it ~ Ansel thought.

She walked over to Aleta, who didn't seem to notice that he had entered the room. It wasn't until he sat on the bed that Aleta seemed surprised by his arrival.

"W-What's wrong? Do you need something?" asked Aleta, who looked away from Ansel.

Ansel grabbed Aleta's injured hand. It made Aleta quite stunned as he helped her heal her hand.

"Y-You don't have to do that. I-I can do it myself," Aleta resisted, wanting to pull her hand away.

"Shut up!" snapped Ansel, who again pulled Aleta's hand to be treated.

Aleta remained silent as she watched her hand being treated by Ansel.

"Don't think that by me treating you right now, it means I feel guilty. I'm doing this because you treated your wound wrong," Ansel said.

Aleta chuckled softly. "I didn't think about that," Aleta argued.

"Why were you silent earlier?" asked Ansel suddenly.

Aleta knew where her husband was going with this. "I just don't want to disturb your activities. Aren't you the one who said I shouldn't disturb you?" Aleta asked back.

"I didn't just ask you that," Ansel replied, staring at Aleta's face.

Aleta wrinkled her forehead. "What does that mean?" she asked with a confused look.

"At the restaurant, you were there with my mother. You saw me with another woman. But you just kept quiet. You didn't even come up to me. It was a good opportunity to tell her what I did," Ansel explained.

Aleta was quite surprised that Ansel had noticed her earlier. "As I said earlier. I don't want to interfere with your business. You said it this morning. I still remember it clearly," said Aleta who lowered her face slightly.

Ansel smiled wryly. He got up from his seat. "It turns out you're a quitter," Ansel replied as he walked away from Aleta's presence.

Meanwhile, Aleta was silent after Ansel said that to her. "What does he mean by saying that?" Aleta muttered with a confused face.

***

Aleta woke up with a dry throat. When she looked at the teapot on her tray, it was empty.

Aleta let out a rough sigh. She had to go downstairs to fetch water from the kitchen. She walked slowly towards the kitchen. She saw that the kitchen light was on. Out of curiosity, she quickly walked towards the kitchen to see who was in the kitchen at the moment.

She showed a surprised look when she saw Ansel sitting at the dining table with a bowl in front of him. Ansel was also surprised to see Aleta in front of him.

"Ansel?" called Aleta, approaching the man.

"You haven't slept?" asked Ansel.

"A-Ah, I'm thirsty and the pot is empty. So I wanted to get some water. Hmm, are you hungry?" asked Aleta.

"No! I'm already full," replied Ansel.

Aleta smiled at Ansel who seemed to be deliberately hiding that he was hungry. "It's impossible to be full just by eating cereal. Let me make you something to eat," said Aleta.

"You don't have to do that," Ansel refused.

However, Aleta ignored the rejection. Instead, she walked over to the fridge and grabbed some ingredients. She was going to make her husband some seafood fried rice.

She curled her hair into a ponytail, showing some of her hair hanging down.

She started cooking food for Ansel. Meanwhile, Ansel just stayed where he was. He turned his head back. He was silent as he watched Aleta cooking for him. For some reason, his heart was racing.

What's wrong with you, Ansel?! Just the sight of that white neck makes you horny? Oh c'mon! It's crazy!~ Ansel's mind continued to stare at Aleta who was cooking.

Even when the women who approached him were completely naked in front of him, it didn't make Ansel like this. But why was it that the sight of his wife's slender neck made Ansel quite aroused. This was really strange for him.

The fragrance of the dishes Aleta made wafted strongly. It made Ansel want to eat it. Aleta brought the food she had made and placed it on the dining table.

"I made seafood fried rice for you. I hope it suits your taste. I'll go back to my room then," Aleta said as she left with the teapot in her hand.

"Aleta!" called Ansel suddenly.

Aleta immediately turned her face to Ansel who called her. "Hm? What's wrong?" asked Aleta

"Can you make me breakfast tomorrow?" asked Ansel with a slightly embarrassed face.

Aleta was slightly stunned by Ansel's sudden request. "Of course! If you ask, I'll make it for you. Good night," Aleta replied as she walked back out of Ansel's presence.

Meanwhile, Ansel smiled slightly. Somehow he was happy when Aleta agreed to his request. He began to eat the food Aleta had made for him. A surprised look appeared on his face.

"Wow, this is really good. She's a good cook too. So sorry I wasted my breakfast this morning," Ansel muttered as he ate his food again.

Aleta sat up in her bed. She held her fast-beating heart. She still couldn't believe that Ansel would ask her to make breakfast tomorrow.

"I'm not dreaming, am I?" muttered Aleta, trying to pinch her arm.

"Ow! It hurts! It's not a dream at all. Gosh, why did Young Master Desmond change all of a sudden? Could it be that he got caught?" muttered Aleta with a thinking face.

Ansel's behavior earlier really confused and surprised her. Why did that man suddenly change so quickly. What happened to that man who suddenly had an uncharacteristically good voice?

"Hahh never mind, why should I bother thinking about that. I'll just go to sleep now. Hoamm! I'm still really sleepy," Aleta said as she began to lay back down on the bed.

Secretly, a big smile appeared on her beautiful face because she remembered Ansel's funny behavior earlier.