5 Mr president?

'So this is the little girl my parents want me to marry'

'weak..timid..meek.. and pushover'

...were the thoughts that swirled around in Daniel's mind the moment he laid eyes on Ara.

This clearly is a ploy to get them to get to know each other and develop the basis of an amicable relationship, yet Ara's display of unawareness deepened Daniel's earlier judgment her. Looking at her innocent eyes that are yet to be tainted by the filth and corruption of this world, he can't help but sneer at her coldly.

"Are you always this quiet?" Daniel asked when he could no longer take her blatant ignorance of him.

"Sometimes" She murmurs softly, not even turning around to look at him as they both walk around.

"What's that supposed to mean?" his left eye twitches in irritation when she doesn't even turn to look at him.

"I guess I don't like talking unless necessary"

"I've heard differently"

"I tend to be ...different... more open when I've established common ground with people"

Daniel's face remained stoic, with just a twitch of his left eye being an indicator of the change in his emotions. It's not that Ara wants to be rude on purpose, had Daniel been keeping close attention on her face then he would have seen the grimace that has attacked her face each time she had to give him a reply.

Her delicate hands biting at each other.

The two people continued to silently stroll around the garden, neither of them willing to break the thick silence. One because of her fear and the other because of his pride and arrogance. Around half an hour later, a maid emerged from the other side of the garden.

"Young miss, young Master"

The maid bows at the two people with respect.

"Speak"

Given the cue, the little lamb doesn't waste a single second before reiterating the message she was sent to speak.

"Master Frost is expecting your presence in the dining room"

"Ok, we will be there shortly"

****

*knock*! *knock*!

"Come in"

"Mr. President, Dr. Martin just connected on line three and wants to know if he can get you for dinner with his wife... he uh, said he has something to tell you about your sister"

"Book a table for three at Wang Hotels in city B"

"Yes president"

The meek little secretary turned to leave,

"And Amanda, I don't appreciate my own people being used against me"

A chill went through the young secretary as she remembered how she'd lost half a year's salary the last time she spied on the president under the chairman's orders.

"Noted Mr president"

****

"Ara dear, come sit next to me" Giselle called out warmly, not giving Ara any room to refuse.

As everyone sat down for the planned late breakfast, Ara soon realized that she had been made to sit directly opposite Daniel. Her back tensed a little before she calmed down as she remembered how things were going to turn out. She's obviously at an advantage here, with how she's lived two lives and know the likely possible routes and turn of events if she were to turn even a single word today. An advantage she'll lose once she changes the course of time.

"well let's eat," Noah says as he takes two pancakes and starts to eat.

Soon everyone else is eating, all exhibiting proper etiquette. Ara calmly takes out two dumplings and a maid immediately steps forward to pour her a glass of lemon juice to wash up the spicy taste once she's done. The gentle sounds of cutlery hitting against the plates, Ara and Hao Chen being the exception using chopsticks.

Hao Chen glances at her and using her own chopsticks, she takes two dumplings and places them on Ara's plate.

"Xiao Xin you should eat more" everyone glanced up and quickly went back to eating like there was no big deal with an eighteen-year-old being treated like a little babe.

Giselle smiled, content with how Ara didn't refute Hao Chen. Ara's waist is already small and seems delicate to the eye, Giselle is afraid that her devil of a son would break the poor girl when the time for intimacy came. Forget about that, her biggest worry being that Ara won't be able to handle pregnancy with such a fragile waist.

'I would need to get this daughter-in-law of mine to eat more protein, with how the Bulock men are blessed I don't think she can handle such torture'

Both Daniel and Charles choked on air, making Noah and Giselle respectively worry for them.

"Are you fine Daniel"

"Are you ok dear"

"I'm fine" both men replied offhandedly, confused at most.

As everyone finished with their breakfast, the maids made quick work of removing the plates and everything, taking it back to the kitchen. Soon enough, a jar of water was brought in and each glass on the table was filled before the maid retreated to the background.

This was a special water treatment to aid digestion after a late breakfast, and it's infused Chinese herbs that strengthen the lining of the stomach. The taste is similar to that of lemon but a bit more bitter at first then leaving a sweet aftertaste. This is a traditional home remedy by the Zhang family passed down to each descendant. In this case, Aunt Ming, Hao Chen's old nanny, is the one who prepares it for her miss and the family.

"Ara, I hear you've been accepted into PureFort"

"Yes, madam Bulock"

"Are you planning on pursuing art? because I have a few friends who might be interested in helping you out if you need any assistance"

"I dare not trouble madam Bulock"

"Nonsense child, call me aunt Giselle"