Chapter 404 Stir Up Trouble
Abella found herself rather amused by Phillipe's solemn nonsense. In a playful retort, she said, "I think I'll just stick to school and not go anywhere."
Phillipe, in the midst of drying her hair, responded with a hint of concern, "And what if that brings danger to your classmates? I have plenty of free time these days, I could stay home with you."
In the office, the secretary fainted upon hearing his words...
Phillipe continued, his voice gentle, "We have a lab here, you know. Isn't conducting experiments your favorite thing? Just tell me what materials you need, and I'll have them delivered. I promise not to disturb you while you're working."
When she wasn't engrossed in her experiments, he imagined there would be time for cuddles and playful lifts. However, he kept these thoughts to himself, never voicing them aloud.
"Alright then," Abella conceded.
A grin spread across Phillipe's face at her agreement, his joy barely contained. "Once it's safe, I'll drive you back to university."
"Okay."
After drying her hair, Phillipe gently combed through her soft, silky tresses, treating them with the utmost care.
"I asked your fifth brother about the skincare products girls like to use after showering," Phillipe said, gesturing to a collection of bottles and jars on the dressing table.
He had purchased a set for Abella but was unsure of how to use them. At that moment, he opened a video from Blake who meticulously explained how to apply the toners and creams.
As he carefully practiced on Abella's face, he was mindful of her delicate skin. Her face was so tender and fair that he touched it with the lightest of touches, fearful of causing her any discomfort.
They were so close that they could almost feel each other's breath...
Phillipe's fingers traced her face, lingering on her clear, bright eyes, straight nose, and red lips. He found himself inexplicably drawn closer.
Gradually, his lips met hers. Their kiss deepened, his tongue exploring further. Her softness was irresistible, and his self-control began to falter.
Lifting her onto the dressing table, he found himself unable to stop kissing her. His hands roamed restlessly...
Her scent was intoxicating...
Meanwhile,
Lola had been waiting at the Medical University for two days without catching a glimpse of Abella. She contemplated sending a WhatsApp message but was worried about being a nuisance. Even when she tried to get information from Abella's roommates, no one seemed willing to talk. Lola couldn't understand why Abella was nowhere to be found, neither in the lab nor the library...
Glancing at her phone, she noticed it was 22:37. She needed to head back to Stanford before the dormitory closed. Dispirited, Lola gathered the snacks she had bought for Abella and began her walk back. Suddenly, she remembered something and decided to call Maria.
"Maria, did Dad ever use the foot bathtub I sent back?" Lola asked, puzzled. The package had been signed three days ago, but she hadn't heard anything from her father. She felt awkward asking him directly, so she decided to reach out to Maria first.
"Ah, Miss Lola... I didn't want to tell you this. But," Maria hesitated, sighing deeply before continuing, "the foot bath you sent, the master didn't even bother to open it. Instead, he's been using Abella's herbal packs daily to soak his feet..."
"Did you tell him that the foot bath could be used with the herbal packs my sister prepared?" Lola had heard about the new deluxe foot bath from her friends. It had all sorts of features and, despite its high price, many elders were very satisfied with it. This had prompted Lola to get one for her dad.
"I did mention it, but it seemed to go in one ear and out the other," Maria said, pausing meaningfully before sighing again. "Miss Lola, not to dishearten you, but that expensive skincare set you sent the day before yesterday, the madam has been using it as hand cream..."
Before Lola could respond, Maria added regretfully, "That was a facial product, and yet she uses it on her hands... not long ago, Abella brought some unlabeled stuff, no-brand, but she applied it to her face. The difference couldn't be starker."
Lola felt a pang of disappointment but quickly reassured Maria, "It's fine. They should use whatever they feel works best for them. It doesn't have to be from me."
The important thing was that her parents had received her gifts. Whether they used them or not, whether they liked them or not, was not something she could dictate.
"You're too kind, Miss Lola," Maria continued, her words laced with a subtle hint of alienation. "The gifts you've bestowed upon me, I scarcely dare to utilize them. If it weren't for the impending expiration of the anti-aging cream you gifted, I would never have dared to break the seal... But they..."
"Maria, it's alright," Lola interjected, her voice soothing. "I know you have my best interests at heart."
Maria glanced at the clock, the hour growing late. "You should head back to your dormitory and rest. Tomorrow, I'll try dropping some hints to the master and madam once more."
"There's no need," Lola responded, her voice imbued with wisdom. "Some matters should not be forced. As long as I've fulfilled my role, the rest will unfold as it should."
"Very well then..."
As the call ended, Maria was abruptly interrupted by the shrill call of Mrs. Medici.
"Maria? Maria?!"
"Ma'am, I'm here," Maria responded hastily, swiftly stowing her phone away and exiting the kitchen. "It's quite late, haven't you retired for the night?"
Mrs. Medici had descended the staircase, her eyes scanning the room. "I just recalled, Lola mentioned last week that she sent a foot bath for her father. Has it been received?"
Lola had anticipated its arrival three days prior, but there had been no word. Something was amiss.
"I'm not sure... there were several deliveries from various brands a few days ago. I can't confirm if Miss Lola's package was among them. Let me check..."
Maria had secreted the delivery away, yet feigned ignorance as Mrs. Medici inquired about it. "Ah, found it at last! It appears one of the staff members had stowed it away in the storage room... Ma'am, would you like me to unseal it now?"
"Yes, please do. I'll deliver it to Mr. Medici," Mrs. Medici replied, her face breaking into a warm smile. "Lola has been increasingly considerate. She even procured a skincare set for me recently, but unfortunately, I had an allergic reaction on my face so I couldn’t use it. I tested it on the back of my hand though, and it seemed quite effective..."
"Indeed, Miss Lola has always been dutiful. It's just unfortunate that she's not a true Medici by blood," Maria sighed, her regret seemingly genuine.
"That's not something you should say," Mrs. Medici admonished gently. "In our hearts, she's as much a part of this family as anyone... and you should never treat her as an outsider."
"Rest assured, ma'am. My loyalty to Miss Lola has never wavered."
"I'm aware," Mrs. Medici replied, accepting the foot bath from Maria. She began to ascend the stairs, pausing to add, "Abella and Lola are both my children, and you must treat them with equal regard."
"Of course, Ma'am," Maria responded, her discontent concealed behind a mask of compliance.
As Mrs. Medici's figure disappeared up the staircase, a glint of malice flickered in Maria's eyes.
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