Unpredictable Betrayal : A Sweet of Revenge

“Darling, I’ve safely arrived at Mama’s house.”

After parking his car right in front of his mother’s house, Alden didn’t forget to immediately contact Aurora. Giving her the news that he had arrived safely at his destination.

For him, giving updates was important. Even though not asked, Alden tried to be attentive. He realized that women feel appreciated and valued just by being given such acts of service.

“After this, I’m going to shower and then like usual, I’ll get ready for dinner with Mama. If you’re not busy tonight, I’ll call again before bed.”

“Yeah,” Aurora responded from the other end. Unlike before, she didn’t refuse or show any objection. “Okay then, just go on with your activities. I also need to get ready to cook and finish up the end-of-month report. If I’m not asleep tonight, I’ll definitely pick up the phone.”

“Alright, I’m going in now. We’ll continue later.”

“Yeah, Honey.”

At that moment, Alden burst into laughter. Delighted to find Aurora reciprocating the sweet treatment he had given. Alden knew Aurora was naturally shy and had high self-esteem. It wasn’t easy to make her melt and feel comfortable like she did now.

“Can you say ‘Honey’ one more time? Just once more,” Alden attempted to coax Aurora into repeating her words, disbelievingly. This was a rare occurrence.

“Gosh. It’s not fun if it’s repeated.”

“Oh come on, just this once.”

“No reruns. If it happens too often, you’ll get bored.”

Alden chuckled. Whether he liked it or not, he had to end the call. A moment later, he hurriedly entered his mother’s house. As if sensing his arrival, he heard his name being called and was asked to join them in the dining room.

Taking big steps, Alden walked towards the dining room. Just as he reached the threshold, he found Regina sitting neatly with his mother right beside her.

“Alden.”

Regina called out, flashing a wide smile, visibly pleased to see Alden had arrived and joined them at the dining table.

“Good evening, Aunt.”

Alden greeted Regina’s mother politely. Then he sat down, glancing at his own mother.

“Is Mama doing alright?”

Alden just wanted to make sure. Earlier, while on the road, Zendaya suddenly called and asked him to come home immediately as if there were urgent matters, which made him a little worried.

“Mama’s doing fine,” Zendaya replied casually.

“So, why did Mama tell you to come home in a hurry?”

Zendaya smiled. Then she shifted her gaze to the two women sitting in front of her.

“Mama wants you to hurry because this evening we have guests. Mama wants you to join us for dinner with Regina and Aunt Riana.”

Alden sighed softly. Good Lord, among the many requests of his mother that he often complied with, this time Alden felt reluctant and lazy to join dinner. Honestly, he was starting to feel uncomfortable and awkward.

However, out of respect for the guests and to uphold his mother’s reputation, Alden relented. He followed the order by sitting at the same table with Regina and her mother. With half a heart, he entertained his mother’s guests.

“Must have just finished surgery, right?”

Regina initiated the conversation. As usual, in a friendly and affectionate manner, she engaged Alden in conversation while enjoying the dinner that had been served.

“Yes.”

Regina still maintained her smile.

“I actually wanted to invite and treat you to lunch today. But when I checked the schedule, you were on a major surgery. Well, it failed.”

Alden responded to Regina’s statement with just a nod. Instead of apologizing or engaging in small talk, he focused on continuing his dinner.

“Oh dear, that’s unfortunate. So who did you have lunch with?”

Zendaya finally chimed in. While offering the neatly arranged fried chicken on the porcelain plate, she reacted to Regina’s story.

“Alone, Aunt. Because when I tried to invite other doctors, they were all busy. Coincidentally, Gina didn’t have a cesarean surgery schedule today. So, she could have a long lunch break. I wanted to invite Alden, but he was busy too.”

Zendaya then smiled. There was a sense of pity after learning that Regina failed to invite her son to have lunch together. Moreover, after telling the story, her son only responded casually.

“So it’s perfect for Aunt to invite you and Mama to dinner tonight, right?”

Regina nodded enthusiastically with a wide smile. From her face alone, it was clear that she was genuinely happy.

“Absolutely. Could it be fate?”

Zendaya smiled happily too.

“It could be. In that case, next time you should visit us often for lunch or dinner together. Mama and Alden are just the two of us. Besides, didn’t you used to eat here often when you were a child?”

“Is it okay?” Regina asked to make sure. There was a hopeful tone in her sentence.

