Before Zane could speak up for himself, Douglas barreled toward Sonia and wrapped his arms around her waist, thereafter whining, “Aunt Sonia, Uncle Zane was pinching me!”

Sonia’s eyes narrowed into dangerous slits as she surveyed Zane reproachfully.

Zane was quick to raise his hands, as though the gesture was symbolic of his innocence. “No, I did not! Why would I pinch the little guy? I was only teasing him.”

“Teasing him, you say? So, why are his cheeks all red?” Her heart twisted as she soothingly caressed Douglas’ face, which was pink from the pinches. Then, she accusingly addressed Zane, “You’re just like Toby.”

At the mention of Toby, the playful glimmer in Zane’s eyes dimmed. “Toby?! What did he do?”

She rolled her eyes in exasperation and explained witheringly, “He practically kneaded Douglas’ cheeks until they were red last night. It’s always brute force when it comes to you men.”

His brows furrowed. “He kneaded Douglas’ face? Does that mean the both of you met Toby after I left last night?”

Sonia handed a spoon to Douglas and pulled up a chair at the table. “That’s right. Douglas was hungry, so I brought him out for food. We then ran into Toby at the restaurant. When Douglas needed to use the restroom, I was too embarrassed to bring him into the men’s room, so Toby brought him instead.”

“Oh, okay.” Zane nodded in understanding.

Meanwhile, Douglas was taking his oatmeal when he suddenly piped up, “Mr. Toby was hurt too.”

“Hurt?” Zane could not hide his shock as he looked over at Sonia. “How did that happen?”

She pinched the space between her brows in exhaustion as she began to narrate what had happened the night before.

After he heard the whole story, he rubbed his face and remarked, “There must have been some kind of jinx on you guys. I mean, the chances of stuff like this happening are practically slim-to none otherwise!”

A rueful smile played on Sonia’s lips. “Believe me, I know.” She thought they had been rather unlucky as well.

“You’re fortunate to have escaped unscathed,” he pointed out with a lopsided smile, his eyes meeting hers.

The corners of her lips slightly tipped up. “That’s only because Toby shielded me and was hurt instead. I’m still thinking about how I should thank him for it.” She didn’t want to show up at his place to deliver her thanks in person. If she did, a certain lunatic named Tina might very well

unleash chaos once more.

As though he read Sonia’s mind, Zane took a bite of the pancake and casually responded, “That should be easy. It’s not as if you were the one who forced him into saving you. Why don’t you rustle up a get-well-soon hamper or something and have someone send it over to him?”

“A get-well-soon hamper?”

nodded emphatically. “The man had injured his foot. I’d say that’s a good excuse

rather sensible one and after she sipped her milk, she agreed with it. “I guess that works. I’ll have someone make

breakfast was over, the three

of his car. Then, he glanced over at her

With a small laugh, she added, “Besides, I like

Can I come by again soon?”

you can,” she promised,

in his mind turn. He grinned at Douglas as he interjected, “Don’t you worry. I can drop

just trying to use me as an excuse to see Aunt Sonia, you sly man. However, given how much he wanted Zane to triumph in

way, are you going to the hospital for the operation today?” Zane’s gaze flickered over

strained hum then escaped her before she answered, “Yes, I’ll be

and I won’t take no for an answer. I know Charles will be present as well, but maybe I could lend an extra

was mildly amused by his insistence. “Okay, then. You may

hand at her. “Right, I’ll be taking Douglas home now. See you

little hand up and waved goodbye

responded with a warm

left in their car seconds later and she did not stay in place for long. After having checked

here is today’s schedule.” With that, the secretary began to detail the agenda lined up for

over and

announced, “I’ll be going to the hospital later, so cancel the afternoon

for a few days following the operation, which meant she would have to reorganize her

Daphne nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

she turned and asked, “By the way, could you rustle up a get-well-soon hamper? Make sure to pack it with goodies, preferably for someone who needs a

Daphne could not hide her surprise. Is President Reed trying to

and explained vaguely, “He’s hurt. Given that he’s our biggest collaborator,

a daze as she nodded her head while the wild guesses she made immediately

herself heaving a quiet sigh of relief. However, she maintained her composure as she waved her hand,

away.” Daphne

darkened eyes as Daphne left her office. She had not elaborated on

hard to explain why Sonia was hanging out with her ex-husband at the amusement park-and at night, no less. Even if she were to say that the meeting

those thoughts, Sonia pulled out her chair and sat down before

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255