Chapter 777 Hard to Swallow
After hopping on the plane, Phillipe was still riding that high.
He was slicing up fruit for Abella, feeding her piece by piece like it was no big deal.
Abella was all ears as he spilled about his childhood. Dude was groomed to be the heir, and his family was super strict, putting him through the wringer from a young age.
Growing up in a rich fam, he’d seen some gnarly stuff.
Siblings turning on each other, couples drifting apart—it was all par for the course.
In these wealthy circles, it was all about the hustle.
Kids fought for attention; adults fought for cash. If they couldn’t win fair and square, they’d play dirty.
And then there was the constant comparing.
Phillipe had seen it all, and with everyone around him either kissing up or being all formal, he never knew he could get this close to someone until Abella came along.
Looking at carefree Abella in his arms, his eyes softened as he kept feeding her fruit. "You haven’t told me about your childhood."
Abella thought back. "Remember when we first met, and you took me to the Starry Sky Restaurant? The ceiling there opened up to the stars. That night took me back to my childhood."
She said softly, "When I was little, Jeff and Skylar were always busy, and it was Mrs. Vilma Wilson who spent night after night with me. The starry sky back then was just as magical as that night. Before I went back to the Medici family, Jeff and Skylar never did anything special for me. It was only after I returned to the Medici family that I saw how naturally and generously family members could show love. When I was little, Jeff and Skylar didn’t even have time for me, let alone take me out. But you, you took me to the biggest amusement park in Empire Vista City, letting me be a kid again."
Phillipe chuckled, remembering. "To get closer to you, I even rode the same carousel horse with you and took a ton of pics. I still have them. There was even an assassin trying to take me out in the haunted house."
"Those assassins were such amateurs; they were no match for you." Abella was annoyed back then, wondering how those guys even had the guts to try.
Phillipe kept chatting with her about old times until Abella dozed off in his arms. He then carried her to the room and gently tucked her in.
The plane soon touched down at Long Island Manor.
Lola, who hadn’t had enough time with her folks, saw Phillipe’s plane and felt a twinge of jealousy.
"Abella, you’re finally back." Kimberly, who hadn’t seen Abella in days, gave her a big hug. "How was your time at Caleb’s place? Did you get used to it?"
"Uncle Caleb and Aunt Bonnie were super nice, and my grandparents spoiled me too," Abella replied sweetly, "The food was all my favorites."
Seeing Abella being so well-behaved, Kimberly liked her even more. "Bonnie couldn’t stop praising you! If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t have known you started Beauty Skincare Group. Abella, how many hats do you wear? You must be wiped out all these years."
"Phillipe's here too," Beckett grinned, giving Phillipe a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Thanks for bringing Abella home. Caleb told me you even went to Verdania for her. You're a good guy, really thoughtful. I'm glad Abella has you looking out for her."
"No problem at all. I'm just happy I could bring Abella back," Phillipe replied, all polite.
"You gotta stay for dinner tonight," Beckett insisted warmly. "Abella just got back from Verdania, and it's great you were there with her. But let's not stand out here in the cold. Come on inside."
"Yeah, let's head in. Phillipe, I've got some food and drinks ready for you. Come on in with us," Kimberly said, taking Abella's hand and chatting with Phillipe about their Verdania trip while reminding Abella to let Caleb know she was back safe.
The table was loaded with all kinds of snacks and drinks.
"Abella, your mom made all these. They might not look like much, but I've tried them, and they're pretty good," Beckett said with a smile, picking up a plate of the best-looking chocolate cookies and offering them to Phillipe and Abella. "Give 'em a try."
"And there's apple pie!" Kimberly picked up another plate of pastries, just about to offer it when Beckett took it away. "Let them try the chocolate cookies first."
"They can try the apple pie too."
"Later."
"They can have a bite of the chocolate cookies and then a bite of the apple pie. It won't hurt."
"No rush."
Even though Beckett was smiling, Abella could tell from his face that the apple pie probably wasn't great.
"Then try the muffins I made," Kimberly offered another plate of snacks.
Beckett took it again. "Let them finish the chocolate cookies first. No rush. Phillipe, Abella, how are the chocolate cookies? Are they okay?"
Abella found them hard to swallow but nodded. "They're fine."
Phillipe also chimed in, "Delicious, with Mrs. Medici's special touch."
"Really? I made chocolate cookies with my own special touch?" Kimberly was thrilled and offered them her homemade fruit tea. "Try this. I cut every piece of fruit myself. See if you like it."
"She's been at home these days, watching videos of other moms making meals for their kids. She felt she hadn't done enough for you, so she's been studying recipes. Everyone in the house has tasted her snacks," Beckett explained.
Some of the servants even had stomachaches at first.
Abella took a sip of the fruit tea and almost couldn't swallow it. She nodded. "It's okay, room for improvement."
Kimberly, delighted, looked at Phillipe.
Phillipe took a sip and finally understood Abella's earlier expression. He smiled. "Rich in flavor, unique, and delicious."
"Really?" Kimberly took a sip herself. "I always felt something was off."
"Maybe too much lemon," the three said in unison, then looked at each other. Beckett was the first to smooth things over. "It must be the recipe writer's fault for not specifying the exact amount."
"They did say one slice of lemon was enough, but I thought Abella liked lemon water, so I added more."
Abella didn't expect Kimberly to remember her preferences, and her eyes softened again.
"Abella, I'll make you delicious food more often in the future."
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