Chapter 162 The Atmosphere Is Just Right
Even after they hung up, Amelia’s smile did not fade. She looked like a young girl in love, giggling to herself from time to time.
Tiffany shivered, looking as if she could not stand the scene in front of her. “Wipe your mouth. Your saliva is dripping everywhere.”
Amelia then actually lifted her hand to the corner of her mouth. Tiffany was dumbfounded. Women in love were scary. One moment, she would be sensible and calm. The next, it was as if she was out of her mind.
“Babe, there’s no cure for you anymore. All it takes is one call from Oscar and you’re acting as if you’ve lost your mind. I’m sure you’re better than this.”
Amelia placed her phone down, then smiled faintly. “I haven’t seen him in a few days. I miss him. My baby misses Daddy too.”
Tiffany looked at her in disbelief. She did not think Amelia could come up with such a lame excuse.
“Do you want me to send you home, or do you want to go over to my place first?”
“Send me home. I need to go to the farmer’s market. He’s coming back, so I want to buy some ingredients and cook a nice meal for him.”
Tiffany glanced at Amelia’s belly in disapproval.
“Isn’t Molly home? Just give her a call and get her to do it. What’s the use of having a housekeeper if the owner needs to do everything by herself? You treat your housekeeper too well, giving her a higher salary than others, but also letting her do less work than she should. You’re letting her take advantage of you.”
Amelia looked at her, stunned. “Tiff, stop blaming Molly. I’m the one who wants to spend time alone with Oscar. Besides, her salary is paid by the Clintons. Even if she doesn’t come over to work here, she’s working back at Clinton Residence. She’s definitely not working less than others.”
As Tiffany drove, she said, “Fine. I know you have a good relationship with Molly. I only said one thing but you’re already defending her so much. If I say anything else I’m afraid you’ll actually start attacking me.”
Amelia was stupefied. She did not know why Tiffany was picking a fight with the housekeeper.
However, Tiffany was simply acting angry on purpose. She smiled and continued, “Okay, I won’t tease you anymore. I’ll come along and give you a hand.”
Amelia leaned back on the passenger seat and smiled to herself.
As Tiffany was familiar with the roads, they had a smooth drive to the farmer’s market. She parked the car, got off, and moved to stand beside Amelia. She remained protective of her as they walked, fearful of someone accidentally bumping into Amelia.
Seeing how cautious Tiffany was being, Amelia felt warmth in her heart although she was also a little bewildered. “Tiff, relax. There’s no need to be so careful of others. I’m just pregnant, not dealing with cancer.”
Tiffany glanced at her and tutted. “Babe, can you say something more positive? Don’t joke about such things.”
Amelia waved in apology. “Okay, sorry. I was wrong. Don’t be angry, okay?”
Tiffany really did not know how else to handle her.
The vendors in the farmer’s market were all familiar with Amelia and were greeting her enthusiastically as the pair walked by.
“Hi Amelia, not buying groceries with Molly today?” asked a woman who seemed to be in her early forties.
“I’m here with a friend today. How’s business, Mrs. Fuller?” asked Amelia as she picked out some broccoli.
“The usual, neither good nor bad. As long as it gets sold out by tonight, I can close my stall.” Mrs. Fuller then continued, “What’s your friend’s name? She’s a beauty just like you. I keep hearing others say something about birds of a feather flocking together. I believe it now. Since you’re a beauty, I am sure all your friends are definitely beautiful and handsome.”
Both Amelia and Tiffany were amused by her words.
Tiffany replied sweetly, “Miss, you’re a beauty too. Since we’re all beauties, can you sell this to us at a cheaper price?”
Mrs. Fuller was delighted. The older women grew, the more they liked to hear others calling them “Miss” since it made them feel quite a few years younger.
“You and your sweet tongue. How much are you buying? For each type you buy, I’ll give you a discount of one.”
Amelia then handed the vegetables she had selected over to the lady. “Mrs. Fuller, Tiff is just joking with you. You’re running a small business. It’s not easy to make money.”
“So what? It’s no big deal. I make a little less money but we now have two beauties here at our farmer’s market. It’s rare for us to see such pretty visitors. Everyone here is happy to see you two.”
Amelia had picked out many vegetables from the stall, and as promised, Mrs. Fuller gave her a discount for every item.
After paying for the vegetables, the pair next went to a stall selling chicken and duck. Amelia purchased a whole chicken, then got Tiffany to carry it.
“Tiff, do you want to eat fish? Why don’t we buy some back and bake it?”
Tiffany replied, “I’ll head home and cook myself some pasta later. Just buy enough to cook for Oscar and yourself.”
Amelia laughed. “You’re helping me so much right now. Do I look that heartless as to make you help me prepare everything then just let you go home on an empty stomach?”
“I don’t want to be a third wheel.”
Amelia smacked her on the arm and said, “Stop your nonsense.”
Tiffany simply grinned at Amelia.
