Rose was in a daze, her jaw-dropping. This man had chiseled features and a defined body. He looked more handsome than all the male celebrities on TV combined. And he was so intimidating, like a lion.
Cristelle could only answer his question, “Nothing, really. My aunt and my cousin said they worried about me. That’s it.”
She could feel Linford’s intense gaze without looking up, hoping secretly that he would leave soon.
Linford had seen what had happened earlier, but he didn’t want to expose her, “It’s quite late, though. Do you want me to give you a lift?”
Cristelle nodded, “That would be really kind of you, thanks.”
She didn’t want to hover with those two anymore.
Cristelle walked away with Linford. Ingrid had no intention of letting her go, “Hey! Wait! I haven’t finished with you yet!”
Linford stopped and cast Ingrid a stern look. Ingrid froze.
“Mom? Mom! Why did you just let them go?” Rose stomped her feet. They left too soon. She hadn’t even got the chance to ask that man’s name.
Ingrid turned around, hand on her chest, “I don’t even know why. That man was so freaking scary. Haven’t you noticed his stern gaze?”
“Scary?”
He was so good-looking!
Ingrid let out a breath, “Don’t worry, baby. That little slut won’t get away from us. I’ll get that money and use it on your wedding.”
Rose only looked in Linford’s direction. What wedding? Her fiancé was nothing compared with that man.
****
Cristelle felt extremely awkward inside the car. Linford was sitting on the other end of the seat. She didn’t want Linford to witness that. Having relatives like that wasn’t very comfortable.
“They’re here to get money from you?” Linford asked casually.
Cristelle tried to smile, “They saw the report on the news, and they just came here.”
He had seen through the whole thing anyway. Cristelle didn’t want to hide it anymore.
“So… You’re gonna let them take it?” Linford questions her in a flat tone.
“No,” Cristelle huffed, “I still need the money to take care of my babies. Who are they to take away my property?”
Linford seemed amused as he heard her answer, “You know you can always come to me when you need help, right?”
Cristelle turned to look at the man, blinking confusingly.
Linford smiled, “No one can bully my people.”
His people? Cristelle blushed for a short while, but soon she got his meaning.
He must mean “his staff,” right? Cristelle thus nodded at him, smiling.
The car pulled out at Cristelle’s apartment. Cristelle took off from the car as she turned to nod at Linford, “Thank you, Mr. Bradley.”
To her surprise, Linford also stepped off the car. He looked up at the building and then turned his gaze to Cristelle, “Do you like the condition here? Is the apartment comfortable to live in?”
“Sure, my babies all like our apartment,” Cristelle addressed the word “babies,” trying to set the boundary.
Linford got her meaning instantly. This woman was just too adorable.
“Your babies must be waiting. I won’t keep you up here. See you tomorrow. Oh… By the way…” Linford turned to his driver, “Alfred, do you mind bringing me the box of chocolate?”
Alfred grabbed the chocolate instantly and brought it to Cristelle. Cristelle knew it must be hella expensive as she noticed the wrap, “No … Sir, you really don’t have to…”
Linford looked up and saw a small figure standing by the window. He couldn’t see that kid’s face, but that kid somehow looked extremely adorable, “Just take it. It’s for the babies. You’re getting late. Don’t you think you owe them an apology?”
****
Cristelle got his meaning and took the gift. Linford smiled and got in his car. The discreet car thus steered out of the driveway.
“Cristelle is a great mother, though,” Alfred sighed as he rested his hands on the steering wheel, “She’s trying to bring up two babies by herself. They said her daughter has a condition…”
Linford’s eyebrow raised, “What condition?”
“Selective mutism? I suppose?” Alfred answered.
Selective mutism?!
Linford reclined in the seat. That word somehow rang a bell. But he couldn’t grasp the connection between it and his memories.
****
Cristelle felt a bit exhausted as she knocked on the door.
“Mom, why were you with that guy again?” Cody asked. Why couldn’t that guy just leave his Mommy alone? Now he just hated that man even more.
“Don’t be mad with Mommy, sweetie,” Cristelle pouted, “Something happened on Mommy’s way back today. Without that man’s help, Mommy would have been stuck there.”
Candace wrapped her arms around Cristelle’s waist the moment she heard that.
Cristelle smiled down at her baby, “Did you miss Mommy?”
Candace nodded.
Cody became less angry, “Did anyone give you trouble today?”
Cristelle didn’t want to tell the kids about her sudden encounter with her toxic cousin and aunt. So she lied, “No one, really. Just some trouble from work.”
Saying that, she opened the box of chocolate, “Why don’t you guys have some sweets before dinner?”
Candace went for the chocolate happily. Cody just stood there, small arms folded before his chest, “I don’t really want to eat that. Candace can have all of them.”
He just didn’t want to eat what that man sent them.
****
Cristelle went to work the next day. But she was stopped before she could enter the gate of the company.
Rose and Ingrid had been waiting for her there, “Cristelle… Where are you going? We still need to discuss the whole thing, right?”
“Get your hands off me!” Cristelle struggled, “There are cameras here! I’m warning you!”
Rose huffed, “We don’t give a fuck. This is our family’s business. We can do whatever we want.”
“Cristelle, just calm down. We’re your relatives. We only care about you, right, Rose?” She gave Rose an eye. Ingrid knew Cristelle had a pure heart. All she needed to do was to make Cristelle feel soft for them.
Cristelle only snapped coldly, “I have a great life. You don’t need to worry about me. Just leave me alone immediately.”
Ingrid grabbed her wrist, “Don’t go, Cristelle, I haven’t finished yet!”
Cristelle didn’t want to hear anymore, trying to pull away.