"This is..."
Grandmother Kamiyama can't believe what she is seeing. The scent of food wafts into her nose. She blushes when her stomach grumble. At her age, it is not suitable. Even Takeshi and the servants aren't spared. There are 40 palatable dishes on the table - the most popular dish from each country. Each dish looks like it has been prepared by the top chef of the country. The dressing is detailed and perfect that one doesn't want to ruin it by picking it.
Are they celebrating someone's birthday?
"Who made this?" It takes all the strength in her old body not to pick up the spoon and taste those dishes.
"Grandma, Elder brother made it for my sister-in-law," Takeshi answers her with a light voice.
Grandmother Kamiyama narrows her eyes unhappily. "Has he gone insane?"
They say that the way to win a man's heart is through his stomach. His wife should be the one cooking delicious meals to win over him and his family.
She recalls how Rie used to order takeouts when she stayed at the mansion for a short time. It means the girl can't even cook. She dislikes Rie more. They have been only married for a few hours and she's is turning her grandson into a slave.
Not matched in looks, education, background, or even temper, that girl is not right for her grandson or suitable for the role of the next madam of Kamiyama family. She caused enough troubles before she faked her death.
At least, Kamiyama Hitomi was poised, smart, and knew how to manage the household. That woman knew how to take the role of the woman and Except for her lower background and the scandal that she caused, Grandmother Kamiyama has been quite satisfied with Kamiyama Hitomi's performance. Kamiyama Hitomi knew how to charm the socialites of the high-class society and contribute to the Kamiyama family while Rie has no such talent. In her eyes, Rie is useless and inappropriate for her grandson and the Kamiyama family in every way.
On the other hand, Rie has only caused damage to Kamiyama family.
Hashimoto Chisa is better than Rie in every way. She's highly educated. She has a ladylike bearing. She has a high status among the socialites. She is quite skilled. In the last two years, she has been working as the director in Kiyohira's new gaming company while taking care of the H groups with her father. In the future, she might even inherit the H Groups. She visits her all the time. She is smart, cheerful, and matched with her grandson. A woman like her can bring out the best in Kiyohira while a woman like Rie can pull him down to her level.
The marriage isn't revealed to the public yet. She will make sure that that unruly girl leaves her grandson on her own. Only Hashimoto Chisa has what it takes to become the next madam of the Kamiyama Family.
She has been patient enough with Kiyohira. If he won't listen, then she will force the girl.
"He won't mind if I take a taste, right?" Takeshi mumbles to himself and picks up the chopsticks. He moves toward the plate of Takiyoki. At the same time, Kiyohira and Rie are climbing down the stairs. When Kiyohira sees his little brother attempting to steal the dish that he made for his Rie, his face contorts in anger.
"Takeshi." Kiyohira's voice is dangerously low and cold. Rie jolts in fear. Her shoulders tense up. It seems her body reacts naturally. She doesn't know where this fear comes from. The haunting memories return in her mind. His cold tone reminds her of Chisa. She is furious at herself for being afraid. What's she scared of? There is nothing to be scared of. It's only Kiyohira.
He notices her tremble and eases his expression instantly. He also wonders why she is afraid of him. He will ask her later.
Takeshi freezes on the spot. He feels an intense gaze on him. Should he pick it up or not? He knows how his brother gets when he is angry at him. Most of the time, his brother lets him have his way. But, there are times when Takeshi regrets pushing him far. He calculates in his mind. His brother never cooks for him or Grandma. The dishes are prepared for his sister-in-law only. But, she can't eat everything. He can eat one, right?
While he has been calculating his chances of survival, Kiyohira has walked to the table. He grabs his little brother's wrist. This time, his voice is neither angry nor gentle. "Have you forgotten your manners?"
Rie knows little about what's going on. She purses her lips when she sees the food on the table. Why make so much? Four people can't eat that much. They were not this extravagant last time she sat on this table. Is this Kiyohira showing off to her because she said that she married him for his money?
She frowns deeply. Did he really take her seriously? Does this man really love her? How can he not understand her if he loves her? She did say that she married him for his money. She didn't mean it though. She married him because she didn't want him to marry Chisa. She gets that he doesn't know her true reason. Her true reason for marrying him isn't any better than marrying him for his money. But, he doesn't have to show off his wealth.
Her mood becomes foul.
Screw him! How dare he thinks of her as a gold digger? If he loves her, he should know that she isn't one. He can't even guess that. This man doesn't love her at all. He only loves her body. He only married her because he wants to screw her. There is no way a man can fall in love with a crazy and mentally unstable woman who lived like a hikikomori.
She understands now. It's only about lust. There is nothing else.
Deep lines form between her brows. Kiyohira notices the change in her expression. He massages the space between her brows and chuckles, "A penny for your thought?"
