Part 44
Adaline wanted to ask, but when she was about to knock on his door, she hesitated and chose to continue to the kitchen. Besides not wanting to disturb Altezza, she also didn’t want to come off as intrusive, and Adaline had to realize her position that she wasn’t Altezza’s real wife, but just a surrogate mother figure for him.
Adaline opened the big fridge door. She was surprised to find it almost empty except for frozen instant food and canned goods. Adaline bit her lip in confusion. Luckily, there was a loaf of bread that seemed to be fresh on the nightstand. Alright, even though she didn’t know whether Altezza was used to having breakfast or not, Adaline would still make breakfast for the two of them with the available ingredients.
Adaline eventually decided to make scrambled eggs with fried sausages and toasted bread in a pan. The scent of butter from the bread and the distinct aroma of eggs made Altezza emerge from his hiding place.
“Wah wah wah, Mrs. Quirino. What’s that lovely smell?” he murmured as he approached the kitchen just as Adaline flipped her toast.
“To be honest, I don’t know if you’re used to having breakfast or not…”
“I’m used to having breakfast when someone makes it, Amore,” he said with a playful smile that instantly made Adaline blush. “Come on, get used to our endearing terms because I don’t want my mom to get suspicious,” Altezza said, still teasingly.
“Uh-honey…” Adaline stuttered, making Altezza try to hold back his laughter. “I made you toast, scrambled eggs, and sausages,” Adaline continued, moving her toast onto a plate.
Altezza nodded as he stared at the tempting browned toast. “Why didn’t you use the toaster?” Altezza asked when he noticed the difference in color on his toast.
“It tastes different when you use the toaster,” Adaline replied again. “Mmm… Honey, what would you like to drink?” she continued, still slightly stuttering.
“Milk,” he answered and took out milk from the fridge, pouring it into a tall glass.
Just as Adaline placed the food plate on the table, the doorbell rang, and without being asked, Altezza walked towards the intercom beside the door. He almost choked on the milk in his hand and instantly asked Adaline to lock her room door quietly. Adaline widened her eyes but understood Altezza’s intention and could guess who the visitor was coming to see them at that early hour. So, Adaline quickly walked to her room and quietly locked the door.
“Why did it take you so long to open the door?” Delila grumbled as she passed by Altezza, who was still frozen next to the intercom. “Where’s my daughter-in-law?” she asked, looking around. “I asked you to bring Adaline to our house, but you didn’t obey. Do you want to be a disobedient child?” Delila Quirino scolded as she walked in and searched for her daughter-in-law. “Adaline, dear…” the middle-aged woman called out, almost shouting.
“Honey…” her husband interjected.
“I’m here, Momma,” Adaline replied as she returned from locking her door. She approached and entered her mother-in-law’s embrace.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.
“How are you? Are you okay? Is Altezza treating you well?” Delila Quirino asked, causing Sir Benjamin to cough softly.
Instead of answering, Adaline just looked back at Altezza with a bashful expression.
“Have you had breakfast? Your father and I came here early this morning on purpose to bring you breakfast,” Benjamin interjected, lifting the bag of food he brought.
“My wife has already made breakfast for the both of us, Dad,” Altezza answered, guiding his parents to the dining table. Adaline accepted the gift brought by her mother-in-law and returned to the kitchen to transfer it onto plates.
“Why is your breakfast just this?” Delila asked, eyeing the food on the table. “You surely haven’t stocked your fridge, have you?” she accused Altezza, who only shrugged in response. “This is what happens when you live with a lazy man. Luckily, your food items haven’t expired yet,” Delila grumbled, but then reached for the toast on the plate. “This toast wasn’t made with a toaster, was it?” she guessed.
“Adaline said it tastes better if it’s toasted manually,” Altezza replied.
“That’s true,” Delila agreed. “You’re lucky to have a wife who, despite being a career woman, can cook,” Delila praised sincerely. “But, Ada, don’t spoil her too much. Don’t handle all the household chores alone. She’s used to living comfortably and being served, so she’s not accustomed to doing housework,” Delila said as she sat at the small dining table and continued to eat the breakfast made by Adaline.
“Momma, that’s my breakfast,” Altezza protested when he saw his mother enjoying the toast and eggs.
“I also brought breakfast for you. So let’s just swap. Don’t be stingy with your own mother,” Delila grumbled, ignoring her son’s annoyance.
“Besides, who told you to bring breakfast here?” Altezza retorted bluntly. “I have a wife who’s a great cook, so you don’t need to bother making food for me.” Altezza tried to reach for his plate of toast, but his hand was swiftly blocked by his mother’s plump hand. Meanwhile, Adaline had already placed the breakfast brought by her mother-in-law on the table: lasagna with abundant meat and cheese.
“If you can make this, I’m sure Adaline can too,” he teased about his mother’s cooking.
“How dare you mock my cooking. This is the food you’ve eaten your entire life. Understand!” she snapped.
“Yeah, I know. You deliberately cooked this because it’s your specialty while the other dishes…” Altezza hadn’t finished his sentence when his mother slapped his arm. “Mom! I already said that…”
“Your hands are precious blah blah blah…” his mother smirked, making Adaline chuckle softly.
“Alright, alright. You two,” his father intervened, as wise as ever. “Altezza, your mother made this specifically for you, so please appreciate it.”
“Yeah, Dad, I know your mom came here with a purpose. She’s more interested in checking on her daughter-in-law than checking on me,” Altezza replied, ignoring the lasagna in front of him and opting for the bread on Adaline’s plate instead.
Instead, Adaline and Benjamin were the ones who enjoyed the fried rice made by Delila.
“So, what’s the likelihood of me having grandchildren?” The question made Adaline choke on her lasagna.