My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 22: Do I look like someone who haggles?

The aroma of the tea lingered in their hotel room. Ashley sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes gleaming with expectation. Meanwhile, Lucian sat on the chair near the small table in their room.

Steam curled above the teacup, making him stare at it before glancing at her expectant expression.

If others were here, they might think this was her real plan.

To poison Lucian.

It wouldn’t be impossible if she resorted to such a thing. After all the effort she had poured into trying to escape, poisoning Lucian might be the answer.

But despite the thought of poison, Lucian reached for the teacup.

With grace, he lifted it to his lips and sniffed the tea’s aroma. Its scent alone already felt soothing.

Ashley’s face brightened even more when she saw him take a sip. She jumped from her seat and moved closer to the table, placing her hands on the surface as she leaned toward him.

"So??" she asked, watching his brows rise slightly after the sip. "What do you think?"

Lucian slowly placed the teacup down, licking his lips a little. He glanced at her expression before looking back at the tea.

"It’s good," he said, and meant it more than he expected. "It’s rich in flavor, and the warmth feels like it relaxes my muscles."

Ashley beamed happily.

"I know, right?! Auntie Lizzie makes her own tea from her own garden."

Excited, she dragged another chair close to him. When she sat down, she cupped her cheek and happily told him about the person she had met.

Meanwhile, as she enthusiastically explained why she ended up staying with the stranger she had met, Lucian casually enjoyed the tea along with her chatter.

It felt... very strange.

This normalcy in their relationship had happened in the blink of an eye. He didn’t know what had happened or how things had turned out this way.

Just a few days ago, Ashley would spit curses at his face. She would look at him as if he were more disgusting than a turd, and in her eyes, he was worthless.

But now...

Lucian glanced at her happy face. She was cupping her cheek, her smile unmistakable, her eyes even squinting. She was talking about this stranger she had just met—someone who had nothing to do with them.

Yet he was listening to every word while drinking the tea.

Was this really possible?

"Right!" she perked up a bit. "Did I mention Auntie Liza is actually the owner of this hotel? She liked me, so she said she’s going to give us a discount—hehe!"

"Discount?" he arched a brow.

She nodded profusely.

"This will save us a bit, considering we were supposed to stay in that ugly hotel," she intoned. "She’s going to give us a big discount!"

Lucian blinked, looking at the person who once tried to max out a limitless credit card, buying everything she laid her eyes on without regard for the price.

"Do I look like someone who haggles?" he asked plainly.

Her smile stiffened slightly as she thought about it. "Ah... no. But let’s not waste money and resources!"

Coming from someone who often wasted money and resources.

But in the end, he nodded.

"Okay."

"Also!" Ashley clasped her hands together before leaning over the table. "Should we go to Auntie Liza’s flower shop?"

He arched a brow, and she quickly explained before he could utter his cold, "No."

"Auntie Liza is a rich lady! She owns a few businesses in this district too. Her flower shop is like a twelve-minute walk from here," she explained. "I was thinking about the garden we have at home. This country has the best gardeners and experts. While we’re here, you can do your business and find someone to help us with the garden."

Lucian remained silent, tilting his head slightly to the side.

"I told her I’ll ask my husband to come with me," she said. "Let’s go together, okay?"

"No."

His answer made her quickly frown.

"I have some matters to attend to," he added. "But you may go."

She blinked. Then blinked again.

She had been planning to take Lucian with her because she knew it would be impossible to go on her own.

Is he allowing me to go by myself?

"Take the guys with you, just in case," he added in a calm tone, lifting the teacup to his lips while watching her. "Go shopping if you want as well."

But instead of her face twinkling with excitement, she just looked confused.

Wasn’t this what she wanted?

Ashley pointed at herself. "I can go on my own?"

"As long as you come back."

"...."

For a moment, she pondered before smiling brightly.

"Okay! But you have to promise me you’ll meet Auntie Liza at least once before we go home, okay?"

Lucian nodded lightly. "Okay."

He didn’t plan to meet this person, as he was more focused on meeting someone else. However, now he was curious about the person Ashley kept talking about.

But seeing her cup her face again and smile from ear to ear, he didn’t dwell on it anymore. He simply let her ramble on while he finished the tea.

Once he finished, Lucian stood up to leave the room.

But he had barely taken a step when she looked up at him with genuine wonder in her eyes.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

Lucian gazed down at her. "My room."

"Eh?" She cocked her head to the side. "Your room? You’re not sleeping here?"

Surprise briefly crossed his expression before he answered,

"No."

"I thought you’d be staying here..." she trailed off, considering her room was the biggest—except Liza’s.

But then again, Lucian had given up the master bedroom in the mansion for her to use.

Perking up again, Ashley hurriedly got up from her seat and went to the bedside table where a small present lay.

Lucian had noticed it earlier, but didn’t dwell on it.

When she stopped in front of him, she held out the box.

"Lu, you’ll be meeting an important person tomorrow, right?" she asked. "This is my gift for him."

"A gift?"

She nodded. "You’re a married man! Of course, your wife should at least have the common courtesy to give this important big shot a gift. Who knows?"

Married man... Wife...

Lucian felt a little dizzy from the terms she kept using.

Hesitation flickered in his eyes as he looked at the present. It was wrapped tightly and beautifully. But in the end, he took it.

"I’ll let him know it’s from you."