She blinks at him dumbly before shrugging her shoulders uneasily. Kiyohira wants to prod her further, but they are not alone. He pulls the chair for her. She looks at him once and then, turns her eyes to his grandmother. Kiyohira realizes his mistake. He smiles at his grandmother respectfully.
Grandmother Kamiyama has been watching their interaction like a hawk. She hmphs in Rie's direction before sitting down on the chair. After the matriarch of the family is seated, all the other members also take a seat.
Rie looks around and notices that Harumi's face is not visible among all the maids. Did she leave the job? She liked that girl. Among all the servants, that girl was a little better.
"What's wrong?" He has been paying attention to her since she recovered her memories. He doesn't want to make any mistake toward her. He wants her to feel her at ease with him and his family.
"Nothing." Rie doesn't want to ask. Her mood is still bad. Under the strong gazes of everyone, the familiar anxiety is returning in her body. It's only been a day since her memories returned. The last two years without the memories seem like a cruel joke in her pathetic life.
Someone nudges her gently. "Eat."
Kiyohira doesn't know what her favorite dishes are. So, he prepared everything that she might like. He wants to see which one she will pick up first. Her eyes linger on the dishes with disinterest. She picks up a deep-fried chicken leg from all the dishes.
Her tastes are rather simple.
In Rie's mind, a forgotten memory resurfaces again. She could hear the distant sound of children's laughter. Suddenly, she finds herself on the ground behind the school. The kids are laughing at her as Miwako stuffs her mouth with trash.
The chicken leg drops on the plate. Kiyohira stares at her. Her face is ghastly pale. She must be thinking of something bad. He places his hand on her back and whispers to her ear, "Rie, I am here. You are safe."
Safe. The word makes her feel strange. She meets his eyes. She doesn't trust him. Is she capable of being normal? She doesn't know that either.
She picks up the chicken leg again. She can overcome this weakness of hers. She doesn't want to suffer because of her own memories.
"Chisa's father called." Grandmother Kamiyama speaks up when she's about to take a bite.
The poor chicken leg drop on the plate again.
"Oh?" Kiyohira wonders if he should feed her. But, she could mind it as she did once in the past.
"I have broken the engagement before they could find out." Grandmother Kamiyam observes Rie's reaction. There is no change in her expression. The girl is extremely quiet. It's her grandson who is frowning darkly. She realizes that her grandson is the one who loves the girl. The girl probably doesn't feel the same as her grandson did. Then, why did this girl marry her grandson?
"Hmm..." So, they haven't found out that he and Rie have married already. Where are the snooping journalists when he needs them? Nevertheless, this is a good chance. Kiyohira suddenly grins in Rie's direction. "When do you want to have a wedding ceremony?"
She narrows her eyes on him. "Wedding ceremony?"
"Though we are married on paper, we should have a wedding ceremony." Kiyohira sounds both amused and teasing. "How about next week?"
"Brother, what about this weekend? We shouldn't delay the good things." Takeshi smiles widely. If they get married in public, the news will travel faster. A certain someone will find out even faster.
Grandmother Kamiyama is fuming. Both of her grandsons have gone mad. "Kiyohira, you won't have a wedding ceremony with that girl. Nobody must know about your marriage with her until I approve of her."
He didn't expect to hear that. Kiyohira hides the displeasure in his heart and ignores his grandmother. "Rie, is weekend good?"
It might be hectic to arrange a wedding ceremony at such a short time. But, nothing is impossible with money and power.
"No, I don't like wearing dresses." Rie's appetite is gone since she heard the name 'Chisa'. Wedding ceremonies are tiresome. She needs to plan how to get back at that woman. Hashimoto Chisa. What she has been up to?
Rie doesn't have time to play wife to him. His grandmother doesn't approve of her either.
"Then, wear what you like." He squeezes her hand. "The whole nation must know that I belong to you."
Didn't she want that? Kiyohira is sure that she wants Chisa to know that they are married. What other way is better than a grand wedding ceremony?
"Kiyohira, show some respect." Grandmother Kamiyama stands up and slams her hands on the table. "If you want to have a wedding ceremony, then go ahead without my blessings. I won't attend it."
She glares at Rie once before strutting away from the table in anger. Kiyohira sighs. His grandmother is being difficult. He is sure that she will plan something since she didn't
"Don't mind her. She will accept you soon." He strokes her head. "Eat. You didn't have breakfast this morning."
Takeshi realizes that his sister-in-law is not behaving normally. Her eyes are not the same. She has changed drastically. Then, it would have been strange if she didn't change after what happened to her when she was abducted. His brother needs to tread carefully in this relationship. One wrong step and he might lose her entirely.
However, Rie doesn't care about his grandmother's approval. She is thinking deeply. Chisa doesn't know it yet. Then, it must happen before she finds out from other sources.
"I am not hungry." She gets up with an expressionless face. "The weekend is too far. I want to have it tomorrow."
She walks out of the house after telling him of her decision.
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