Chapter 12 Feet Impingement Syndrome
Fiorello gave Holden a look that silently told him to keep quiet. Just then, Maggie came out of the restroom. Spotting an extra person in the private room, she paused, her gaze turning to Fiorello.
Arya stepped in to explain, "This is Mr. Flores' distant relative, his name is…" She faltered, not knowing the name.
Holden picked up the conversation, "Holden Flores."
Holden looked at Maggie and became even more bewildered. Was Fiorello not here to meet with this older woman but with the younger one instead?
When she heard the last name ‘Flores,’ Maggie didn't suspect anything and took a seat.
Arya said, "Mr. Flores, with your parents passing away early and having no siblings, you've had a tough life. It's not easy to make it on your own in the capital, but I can tell you're a hardworking, ambitious young man. I feel confident in entrusting Maggie to you. You two should take good care of each other from now on."
The information Arya shared was overwhelming for Holden.
His parents passed away early?
He had no siblings?
Holden's eyes widened in surprise. His parents were perfectly fine at home, and here he was, his very own brother, sitting right there. Since when did Fiorello become such a pitiable character?
Holden, utterly confused, looked at Fiorello and began to say, "Fiorello, you..."
Before Holden could finish, Fiorello discreetly stepped on his foot under the table, signaling him to stay silent.
It was a firm stomp, and Holden cried out from the pain.
Arya expressed her concern, "Distant cousin brother, what's wrong?"
Maggie also looked at Holden, finding this man strangely peculiar.
Holden winced in pain but managed to say, "It's okay, no big deal."
Fiorello, not showing any sign of concern, said, "He might have Feet Impingement Syndrome."
Maggie, curious, asked, "I've heard of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, but is there such a thing as Feet Impingement Syndrome?"
Holden looked helplessly towards Fiorello, who sipped his tea nonchalantly and said, "There are a thousand kinds of diseases out there; nothing surprising."
Trying to keep up appearances, Holden forced a smile and said, "Yeah, Feet Impingement Syndrome. Just an old recurring problem."
To get the scoop on the latest gossip, he'd endure more than just foot pain, even if it meant dealing with hemorrhoids.
Fiorello was out dining with a beautiful woman, and by the looks of it, he seemed to be showing real interest for once.
Maggie believed the story. After they finished their meal, Fiorello went to pay the bill and asked Maggie to take Arya to the car and wait for him.
Limping on one leg, Holden chased after Fiorello, "Fiorello, Fiorello, who's that woman? Are you dating someone?"
If he could be the first to break the news of Fiorello having a girlfriend, his status in the Flores family would skyrocket. Not to mention the extra pocket money he could squeeze out of them.
As Fiorello was settling the bill, he said, "She's your sister-in-law."
Three words that froze Holden in his tracks.
Did he hear that right?
After completing the transaction, Fiorello added, "Keep your mouth shut, your sister-in-law doesn't even know who I am yet."
"Sister-in-law, orphan, Marriage Registry Office, getting a marriage certificate, buying a second-hand house..."
Connecting the dots, Holden gasped in shock, "Fiorello, Fiorello, did you really go and get married?"
"Yep."
Fiorello answered with a casual 'yep,' as if the matter was as light as the air.
Holden was through the roof with excitement. He thought he had gotten his hands on some fresh gossip about Fiorello' girlfriend, but to his surprise, the information made her sound like his sister-in-law already.
Holden took a moment to process this bombshell, "Fiorello, mom and dad would be jumping for joy if they knew you got married. As long as you're hitched, they wouldn't care if they 'early gone', even if they were actually gone, they'd probably be happy."
This just showed how much the Flores' elders were concerned about Fiorello's lifelong happiness.
Fiorello shot him a glance, saying, "It's a misunderstanding..."
He briefly explained the mix-up at the coffee shop where Maggie mistook him for someone else. Holden asked, "Fiorello, are you going to keep this secret from my sister-in-law for long?"
"Let's observe for a while," Fiorello said. "Our family don't need to strengthen our social standing through marriage, but we also don't want to wed someone with ulterior motives."
Holden got it. Maggie's mistake in identifying Fiorello might have been a set-up, which was too much of a coincidence considering Fiorello's status. It made sense to be cautious.
Maggie and Arya were still waiting in the car. Fiorello told Holden to go about his business and then he returned to the vehicle.
Maggie casually asked, "Where's your distant relative?"
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