Candace didn’t understand the drama going on. She only wanted to go to the changing room and get Mommy’s clothes changed.
Cristelle left, carrying her baby girl in her arms.
Jasper still wanted to stop her, but Linford went forth, “Johnson, remember who you are. Or I can’t promise what will happen to you.”
“Cristelle and I are friends,” Jasper protested.
Linford looked at him as if he was looking at a joke, “Do you even believe what you just said? Your intention can’t be more clear. Stay away from her, or I’ll find a way to make you disappear.”
With that, Linford turned around and walked away. If that piece of shit still refused to stay away from Cristelle after this, he would throw him into the dumpster without any mercy.
****
Candace took Cristelle to the changing room, pointing at a white t-shirt on the rack. Cristelle took the t-shirt and examined it. There was a cartoon kitten drawn on it. Candace was wearing the same t-shirt. She turned around and showed the word on her back. It said “Princess.”
Cristelle laughed. She turned her t-shirt around, and it said “Queen.”
Cristelle took off her top and instantly changed into the t-shirt.
However, the door of the changing room was suddenly pushed open as Linford walked in. Cristelle only noticed now that he was also wearing a t-shirt that said, “King.”
Cristelle went blushed, “Can’t you knock?”
Linford shrugged, “It’s not like I just see anything.”
Candace already couldn’t wait. She grabbed her Mom and Dad’s hands at the same time, smiling at them.
She always wanted to play on the beach with her family. It was a pity that Cody was not here with them. But Candace still decided to enjoy her day and have fun.
Candace couldn’t look away as she saw some kids playing with water guns and running on the beach. Linford noticed that, and he asked Alfred to get three water guns for them.
Linford got the biggest one, and Candace got the smallest one. Candace was not happy about it. She wanted the biggest one. Linford thus gave that gun to her. Cristelle picked the girl up, and they both sat on a rubber boat. Candace started to attack Linford, and Linford’s t-shirt was completely soaked. The girl couldn’t stop laughing. The fact made Cristelle laugh as well.
However, Cristelle suddenly heard someone talking about her family behind her back on the beach.
“Did you see that man? Oh my gosh… He’s so freaking hot.”
“Stop saying that. Didn’t you see he’s got a family? He’s married.”
“What a shame. His wife is so lucky. I wonder how pretty she is.”
“Over there. Did you see her?”
“Oh… She? She looks like a 6 to me, to be honest. She didn’t even dare to wear a bikini. I bet she doesn’t work out. How come she just got a perfect husband like that?”
Cristelle didn’t even know how to react anymore. Why did these people have to hold so much grudge toward a stranger?
They could praise and drool over Linford Bradley all they wanted. But couldn’t they just give her a break and leave her out of this? Candace also heard that. Those women were saying bad things about her Mom. Candace raised her water gun and attacked those bikini women.
“Shit! My makeup!” Those women started to scream.
“Who did this?”
“I fucking hate it here!”
Candace was a bit scared, so she ran toward Cristelle and hid behind her back. Cristelle picked the girl up. She almost cried. Her baby was trying to defend her.
Candace was quite proud of herself. She could now protect her Mom even when Cody was away. Linford smiled a bit as he noticed that smug little look on Candace’s face.
A couple of girls took a picture of Linford at this very moment. And that photo went viral instantly.
“Hey… don’t you think that man looks exactly like Linford Bradley?”
“Are you kidding me? Linford Bradley has his own private beach. Why did he have to come here?”
“Well then… That makes sense.”
Cristelle wanted to laugh hearing these ridiculous discussions. She paused and decided that Linford was a more day-to-day person than those people gave him the credit for. He didn’t even care about those houses and helicopters he owned. And that made him quite a great person to hang with.
They spent all day on the beach. Candace didn’t even have a nap. Then, they set up for a barbecue in the evening. Candace was so excited. She had never had barbecues on the beach before.
Cristelle was still a bit traumatized after what had happened last time. However, Candace didn’t seem to remember those things at all, and Cristelle was quite happy for her.
Candace held her hand as they walked on the beach. Alfred and other workers were busy roasting veggies and meat. Candace ran toward the table when she smelt the fragrance. As hungry as she was, she knew she couldn’t eat too much.
Cristelle wanted to feed Candace, but Candace turned her down. She used a fork by herself to eat her food little by little. Cristelle felt a bit sad. She couldn’t explain why, but seeing Candace grow up and become less dependable somehow made her feel lost.
Linford noticed the look on her face. He leaned forward and wrapped an arm around Cristelle’s shoulder. Cristelle frowned, but she didn’t pull away.
Suddenly, however, Donny ran toward them from the other side of the beach, “Cristelle! We need your help!”
Linford cast Donny a stern look. Donny stopped yelling instantly.
“What happened?” Cristelle stood up from her chair.
“Um…” Donny seemed a bit hesitant as she noticed Mr. Bradley was staring at her coldly, “It’s Jasper… He just fainted. We’ve sent him to the hospital. The doctor said his condition is a bit serious.” Donny trailed off.
“But how?” Cristelle went pale, “He was just fine earlier.”
Donny stuttered, “Well… He was fine. But he got stung by a jellyfish right before the shooting was over.”
Cristelle frowned and walked toward Donny, “Let’s go to the hospital right now. I need to make sure he’s okay.”
There were so many types of jellyfish. Some species were harmless, but some could kill people by stinging them. She didn’t want anything to happen to Jasper during the shooting.