novelxo Chapter 28: Proud Husband
I am very surprised at how... you are well accepting this," Samantha announced.
Ethan let go of Samantha's hand and gazed out at the city lights. He said, "Don't get me wrong, I was taken aback, but you see... My parents raised me well. I have very family-oriented parents and grandparents."
"In my father's home, he has taken in the entire household as part of his family - rather, he treats them like family. It's the same with my mother," Ethan resumed. "If my parents could accept strangers into their home and let me call them aunt and uncles - a brother even."
He turned back to Samantha and explained, "The man who looks after the security of our mansion, I consider him my brother as we grew up together. He is the son of our old driver who passed away while working for my father."
"What I am saying is, we make families out of strangers, how much more for our very own... flesh and blood. Moreover, the children are innocent and they are very intelligent kids... It's not something to be ashamed of."
"My mother would never abandon me for having children outside marriage. I can guarantee you that." He frowned and added, "She might... even be excited." "Huh?" Samantha could not help but wonder why he said so, but she decided not to probe further and said, "I mean... that must be nice... having such a family." It was because Ethan was about to turn thirty-three and being the only child of his parents, Amanda and Daniel Wright were now wishing for grandchildren. Many times, they had asked Ethan to date, even setting him up on a blind date on two occasions. Sadly, he just did not like the kind of women surrounding him.
It would seem to Ethan that the women in Braeton City were all... too eager for him, and it irked him. This was part of the reason why he always had that distant aura attached to his name. In as much as possible, he did not want to attract unnecessary nuisances, especially women.
Checking the time, Ethan said, "It's getting late. We better plan for tomorrow's dinner now."
"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that," Samantha told, but before they began, she just had to tell, "Ethan, thank you so much."
She smiled and told, "I never expected that when I meet the father of my kids, it would be this... relieving. Can I just say, I am... so happy to have met you."
Ethan's mouth twitched before he admitted, "I suppose... the relief is mutual, Sam."
***
On the night of the dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Song, Ethan and the kids were already waiting in the one-carat conference room of the First Diamond Hotel.
Since the kids always thought that Ethan had been secretly there for them, just working in another city, there was really no need to orient them.
When the Song couple arrived, Ethan got up from his seat and shook their hands. He said, "Mr. and Mrs. Song, these are my children, Kyle and Kenzie... which... you have already met." "Hello, again!" Greeted Kenzie with a bright smile. She waved at the guests and said, "I hope you love your dinner here."
"Hello," Kyle said briefly.
"Oh, the boy is a man of few words," teased Mr. Song. He looked back at Ethan and remarked, "Really, an amazing copy of you!"
As the Song couple took their seats, Mrs. Song asked, "But where is your... wife?"
"She will be joining us in a few minutes," revealed Ethan before turning to the hotel staff by the door. "Have the food served, please."
While waiting for the meals to be served, Mrs. Song could not help but interview Kenzie, especially seeing how eager she was to converse. She asked, "Little girl, do you like going to a theme park?" "A theme park?" Kenzie asked before putting a finger on her chin.
"A theme park is where you ride rides Kenzie like the rollercoaster on TV," told Kyle.
"Oh, yeah! I saw that on TV!" Kenzie gave that dreamy look after sighing. She said, "I'd really like that."
"You see, there isn't a theme park here in Braeton City, so the kids have not gone to any," revealed Ethan. "But I've been telling them about it."
"Well, tell me, Kenzie... what would you like the theme park to include should you go?" Mr. Song, this time probed.
"Hmmm." Yet again, Kenzie pondered, putting a finger on her chest. She told, "I think... I want the biggest dollhouse where I can play a doll and dress like a princess!"
The Song couple laughed and said, "Yes, well... we can do that."
"Really? That's great!" She leaned over and whispered to the Song couple, "Daddy bought me a big dollhouse and I loved it!"
The Song couple laughed at Kenzie's excitement before turning to Kyle. Mrs. Song asked, "What about you, little man? What would you like to experience?"
"I have always been curious about roller coasters, so I'd like to try one." He frowned and corrected, "Maybe a smaller version."
"Yes, that's right. There is a smaller kind, fit for children your age," told Mrs. Song. "What else? What else do you like?"
