Since She Met Lucian novel Chapter 82

Amelia stepped out of the bathroom and wrapped herself in a black robe. She scanned the room for Lucian and only changed into her clothes once she saw that he wasn't there.

"Today's the first day of the Lunar New Year. You must wear something red. It complements your fair skin." Amelia's cheeks flushed when she heard Lucian's voice. She was particularly conscious because she was only wearing a thin camisole. She turned to look at where his voice was coming from and found him casually watching her, his arms crossed over his chest.

Amelia immediately pulled a shirt over her head. Taking Lucian's advice, she wore a red coat and matched it with a plaid skirt. Her long hair fell over her shoulders. She looked simple yet warm.

"You look good," Lucian said as he nodded in approval. "Since it's the New Year's Day, we must go to your family to celebrate," he added.

His words caught Amelia by surprise. Lucian was being incredibly considerate. She had never considered that he would bring up that suggestion.

Little by little, Amelia was seeing all virtues of Lucian.

Outside, the weather was bright and sunny. Colorful street lanterns rendered the atmosphere festive and people were smiling while lugging around gifts of all shapes and sizes. A few meters away, a family was laughing boisterously.

The scene warmed Amelia's heart. She stood in the square and watched them, not even realizing that she was smiling herself.

"I've got everything we need. Get in the car," Lucian called to Amelia and snapped her out of her daze. Following him to the vehicle, she took the front seat and strapped the seat belt across her chest.

"You didn't have to get so many gifts," Amelia complained after seeing the huge bags of presents Lucian placed on the back seat.

Lucian smiled before replying, "I should do no less than what is expected of me as a son-in-law, Mrs. Amelia. Besides, my wife's father is my father, and I should treat him as well as I treat my own."

Lucian used to be a man of few words, but it seemed to Amelia that he was getting rather chatty. She didn't mind though; he looked more charming each time he spoke.

She didn't think it possible, but Amelia was falling even more in love with him.

"If you stare at me like that, I won't be able to focus on driving," Lucian said without taking his eyes off the road. On his face was a mischievous grin.

Amelia blushed and turned instead to look outside the window, her face also beaming.

They parked in front of the Mo mansion. Amelia got out of the car and heard cheerful laughter coming from within. She frowned, however, when she thought she heard Yolanda's voice.

A servant who must have heard their car approaching opened the door for them. Seeing Amelia and Lucian, she announced, "Mrs. Amelia and Mr. Lucian are here."

Lucian held Amelia's hand as they walked into the living room. The laughter Amelia heard moments ago died down as everyone's heads turned to look at them in either surprise or scorn. Only Vernon stood up to welcome them with a warm smile. "Lucian! Amelia!" he said as he approached. "I'm so pleased that you're here. Have you had any breakfast?"

"Happy New Year, Dad!" Amelia said, hugging her father. "Yes, we've already eaten." Amelia smiled at her father and said no more.

"Well, don't just stand there. Have a seat," he urged as he walked them to the nearest couch. Vernon waved at the servants and asked for tea.

Each of the staff in the Mo family's household was personally handpicked by Lucian so everyone was especially attentive to him. Before Vernon could even ask for it, tea and sweets had already been served.

From the corner of her eyes, Amelia saw that everyone else in the room was looking at her with disdain.

Yolanda was sprawled on the sofa, nursing a pregnant belly. She looked grimly at Amelia who didn't return her sharp gaze. Beside her, Jasper fed her fruits like a loyal slave. He seemed to be enjoying passing his time this way as he was smiling ear to ear.

Sophia also sat there, having her pick of the fruits spread on the table. She didn't say much except when acknowledging Lucian's polite greeting.

The atmosphere was tense. It was obvious that many in the room didn't appreciate their coming.

Without waiting for her father to say more, Amelia opened her mouth to declare, "Dad, Lucian and I just dropped by to wish you a happy new year. We won't be staying long."

Lucian took this as his cue to put down his cup. He looked at Amelia with the kindest of eyes. He was not going to make any objection.

Surprised, Vernon couldn't think of a reply. Recovering after a couple of seconds, he said, "You just arrived and you say you'll be leaving soon. Why, you must stay and have a meal with us at least!"

Amelia felt sorry for her dad who wore a hurt expression on his face. But when she turned to Sophia and Yolanda, their scowls only strengthened her resolve to leave.

"Oh, you've changed after marrying into a rich family, Amelia. You're in such a hurry to go home that you won't even consider dining with us. People may get the wrong impression that we don't appreciate you being here." It was Sophia who spoke in a steely voice. She stood up and looked at Lucian with a smile on her lips. "Are your parents happy with your wife, Lucian? Amelia's spoiled in this family so we turn a blind eye to her antics. I wonder if she'd do anything to make your parents sorry you married her."

Amelia wished Sophia hadn't spoken. Every word that came out of her mouth only dealt Amelia pain.

"My family dotes on Amelia. They have nothing but praise for her cooking. I don't think we'd run into any trouble with them. Thank you for your concern," came Lucian's quick but calm response. He looked at Amelia and took her hand into his.

