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.

kind of jinx

Sonia’s lips. “Believe me, I know.” She

he pointed out

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

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

“A get-well-soon hamper?”

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

after she sipped her milk, she agreed with it. “I guess that works. I’ll have

breakfast was over, the three of them

of his car. Then, he glanced over at her meaningfully as he said, “Thanks

affectionately. With

you too, Aunt Sonia. Can I come by again soon?” Douglas lifted

she

mind turn. He grinned at Douglas as he interjected, “Don’t you

just trying to use me as an excuse to see Aunt Sonia, you sly

hospital for the operation

suppressed her heartache. A strained hum then escaped her before she answered, “Yes, I’ll be going this

an answer. I know Charles will be present as well, but maybe

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

at her. “Right,

waved goodbye at Sonia too. “Bye, Aunt

responded

seconds later and she did not stay in place for

Reed, here is today’s schedule.” With that, the secretary

and perused it while she

hospital later, so cancel the afternoon line-up, seeing as there’s nothing important anyway. Also, I’ll

which meant she

Daphne nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

the door to her office when 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 treat after injuring their feet. Have it delivered to

surprise. Is President Reed trying to patch things up with President

her gaze and explained vaguely, “He’s hurt. Given that he’s our biggest collaborator, not to mention the man in charge of the alternative energy technology project, we should offer him our

in a daze as she nodded her head while the wild guesses

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

away.” Daphne

her office. She had not elaborated on the cause of Toby’s injury precisely because she wanted to prevent

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