Chapter 92: Sister In Law
Chapter 11 - Sister In Law
I stared at my phone again, looking at the options on the site. I was searching for a school Mia could enroll in. Although Mia was behind in school, she was smart for her age. Even though I wasn’t able to finish my studies... well, because there was no money and I had to juggle jobs while taking care of Mia, that was at the back of my mind.
Mia needed to continue her schooling. Back in our previous apartment, there was a woman who took her time to teach children in the neighborhood, and the payment was daily. Without money for that day, there was no school for Mia.
Now we were living comfortably, I wanted a good education for her, one that had everything she needed. I couldn’t just keep watching her laze around. Even if she was smart and highly intelligent, she still needed school to help her.
I sighed, rubbing my throbbing head. I didn’t know which one to pick. All the schools were good—the quality, the reviews, everything and I was torn. Despite that, I was still skeptical. That was all their outer appearance. I didn’t know what went on deep inside the school, if there would be classism or bullying. I didn’t want my sister to be bullied even though I knew Mia could stand her ground.
She wasn’t a pushover.
A small smile pulled on my lips when I remembered an incident where I was called during my delivery work because Mia beat a classmate, and the child lost his tooth because he talked down about me. It was so hilarious that I kept my cool, deeply bowed, apologized, and reluctantly pushed Mia to apologize too. After we were done, I high-fived her, told her she did good, and bought her ice cream for teaching the boy a lesson.
I blinked, scrolling through the list before I felt breathing at the back of my ear. I whipped my head around to see Jude behind me. I scrambled away, my hand going to my ear to rub it, feeling it warm. “What are you doing?” I asked in a high-pitched voice, then swallowed.
Jude smirked, coming to the sofa and plopping down beside me. He was shirtless as usual, “I’ve been calling you, and you seemed too engrossed in what you were doing,” he responded calmly, leaning against the sofa. “I thought wifey was cheating on me.”
He grinned, while I glared at him. “I’m just saying,” he said unbothered. “I don’t want men flocking around my beautiful wife.”
My cheeks heated up -This man is a shameless flirt?! How could he say things like that with a straight face?
I ground my teeth, calling on my passive aggressiveness as a shield against the man who seemed to have teasing me as his favorite thing. “I know I’m beautiful. So hold your compliment.” I haughtily brushed a few stray strands of hair away from my face.
He stared at me, his gaze hooded a little before he looked away, his hands clasped together on his thighs, and my heart skipped from that look.
What is that look? I thought.
He cleared his throat before bringing out his phone, scrolling through it, and putting the screen in my face.
I furrowed my brow in confusion, glanced at him, then looked at what he was showing me. I blinked, my eyes widening as I read the letter. Mia was given admission into one of the schools I had been searching through that i really wish she could be accepted but when i read their requirement; I gave up
“I thought the school does entrance exams before taking pupils?” I asked in shock.
He smirked, his hand casually runing in his hair. “There’s nothing money can’t do, wifey,” he responded. And a smile pulled on my lips because he was reliable when I was still struggling with this, he was already preparing it.
I swallowed, seeing him in another light. “When did you prepare this?”
He smiled, putting his index finger on his lips. “Secret.” He winked, while I rolled my eyes.
Once a dumbass, always a dumbass. But I grinned.
“Her uniform is ordered, and it’ll be delivered soon. She starts on Monday.”
My eyes whipped to his phone, and I read it again. It felt like a dream. The school was one of the best private schools in the city. A new wave of gratitude washed over me, my eyes softening as I stared into his amber eyes. “Thank you. Seriously, I don’t even know how to repay you for this.”
Jude’s lips immediately pulled into a smug, handsome grin. That asshole. I could already feel he would say something I’d get mad at. He leaned in a second closer, raising his index finger and tapping it playfully against his cheek. “Well, wifey, you can always show your appreciation right here,” he teased, his eyes dancing with mischief. “A thank-you kiss goes a long way.”
My face instantly caught fire, a furious blush exploding across my cheeks. “In your dreams, pervert!” I huffed, lifting my hands and giving his side a nudge.
A booming laugh escaped him, and Mia, who I knew had been listening to everything, let out a giggle while I whirled my head to her, glaring. “Traitor,” I muttered toward my niece, though a reluctant smile tugged at the corners of my mouth.
Before Jude could say anything else, his phone rang, stopping everything. He picked up his phone, and his expression softened into an affectionate smile when he saw the caller ID while I swallowed. He looked so gentle and different as he swiped the screen.
I craned my ears, trying to figure out who it was for him to look that way.
“Hey, big bro!” a loud, lively female voice erupted from the speaker, and I turned my head to him.
“Hey, devil spawn,” Jude responded, his tone filled with that big brother energy. “You just remembered to call me?” he asked. “If you need money or for me to call Mom and Dad, I’m not doing it.”
On the other side, the lady let out a dramatic groan. “You wound me, bro. Can’t I call my brother to ask how he is?”
Jude chuckled softly, rolling his eyes. “You, devil spawn? Call just for nothing?” He scoffed playfully. “I don’t believe you.”
Laughter came from the other side as I walked slowly to the kitchen to get a glass of water, and Jude followed me. I stared at him, gesturing with my neck to ask why the heck are you following me, and he simply grinned.
“So I heard you are currently touring Paris.” he continued but his eyes locked on me.
“Yes, staring at the Eiffel Tower!” the woman chirped enthusiastically, background noise hummed through the line before she sighed. “I’m so sorry I missed your wedding. Why was it shifted earlier? I thought it would be during the Thanksgiving period when I’m home,” she lamented.
“Just needed to be with my wife sooner before someone snatched her away,” he responded and winked at me.
This playboy! I screamed internally, turning my back to hide my burning face.
“Mom sent pictures of the wedding, but I’m not able to see her well..” she complained at the other side, “where is she?”
Jude tilted the phone slightly toward me. “She’s right here.”
“Hi, sister-in-law!” the woman yelled, practically brimming with energy. The woman looked beautiful and elegant, like the female younger version of Elena. “Don’t let Jude bully you, okay? He looks big and terrifying, but if he ever does anything to upset you, you just let me know, and I will personally fly back and handle him for you!”
I couldn’t help but laugh, my shoulders relaxing entirely. “I’ll definitely keep that in mind, thank you...” I trailed off because I didn’t know her name.
“Maya,” she offered, grinning, sweat rolling down her face as she used a handkerchief to wipe it while her sunglasses were hooked on the front of her hair.
“Maya. Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise! Oh, by the way, Jude,” Maya continued, her tone shifting into a bit more rushed. “My European tour is wrapping up soon. I’m heading over to visit Leonard next.”
Jude’s relaxed posture tightened, his brows knitting together into a stern frown. “Maya,” he said, his voice dropping. “You behave yourself over there. Be good, understand? Don’t go causing trouble for him.”
“Ugh, you’re no fun. I’m always good! Anyway, I gotta go. My tour group is moving. Bye, love you guys!”
The line clicked dead before Jude could say anything. He let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck as he slid the phone back into his pocket.
I watched him curiously, leaning my chin on my hand. “So... who’s Leonard?” I asked. It was a strange realization, but I truly knew next to nothing about the people in his inner circle. But now, I’ve met his grumpy father, his lovely mother and lively younger sister.
Jude looked over at me, his expression softening. “Leonard is a close friend of mine,” he explained, crossing his arms over his chest. “We actually met a few years back through one of the company sponsors I work with for the hockey team. He’s a good guy, but my sister has a habit of driving him insane.”
And I grinned because I think it ran in the blood because Jude too was doing his best to drive me insane.
***
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