radicalducati Chapter 567: Are You Joking?
Chapter 567: Are You Joking?
“It’s all taken care of. Don’t worry,” Dave said firmly. “I’ll give Bianca the grandest wedding and make her the happiest bride.”
Madison’s face lit up. “Then let’s set a date soon!”
Bianca’s cheeks turned red; whether from the wine or all the wedding talk, she couldn’t tell. She gave her mom a look, trying to slow things down. “Mom, there’s no rush.”
But Madison was too happy to stop. “No rush? You’re both doing great, Dave is successful, and your business is thriving. What more are you waiting for?”
Leonel quickly agreed with their mom. “Exactly! Or… is there someone else in your heart?”
Bianca was caught off guard and started coughing hard as if Leonel’s question had hit her out of nowhere. Right then, she wanted nothing more than to kick him out of the room.
"Leonel, it’s not what you think," she said quickly.
But he didn’t back down. "Then tell me why you're avoiding marriage?"
Bianca didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t possibly explain the ridiculous deal she made with Blake. Leonel would never understand.
So she came up with something else. "Dave’s aunt was just buried yesterday."
"Rachel… her passing was so sudden. I’m sorry, I didn’t know," Madison said, looking at Bianca, then turning to Dave. "Mr. Evans, please accept my condolences."
Leonel followed quickly. "Yes, my condolences." Then he looked at Bianca. "Why didn’t you tell us earlier?"
In Hondune, when someone died, the family usually took time to mourn. During that period, they didn’t celebrate or hold weddings.
Madison and Leonel had no idea Dave’s aunt had passed. Neither Bianca nor Dave had planned to bring it up. It was just the excuse Bianca had come up with.
Dave looked at Bianca, impressed by how fast she thought on her feet, but also a little annoyed.
In some parts of Hondune, celebrations could be put off for three months, or even up to three years. In Edenfield, especially in well-known families like the Evanses, customs varied and weren’t always well known.
In the end, the decision about the wedding was Dave’s to make.
Madison and Leonel didn’t fully understand the Evans family’s traditions, but they saw that now wasn’t the right time for Dave to marry Bianca.
"It’s okay. You didn’t know," Dave said sincerely. "But just so you know, I have no plans to marry anyone but Bianca."
His words were reassuring and helped ease the mood.
Leonel, feeling satisfied with Dave’s words, lifted his glass. "Here’s to Mr. Evans. I trust you’ll take good care of my sister."
"I’ll make sure she’s happy," Dave replied.
"That’s all I needed to hear. I’ll be waiting for your wedding invite," Madison said with a smile.
She then urged them, "Come on, eat. Bianca, have some more too."
Once the meal was over, Madison stood up and excused herself, saying she had plans to meet some friends. She told Bianca not to worry. In truth, she just wanted to give the two of them sometime alone.
Leonel stood up and smiled. He didn’t want to stick around now that their mom was leaving. "Bianca, I’ve got a few things to take care of too. Some old classmates are having a get-together tonight."
"Mom, you just got back and you’re already so busy," Bianca said, sounding a little disappointed. She had hoped to spend more time with her.
Madison smiled and gave Bianca a light tap. "I have my own life too. Focus on your work. And if you’re free, spend more time with Mr. Evans."
Bianca’s face turned red at her mom’s words, feeling shy at the thought of being alone with Dave.
After Madison and Leonel left, Bianca let out a quiet sigh. But before she could say anything, she felt Dave wrap his arms around her from behind.
"You were pretty quick on your feet earlier," Dave said, his voice low. "But I want to know… if he never comes back, would you really never marry me? Do you still have feelings for him?"
"Are you jealous?" Bianca asked with a playful smile as she settled onto his lap and tapped his nose.
Dave looked at her, his usual confidence giving way to something more honest. "Yeah, I’m jealous," he admitted. "Maybe we should move the wedding up. I don’t want to keep your mom and brother waiting. You’ve got six months, if Blake doesn’t come back by then, you’re marrying me. No excuses."
Bianca thought about the promise Blake made to return in six months and nodded. "Okay. I’ll go with your plan. In six months, we’ll get married."
She gently held his face, kissed him softly, and said, "You said you’d only marry me, so I’ll only marry you."
As they pulled away, Dave still looked worried. "I don’t want to wait that long," he said, loosening his tie and pressing Bianca gently against the wall with a teasing smile. "Maybe I should go find him myself. That way, you wouldn’t have to break your promise."
Their deal was simple, Bianca wouldn’t be with anyone else until Blake came back. But how he returned was never clearly defined.
Dave, always sharp, had spotted a loophole.
Bianca raised an eyebrow, her eyes narrowing. "Are you joking, or are you actually serious?"
Dave’s eyes were calm and unreadable, but he didn’t say a word.
Bianca looked at him, wondering what he was thinking, but chose not to ask. She knew he could really do it if he wanted to. Still, he held back for her.
Only six months stood between them and what they had agreed on.
Changing the subject, Dave asked, "I’m free this afternoon. Is there anywhere you want to go?"
It was the weekend. Since Madison and Leonel were in town, Dave had cleared his schedule to spend time with them.
"Let’s go shopping," Bianca said with a bright smile, linking her arm through his. "I’m going to get a fortune out of you."
"Okay," Dave replied with a nod, smiling back.
Phoenix Alliance Group’s recent stock surge was partly because of Bianca’s help and commitment.
They went to the biggest mall in Edenfield. Dave, staying low-key, secretly bought everything Bianca even glanced at.
"What are you doing? I’m just trying them on," Bianca said, half laughing, half scolding after he nearly cleared out a whole store for her.
Sales staff followed behind them, their arms full of bags filled with everything Bianca had picked; clothes, accessories, and more.
"It’s a gift," Dave said simply.