Chapter 130 They All Like to Flirt with Men
Nina paused and smiled, "They just arrived a few days ago. His mom heard I was pregnant, so she wanted to come see for herself."
"Are they just staying for a few days and then leaving?" Isabella asked.
"Probably," Nina replied. "They just got here, so it's not polite to ask right away. It feels like I'm rushing them out. Why do you ask?"
Isabella remained silent.
Her impression of Charlie was already bad, and her impression of Deborah was even worse.
Someone like Charlie, Isabella found it hard to believe his family could be any better.
Although Isabella wasn't married, she knew that the relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law could be challenging. Especially since Deborah didn't seem like an easy person to get along with.
'One Charlie is enough.
'Now Deborah and Raymond have arrived as well,' Isabella thought.
She was really worried for Nina.
The two sisters chatted in the kitchen for a bit, and then Deborah pushed the door open and came in.
"Bella, why don't you stay for lunch today? Your sister bought some groceries. Leave the kitchen to us. Bella, you can go sit on the couch, watch TV, and chat with Raymond. Your sister and I'll take care of everything here."
As Deborah spoke, she gently pushed Isabella out of the kitchen.
Raymond was already dressed, wearing jeans and a black T-shirt. Although he was smiling, his eyes were always on Isabella.
He siad, "Isabella, what TV shows do you usually watch? I'll find one for you."
Isabella shook her head and kept her distance. "I don't usually watch TV."
"Then what do you usually like to do?"
"Reading," Isabella replied.
"That's great! I love reading too."
Isabella said nothing.
She had nothing to talk about with Raymond.
First, they weren't familiar with each other.
Second, Raymond was a man, and Isabella was a woman.
Isabella's gaze fell on the kitchen, where she watched Nina's occasional figure, her worry deepening.
In the kitchen, Deborah leaned against the counter with her hands in her pockets and asked, "Nina, how old is your sister?"
Nina paused and replied, "21."
A hint of joy flashed in Deborah's eyes. She said, "That's perfect."
"What's perfect?"
Deborah clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction at Nina's slowness and said, "Raymond is 24 this year, just three years older than Bella. Isn't that perfect?"
Nina wasn't stupid and she saw Deborah's intentions toward Isabella.
Since Deborah was her mother-in-law, and they were family after all, so Nina couldn't speak too harshly. She forced a smile and said, "Mom, you shouldn't think about that. Isabella and Raymond aren't suitable."
Deborah rolled her eyes behind Nina's back and said, "They can have a try."
With that, she walked to the kitchen door, pulled it open, and walked out.
Isabella looked over.
Deborah immediately put on a smiling face. "Bella, we're out of vinegar in the kitchen. Could you go downstairs and buy a bottle?"
Isabella was anxious to get some fresh air because she felt uncomfortable being alone with Raymond.
"Sure."
She stood up and went to the entryway to change her shoes.
As soon as Isabella stepped out, she noticed Raymond following her.
Isabella glanced at him.
Raymond smiled, "My mom asked me to go with you and protect you while I familiarize myself with the area."
Isabella frowned but said nothing.
They went downstairs together, bought a bottle of vinegar from the corner store, and headed back.
As they reached the corner, Raymond suddenly caught up from behind. "Isabella, let me carry that."
He reached out and grabbed Isabella's hand.
Isabella froze and turned to see Raymond's unrestrained smile.
It was a flirtatious smile, mixed with calculation and triumph.
Isabella knew he did it on purpose.
So she quickly pulled her hand back and walked ahead.
Raymond was still lost in the soft touch of her hand, surprised at how smooth it was. Just one grasp had made his heart race.
By the time he snapped out of it, Isabella was already at the entrance of the building.
His smile grew even more audacious as he jogged to catch up. "Isabella, wait for me."
Isabella didn't dare wait for Raymond.
She rushed into the hallway and repeatedly pressed the elevator button.
As soon as the elevator doors opened, she dashed in.
Unexpectedly, she ran into Seb's arms.
"Sorry..."
The word sorry stuck in her throat, then Isabella's expression froze.
She looked at Seb standing in front of her, feeling like she was dreaming.
"Mr. Landon?"
She felt too unreal.
She actually saw Seb in the elevator of Nina's apartment building.
The elevator doors closed and opened again.
Raymond walked in. "Isabella, why are you running so fast? And I'm not going to eat you."
Isabella snapped out of her daze and blinked hard. When she opened her eyes again, Seb was still there.
At this moment, he was looking down at her with indifferent black eyes.
"Isabella?" Raymond tugged at her.
When Raymond saw how cold she was to him, but how she was staring at Seb, Raymond felt displeased. "Isabella, you should understand my mom's intentions. She wants us to get closer. And she wants me to pursue you."
"If you don't mind, just say so. We can start dating right away."
Isabella didn't expect Raymond to be so direct. It was awkward in front of Seb.
"You're overthinking it," Isabella said.
Raymond seemed surprised. "Why? You don't like me?"
Raymond's question left Isabella unsure how to respond.
She didn't understand where Raymond got the confidence to think she would like him after just one meeting.
Raymond's gaze lingered on Isabella's face for a few seconds before shifting to Seb.
After sizing Seb up, Raymond's eyes grew tired.
Seb was indeed tall and handsome, something Raymond could never achieve.
This comparison made Raymond uncomfortable. He asked Isabella, "You like guys like him?"
Isabella was stunned.
Seb raised an eyebrow and glanced at Raymond dismissively, like royalty looking down on a commoner.
"No!" Isabella quickly clarified, afraid Seb might misunderstand.
She continued, "Raymond, my sister and your brother are married. That's the extent of our relationship. Please don't say things like that again."
Raymond, trying to save face, softened his tone. "Isabella, I know it's sudden since we just met. But I can't believe you don't have any feelings for me. Otherwise, why did you let me hold your hand earlier?"
As Raymond finished speaking, the temperature in the elevator seemed to drop several degrees.
Isabella felt a chill and looked up, meeting Seb's unfathomable gaze.
Raymond, feeling smug, said, "I know city women like to play hard to get, but I'm not falling for it. If you're willing, we can just start dating. There's no need for any pretense, and we can just live a stable life like my brother and your sister. That's better than anything else!"
