“What do you want?” Vivian snarled after storming toward Hunter.
“Didn’t we agree on this?” Hunter cocked his head to the side. “I’ll send you to pick your son up.”
“There’s no need for that. I can go on my own.” With those words said, Vivian ignored him and turned to head toward the garage instead.
“Hold on!” Hunter stopped her. “Since I’m already here, you can’t possibly ask me to just go home. I’ll drive you there, okay?”
Hunter sounded as if he was coaxing his girlfriend, and Vivian breathed out a sigh in exasperation. Mustering as much calmness as she could, she answered, “Mr. Yates, I don’t think we’re that close, are we?”
“Ms. Morrison, I’m currently courting you. You have to give me a chance, right?” It was as though Hunter had not seen the grimace on Vivian’s face, as a smile continued to be on his. “Ms. Morrison, if you refuse to let me send you, I’ll have to linger here until you do.”
Dumbfounded by his words, Vivian was at a loss as to what she should say. It did not help that more and more people were looking in their direction, and they were all residents of the neighborhood. Not wanting to continue being the focus of others’ attention, she steeled herself and entered Hunter’s car.
At that, Hunter revealed a smug smile. As he had previously said, he drove her to pick Larry up from the kindergarten.
In fact, after finding out which kindergarten Larry was attending, he came and waited for her outside Larry’s kindergarten every single day.
Eventually, even Larry noticed something amiss.
One day, after Hunter sent them home, Larry cast his serious eyes on his mother and asked, “Mommy, do you like Mr. Yates?”
Having not expected a question like this from Larry, Vivian smiled, amused. She held him in her arms and mumbled, “You’re still a kid, so don’t overthink it. Mr. Yates is only sending us home, that’s all. I only have my little pumpkin in my heart. There’s no more space for anyone else.”
Hearing her words, Larry beamed and embraced her. “Mommy, I love you too! I love you so, so much!”
I’m glad Mommy didn’t fall in love with someone else. If she did, what would Daddy do? I have to find a way to patch things up between Mommy and Daddy back as soon as possible.
Another day came, and as usual, Hunter came to pick Larry up.
“Hello, Mr. Yates.” Despite his unhappiness, Larry still greeted Hunter politely.
On the other hand, Hunter was happy to see him. After days of interacting with the boy, his impression of him was only getting better and better. In fact, he sometimes thought to himself, it seems quite nice if I were to have a son like him in the future.
“By the way, Vivian, there’ll be a party on a cruise ship in a few days. It’ll be a trip that will last four days and five nights. I’d like to invite you to join me. Will you be interested?” Hunter asked with a smile when they were on their way back.
“I’m sorry. I need to take care of Larry at home, so I don’t think I have the time,” Vivian rejected without missing a beat.
“We can bring Larry along,” Hunter insisted. “There are many entertainment facilities on the ship, and I’m sure Larry will like it too. Moreover, Larry will be having his holidays around that time, so there aren’t any problems at all.”
“No. Larry’s too young, so I don’t want to bring him to a place like that.”
Right as Hunter was about to continue persuading Vivian, Larry, who had been silent until now, inquired, “Mr. Yates, do you know who’s going to be at the party?”
His abrupt question made Hunter freeze for a moment. It took him a while to think before answering, “I guess the prominent figures in society will be joining.”
Hunter had not expected Larry to express interest in the cruise ship’s party, so he was thrilled by the boy’s words and begun to persuade Larry instead. As long as the boy agreed to it, his mother would have to agree to it as well.
“Larry, I promise you that the cruise ship is really fun. Do you want to go there? Why don’t I bring you and your mommy to join it?”
To Vivian’s surprise, Larry, who always hated Hunter, sided with the latter this time. He shook her arm and whined, “Mommy, I want to go there. Why don’t you say yes to Mr. Yates?”
Vivian had a much softer demeanor when she spoke to Larry. “The trip will be long, and I’m scared that you’ll be tired. Why don’t we play at home?”
