Chapter 33

Darwin has a day off from work this Saturday. After dropping off Velove who wanted to do some treatments at the salon, he decided to stop by his parents' house. Darwin thought, instead of getting bored waiting for his wife, it would be better for him to visit and talk to his parents.

After all, the distance between the salon and the Khiel family's residence is very close. So, it won't take long, let alone get stuck in traffic.

Arriving in the Alamanda district, Darwin immediately parked his car in the yard of the house. As soon as he came down, he could see his mother who at that time looked serious tidying up the flowers she had planted in the yard.

"Morning, Mom."

Claudia Prawira, who was engrossed in spraying and arranging decorative flower pots at the side of the house, immediately looked over. A wide smile spread on the lips of this 50 year old woman when she saw her beloved son suddenly come to visit. Inevitably, Claudia immediately approached Darwin and then burst into a hug.

"How come you didn't tell Mama you wanted to stop by, did you?"

"This is also sudden, Ma. I'm really sorry that I was only able to visit Mama," Darwin said when Claudia opened his arms.

"It's okay," Claudia replied knowingly. "I know you are really busy with work."

he smiled. Compared to his father, who was often strict and strict, his mother was much different. Claudia always treated her sons and daughters with great affection.

Even if one of her children made a mistake, Claudia always gave advice gently and wisely. This made Darwin and his younger sister, Celina, reluctant and tried not to disappoint their mother.

"Mama, how are you? You're doing well, aren't you?"

Claudia nodded. The middle-aged woman immediately invited Darwin to change places to sit in the easy chairs available on the terrace next to their house. Invited his eldest son to talk. Because moments like this are very rare according to him.

"Mama is fine and healthy. Since I'm not working anymore, Mama's activities are only taking care of the flower garden that your Papa made."

Previously, from a young age, Claudia focused on working and developing several companies owned by the Prawira family. Once officially married, the woman decided to help her husband develop the company under the auspices of the Khiel Group.

However, one year ago Claudia's health condition had declined. Because of this, Gerald asked his wife to end her activities and focus on resting completely at home.

Because he was afraid that his wife would get bored, Gerald deliberately made a flower garden. He knows very well that his wife really likes and also has a hobby of collecting all kinds of living flowers. Evidently, until now Claudia has focused on caring for and developing the garden that has been gifted to her.

"Mama, why don't you join a socialite gathering like Aunt Liliana? You have a lot of friends for Mama's celebrations too," Darwin asked later. He thought, it doesn't matter if his mother occasionally goes out to meet old friends. Who knows, you can cure homesickness while nostalgic for the days when you were busy pursuing a career.

"No, ah," Claudia refused. "Mom prefers to take care of flowers. I'm satisfied playing and working with friends. Now, it's time to focus on resting while waiting for you and Celina to give Mama and Papa your grandchildren."

Darwin coughed. After yesterday the mother-in-law blatantly offended, this time it was her own mother's turn to collect the grandchildren. Is this a code from God if he really has to grant the request of their parents to immediately give offspring?

"Later, Ma. If there is sustenance, Darwin and Velove will give Mama and Papa their grandchildren. Please pray for them as soon as possible."

Claudia nodded happily. Instead of arguing or expressing refusal, his son asked him to pray. Of course he happily prayed that God would soon give his son and daughter-in-law offspring in the near future.

"How are you and Velove doing? How is your wife's condition after yesterday's accident?"

"Darwin and Velove are fine. His condition is much better than yesterday. The proof is that Darwin is waiting for Velove who is busy going to the salon. Rather than waiting there alone, that's why Darwin decides to stop here for a while to visit Mama."

Claudia smiled. From the beginning he knew that his son was indeed an obedient man and loved his family. Darwin will do anything to make the people he loves happy.

"Be good with Velove," Claudia asked. Her mother's face, which had been relaxed, slowly turned serious. "Even though you are arranged for an arranged marriage, I hope that you will still treat your wife well. Because from now on, she is your responsibility, Win. So, you are obliged to look after, protect and love her with all your heart and soul."

"Darwin knows, Ma," the man nodded.

