Romeo planned to ask the chef for the recipe later, so when Bella married him and longed for a taste of home, he could whip up a
comforting cup for her, or perhaps they could make a trip back together.
"Did your family's thing wrap up that quick?" Arabella asked offhandedly.
"Yeah, grandpa and grandma were both eager to get cooking, thinking of impressing you tonight with their skills. Mom and dad
were not to be outdone. When | left, all four of them were battling it out for kitchen space, with the chef standing by, totally
stressed out, unable to intervene but also unable to watch them turn the kitchen into a disaster zone." Romeo said with a light
chuckle, "They know you love seafood, so tonight's feast is mostly seafood-themed."
"That's so considerate of them." Arabella said with a laugh, "Dinner here should be over by six or seven; then we can head over to
your grandparents’ and nibble on something."
"If they heard you say that, they'd be thrilled." Romeo pulled out his phone, "I'll shoot them a message to hold back on the
experimental dishes. Otherwise, | might ban you from next year's feast."
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The elders weren't sure if Arabella would make it today, but they were all vying to cook, hoping she would cand get a taste of
their culinary efforts.
If they knew Arabella was definitely coming tonight, they would be over the moon, eagerly awaiting her arrival.
"You're really crashing our dinner?" David stood by the long banquet table, watching Romeo stroll in hand in hand with his sister.
He felt a twinge of jealousy, "Can you maybe show a little restraint in public? The deal isn't sealed yet, and here you are, all over
each other. Does Bella's reputation mean nothing to you?"
"What can | say? You're just jealous you don't have a girlfriend," Romeo let go of Arabella's hand only to drape an arm around her
waist, drawing her even closer, looking like the perfect pair.
"Just because you've got Bella on your side now, doesn't mean you can do whatever you want around me. Listen here, she calls me
bro, and you better show the srespect! Otherwise, you can forget about stepping through this door!"
"If just saying 'bro' can getsuch an amazing fiancée, then I'm making out like a bandit." Romeo said with a playful grin,
acknowledging his friend's tacit approval, "Thanks for acknowledgingas your future brother-in-law so soon, David. I'm looking
forward to all the advice you'll give me."
"Advice, my foot." David grumbled, pulling Romeo's shoulder away from Bella, "If it weren't for the fact that you're my longtime
buddy and the whole 'keep the benefits in the family’ thing, I'd never let Bella end up with you."
"So, I'm pretty important to you. Is that so, David?"
"Cut the crap." David said, “Don’t get used to calllike that so easily.”
Before he tried to make Romeo consider him as his brother; turned out it was a
herculean task. Ever since Bella cinto the picture, Romeo had changed so
unnoticeably fast.
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"Once a brother-in-law, it'll be a done deal." Romeo joked, "I'll be calling you 'bro' until the day you're six feet under."
"Get out of here, talking about graves on New Year! Whether you remain my brother-in-law depends on how you act from here on
out. I've been dancing my bones off at concerts recently," David feigned a shoulder ache.
Romeo got the hint, "Bella, David wantsto give him a massage. Hang on a sec."
"No, no, | did not say that!" David blurted, not expecting Romeo to be so cunning as to use Bella against him.
"The thing is, | can't have physical contact with anyone else, even guys, it's just not right," Romeo said with feigned resignation.
"Bella, he's bullying me!!"
Arabella couldn't help but laugh, "Have you guys ever had a moment of peace in all these years?"
Always this love-hate relationship?