It was lunchtime, all men of the family back at the palace because they have a party in the evening.
Stella and Valerie were taking care of everything and instructing servants at their job when Linda also join them.
When lunch was prepared, Stella and Valerie were still taking care of the table decoration while everybody sat for lunch.
“Stella, Valerie, you both also sit down and eat your food, you’ll don’t need to bother yourself, there are servants to serve everybody.”
Julia said authoritatively.
Both nodded their head and sat for lunch.
Stella sat beside Jack and when Valerie was about to sit on her chair which is beside Ronald, just then Linda came and sat beside him and gave a tight smile to Valerie. Valerie clenched her fist. Seeing her smile Valerie felt like break her heel on her head, but being helpless sat on another empty chair opposite Ronald.
“Ronald, try this, your favorite filet mignon steak.”
Valerie cooked it today, especially for you.
Julia said ambiguously and added some extra words from her side.
Ronald was on cloud nine when he heard Valerie made it for him, and Valerie also blushed when Julia mentioned she cooked that, especially for Ronald.
It wasn’t like that she cooked it especially for Ronald, but these words gave her a kind of immense pleasure in her heart.
Ronald smiled idiotically and stretched his hand to take the bowl, but a hand came from the side and grabbed the bowl before him. That was Linda's, who was sitting beside Ronald.
“Wow, filet mignon steak, it’s mine favorite too,” Linda said excitingly then looked at Ronald and smiled sheepishly.
“If you don’t mind, can I have it, please?”
“Yes, sure, why not?” Ronald shrugged his shoulder and said.
However, though he said casually, Valerie felt he was enthusiastic while talking to Linda. She was smoldering in jealousy and couldn’t take it anymore. Why is he sparing so broad a smile to this Linda?
“Linda, it’s enough for two. You can share it with Ronald, let him eat too.” Valerie clenched her teeth to control her anger while talking to Linda.
Linda again smiled widely, first at Valerie, then at Ronald. “That’s a good idea, Ronald you can eat it from my plate, I don’t mind, after all, sharing is caring.”
Linda’s frank words ignited a fire in Valerie’s heart; her eyes turned glassy and slowly a white fog formed in them after seeing Ronald accept Linda’s offer and eating it with her.
She didn’t know why was she disliking Linda’s closeness with Ronald.
After lunch, everybody gathered in the living hall where Amy gave a white frilled, netted material gown with satin soft inner stitch to Sarah for the evening party.
Amy had specially ordered a perfectly outlined evening party gown for a pregnant woman so that Sarah will be comfortable.
Julia gifted a navy-blue colored shimmer gown to Valerie, but Valerie refused to take anything.
“Aunt Julia, thank you so much for your love, but I can’t take this. I am already obligated with all of your consideration, now I can’t take more. Please.”
Ronald felt bad listening to her straightforward denial and thoughts that she still considers herself as an outsider, not a part of the family.
Valerie is not wrong from her point of view. She is an outsider, just a friend of Stefan, Sarah, and now Ronald’s as well, more than this she doesn’t have any relationship with Walter's family.
Her self-respect hurts by constant favors.
Even they all knew beforehand that Valerie will deny taking anything as a gift, that’s why Amy started her fake angry drama.
“Oh, so you still consider yourself as an outsider and we all are idiots who always count you as our family member. Do you think our love for you is a favor for you? That’s so disappointing.”
Valerie was stunned when Amy said so emotionally, and her face hung down.
“No aunt Amy, it’s not like that.......”
Sarah cut Valerie’s words off, whose eyes filled with tears.
“Then how can you explain your behavior, Valerie? It’s true that you do not consider us your family, isn’t it? You let us down, Valerie.”
Sarah’s tears are a matter of worrisome; not only for Valerie, but for everybody. How could Valerie do not get panicked? “Sarah, please listen, don’t cry, I swear I don’t mean to hurt anybody, please forgive me.”
“If, is that so then take this gift from us and wear it for tonight’s party,” Julia said, concealing her triumphant smile behind a fake angry face.
“Yes, exactly, and these pieces of jewelry too, which I have selected for you,” Amy added further.
“Amy, that is enough, ok. Spare her.” As Daniel said this, all started laughing, except Valerie and Ronald.
Valerie was confused and scratch her head. “What’s wrong, uncle Daniel, is there any problem?”
“Valerie, they all were doing an emotional drama to convince you and you got trapped in the emotional blackmailing.”
They all looked towards her with a sheepish smile and Valerie laughed loud eliminating their guilt.
Ronald also felt good in heart seeing his family’s love and care for Valerie. That’s such a sweet feeling.
“Valerie, this gown is looking beautiful, the blue color is enhancing your beauty.”
Ronald complimented Valerie in sweet and simple words, but red had clouds formed on her cheeks.
Before Valerie could answer Ronald, Linda excitedly interfered between them.
“Wow Ronald, your favorite color is blue? Mine too.”
‘She had to jump in everything, without a reason.’ Valerie mumbled.
“Hmm, Linda, I guess you and Ronald have the same choices,” Sarah said.
“Sarah, is absolutely correct, right, Ronald?” Linda circled her arms in Ronald’s arms. “Ronald, won’t you show me your gym?”
Valerie didn’t like Linda’s over-friendly nature with Ronald and mumbles, “Miss glue stick.”
Linda’s bold behavior also startled Ronald but compose himself.
He calmly frees his arms from Linda’s grip and said in a very soft tone, not to hurt Sarah’s guest. “Alright, I will show you my gym, but can you please maintain a safe distance?”
Linda felt nothing, just shrug her shoulders and said, “Ok, let’s go, then.”
Ronald escorts Linda towards the basement area where Stefan formed a high amenities gym, but Linda kept on praising Ronald.
Julia looked at the departing figure of Ronald and Linda with adoring gazes.
“Andrew, what do you think about Ronald and Linda?”
When Julia said this, everybody tuned towards her with a surprised look on their faces.
“I feel like, they make a beautiful couple, what do you all think?” Julia then asked everybody’s opinion.
“Elder sister, you are absolutely correct. They look good together, what’s more, they seem to have similar choices as Sarah said. But we need to ask about Linda’s opinion first.”
Amy said excitedly, like she will get Ronald and Linda get married here by themselves.
She always gets excited so quickly, that’s why Sarah has to control her.
Still, both Julia and Amy started matchmaking Ronald and Linda in their mind.