The CEO Gets What He Wants novel Chapter 373

Alina poured Avery a cup of hot coffee.

At the same time, she took out a lot of healthy snacks for the adorable twins.

Verily, she was exceedingly fond of them both.

Due to health reasons, she couldn't have a child of her own, and it left a sense of regret within her to that very day. Thus, she directed all her love at Zachary and Rory.

The two children soon got along with her smashingly, calling her Grand-aunt affectionately.

“How do you find living here, Grandpa?” Avery sat on the couch, chatting with Blake.

“Pretty good. I wasn't quite used to it at first, but I fell in love with this place after some time. Not only is the environment here great, but I've also got good food and nice clothes. On top of that, I've got a housekeeper to wait on me. As I went out for strolls in the residential area, I got to know a lot of friends my age. Never had I thought that I could have such a good life. My neighbors are right, Ery. I'm blessed because of you!” Blake exclaimed.

After having worked myself to the bone for the better half of my life, I finally get to enjoy my golden days. Leonardo had a stable job when he grew up and entered the working world, but his personality was too bland, so he was destined to live a mediocre life. Later, he married two women, one worse than the last. His first wife, Allie, was overbearing and materialistic. She couldn't endure his simple and honest nature, so she left. While she was lacking in every other aspect, there was one good thing that came from her—my wonderful granddaughter. When his second wife, Henrietta, married into the family with Milana, she proved to be even more domineering and vitriolic, controlling him in everything. Not only did she forbid him from returning to his hometown, but she also forbade Avery and me from stepping foot in their house in the city even though we were his father and biological daughter. Leonardo was a timid one, so he hardly showed us any concern throughout the years since she had him under her thumb. Thus, I lived in the village with Avery for years on end. Though life was difficult then, I was already content. Unexpectedly, not only did Avery find a good job in the city with her own capabilities when she grew up and gained a firm foothold in the company, but she even found a man as outstanding as Cayden. That aside, she brought me here to live out the rest of my life.

Therefore, he was really contented right then.

“Why are you standing on ceremony with me, Grandpa? I'm your granddaughter, so taking care of you is my duty.”

Avery then took out a stack of brand-new bills from her handbag and stuffed it into Blake's hands. “Here's my salary, which I'd just received. Take it, Grandpa. Tell me if you run out of money.”

Blake didn't know how to use bank cards, so she could only give him cash.

Blake's eyes widened, and he adamantly refused to accept the money. “Why are you giving me money when you're paying for my lodging and food here? I don't buy anything usually, so the money will only gather dust if you give it to me. Worse still, I might get robbed again.”

Amused, Avery burst out laughing. She persisted in stuffing the money into his hands. “Don't worry, Grandpa. The security in this residential area is excellent, so no robbers can break in. You've got to have some money in hand in case you want to buy something to eat, no? Otherwise, the neighbors will think that I'm unfilial, too stingy to give you any money. You must take this money, or I'll get mad!”

“Dad, this is a token from Ery, so just take it,” Alina, who was playing with the two children at the side, interjected.

It was rare for Avery to act coquettish with him, so Blake was utterly defeated. Shaking his head, he had no choice but to take the thick stack of bills.

He sighed before saying to Avery dotingly, “Okay, then. I'll take the money and save it for you.”

Before they knew it, it was already noon.

As the housekeeper took a few days off, the task of preparing lunch fell on Alina and Avery.

They bought two whole baskets of vegetables at the supermarket.

In consideration that Blake and Cayden both required nourishing, Avery bought spare ribs and a chicken carcass, planning to make some broth.

While they both bustled around the kitchen, Alina advised Avery earnestly as she washed vegetables.

“Ery, although you've got two kids with Cayden now, you can't remain with him forever without any status. Let me tell you this from experience—a man will treat you like a priceless treasure when he pampers you, even going as far as giving his life up, but once he doesn't love you anymore, he won't take pity on you even if you cry yourself blind. Society is fickle nowadays. Temptation is everywhere, and men can change in the blink of an eye. Marriage is the only guarantee for a woman. Even if it ends in a divorce, we won't end up penniless, right? Also, you've got to learn to apply some makeup and doll yourself up. Look at you. You're going to be twenty-five years old soon, yet you still look the same. This won't do! Men are bees in nature and love flitting from flower to flower. If you don't pay attention to maintaining your looks and beautifying yourself, you'll gradually wither. Sooner or later, you'll lose your vivid colors. At that time, the bee will go out and seek out other flowers. Then, it'll be too late for you to cry.”

Alina had always been a sophisticated woman who kept herself looking great at all times.

In fact, Avery had almost never seen her without makeup.

She perpetually emanated a sense of novelty and beauty. Despite having been divorced then, one couldn't see any traces of haggardness on her face. Instead, she was still as exquisite and elegant as ever.

Undeniably, Avery agreed with some parts of her long speech. However, there were others she begged to differ.

She felt that Cayden wasn't a bee, nor did he like flitting from flower to flower by nature.

Nonetheless, she knew that Alina was only saying that for her good. She and Blake were Alina's only remaining family, so it was understandable that she worried about Avery's marriage.

Right then, Avery gently stirred the bone broth that was about ready.

Inhaling the rich fragrant, she replied smilingly, “You don't need to worry about me, Aunt Alina. Our relationship will bear fruit sooner or later. Oh yes, how are you doing? Did you visit the hospital recently?”

She regarded Alina with worry written clear in her eyes.

Alina had cancer. After returning to the country, she had been taking medicine and receiving treatment consistently.

Sometimes, Avery wondered why fate was so unfair. Her father had died from cancer, and her aunt was also suffering from almost the same disease then. That had her feeling anguished and helpless.

“I'm feeling much better than before. Ultimately, traditional medicine is different from modern medicine. Although it takes some time before the efficacy shows, it's safe. You must learn to doll up, Ery. Money can be straightened up when rumpled, clothes can be changed when they're old, and money can be earned again when you've run out, but a woman only has a single chance at a perfect figure and flawless skin. You're still young now, so you're innately beautiful without having to doll up too much. But it'd be too late if you were to only pay attention to your looks when you're my age. Listen to me, Ery. Register your marriage with Cayden as soon as possible, even if you can't have the wedding reception right away,” Alina nagged.

Avery didn't get a chance to respond to that as, out of the blue, a deep and melodic male voice drifted into the kitchen. “Aunt Alina, my wedding with Avery will be held very soon, so you don't need to worry about it. By then, you must attend personally and give us your blessings.”

Surprised, Avery snapped her head back, only to see Cayden in the kitchen.

He stood there in a suit and leather shoes with his fair neck bared. The light streaming in from outside the kitchen window painted him faintly crimson.