Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Chapter 53 The Wedding Date Is Near
Outside the room, Christopher leaned against the wall and tilted his head to look at the door that was constantly being knocked on. Hearing Yuliana calling his name, he suddenly felt a slight itch in his throat. He subconsciously touched his pocket. Except for the car key, it was empty.
After a while, it finally quieted down. Christopher heaved a sigh of relief before walking to the elevator and pressing the button to head down.
Annabelle glanced at the time and realized that it was almost 7:30 p.m. Christopher didn’t even call her, let alone show up.
Before this, Winnie and Joyce had called Annabelle several times, saying that Christopher hadn’t answered any of their calls and asking how long it would take them to arrive.
Annabelle snorted coldly and didn’t call Christopher. Instead, she opened a taxi app and requested a ride. Soon, a driver accepted her request. Annabelle walked out of the studio with her bag. As soon as she arrived at the side of the street outside the studio, she saw a silver-gray sports car parked there for who knows how long. Someone had half of their arm resting on the window and had a half-burnt cigarette between their fingers.
She stopped in her tracks and stood quietly for a few seconds, but the silver-gray sports car didn’t move. Then she walked over in her high heels and knocked on the door on the passenger’s side.
Hearing the noise, Christopher tilted his head to look at her and unlocked the door. Annabelle opened the door and got in the car.
“When did you get here? Why didn’t you call me?” She glanced at the man beside her as she fastened her seat belt.
Christopher put out his cigarette and said in a cold voice, “I just got here.” With that, Christopher started the car and slowly drove into the traffic flow. The corners of Annabelle’s lips curled up, and she didn’t expose his lie.
“The cigarette was almost burned out. Christopher had been there for almost five minutes. It takes only a minute or two to get from the studio to the car,” she thought.
She didn’t say anything else and took out her phone to cancel the request for a taxi.
The dinner was scheduled for 8:00 p.m. It was almost 8:30 p.m. when Christopher and Annabelle returned to the Solace residence, and it had been a while since the dinner started.
Although Winnie was just having dinner with her family to celebrate her birthday, there were many immediate family members in the Solace family and Winnie’s family, amounting to dozens of people in total. The vast, traditional-style banquet hall of the Solace residence had more than ten tables set up and they were all full. As soon as Christopher and Annabelle arrived at the entrance of the banquet hall, Alex ran out and rushed into Christopher’s arms.
Alex touched his throbbing forehead and looked up. Seeing that it was Christopher, he frowned immediately and scolded him in a precocious tone, “Uncle Chris, why did you come back so late? It’s Grandma’s birthday today!”
Christopher was about to lecture him and tell him not to run around. However, when he looked at Alex’s little face, he suddenly couldn’t say anything.
Alex was getting uncomfortable by his gaze. He pursed his lips, took two steps back, and saw Annabelle behind Christopher.
“Aunt Annabelle!” Alex ran forward happily and put his arms around Annabelle’s waist.
“I like Aunt Annabelle very much. She is the most beautiful person I have ever seen. If it weren’t for my young age and her being Uncle Chris’ fiancée, I would be able to marry her when I grew up. Uncle Chris wouldn’t even be in the picture!” he thought.
Annabelle touched Alex’s red face. “Why did you come out here instead of dining inside?”
Alex grinned and replied, “I’m done eating! Aunt Annabelle, you must be hungry. Let’s go for dinner! Hurry up! Or there’ll be no more food left:”
Alex pulled Annabelle into the banquet room as he spoke.
Annabelle glanced at Christopher and saw him in a trance with his brows slightly furrowed, seemingly lost in his thoughts.
Winnie broke into a grin when she noticed Annabelle right away.
“Aunt Winnie, happy birthday!” Annabelle stepped forward and hugged her, adding, “Wish you young and healthy forever!”
Winnie was delighted to hear that. “Thank you, Annabelle. I saw the painting you sent. I’ve already had someone hang it up. I like it very much.”
Annabelle smiled, “I’m glad you like it, Aunt Winnie.”
Winnie looked at the door again, but she didn’t see Christopher come in. She asked, “Where is Chris, Annabelle?”
Annabelle stepped forward and hugged her, saying in a sweet voice, “Aunt Winnie, you’re so biased. I knew it! Christopher is always on your mind. I just can’t compete with your biological son.”
After hearing this, Winnie laughed happily and gently pinched Annabelle’s face, saying, “You’re such a smooth-talker. I’m simply no match for you!”
“Oh, look how close the two of you are! Stop calling her Aunt Winnie.” Christopher’s second aunt teased. “Chris and Annabelle are getting married next month. Why don’t you just call her Mom?” Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.
Christopher, who was standing at the entrance, gathered his thoughts upon hearing their voices and walked into the house.
“Wow, here finally comes our busy bee,” Christopher’s third aunt said.
Christopher walked over with a smile, hugged Winnie first, wished her a happy birthday, and then greeted the elders one by one.
Ever since Christopher was a child, he had always been honey-tongued and good at coaxing people. Although he was mischievous, he was also very likable.
As soon as he arrived, the atmosphere in the entire banquet room became lively.
According to the rules, he was late, so he had to apologize to the elders by giving them a toast table by table. Because his marriage with Annabelle was approaching, he couldn’t escape the inevitable teasing. After the elders slowly dispersed and only some of the young family members were still sitting there, drinking and having fun, Christopher took the opportunity to step into the courtyard for a breather.