413 Away (1/2)

At Plumeria Island

Yera noticed her mother-in-law's face was glowing while the three of them were having tea at the veranda, gazing at the night sky.

So she could not help but voice it out, ”Mom Liz, I noticed you look so fresh since this late afternoon. I mean you're already beautiful but today it's like you're glowing more.”

Liz almost choked on her tea and gave Yera a demure smile as her face flushed under the light on the veranda.

”See you're even blushing now,” Yera added, teasing her a bit more.

Liz was speechless and could only give Yera a meaningful gesture saying for her daughter-in-law to stop, her gaze unconsciously sweeping at James.

Yera chuckled in understanding and looked at her father-in-law instead.

”Well, dad too is glowing today. I guess that happens with a lot of people who are in love.” Yera added with a grin. She was aware that the two were now sharing one room together, so she wanted to take her chance to tease them more.

What was worse was that she relayed the same information to Xander, who gave her a video call that night.

”Dad, will I soon have another sibling? I hope this time you give me a sister.” Xander yelled in the video that made Jame's face twisted.

”You brat. Stop teasing me! You quickly finish your work and come back so that Yera can get busy with you and stop teasing us.” James scolded his son. Both he and Liz were too red already, caught red-handed by Yera and Xander.

Xander was unstoppable, and Yera could not help but laugh watching the father and son bantering. The conversation only became serious when her father-in-law suggested delaying their wedding plans.

”No, why do you have to delay? I can take a flight and reach there quickly anytime for a small visit to attend your wedding. We are not sure how long the trial will proceed here. The estimate is less than a month, but what if it lasts longer? I really want you to proceed with the wedding as planned…” Xander insisted.

Things could get nasty or he could also be wrong, but before anything untoward could happen, he wanted to witness his dad getting married. He actually wanted to see that same smile on his dad's face that he had when he married Yera.

Or probably because Xander did not want to delay things regarding whatever it was. For him, it would be better to do a thing as early as you could than regret later because you skipped or delayed it?

...

At Rui's Residence

Rui arrived at his house a little late, after some drinks with other officers. He helplessly slumped his body on his couch. He was now experiencing how tough it could be managing such an enormous group and he saluted Xander for flawlessly and tirelessly managing everything so easily.

Cali and Rui's relationship was going smoothly. Cali would visit Rui often in the hospital to bring him home-cooked meals whenever Rui was free to eat in his office.

Or Rui would instead bring her out for a date. Today, he was so busy that he could not see Cali. No wonder he felt something was missing in his day.

He looked at the time on his wristwatch, wondering if Cali was already sleeping.

He grabbed his mobile phone and dialed Cali's number. The mobile phone rang more than thrice. Cali usually answered no longer than in three rings.

”Hello… She's already sleeping…” Rui heard Kane answer rudely.

He frowned and quickly sat up straight on the couch instead.

”Why are you answering her mobile phone? Where is Cali?” Rui asked calmly.

”Obviously because we're together right now doc and as I told you she's already sleeping beside me.” Kane replied, making it sound ambiguous with his double meaning words that sounded as if they were sleeping together.