Chapter 493 - Singled out

"What took you so long? I'm almost done preparing lunch." Madam Kelly said when she saw Chairman John enters the kitchen followed by Mark and Jacob each carrying a bucket of fish.

"What? That's all you've got?" Madam Kelly frowned when she saw that each bucket has no more than five fishes each.

"Dear, it is not like we are going to eat only fish for the whole week. That would be enough until tomorrow. We can fish more if you want." Chairman John said as he hands over the buckets of fishes.

"Mom, do you want us to have scales?" Lily said as she rolled her eyes. Everyone knows that she was just joking.

"Where are the kids?" Leticia asked Mark while taking off her apron.

"They're still outside," Mark replied as he stretched his arms to reach for Leticia who is already walking towards him. The two walked hand-in-hand out of the kitchen to join their twins.

Jacob immediately saw J sitting with Lily at the counter so he walked towards her. "Are you feeling better?" Jacob questioned her as he was expecting her to be up at least after lunch. J replied with a nod.

"Good. Because if you didn't get better, I'd feel guilty for taking you there last night." Jacob said then he kissed the top of her head.

She smiled. Fortunately, I got better. J thought internally. "No need to worry, I am actually glad that you take me there. Because if you didn't, I would've missed an opportunity to see the stars that bright."

Jacob felt warm. "We could always come back if you want." Then he wrapped his arms around J's shoulder keeping her close to his chest.

Lily who watched her sister Leticia being taken away affectionately by her husband and now watching her brother and sister-in-law showing their affections to each other beside her can't help but feel downcast. She was hoping she has Lance with her as well.

"Oh, God! I missed Lance!" She said burying her face on the granite counter.

"It's all your fault! Why didn't you brought him with you as well? I can't believe that you just let him eat with us for the Christmas Eve and let him go for the Christmas." Madam Kelly chastises Lily. She was actually urging Lance to stay at Parker's mansion last Christmas Eve but Lily was the one who refused.

"Mom! Lance is different from other guys out there! It is a must for him to celebrate Christmas with his family. It is a family tradition that they have to be complete during Christmas." Lily defended herself. "You can even ask sister-in-law."

By now, Madam Kelly is taking the bucket of fishes to the back kitchen to be cleaned.

"Lily is right. Even when we were abroad, he would always fly back home for Christmas. His parents wouldn't let him missed a Christmas away from him." That is actually one of the reasons why J was used to be left alone during Christmas, so she settled herself in just not celebrating it. Jacob felt the burden that she must have had during those years that she was alone so he tightened his hold on her shoulder.

"Well then, you better hurry and get married to him." Madam Kelly said without inhibitions as if she wouldn't mind pushing her youngest daughter away for marriage as long as it is with Lance.

Lily's eyes glistened with an idea. "So, should I propose for marriage then?"

Hearing that, Chairman John who was drinking the freshly squeezed juice that Leticia made almost got choked. He was silently listening to the conversation of her wife and youngest daughter wondering where it is going to end. And he hasn't expected Lily's suggestion.

Jacob's expression turned dark and with a deep and cold tone, he warned her. "Don't you dare!"

"What?! Mom's urging me to get married. So, what's wrong with me proposing to Lance?" Lily started to argue with Jacob.

J was speechless. She wasn't sure if Lily is really just an unconventional type of woman or she is just pissing her mother and brother of.

"Honey," J heard Jacob called out to her while pinching the space between his brows.