“I — ” Isaac stuttered for a few seconds. Disbelief flashed in his eyes as he stared at Lily’s smile. How could a woman be this shameless? True, Isaac was rich. True, he can easily pay for this place. However, he never expected Lily to act like this as they are the ones who booked this place. They were also the ones who scheduled a dinner with them. “Of course… consider this a part of our hospitality. After all, you are in Singapore to visit us.” He forced a smile.
Seeing this, the attendant nodded at Lily’s words and went back to attending them.
“Thank you, grandfather. I hope you don’t mind me calling you grandfather.”
“Oh… no… no. Of course not.” He shook his head as she swallowed the blood in his throat. He could feel his insides slowly boil from anger. Isaac gritted his teeth. He needed to endure. Patience is the key to his success, he chanted inwardly.
“Perfect!” Lily beamed as she watched Demi pour Zhou Jingren a glass of wine. She then lifted her own wineglass and gestured it towards Demi. “Thank you.”
“Oi, Lily that is a bit extra.” Adrian chimed in, displeasure apparent in his face. Just like Isaac, he had never met a woman as arrogant as Lily. “Would you like her to pour you some wine too?”
“Isn’t that what she is here for?” Zhou Jingren fired back. He lifted an eyebrow at his grandfather as if waiting for him to say something.
It was as if a lump was in the old man’s throat. He swallowed down his frustration. Zhou Jingren grew up without his guidance. It is only reasonable that he acts like a wife slave. The old man watched as Demi’s face reddened in embarrassment. Like a bullied child, tears pooled in her eyes as she poured wine on Lily’s glass.
“Please excuse me. I will go to the freshen up.” Demi uttered meekly before she strode out of the dining room.
“Well… that was a bit dramatic.” Lily said as she started eating again. It was as if she did not just make the whole atmosphere awkward again.
Seeing this, Thomas cleared his throat, dispelling the silence that followed Lily’s words. “You shouldn’t have done that you know,” Thomas said, his voice contained a hint of authority. He straightened his back and lifted his chin. He met Zhou Jingren’s eyes. “You just embarrassed a woman who did nothing to you.”
“She is not family or someone significant to this meeting. I thought she is here to serve everyone wine.” Zhou Jingren’s quick answer made Thomas silent. Zhou Jingren had a point. Why would a woman who is not related to their family be included in a dinner like this? Unless she was here to serve, or she is someone’s woman. Thomas cleared his throat at his own thoughts.
“Demi is going to replace his uncle soon as my secretary.” Isaac blurted. “His uncle is currently training her. That is why she is here.”
“Well… I think that is enough, father. I am sure Zhou Jingren did not mean that.” Thomas said.
“Hmmm… It would be nice if you can apologize to her. She is not a servant after all.” Isaac said. Not long after he said those words, Demi came back. Her make up was intact, but the redness in her eyes was apparent. Seeing this, a snort escaped Lily’s mouth.
Lily couldn’t help but wonder why a woman like Demi would come in here and join them. However, seeing her coquettish smile as she poured wine at Zhou Jingren’s glass was enough for Lily to conclude what her purpose here.
“I’m sorry for letting you serve my wine,” Lily uttered. “I did not realize that you are only here to try to serve… my husband.”
Once again Demi’s face reddened. “It’s alright… I understand.” She answered as she looked at Lily.
“Demi is such a kindhearted woman. His father and I are long-time friends.” Isaac said, ignoring the venom in Lily’s words. “She is a graduate in foreign studies and can speak five languages fluently. She is also the top student in her class and even joined a pageant representing Singapore.”
“Uncle please don’t flatter me. I am only a simple woman.”
“And humble too,” Thomas added before he laughed. “If my son is not engaged, I would have asked him to marry her. It would be really nice to have a daughter-in-law like her.”
“That is true. My niece already received a lot of marriage proposals from other families.”
“But she declined all of them, right?” Isaac asked.
“She did. I believe she is still waiting for the right man that could entice her.” Ron chuckled. “Good thing my brother does not really dictate her own daughter’s marriage. So she could marry whoever she wanted.”
Isaac Lee nodded in approval at Ron’s words. He then glanced at Zhou Jingren and frown when he noticed that he was still busy peeling shrimps for his wife. He tamped down his irritation and forced a smile. Zhou Jingren will soon realize that his wife is nothing but a rich woman. “Demi… why don’t you give us the cake that you made?” He beamed at the younger woman. I heard that you are such a wonderful cook.
“Uncle you are embarrassing me,” Demi responded as she still rose from her seat and carried a black square box that was secured with the red ribbon towards the table. “This is my own version of Newyork’s Baked Cheesecake. I asked the chef to personally teach me how to make one.” She slowly opened the box and presented it to everyone. “I hope you will enjoy my cake.” She laid it on top of the table and immediately asked the attendant to help her cut the cake.
“I always use a heated knife to cut this because it’s too soft on the inside.” With the help of the attendant, Demi started cutting the cake. Her hands were swift and meticulous. It was obvious that she had done this numerous times already.
Seeing that everyone was watching her as she cut the cake, Demi gave a gentle smile as she looked at Lily. “How about you, Miss Lily? Do you love baking too?” she asked.