The two then headed toward the fish stall. Tiffany jokingly said, “Babe, if I stay for dinner, I’m afraid Oscar will get into a bad mood once he gets home. When that happens, remember to stand behind me. With his character, I can’t guarantee that he won’t be violent toward women.”
Amelia was astounded.
Tiffany was getting bolder with her words.
“The two of you must be a cat and a dog in your previous life. Whenever you meet you’ll definitely fight over something. Based on your novel-writing tropes, you two would become a couple in the end. Sure enough, novel and reality are definitely opposites.”
Tiffany pulled away from Amelia and acted as if she were fighting something off. “Oscar and I are clearly from two different worlds. Don’t put us together. If the two of us ever get together, it would bring chaos and destruction to the world.”
Amelia could not help but slap her on the arm playfully. “You’re talking nonsense again. He’s really not as bad as you said.”
Tiffany replied, “Babe, that’s because you’re looking at him from a lover’s point of view. As for me, there’s nothing else that’s good about him other than the fact that he’s handsome, rich, and has a good career. He is not even a considerate person. Only a fool like you would fall for such a man.”
This made Amelia even more dumbfounded.
At the fish stall, the vendors welcomed the two of them enthusiastically. A few women in their forties and fifties could not help but compliment them. “You two look really beautiful. I can basically tell that you’re born into good families and are educated women with good upbringing.”
Tiffany replied, “Miss, you must have been very beautiful when you were young too. Although you’ve grown a little older now, you must have been very popular amongst men when you were younger by looking at your facial features.”
The vendors all brightened up and laughed at her words.
Looking at the women, Amelia could not bring herself to say such false praises. They were not actually pretty, and in fact, could be considered somewhat ugly. She did not understand how Tiffany could praise them that way.
As the vendor’s moods improved, she gave them a discount on the fish.
“Since both of you are so pretty, I’ll sell you this fish for ten. Usually, I charge thirteen.”
Tiffany said, “Miss, it should be that we’re all beauties. Beauties understand each other the best.”
The vendor’s mood further improved.
In the end, the pair returned with their hands full of fresh produce and other items.
Tiffany carried the entire bunch, rejecting Amelia when she offered to help.
“Babe, don’t you think I am amazing? My sweet tongue has helped you save quite a bit of money. How are you going to repay me?” asked Tiffany, trying to take some credit for herself.
“I’ll cook you something delicious?”
“Don’t give me that. You only care about your husband now. Where is the room for me?”
“What reward do you want then?”
“Every night before bed, you have to tell your baby just how great and lovable his godmother is. Then, when he’s born, he’ll love me more than he loves his daddy.”
Amelia shook her head, unable to hold back her laughter. “Tiff, can you be any more childish?”
Tiffany kept a straight face. “I’m serious. I need to start forming a bond with the baby. Otherwise, based on Oscar’s personality, he won’t let the baby interact too much with me after you have given birth. I can already predict what he’s going to do.”
Amelia had long given up on trying to resolve the issues between Tiffany and Oscar. No matter what she did, as soon as they met they would start fighting anyway. It’s either they treat each other coldly or start to attack and ridicule each other. Most of their fights were started by Tiffany. Oscar was usually the one who remained cold and calm.
Back in the car, Tiffany continued what she was saying. “Babe, remember to talk to your baby about me every night. I want him to place me in a higher position than your husband in his heart.”
“Tiff, can you be more graceful and classy?” asked Amelia.
“No, you don’t understand. I have to compete with your husband to see who wins.”
“Do you think you’re writing an action novel?”
“I do actually have the intention to write one this year. It’s just that I’ve never written this genre before so I don’t know if my audience can accept it. I also don’t know if my editor will kill me for this.”
Amelia was not surprised by her carefree comments. After all, she was already used to Tiffany’s quirks.
“Your romance and fantasy novels have already helped you build a fanbase. If you suddenly change genres now, you may lose some of them. But who knows, maybe you’ll gain some new ones too. I quite approve of this new attempt. Maybe you can talk to Shannon first. What if she actually supports you? After all, when you’ve written one genre for too long, your creativity and writing style may become dull.”
Tiffany snapped her fingers and said, “Babe, you sure know me best. For your sake, I won’t pick on Oscar anymore.”
Amelia laughed.
Whenever she spoke about a serious topic, Tiffany always had her own ways to lighten the situation, astonishing those around her.
“I think the one who knows you best is the person who discovers your talents.”
Tiffany did not understand what Amelia was suggesting. She asked, ”Who?”
“Your boss, Mr. Hisson,” replied Amelia jokingly.
Tiffany was stunned for a moment. When she composed herself again, she rolled her eyes at Amelia. “Why are you mentioning him all of a sudden?”
“Who knows? He could be your Mr. Right.”
Tiffany started to blush.
“Babe, you’ve been learning bad things.”
“I could say the same for you.”
Oh, man! Did I just dig a hole for myself?