"Mama didn't want it just because you were arranged for an arranged marriage and you didn't love Velove, then you went around hurting her especially to make your wife cry. Remember, Win. You have a mother and a younger sister. Just imagine if the two of us were to be treated badly by men ."

Darwin took a deep breath. The words of the mother just now really stuck to the solar plexus. He suddenly remembered the bad things he had done in the early days of marriage. How he often hurts and even deliberately has an affair to make Velove cry.

Though his wife did not have the slightest fault. Darwin actually realized that they were both just victims of their parents' ambitions.

Remembering this, Darwin immediately winced. Apparently so many sins that he has done so far.

"Darwin will try to do his best, Ma. Darwin will do what Mama says."

"That's good. Gentlemen have to do that, right? Only cowards like to make fun of things, especially to the point of hurting women on purpose."

Again, Claudia uttered a sentence that was so poignant. Increasingly, Darwin felt more and more sarcastic with all the words that mother had just said. Does the mother have a sixth sense? Because almost all of his words can fit and hit the target.

"Mama was really excited about her lecture. It sounds like Darwin is already cornered," the man complained in the end.

"On purpose, Win. I want you to remember and be careful. You don't want your beloved child to do stupid things, let alone hurt your wife on purpose. Even if it's your own child, you won't defend it, let alone forgive it."

"Yes, Ma. Darwin understands."

At length the mother and daughter talked about various topics. After discussing the household, Darwin briefly discussed work. The man only decided to leave after getting a call that Velove was almost done with the treatment.

***

"Win, in your opinion, which dress do I look good at?"

Velove seemed dizzy himself choosing the dress he would wear to attend his father's company birthday party. Almost all of Velove's best collections come out of the cupboard. The woman was deliberately jejer. In fact, he even asked Darwin to help choose.

"Is the black Sabrina model better? Broken White off shoulder? Mermaid, or just the Cocktail?" Velove asked once again while showing Darwin one by one his collection of dresses, who was standing there while busy buttoning the white shirt he had just worn.

In a burst of questions, Darwin at that moment also turned his head for a moment. Frowning, then gave his response.

"It's up to you. I think everything fits if you wear it."

Velove pursed his lips. That's how it is when you ask the guys for advice. Always look for safety and sometimes don't even bother by giving the answer 'whatever' as the final word. In fact, Velove really hopes that her husband will also give advice and help.

"You're not fun!" complained Velove while walking back towards the walk in closet.

I don't know what that woman was doing back there. After a few minutes, her voice was not heard, suddenly when she came out, Velove was already wearing the dress she had chosen.

Darwin, who was in the middle of putting on a tie, at first seemed indifferent. But, after seeing clearly the model of the dress his wife was wearing, the man immediately reacted.

"Seriously you want to wear that dress? To a company birthday?"

Velove nodded casually.

"Yes. What's wrong?"

"Change, ah!" Darwin ordered immediately.

"Why is it replaced? This is good. My appearance looks really stunning."

"Good, anyway. But, open the dress like that. Later you will catch a cold, Ve."

"No way. I've worn something more revealing than this before and it was just okay. Besides, if you wear this dress, you're sure to be the center of attention."

"Yeah... including getting attention from your ex-boyfriend, right?" Darwin quipped on purpose. In fact, Velove is not discussing Nathan at the moment. However, her husband still often makes connections on purpose. Just plain jealous. But sskali prestige to admit.

"Please, Win. Why are you straying to Nathan? We're not going to talk about him anymore."

"Still. Not only Nathan, but other guys will also enjoy seeing your sexy appearance, Ve," complained Darwin. Then a lazy cluck was heard followed by the next command. "Okay, ah. Hurry up and change. I won't accompany you if you keep insisting on wearing open clothes like that."

"That's why I asked you to help choose. But, you answer it's up to you."

Once again Darwin let out a long sigh. Now, he is being blamed because he did not help his wife choose a party dress before.

"Okay, where's the dress. Here I choose."

Velove finally smiled happily. Pulling Darwin's wrist, the woman invited her husband to immediately step towards the walk in closet. Again showing several models of dresses, for her husband to choose.

"Among these four kinds, which do you think is suitable for me to use?"

