Chapter 416: Hug Him
Hayley’s POV:
Hera was practically jumping with excitement inside my mind. “This is amazing! I can’t wait to mate with him and make sure he’s ours forever!” “We’re going to mark him so that no one else can take him away!”
I didn’t pay much attention to Hera’s enthusiasm, offering Benjamin a teasing grin instead. “Well, it all depends on how well you do.”
Benjamin nodded seriously. “I won’t disappoint you, I promise.”
His response made me happy, and I wrapped my arms around him in a quick hug. However, I soon became aware of the curious eyes around us. I pulled away quickly. “Okay, that’s enough. Too many people are watching.”
Benjamin remained unfazed and shrugged casually. “I’m just holding my fiancée. We’re not doing anything wrong. If they want to stare, that’s their problem.”
“But it feels a bit awkward for me,” I said.
Benjamin gave my hair a playful ruffle. “Then I’ll save the rest of the hugs for when we’re at home.”
Vivian’s POV:
I was about to look for Benjamin when Odessa found me first. “Vivian!”
I rushed to her and gave her a warm hug. “Odessa, you’re here! Is Ben here yet?”
“He is. Over there.”
Following her gaze, I spotted Benjamin, his expression soft as he looked at Hayley. The way he gazed at her with such tenderness stirred up a feeling of jealousy in me. I never imagined Benjamin, an Alpha, would be so devoted to an Omega like her, treating her so lovingly. How I wished he would look at me like that!
“Vivian, this is a gift from me,” Odessa said, pulling out a beautifully wrapped box.
I quickly turned my attention back to her. “Odessa, you’ve already given me so much.”
“Nonsense, you’re like my own daughter!”
Before I could respond, she pressed the gift into my hands.
Chapter 476: Hug Him
“If you care for him, you should visit us more at the Southwells’ place. Spend time with me, and you’ll get more chances to get close to him.”
“I understand, Odessa,” I said, agreeing with her.
“Oh, and didn’t you mention Johnny Estrada would be here? I haven’t seen him yet,” Odessa casually remarked.
I knew what she was really after. In families like ours, emotions were rarely the priority—everything revolved around business.
“Mr. Johnny is probably running late, but he should be here soon,” I explained.
Odessa noticed the warmth in the way I referred to Johnny and assumed our families were close. She immediately grabbed my hand, her tone turning eager. “Vivian, here’s the deal: The Southwells are looking to expand globally, and you know Mr. Johnny’s business network is huge.”
“I was hoping you could help me and introduce me to him. Do you think that would be possible?” she asked, her eyes full of expectation.
I hadn’t anticipated Odessa being so blunt about her intentions. I wasn’t close to Johnny, and I wasn’t even sure he would show up today. I only mentioned him to make Odessa think I was connected, so she would see me as more valuable and, hopefully, support the match between me and Benjamin.
After a brief pause, I said, “Odessa, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but Mr. Johnny is usually very busy. How about this? I’ll take you to meet him in a little while, but beyond that, I can’t really do much.”
Odessa smiled in satisfaction and patted my shoulder. “Thank you, Vivian! Don’t worry. I’ll remember this favor.”
I gave a calm smile on the outside, though inside, I relished the feeling of being valued. I casually added, “Mr. Johnny is a wonderful person. He once praised a painting I did and even talked to my father about becoming my godfather.”
Having Johnny as a godfather was something many people would eagerly want. Odessa’s eyes widened at my words. She immediately became overly friendly, asking, “Vivian, did Mr. Johnny really say that?”