The Song couple wound up questioning the kids. Ethan barely made an effort, and it was from their exchange that Ethan formed ideas of what the new theme park should include, given that it was what his children wanted.
While they were engrossed in listening to the twins, a food attendant arrived, holding a tray of food for their starters.
Samantha also came, wearing a chef's uniform, looking radiant and still elegant despite being behind the kitchen to prepare the meals.
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Song, I'm chef Sam and I'll be personally serving your food tonight," Samantha said with a glistening smile.
"Oh, hello. That's very personalized, Mr. Wright. I like it," said Mrs. Song.
Returning her attention to the chef, Mrs. Song remarked, "You are such a beautiful lady for a chef!"
That made Ethan force a smile. He could not be more proud.
He cleared his throat and softly said, "This is my wife... Samantha. She is also the executive chef for the First Diamond Hotel." "Ohhhhh!" The Song couple exclaimed at the same time.
"How lovely!" Said Mrs. Song. She leaned over to punch on Ethan's arm and said, "You sure are a lucky man, Mr. Wright."
"I am very proud of my wife," admitted Ethan.
"Mommy is so beautiful, right? Just like me!" Kenzie announced before adding, "And Daddy? He he."
With a sigh of adoration, Kenzie added, "He is just the best Daddy and I love him."
Kenzie's remark granted a chuckle from the couple. She was just too adorable not to miss.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Song," greeted Samantha. "I hope you enjoy your meals. I just need to make your desserts and once done, I'll be joining you shortly."
"Well, you should not cook since we are having a special dinner with your family," insisted Mrs. Song.
The truth was, it was part of Ethan's plan. With Samantha mostly away, questions will be reduced, avoiding any possible errors in their act.
Samantha maintained her smile. She looked at Ethan and placed a hand on his shoulder. She said, "We really wanted you to have a personal experience, dining with us and we want nothing but the best. So, please... allow me to cook for you. It was I who insisted to prepare for your dinner tonight."
Pointing to her children, Samantha said, "I hope you enjoy the company of my children, though."
It took another forty-five minutes for Samantha to return. This time, she was dressed in a sky-blue dress, beautiful, complimenting her blue eyes.
When she joined in, it was her time to dig in, yet again, minimizing the questions thrown at her.
However, despite only acting it out, Ethan and Samantha knew they were bound to be asked. So when the question came up about their marriage, they had both agreed to partly tell the truth.
"So how long have you been married? There was absolutely nothing that we could solidly find out about Mr. Wright's marital status - in fact, nothing of his personal life as well!" Revealed Mrs. Song.
"Well, the truth is... Samantha and I were apart for some time. It was only recently that we have reunited," admitted Ethan. "Circumstances led us to our separation, but we are glad that we found our way back to each other."
"And especially, the children, they are the reason why I wanted to have this theme park built here in Braeton." Ethan put a hand on his chest and added, "I feel like, I needed to make up for the lost times." "Yeah, Daddy is busy working," Kyle interrupted.
It would seem as though the Song couple understood how it was a sensitive issue to discuss around the children, but they did not doubt how the kids were Ethan's, especially since Kyle was an exact young version of him.
"We understand... I guess we can talk about it another time when the children are not around," said Mrs. Song. "We don't judge the circumstances you and your wife went through."
"But it's good that you have the right motivation now. At first, we were really worried about how you can manage the theme park without knowing what it is for." Mrs. Song put a hand on her chest and told, "Because for us... the theme park that we want is a place for a family to spend time together - heal and just... be entertained."
"Don't worry, we have already decided to partner with you, Ethan... as long as... on our next visit, we will still see your kids!" Suggested Mr. Song.
"Oh, definitely," said Ethan."You can count on that."
Ethan was so overwhelmed by how he got what he wanted through the dinner that he turned to Samantha, putting his arm around her. He said, "Honey, did you hear that?" Samantha blushed and turned to Ethan. He said, "Congratulations... Honey."
The next thing she knew, Ethan was already leaning forward, aiming for a kiss, and it utterly made her chest drum against her ribcage.
'Oh, my God! This was not... part of the plan.' In her head, she was screaming, but what can she do but accept the unauthorized kiss, for they were in front of Mr. and Mrs. Song.