“Astaga, Regina… Of course, you can. You’re welcome to drop by here anytime. Auntie and Alden never forbid it.” Then Zendaya glanced at Alden, seeking support. “Right, Honey?”

Alden just glanced and nodded. He didn’t bother much with his mother’s question. Instead of a lot of talk, he chose to remain silent, waiting for this dinner ceremony to be over as soon as possible.

“Thank you so much, Zendaya, for the dinner invitation. I’m really happy to have dinner like this together.”

After finishing various dinner menus, Riana expressed her gratitude to Zendaya. After moving for so long and only recently returning, this was the first time she spent private time having dinner with her old friend.

“You’re welcome. I’m also happy to spend time chatting and having dinner together with you. Anyway, we should make a routine agenda for cooking and eating together like we used to.”

“Agreed,” Riana happily replied. “Especially now that Regina is here. To add to the fun.”

“Yeah, that’s right. Oh, by the way, Regina hasn’t gotten married yet, has she?”

Zendaya suddenly asked. She seemed curious about the status of the woman she once cared for during her teenage years.

“Not yet, Aunt,” Regina replied quickly. “Let alone getting married. I don’t even have a boyfriend.”

“Just like Alden, right?” Riana added. “Both single and without partners yet. Besides, why don’t we just matchmake our kids?”

“If Regina agrees to it.” Regina seemed enthusiastic in response. She was thrilled at the prospect of that idea becoming a reality.

“Just so you know, Aunt Zendaya, Regina has had a crush on Alden for a long time. In fact, Regina’s dream has always been to be his future wife. That’s why Regina chose to study medicine, so they could be together. She’s always imagined going to work and coming home together from the hospital, you know,” the beautiful woman explained openly.

“Yes, Zendaya,” Riana added. “Let’s make our friendship last for generations. Besides, whether it’s Regina or Alden, we already know their backgrounds, potentials, and characters. So, we won’t make a wrong choice. Everything is guaranteed. Plus, they’re both doctors.”

At that moment, Alden raised his head. Listening to the lengthy speech delivered by Regina’s mother, he immediately wanted to respond. Unfortunately, Zendaya spoke first, causing the words that were on Alden’s tongue to be swallowed back.

“I never stopped Alden from being with anyone. If he wants and agrees, I’ll support him 100%.”

As if given the green light, Riana smiled. Shifting her gaze from Zendaya, she looked at Alden intently.

“How about it, Al? Do you want to be matched with Regina? You two have known each other for a long time. You already know each other’s personalities.”

Alden shook his head firmly. After much silence, he finally spoke up.

“Thank you for the suggestion, Aunt, but I’m sorry, I already have a partner.”

Alden then got up from his seat. Even though the guests in front of him hadn’t even moved, let alone left yet, without needing his mother’s permission, he chose to end the meeting and leave the dining room.

Alden’s action certainly disappointed Zendaya. Never once in her life had she seen Alden behave so rudely.

That’s why when Riana and Regina left, Zendaya immediately approached Alden in his room. She wanted her son to realize that his behavior had gone too far and could no longer be tolerated.

“You’ve gone too far, Alden.”

Shortly after sitting on the sofa in Alden’s room, Zendaya immediately expressed her disappointment. She wanted her son to realize that his behavior had gone too far and could no longer be tolerated.

“How could you be so rude and even leave the guests just like that when they haven’t even said goodbye to the host yet?”

Alden, who was sitting at his desk at the time, immediately stood up. He approached Zendaya and stood right in front of his mother.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“It’s actually you who’s gone too far here.”

“What’s wrong, mom?”

Alden took a deep breath. Trying as much as possible to keep his voice from rising when facing his mother.

“Why did you respond to Aunt Riana’s request to casually matchmake me with Regina?”

“I didn’t say yes,” Zendaya defended herself.

“But, you didn’t explicitly reject it either, did you? If you didn’t agree, you could just say so. Don’t give statements that seem to give hope.”

Zendaya could see how angry her son was. She was sure that Alden was disappointed right now.

“Are you still hoping for Aurora?”

Alden immediately nodded.

“No matter what, Alden’s choice will not change.”

“Does that mean you don’t want to comply with Mom’s request?”

“Whatever it is, Alden will give and comply. But not by avoiding or even being asked to leave Aurora. Besides, didn’t Mom already know that the woman I want is only Aurora? So, please, Mom. Alden begs you, don’t ruin my dream with baseless requests that you’ve been suggesting since yesterday.”

Zendaya fell silent. She felt there was no hope of forcing Alden to obey her orders.