Candace took out a black card from Cody’s pocket. It was the card Linford gave Lola a couple of days ago.
Linford was so pissed off. So the boy took his money to arrange a date for his wife and another man?
Good for him!
Linford held the struggling boy under one arm as he held Candace’s little hand. When they approached Cristelle and Jasper’s table, Cristelle’s mouth fell open.
“Mom!” Cody cried.
“Cody!” Cristelle tried to save her boy, but the dress she was wearing today was too long. She tripped on its hem and fell.
“Cristelle!” Two voices sounded at the same time. Jasper was the one who dashed forward first. But Linford was the closest. So he threw the boy away and held Cristelle in his arms.
“Are you okay, Cristelle?” Jasper was so worried. Cristelle bumped her head against Linford’s firm chest. She blushed a bit, “I… I’m fine.”
Linford looked down and noticed her dress slipped down a bit, revealing her chest. He pulled it up frustratingly, sounding mildly pissed off, “When can you be truly careful when I’m away?”
Cristelle was also pretty angry. If he didn’t treat Cody that way, she wouldn’t have gone panicked and tripped over.
Cody noticed that and instantly covered his head, “Ow, my head hurts!”
“Cody!” Cristelle tried to approach the boy, but Linford wouldn’t let her go, “Don’t mind him.”
Cody was not happy about that as he kept crying, “Mommy! My head hurts!”
Jasper crouched down and held the boy in his arms, “Do you want to go to the hospital, Cody?”
Cody was about to nod, but Linford approached them, “He doesn’t need that, Mr. Johnson. You’re just a stranger to my family. I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to carry my son around. Alfred, take Cody with us.”
With that, he scooped Cristelle up in his arms and left the restaurant.
Cody was still struggling as Alfred took him away. Jasper tried to catch up, but he was still one step late before Cristelle was taken into the car.
Jasper’s hand fisted up as he watched the fancy car drive away.
He had put in too much effort. He mustn’t fail this time. He must get what he wants.
****
“Mommy, my head hurts,” Cody covered his head, whining.
Cristelle was so worried as she checked out the boy, “We’re going to the hospital right now, sweetie. You will be fine.”
Linford pulled the boy in, hooking his neck with one muscular arm, “Hospital? I threw you onto the couch. Stop pretending.”
Cody went red, “I don’t care! Don’t touch me!”
“You Mom just recovered. You can’t let her hold you all the time.”
Cody huffed and stopped struggling.
Cristelle actually let out a breath secretly after being saved from that restaurant. She had been so awkward when she was with Jasper. She only felt a bit better now after Linford took her away.
Why couldn’t Cody consult her when he decided to arrange a date for her?
Cody squirmed on the seat and rested his head on her arm, “Mom, I feel sick. Can we go back home now and sleep?”
Cristelle was also pretty tired, so she smiled at the boy, “Okay.”
Candace climbed on Linford’s lap when Cody was away, resting her chest against Linford’s chest and closing her eyes.
Linford didn’t have any facial expressions as he stroked the girl’s soft hair, “Your uncle’s been taking a break lately. He’s waiting for us at home. I guess he doesn’t need to see you if you’re so eager to go to sleep tonight.”
Uncle Enzo!
Cody’s eyes widened. He wanted to see that cool, military uncle of his so much!
Cristelle could tell what the boy was thinking, “We just had dinner. We don’t need to go to sleep so early tonight. Go play with your uncle when we go back.”
Cody nodded eagerly. He loved Enzo so much. He wished he could become just like Enzo when he grew up.
Linford huffed, eyes filled with contempt.
The car stopped by the neighborhood soon. Cody jumped off the car instantly as it pulled over, “Mommy! Let’s go!”
“Mommy can’t walk too fast. You go with Alfred first,” Holding the sleeping Candace in one arm, Linford put the other hand on Cristelle’s back, making sure she wouldn’t fall over.
Cristelle was feeling a bit uncomfortable, “I can walk by myself.”
Linford acted like he didn’t hear that. His hand didn’t even shift as he led her forward. Cristelle wanted to walk faster, but those heels were killing her. She wondered where Cody found these. She couldn’t even walk when she was in them.
****
“Uncle! You’re back! Welcome!” Cody saw Enzo from a distance, running toward him directly. Enzo has been taking a break since today. After leaving the camp, he went to visit Franco. And then, he came here, bringing all the gifts from Franco to the babies.
“Boy!” Enzo put those things down and picked Cody up, “You’re getting stronger.”
Cody smiled widely, “I’ve been practicing boxing. Can I share a bed with you tonight, uncle? I have so many things to tell you.”
Enzo laughed, “Really?”
Cristelle pulled out her keys and opened the door, “The boy admires you.”
Enzo nodded, “I also like Cody. He’ll be such a great soldier when he grows up.”
Cody was pretty proud to get that judgment. He cast Linford a look. See that? Your brother is complimenting me.
Linford rolled his eyes and took Candace to her bedroom. When he walked out of the bedroom, Cody was showing the gun Franco gave him to Enzo, “I know how to use this now, but it doesn’t have any bullets in it. I want to play it when it has bullets.”
Enzo looked pretty serious, “Boy, guns are not toys. You’re too small to use loaded ones. I’ll teach you how to load bullets when you grow up.”
“Really? Deal!” Cody was so happy.
Cristelle served a plate of cut fruit before him, “Have you eaten anything, Enzo? We’ve got some pizza in the freezer. I can microwave it if you haven’t had dinner.”
Cristelle was as sweet as always. Enzo cast a look at Linford, knowing his little brother still hadn’t managed to shrink his distance from this woman.
“You don’t have to, Cristelle. That’s really sweet, but I’ve eaten at Pop’s,” Enzo smiled. And then, he picked Cody up with one arm, “Do you want to go to the next door so I can give you some shooting instructions?”