The shadows closed in, and there was a faint scent of grapefruit in the air.
Ranita pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket and used it to wipe the sweat off Brendon’s forehead. He was standing very close, and she could see his straight nose and full lips…
“Thank you!” Brendon said softly. “Could you also wipe my neck?”
That was pushing it.
But Ayaan was watching, so Ranita couldn’t lose her temper.
Brendon tilted his head and urged her on. “I’m sweating there too, it’s really itching.”
Ranita thought he was being a bit of a baby about it, but she didn’t say anything. She wiped the sweat off his neck anyway.
She felt pretty miserable inside.
She didn’t want to get involved with Brendon any more than she already had, but now…
“… Next up is the three-legged race! Parents can team up or parents can partner with their kids…”
Ranita thought Ayaan would be thrilled to play games with Brendon, but instead Ayaan pushed her towards him, “Mommy, you can play this game with my new Daddy.”
“Why? Don’t you want to play?”
Ayaan looked around and said, “But everyone else’s parents are participating together! Mommy, new daddy, can you both win first place again?”
Probably to secure a position, many parents chose to have adults participate in this competition! And even the parents of Billy, who lost the previous race, provocatively gestured towards them!
This greatly ignited Ranita’s competitive spirit!
She wanted to win!
“I will try my best!”
However, Brendon pulled the little boy closer and said seriously, “Your mommy twisted her foot and has a slight cold. Let her rest…”
Upon hearing this, Ranita quickly interrupted, “I’m fine!”
“Brendon, I want to participate in this race! Don’t hold me back!” Ranita insisted on her idea. “Don’t try to convince me! I refuse!”
Brendon helplessly said, “Ranita, why are you being so difficult?!”
In the end, Ranita still took the field. Brendon looked at her and reminded, “Don’t push yourself too hard! Understand?”
Ranita rolled her eyes at him.
With the sound of the starting whistle, Ranita also ran forward actively. However, her ankle was not cooperative, and after a few big steps, she felt a slight pain in her ankle!
Combined with her existing discomfort, she began to feel uncomfortable all over.
“Can you keep going?” Brendon asked worriedly.
“I’m fine,” Ranita wanted to persevere, but she was surpassed one after another, which made her even more anxious. Her steps became disorganized, matching Brendon’s.
Suddenly, Ranita’s waist was grabbed!
“What are you doing…” Ranita didn’t finish her sentence, as Brendon’s arm lifted her up, “Hold on to me, don’t fall!”
“I’ve picked up the pace!”
He spoke near her ear, with a low and melodious voice, as if playing a cello, stirring her heart. Ranita inexplicably felt her ears burning.
Ranita’s heart raced.
It must be because the sun was too hot, making her feel feverish! Yes, that must be it!
“Hold on…” Ranita hesitated for a while, and Brendon directly grabbed her hand and placed it around his waist.
Ranita held her breath, wanting to shake it off, but Brendon suddenly accelerated and rushed forward. Afraid of tripping and hindering him, she had no choice but to keep her hand on his waist.
At first, Ranita felt a bit uncomfortable, but when the race reached its crucial moment, coupled with Ayaan continuously cheering, “Mommy, Daddy, go for it!”
Ranita couldn’t think of anything else. She kept tugging at his clothes, urging, “Brendon, faster! Faster!”