Chapter 9 Home
After listening to the guard, Arthur cracked a meaningful smile. He would like to see what such a boy would do on his own. He said to the guard, "It's OK, I'll handle it." The guard sighed with relief in mind, nodded politely at Arthur, and then turned to leave. And Arthur returned home and closed the door.
In the living room, a boy was sitting on a luxurious leather crouch and looking around curiously. Arthur leaned against the wall of the porch and kept silent. Theodore observed the layout of the villa where the cool color was predominant, showing the aloofness of the owner and his great taste everywhere.
Theodore was very satisfied with Arthur's taste, nodding his head, and then turned to look at him.
"Uncle, why not take a seat?" Theodore said with a confident smile, seeming that he was the owner.
Arthur raised his brows unobtrusively, walked into the living room casually, and sat on the club chair close to Theodore with an impenetrable expression.
"You don't talk much..." Theodore murmured while appraising Arthur in his mind.
Knowing that his silence couldn't make the kid feel ill at ease, Arthur sighed slightly and asked, "What are you going to do?"
"Hee hee..." Theodore chuckled because the man finally spoke, then he took the banknotes out from his pocket and swayed them, saying "Give back the money to you."
He knew that Arthur would not get the money with his hands, thus he simply put it on the tea table in front of him. And then he spoke again, "Uncle, do you have a girlfriend?"
The reason why Theodore came here was to ask Arthur if he could pretend to be his mother's boyfriend. If Arthur rejected the request, he would find another way. It was just a bit pitiful because he was satisfied with Arthur after all.
And if his mom got a boyfriend who was the most ideal man to marry in Athegate, humph, he would like to see how that woman, Poppy, flaunted her "runner-up".
"What?" Arthur never thought that such a boy would cut to the chase, so he deliberately feigned that he didn't catch his words.
"If you don't have a girlfriend, can you pretend to be my mom's boyfriend? She is beautiful and kind-hearted." After all, Theodore was a child. Although he was smart, he couldn't understand adults' doublespeak. And he intentionally added, "Only pretending!"
As expected, Arthur sneered irreverently in front of Theodore after listening to his words. He didn't hide his disdain at all with his lips.
"Uncle, are you sneering?" Theodore asked, tilting his head and squinting.
"Tell your mom. Don't daydream about it." Arthur just felt disgusted when he recalled the face of the woman with Theodore.
"Hold on. My mom doesn't daydream about it. It's me. I only want you to pretend..." Theodore denied it directly and did his job as a "lobbyist". He said, "My mom is the most beautiful woman in the world. She has the best personality. She always loves me. She..." Theodore's eyes almost twinkled like a star as he said these words. However, Arthur didn't want to listen to his boast.
"Stop." Arthur interrupted Theodore. Did a good woman use her kid to attract a man? What a joke!
Arthur stood up and gave Theodore a cold stare. He had been extremely impatient. As he was about to speak, the doorbell rang again.
It was very embarrassing for a moment.
Theodore smiled sweetly while Arthur just scratched his head restlessly.
What the hell of today? Why so many unexpected knocks at the door?
Arthur went to open the door reluctantly. However, the uninvited guest surprised him.
"Mom?!" Opening the door and looking at the graceful woman, Arthur showed astonishment on his face for the first time.
Alright, it was Arthur's mother in front of the door, the wife of Davonnis Crop's chairman, named Sophie Richards.
"Why are you so surprised?"This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.
Sophie was elegant and dignified, standing in front of the door. Her khaki long dress made her a plain but beautiful picture. She actually had a sense of mischievousness like a girl, with a pair of upturn eyes twinkling on her face.
She smiled and walked in slowly with a warm flow, saying to Arthur, "I really miss you, Arthur."
Sophie's words made Arthur feel warm. He slightly looked down saying nothing.
Seeing that, Sophie smiled wider. She put her hand on Arthur's arm and led him to the living room lovingly. However, their chat just stopped suddenly when she noticed Theodore in the crouch. Following Sophie's sight, Arthur immediately turned his smile to a long face. He almost forgot Theodore was still here!
"Arthur..." Sophie paused for a while and finished her words, "Is he your son?!"
"What?" Arthur felt confused this time though he always considered himself a calm person.
Before Arthur reacted, Sophie suddenly lost her modesty, rushed to Theodore like the wind, and held him up in her arms. After she looked at the boy carefully, she asked Arthur in an amazed but happy tone, "Arthur, when did you have a girlfriend and such a big boy?!"
Theodore said to her sweetly, "Nice to meet you, grandma."
Sophie was so delighted that her eyes turned curved-shaped. But when she faced her son, she still asked frowning, "Who's his mom?"
"Mom, what are you talking about!" Arthur hurried to her as he came back to life. He denied it quickly, "It's impossible that I have such a big boy! Will I keep it from you for so long if you really have a grandson?!"
With Arthur's warning, Sophie found it unusual. But the child...was the spitting image of little Arthur!
Putting Theodore on the crouch, Sophie took out a delicate wallet from her purse and pulled out a family photo, pointing at a little boy in it and saying to Arthur,
"How do you explain this?" Sophie believed in cause and effect instead of coincidence.
The photo Sophie showed was a family photo shot when Arthur was a child. The boy that Sophie pointed at was exactly the same as the little one sitting on the sofa, which confused Arthur. Arthur lost his words, and Sophie knew his confusion. Was there something odd?
"Kid, what's your name? And who's your mom?" Sophie asked Theodore softly with a smile.
But Arthur preferred to ask the boy how he knew his address and what was the purpose of him and his mom.
As Theodore was about to answer, there was a crisp ringtone from the pocket of his trousers. The three paused at the same time.