The Princess and the Pauper

Chapter 1925

Romeo planned to ask the chef for the recipe later, so when Bella married him and longed for a taste of

home, he could whip up a comforting cup for her, or perhaps they could make a trip back together.

"Did your family's thing wrap up that quick?" Arabella asked offhandedly.

"Yeah, grandpa and grandma were both eager to get cooking, thinking of impressing you tonight with

their skills. Mom and dad were not to be outdone. When I left, all four of them were battling it out for

kitchen space, with the chef standing by, totally stressed out, unable to intervene but also unable to

watch them turn the kitchen into a disaster zone." Romeo said with a light chuckle, "They know you

love seafood, so tonight's feast is mostly seafood-themed."

"That's so considerate of them." Arabella said with a laugh, "Dinner here should be over by six or

seven; then we can head over to your grandparents' and nibble on something."

"If they heard you say that, they'd be thrilled." Romeo pulled out his phone, "I'll shoot them a message

to hold back on the experimental dishes. Otherwise, I might ban you from next year's feast."

The elders weren't sure if Arabella would make it today, but they were all vying to cook, hoping she

would come and get a taste of their culinary efforts.

If they knew Arabella was definitely coming tonight, they would be over the moon, eagerly awaiting her

arrival.

"You're really crashing our dinner?" David stood by the long banquet table, watching Romeo stroll in

hand in hand with his sister. He felt a twinge of jealousy, "Can you maybe show a little restraint in

public? The deal isn't sealed yet, and here you are, all over each other. Does Bella's reputation mean Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

nothing to you?"

"What can I say? You're just jealous you don't have a girlfriend," Romeo let go of Arabella's hand only

to drape an arm around her waist, drawing her even closer, looking like the perfect pair.

"Just because you've got Bella on your side now, doesn't mean you can do whatever you want around

me. Listen here, she calls me bro, and you better show the same respect! Otherwise, you can forget

about stepping through this door!"

"If just saying 'bro' can get me such an amazing fiancée, then I'm making out like a bandit." Romeo said

with a playful grin, acknowledging his friend's tacit approval, "Thanks for acknowledging me as your

future brother-in-law so soon, David. I'm looking forward to all the advice you'll give me."

"Advice, my foot." David grumbled, pulling Romeo's shoulder away from Bella, "If it weren't for the fact

that you're my longtime buddy and the whole 'keep the benefits in the family' thing, I'd never let Bella

end up with you."

"So, I'm pretty important to you. Is that so, David?"

"Cut the crap." David said, “Don’t get used to call me like that so easily.”

Before he tried to make Romeo consider him as his brother; turned out it was a

herculean task. Ever since Bella came into the picture, Romeo had changed so

unnoticeably fast.

"Once a brother-in-law, it’ll be a done deal." Romeo joked, "I'll be calling you 'bro' until the day you're

six feet under."

"Get out of here, talking about graves on New Year! Whether you remain my brother-in-law depends on

how you act from here on out. I've been dancing my bones off at concerts recently," David feigned a

shoulder ache.

Romeo got the hint, "Bella, David wants me to give him a massage. Hang on a sec."

"No, no, I did not say that!" David blurted, not expecting Romeo to be so cunning as to use Bella

against him.

"The thing is, I can't have physical contact with anyone else, even guys, it's just not right," Romeo said

with feigned resignation.

"Bella, he's bullying me!!"

Arabella couldn't help but laugh, "Have you guys ever had a moment of peace in all these years?"

Always this love-hate relationship?