Sensing her anger, he squeezed her hand in assurance.

"I see," Sophia said, looking dejected. She took to her tea and tried to cover her face that was contorted in envy.

"Darling, I don't like this orange. It's too sour. Pick something sweet for me!" Yolanda ordered Jasper. She obviously enjoyed being doted on.

Jasper hesitated but complied. He took another orange from the table and started peeling it, but paused after realizing that he couldn't really tell the taste of a fruit by looking at it. "I don't know which one is sweet. I can dip it in honey if it's sour. Would you like that?"

"Oh, my love! It's alright. My husband peeling a fruit for me is already the sweetest treat. Even if the fruit is sour," Yolanda stared intently at Amelia as she said this.

Taking her daughter's cue, Sophia quipped, "You two have been married for quite a while. And yet it seems as if there's nothing growing in your belly, Amelia. Why aren't we hearing any news?"

Amelia knew that it was a statement of sarcasm rather than a question of concern.

Sophia would say anything to hurt Amelia.

Sophia and Yolanda both turned to Amelia and watched her reaction as if they were enjoying their favorite soap opera.

Amelia kept her silence. She was not going to gratify them with a defensive response.

Lucian rose from his seat. Smiling at Sophia, he said, "Sometimes, I think Amelia's still too young to be a mother. She's still very much like a child and I'm quite happy spoiling her. When I feel that she's ready to carry our child, we'll make it happen. For now, we really just want to enjoy ourselves as a couple."

Amelia looked at Lucian. She remembered how he also came to her rescue like this the last time. Not wishing to give Sophia and Yolanda the chance to attack him, Amelia smiled and added, "Yes. I worry that you'll stop paying attention to me when we do have a baby."

It was Lucian's turn to be surprised by Amelia's bold remark. He expected her to stay quiet while he dealt with the two. But he welcomed her response and smiled in delight.

Everyone in the room could see that the two were clearly devoted and affectionate towards one another. Sophia and Yolanda could only stew in their own fury as they watched the couple regard each other lovingly.

Amelia would never have thought of displaying her affection in front of Jasper and Yolanda like she did, but she'd had enough. It was time to stand up to Yolanda.

Deep down, Amelia wished with all her heart to leave and go home with Lucian, but not wanting to disappoint her father, she agreed to stay longer.

"I've asked Susan to clean out your room. If you and Lucian don't have other plans, you can stay here for as long as you want. If you want to, that is," Vernon told her in a low voice. The two have left the living room and Vernon was showing Amelia where they were to sleep.

Tears brimmed in Amelia's eyes. She didn't understand how her father could've thought that she didn't want to stay. Seeing her father's sad eyes pained Amelia.

"Dad, I do want to stay. If it will make you happy, I'll do it," Amelia said, taking his father's hand in hers.

Vernon looked at his daughter with kindness in his eyes. "I've often placed Yolanda's and Sophia's needs before your own. I've neglected you. I owe you so much, Amelia. I think of you as my own daughter."

Hearing his words, Amelia couldn't help but shed a tear. She wiped it quickly with the back of her hand and forced a smile. "Dad, it's New Year's Day! We should be celebrating. Let's not make each other cry," she said sincerely.

"Okay, okay," the old man recovered. "I won't say more." Vernon squeezed her hand and smiled warmly. Recalling something, however, he asked out of nowhere, "I heard that you work with Zhan Group. Is this true?"

"Yes. I'm Lucian's personal assistant," Amelia answered without hesitation. She initially thought that this position would work her to the bone, but it actually offered a lot of time for leisure.

"So you know Lucian's work?" Vernon lowered his voice and glanced at the door opening to the living room. He looked agitated.

"Dad, I didn't exactly receive the best education. Lucian graduated from a prestigious foreign university. Even if I do read his files, I won't exactly understand them," Amelia chuckled. She wondered if her father wanted help to get in at Zhan Group. Thinking about this made her deeply uncomfortable.

"Then you should work harder to be of help to your husband," Vernon said while patting Amelia on the head.

"Oh, I will, Dad," Amelia said. She immediately felt better when Vernon dropped the subject.

Amelia's relationship with Vernon had always been complicated. There were times when she felt closest to him, but there were also times when she felt as if he didn't care about her. But now that she had married and moved out of the house, it warmed her heart to find that Vernon still regarded her as a daughter.

Amelia went back to the living room and found Lucian with head bowed, his hands composing a message on his phone. Seeing Amelia, he reached for an orange and began peeling it. "This one's very sweet."

Amelia blushed when she heard Lucian tease.

They were happily eating fruits when Jasper came to join them. He announced himself with a cough and took a seat opposite the couple. He was fidgeting when he addressed them, "Lucian, Amelia, surely you know that Yolanda has a certain way with words. I hope you forgive her for having offended you."

Amelia pretended to not hear anything. She picked up another orange and started peeling. She wanted to keep silent, not wishing to be the target of another verbal attack.

Lucian regarded Jasper with a cold smile. "It's nothing. We don't care about anything she has to say. As far as we're concerned, Amelia and I are very happy together."