Darwin glanced at the dresses that Velove had arranged neatly. Squinting, then paying attention to one by one while weighing. Which one is appropriate and appropriate for his wife to wear at this time.

After probing deeper, Darwin brought his forefinger, then chose the glitter black cocktail dress on the back row.

"Just wear this. It matches your body shape. Apart from looking slimmer, you also look taller later. And the color also matches the jacket I'm wearing tonight."

Velvet nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, it's like we're wearing couple clothes, that's it. Thanks for helping choose. In that case, I'll change first."

While Velove was changing dresses, Darwin chose to sit on the sofa while putting on his shoes. After about 10 minutes of waiting, Velove finally came out and immediately showed Darwin his appearance.

"How? Good, isn't it?"

Darwin looked up. Staring closely, the man was amazed for a few moments by the beautiful appearance that Velove showed. It is undeniable that his wife is so stunning with the dress she is currently wearing.

"Beautiful," Darwin muttered almost a whisper. While his eyes were still glued to Velove who was now standing right in front of him.

"What? What did you say just now?" asked Velove to make sure.

"Huh? W-what?"

"What did you just say, Win? I didn't hear you. Then how do I look? Isn't that good?"

Darwin immediately nodded repeatedly.

"Good. Very good in fact. It suits this one better than the previous one."

"Then I'm beautiful, am I not?" provoked Velove on purpose. I wonder what kind of response her husband will give.

"It's a lie if I say ugly, Ve. You are beautiful in every way you look."

"Yes," said Velove, smiling seductively. "Darwin Morales Khiel's wife has always been beautiful. You were the one who realized it too late."

Darwin chuckled, then soon swallowed a smile. His ears suddenly went up and down when he heard what Velove had just said.

"Okay, hurry up and clean up your make-up. After that, we'll go straight to the venue."

Velove did not argue. At that time, she immediately daubed make-up briefly on her beautiful face. Tidy up her hair once again. After making sure that his appearance was perfect, he hurriedly approached Darwin, then both of them left for the venue.

Arriving at the Avenue Convention Hall, you can already see the invited guests coming one by one to fill the venue. Along the way in, colleagues and business colleagues never stopped reprimanding Darwin or Velove in turn. Occasionally the two stopped to say hello. Even had time to chat briefly with colleagues who were present there.

"I swear I didn't expect the party to be as lively as this. Lots of invited guests have come," whispered Darwin while he and Velove were walking slowly towards Darius who was standing not far from the stage.

"How come it's not crowded, all staff from all branches are invited to attend. That's why this event is being held in the Convention Hall, not the ballroom as usual."

"And the uncomfortable thing is, many of them are watching you, Ve."

"Oh yes?"

Darwin nodded.

"Nathan also seems really fascinated to see how beautiful you are tonight," Darwin grumbled while propelling his chin. Giving the code where Nathan is across from them.

"It's just your feeling, Win. Nathan usually likes to smile at me, right?"

"Yes, that's why. I really miss smiling at my boss' wife."

"Alah, don't tell me you're jealous."

Darwin immediately turned around. The man then chuckled lazily.

"I'm not jealous, OK?"

"Not jealous, but you are jealous. Just so you know, that's the risk of having a beautiful wife."

Darwin sighed. Continuing on, the two eventually arrived at the place where Darius was. Seeing that his daughter and son-in-law were already present, of course Darius immediately greeted and gave him a welcome hug.

"Papa thought you two weren't here tonight," the man said after breaking his hug.

"How could Velove and Darwin not come, Pa. This is a very important annual event."

"Thank God. Besides, there are many business partners that Papa wants to introduce you two too."

So afterwards, Darius really proved what he said. The man then introduced Velove and also Darwin to one by one important colleagues or colleagues who attended that night and joined in the celebration.

As soon as they finished getting acquainted and chatting, Darwin and Velove decided to go back around. In the middle of the steps, Darwin was so surprised that he stopped for a moment.

"Darwin."

In front of his eyes at this time, there was a figure that he was so familiar with. Staring deeply, without hesitation even reprimanding then calling his name softly. That figure is none other than Vicky Rose, Darwin's lover who is also present at the birthday party tonight.