Novel Palace
Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Chapter 33: Back Home
“Thank you for returning my daughter,” Ethan said while welcoming Carlos to the dining table.
“Although we don’t mind if Kate stays with you until tomorrow. When are you leaving again, Carlos?” Samantha asked.
“I’m leaving tomorrow, aunt,” Carlos revealed. “Kate will see me practice tomorrow morning, and I’ll leave for New York in the afternoon.”
“Will you be back?” Samantha asked.
“Yes, aunt. I will return after my New York trip, but I might not stay long. I still have to wait for instructions from the French Open organizers, but I am certain they will not delay the tournament for long. It can’t clash with the Wimbledon finals,” Carlos explained.
“Yes, and we still need you to win the French Open Cup,” Ethan said before pointing Carlos and Kate to their seats.
Observing the frown on Kate’s face, Ethan asked, “Why are you looking grumpy?”
“I’m not grumpy, dad. Pfft!” Kate denied it by faking a laugh. The truth was, Kate was disappointed that she did not get her reward from Carlos. Her father called while she and Carlos were making out. Ethan had invited Carlos for dinner. “Kate is not grumpy, uncle,” Carlos suggested. He smiled at Kate, silently reminding her how her reward would be awarded upon his return from New York
“Who is joining us?” Kate asked, seeing two more plates set on the table. Just as she asked, two familiar frames walked in, both in their Armani suit. It was Kate’s older brother, Kyle, and twin brother, Kaleb. Kate’s nephew, Liam, was being carried by his nanny. “Carlos!” Kaleb called. “Finally!” Kaleb first walked over to Carlos. They shook hands before Kaleb gave Carlos a manly hug. He said, “It’s so
good to see you, man.” After Kaleb, Carlos walked up to Kyle and offered a hug. Kyle tapped on Carlos’ back and whispered in his ear, “Let’s talk later.”
Like Ethan, Kyle had darker hair and intense brown eyes. He walked like a king and talked like one. Having been groomed to be the company’s future CEO, Kate’s brother had always had that imposing quality. “Where is Gaby?” Kate asked Kyle, referring to her sister-in-law. “She said she’ll meet Carlos next time. She is a little tired of taking care of Kenneth. You know how sensitive Kenneth is,” Kyle replied while taking his seat.
Kate then explained to Carlos how her nephew, Kenneth, was born prematurely because of a premeditated accident. After taking Kenneth home, Gaby, Kyle’s wife, was very hands-on in caring for her son.
“I’ın sorry about what happened, Kyle. And… I’m sorry for missing your wedding,” Carlos said. “But congratulations on having your own family and, of course, finding your wife.”
Kyle nodded and answered, “Thank you. We have been through a lot, but the worst is over now. ” He smiled at Carlos and said, “You missed two weddings, by the way. You are going to have to make up for it.”
“By giving Kate the grandest wedding of the century!” Samantha interrupted, and she chuckled at the end of her lines. With her hands in the air, her eyes looking up, she suggested, “I can see it now! It will be a live broadcast of The Devil’s wedding to his childhood sweetheart
“Mom! Mom, please!” Kate grumbled, and her two brothers laughed at their mother’s assumptions. Carlos also chuckled, but he did not deny it either. As they were dining, Ethan noticed the bangle on Kate’s wrist. He glanced at Carlos and asked, “Did you finally tell her?” His eyes returned to the jade bangle, hinting at Carlos.
“Ah, yes, uncle. I told her,” Carlos nodded.
“And look. Kate is wearing Agnes’ ring!” Samantha exclaimed. “Looks like the two of you have had a good talk.” “We did, aunt. We talked it all out,” Carlos confirmed with a smile. “Wait, dad. You knew?” Kate asked, referring to her father’s earlier words. “You knew he was Mister Jade all along?”
“I said I would find out, and I did, but I no longer reported it to you since Carlos had returned. We talked about it. He said it was his job to tell you the truth,” Ethan admitted.
The family spent the next two hours enjoying Samantha’s home-cooked meals while covering the events Carlos had missed. Carlos learned about how Kaleb ended up being a single dad and how Kyle met his wife. They also chatted about the past, including the days when Carlos and Kate were younger “Kaleb is a frustrated tennis player,” Kate remarked, recalling how her twin brother tried to match Carlos’ tennis skill.
“Hey, I still have it!” Claimed Kaleb. Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.
“You three,” Kyle said, pointing to Kate, Kaleb, and Carlos. “You were always very noisy. Even before Carlos moved in with us, the three of you often disturbed me while I was studying.”
Kaleb and Kate laughed their hearts out, recalling Kyle’s seriousness about his books. On the other hand, Carlos tried to hold back his own amusement at the memory.
“The three of you were almost inseparable,” Samantha remarked, referring to Kate, Kaleb,