NOVEL NEXT Chapter 694: Let's sign a pact.
The next day —
In the morning, when Arwen and Aiden came down for breakfast, Morgan was already waiting for them.
"Good morning, Grandpa," Arwen greeted him with a smile before pulling a chair for herself.
Morgan's usual stern features softened, and he returned her smile warmly. "Good morning, dear."
Aiden, however, didn't bother. He merely cast a brief glance in Morgan's direction before lowering himself into the chair beside her.
Arwen nudged him with a slight frown. "What are you doing? Shouldn't you greet grandpa in the morning, at least?"
"He doesn't seem to need it," Aiden replied with a poker face. "Given the way he is smiling, his morning already seems great."
Arwen pursed her lips in exasperation, while Morgan looked entirely unbothered —almost as if he had long grown accustomed to Aiden's stoic ways.
"Arwen," Morgan said gently, pouring himself some tea. "Don't trouble yourself. This grandson of mine has never been good with words. I am fine as long as his heart is in the right place."
Aiden was still unbothered. He heard it but pretended as if he didn't while he poured Arwen a glass of fresh juice.
Arwen gave him a long stare, but in the end, she chose not to intervene in the unique dynamic he shared with his grandfather. Instead, she leaned closer, her voice dropping so only Aiden could hear.
"I am not asking you to change," she whispered, "but you'd better not let our kids pick up the same attitude. I want our children to be gentle and humble with their words."
Aiden turned to her, eyes narrowing with interest.
"Don't stare at me like that. I am speaking seriously," she insisted, her tone firm.
His gaze darkened, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Are you looking down at my manners, Moon?"
"What if I am?" she retorted, tilting her chin defiantly.
Aiden's hand shot up to grasp her chin, pulling her slightly closer until their eyes locked. "Then I will have to learn to be a proper hooligan," he murmured, lips curling into a smirk. "Can't make you look like a liar, can I?"
"You—" Arwen frowned, but when she saw that teasing smirk deepen, she pressed her lips together and jerked her chin free. "I am not talking to you anymore."
"Why? What did I do? Wasn't it you who asked me to learn to be a hooligan?" he asked, blinking innocently.
If Arwen hadn't known better, she would have almost thought that she would have thoughts she was bullying him.
However, with time, she has started to understand his tricks well.
Squinting her eyes, she simply called out. "Mr. Jones!"
"Yes, Madam," Mr. Jones stepped forward almost instantly.
"It's getting late," she said, her eyes still fixed on Aiden. "Please serve the breakfast. Your Sir has to leave for the office soon."
"Yes, Madam."
And with that, she gave one last chiding glance at Aiden and then turned to focus on her plate.
Morgan chuckled quietly behind his teacup. He said nothing, but the fond amusement in his eyes was unmistakable.
As the servants began serving the dishes, Arwen was suddenly reminded of something that she had almost forgotten between her banter.
She turned to check and her brows furrowed a little before she asked the butler again, "Ms. Martin hasn't come for breakfast?" She wasn't missing Selene exactly, but since the woman was a guest in the house, she couldn't ignore her absence out of responsibility.
Mr. Jones shook his head. "No, Madam. She said she won't be having breakfast today."
"Why? Is she not feeling well?" Arwen asked again, her brows subtly furrowed.
However, Mr. Jones didn't look very informed. "She doesn't look sick," he replied, continuing, "It might be something work-related. She hasn't been in a great mood since she returned yesterday."
Thinking for a moment, Arwen nodded. "Fine. Just keep a check on her. She is our guest, and she should be treated like one. Send someone after a while to see if she needs anything."
Mr. Jones bowed slightly before stepping away.
The family had breakfast in peace. As usual, Aiden was attentive to Arwen throughout, serving her little things here and Arwen realized how natural it had become for her to take his small gestures.
Once breakfast was done, Morgan stood up first to excuse himself. Looking over the two, he said, "I am done. I will go rest for a while."
Arwen looked up at him and nodded with a smile. "Of course, Grandpa."
As Morgan walked away, Arwen set down her fork and knife as well.
"I am done too." Then, checking the time on her watch, she added, "It's time for me to leave as well."
She stood up, pushing the chair back gently. But just as she was about to take a step away, her hand was caught and tugged back, making her almost lose her balance.
She stumbled only to fall into Aiden's arms —safe and secure.
"What are you doing?" she asked, wide-eyed.
"What do you think?" he responded, looking evenly at her.
"You —"
Before she could speak further, his lips pressed against her, swallowing the rest of her words.
When he finally pulled back, his voice was low, teasing against her lips. "I am just practising," he said.
Her brows knitted in confusion. "Practising?"
He nodded evenly. "To be a proper hooligan," he said as though that was very normal.
Arwen couldn't register at the firm, but when she did, she saw his smirk deepening.
"You —!"
"Moon," hands moved over her face gently, "Let's sign a pact."
"Pact?" she asked, looking at him to see if this was another tease. But seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she doubted it was.
"Let's trust each other enough not to stay upset even in the worst."
Arwen blinked, caught off guard by the weight of his words. "Why? Are you scared of me being upset at you?"
He stared into her eyes and, without hesitation, nodded. "Very scared. If you ever really become upset with me, I might lose my sanity."