Love Her to No End

Chapter 66 Playing With Fire At the table in the dining room long enough to accommodate a dozen-odd people, the two elder Xanders sat on one side while Michaela and Jonathan took their places opposite them.

Coming in, Michaela was under the impression that the head of the Xander family would preside over the table.

That way, she might seize the opportunity to sit with Mavis and away from Jonathan.

Little did she anticipate being grabbed by the wrist as soon as she stepped in.

The sensation of the large mitts wrapped around her wrist had the immediate effect of putting a thorough blush upon Michaela’s dainty cheeks.

There was no way she could have expected Jonathan to behave so insolently in front of the elder Xanders. In the midst of her trepidation, Jonathan said, “My father wants to sit with my mother, so you should cand sit next to me!” So, it would seem that having been so loving throughout their lives, the older couple were equally inseparable even at mealtimes. That was something that had cto be normalized within the Xander family.

Michaela was somewhat uneasy about returning to Jonathan's side once more. Her movements becextremely conservative out of fear that she might make contact with any part of Jonathan's body.

There was still a warmth left around the circumference of her wrist where he had held her a moment ago. It left a titillating sensation so overwhelming that it nearly swallowed her whole. Hence, she was fearful of making any further physical contact with him again.

Mavis was oblivious to the awkwardness between the pair. All that was apparent to her was Michaela scraping away at only what was on her plate with her head bowed. Eventually, she said, “Since you are seated closer, Jonathan, help serve sfood to Mich!” “Got it!" Correspondingly, Jonathan did as he was told, only to hear Mavis let out a sigh of disapproval, “How could you ever hope to bring ha wife for yourself being as klutzy as you are? Even your Dad and | wonder whether we would ever live long enough to see you have a family of your own!” Klutzy? In Michaela’s esteem, she felt strongly that Mavis did not understand her own son well enough.

Never mind starting one family, her son was so adept at the gof seduction that starting several families at a twould be considered child's play to him.

“Have | not arranged for you to undergo anywhere between a minimum of eight to over ten matching-making sessions previously? You weren't happy with any of the options presented to you, and even that girl from the Johnsons failed to catch your eye. Although | am aware that you possess sgreat qualities, Jonathan, surely you cannot expect to spend the rest of your life alone? Your Dad and | can’t possibly be around to keep you company forever, so won't you make it so that we could depart without worries?” In consideration of her youngest boy's predicament, Mavis’ consternation becpalpable on her face. In the end, she placed down her utensils and looked over with mixed emotions. “Mich isn’t an outsider, Jonathan, so you can give it tostraight today. What sort of girl do you fancy? That way, | might have a better idea as to what sort of prospects | should be scouting for on your behalf. Unless you mean to tellthat you are interested in men, just like they are saying out there?” Him interested in men? With her head lowered, Michaela attempted to restrain her own amusement.

Old Mrs. Xander is really progressive, able to so have the mention of same-sex attraction roll so casually off her tongue. It’s as if she'd be receptive to anyone who is remotely human.

That scenawas, in actuality, a monthly spectacle within the Xander family.

Mavis would rehash the sthing as and when Jonathan chto eat, as though being without a girlfriend was a matter of aggravating shame.

Jonathan was especially skilled at maneuvering his way out of such insipidity. Only that time, he had his playful impulses surprisingly drummed up in response to that little lass’ gleeful gloating at the side. “Actually, I'm already attached,” he declared in ambiguity.

“What?” That pronouncement that cout of nowhere left Mavis her momentarily stunned. Reflexively, she exchanged a look of astoundment with her husband beside her.

“Attached? To whom? Tell me, what's the nof this girl? Where does she work at? How did you becacquainted, and when did you both start dating? Is she someone known to your Dad and me? If this was true, why did you not tell us about it earlier? You know, Jonathan. Your father and | have always taught you to be honest and forthright since you were little. It's okay if you don’t have a girlfriend, but don’t you try to lie to us about stuff like that!” Amidst the well-meaning nature of Mavis’ words was a measure of self-reproach, as she wondered if she had been heaping too much pressure on her own son.

Who was to expect that Jonathan would maintain his own stance in the face of Mavis’ doubts. “I have a girlfriend and that’s a fact. Why would | need to lie about it?” Being as poised as he was since young, not once has Jonathan ever said anything that he was unsure of.

Seeing the steadfastness in his demeanor, Mavis’ eyes glinted with joy. “Then, when do you intend to bring her hto meet us? Since we have no need to engage in strategic unions, we aren’t that particular about her family background, so long as she is a young lady of fine character. We have no objections so long as you love each other and are happy together!” Jonathan refrained from responding immediately and instead cast Michaela a meaningful glance. “She’s right...” Choking on a mouthful of soup, Michaela started coughing up a fit until her lovely face turned red from ear to ear.

“Oh dear. How careless you are!” Jonathan's low inflection was tinged with chastisement, prompting Michaela to regard him askance. Whose fault was that? Do you mean to scareto death? In spite of being told that words of the inebriated cannot be taken at face value, he seemed intent on being as loud as possible about it, as though hoping that the whole world would cto find out about them as a result.

Regardless of how Jonathan viewed the situation, the fact that he was Zack’s uncle would be scandalous enough in itself should word about this spread.

She was almost embarrassed to the core.

In the belief that she was merely there for a simple meal, she had not anticipated that Jonathan might seek to set her up. That, per se, was a misstep on her own part.

As much as Jonathan was eager to let everyone in on his relationship with Michaela, he was aware that the timing was premature for that big reveal then. He could ill-afford to ruffle that young lass’ feathers, or at the very least, not before she was fully committed to him.

In truth, he only meant to have sfun at her expense. Only after Michaela’s coughing subsided did Jonathan steadily state before the two elders’ watchful eyes, “She’s a little shy and besides, we've barely started becoming serious. That's why I'd probably have to wait to have her over at a more appropriate time!” “Oh, praise the heavens above! Our Jonathan now has himself a girlfriend!” Smiling broadly, Mavis, however, did not neglect to caution Jonathan, “May | remind you, Jonathan, you absolutely have to treat her right. Getting a girl to think enough of you isn’t that easy, so you better make sure that you hold on to her!” “Roger that! I'd keep that in mind!” While he answered in his deep inflection, Jonathan saw Michaela’s cheeks reddened once more In the corner of his eyes. She seemed to be on the verge of wanting to throttle someone.

At that very moment, Nick, who had been silent all that while, chimed in, “Yes. Chances are, this girl who has taken a fancy to you must be someone kindhearted in spite of lacking a discerning eye. | bet she probably took pity on you for still being single at your age. Seeing that it’s the company’s anniversary next month, you might as well invite her over to see us. After all, such a girl is really hard to cby nowadays!” Could there be anyone else in this world who would diss his own son any more than he does? That heartstopping meal served to lead Michaela to a singular realization; the rumor of Jonathan being the apple of two elders’ eyes would seem largely unfounded.

After dinner, the few of them chatted briefly about Hannah's effort to start a school in Gerton over coffee.

Through a call with her mother, Michaela learned that things were not going swimmingly over in Gerton. Within the week, they were not even successful at their aim of acquiring all the materials they needed, and Hannah also really had her work cut out for her.

Initially, Michaela wanted to inquire of Hannah when she would be returning. She decided against asking about that after she heard what happened, and only requested that her mother take care of herself.

In response, Mavis purposefully instructed Jonathan to reach out to Hannah to help pull sstrings to smooth things out whenever possible.

Naturally, Jonathan was not going to pass up on the opportunity to get on his mother-in-law’s good side. He, however, felt conflicted. For in the event that everything becsettled in Gerton would mean that Michaela would be moving away from him.

He had planned to discuss the matter with her in-depth after they returned hlater at night. That was until they were both unexpectedly asked to stay over at Mavis’ insistence. Giving Jonathan no choice in the matter whatsoever, Mavis went on to have the butler settle Michaela in a guest room.

Jonathan's expression grew increasingly sullen as he watched Michaela happily follow the butler upstairs.

Did she think that staying in the family hwould allow her to be free from his grasp? Haha. Fat chance! c